Rabbits and Rainbows
The Amazing World of Gumball follows the misadventures of 12-year-old Gumball and his family in the wonderful little town of Elmore.
Gumball's school friends include a T-Rex, a cheerleader peanut and a banana. Then there's Dad, a 6'4" pink rabbit who stays at home while Mom works in the rainbow factory. Gumball is a blue cat with a giant head. His sister is Anais, a 4-year-old genius bunny. Darwin is a pet goldfish who became part of the family when he sprouted legs.
The Amazing World of Gumball, created by Ben Bocquelet and directed by Mic Graves, is the first UK-produced full-length animated series out of Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe.
High Jinks Ensue
Anais, Mom, Gumball, Darwin and Dad
Cartoon NetworkGumball and Darwin frequently get into trouble of their own making in The Amazing World Gumball. Rather than face the consequences of their destructive actions, they usually try to hide the damage or blame it on someone else. Mom is the high authority in the house, with Anais, the brainy little sister, being the next most mature.
Surprisingly, there are good lessons to be learned when Gumball and Darwin make bad choices. For instance in the two episodes I watched, I learned how not to treat my DVDs and that pouring water onto an electrical fire is a bad idea. How's that for refreshing in this age of true-life Beavis and Butt-heads?
Lessons aside, the humor is pointed straight at the elementary school crowd. Though some cartoons can entertain children and adults alike, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Amazing World Gumball does a bang-up job of focusing on making kids laugh. Though parents will sympathize with Mom, they may yawn a time or two before the story wraps up. However, the kids will relate to Gumball and Darwin, laughing all the way to the end.
