The beauty of this show lies in the fact that it should not work. The plot is completely implausible, the main character is a classic Mary Sue (as far as the term can be applied to a canon character), and the main cast is made up primarily of Disney elite – young actors who manage to get their typically underdeveloped claws into everything from their own shows to the latest Disney movies (animated or otherwise), to pre-teen pop radio. There is no excuse for the last offense (though the other actors go a long way to making up for it... And Christy Carlson Romano really is pretty good), but the first two actually add to the atmosphere of the show, bizarrely enough.
Kim Possible, like a certain be-caped duck a decade or so her elder, is a parody of the superhero genre. And, like any good parody, the show manages to be far more complex and interesting than the shows it is imitating. Kim’s arch foe, Dr. Drakken, is far from the evil genius he claims to be. The son in the father-son villain duo is uninterested in learning his father’s evil ways. And one of the villains uses exploding golf balls as his weapon of choice.
Our Dynamic Duo in this instance is quite unconventional, as well. In today’s world of “strong” female characters whose strength lies in their sex appeal, it’s nice to see a genuinely strong, realistic (well, personality-wise) representation of a modern girl. Kim is a worthy role model because she is a well-rounded, believable character with many talents that don’t necessarily involve being prim or proper or pretty. She’s not entirely without feminine characteristics, though – she is a cheerleader, after all, but, unlike many of us these days, she doesn’t let traditional gender roles limit her. And how awesome is it that the Damsel in Distress, more often than not, is Ron, whose talents lie mostly in pigging out and cooking (what a fabulous blend of female and male stereotypes, no? I love this show). Far from today’s all-to-typical portrayal of men as bumbling fools, though, Ron isn’t completely ineffectual. Largely, sure, but not totally. If nothing else, he at least has the Mystical Monkey Power thing going on, whatever that actually did for him...
What it comes right down to is the fact that Kim Possible features smart, funny writing and a (mostly) great cast with amazing delivery. I have yet to find an episode that I flat out didn’t like, because transgressions are minor and every episode has at least something to recommend it. The only bone I have to pick with the production team (other than Use Felix more!, but we all knew that was coming) is STOP FEEDING THE SHIPPERS!
There. I’ve said my piece. And some of it may have even been coherent. Woot.
Thanks to Sandylion Sticker Designs for the badical stickers.
Written January 21, 2005. Posted nearly a month later, because I’m a bum.
