This is another Super Sentai show from Saban and it's one of the last unique entries they had before they just focused solely on "Power Rangers" let alone last shows in the twilight years of Fox Kids, and this show I felt was a good send off for it. It was also an interesting mix of Super Sentai, The Monster Squad, Batman 66 and you pretty much have this show.
The show isn't just on the lighthearted side but also it's somewhat of a wish fulfillment fantasy, for one thing the protagonists are kids. Which I thought was cool seeing kids in a super sentai take charge which broke the child in distress cliché which is all to common in both the Sentai and comic book shows. But mainly gave the show a relatability factor as most that watch sentai shows are kids, a lot of us that age or even now have dreamed of being Super Sentai/Comic Book superheroes and having comic book like action and adventures, this show shows what if you did have that chance to.
The story structure is also really good there actually is a bit of plot advancement but also change as the second season has a different plotline which I think is cool, I always like it when protagonists deal with something different which not just provides a different challenge but also keeps the show fresh, keeps it from feeling like you seeing the same thing; unlike most shows that go on longer than desired to the point their completely broke on creativity.
I really like the characters from supporting characters like Flibber whom an eccentric sorcerer/ghost is. His character is always a lot of fun as he's always a guy that does things, there is not one moment where he isn't which I can emphasize with as I'm a doer myself. His personality is almost Jim Carrey like (Jim Carrey in a Super Sentai show that would have been something) as he's just got this energy to him. And of course, his wardrobe fits his colorful persona which looks like the kind of outfit Liberache or Elton John would wear. But what I like about him is he's almost like an uncle figure as he cares about the kids, makes sure nothing bad happens to them and is always helpful to them anyway he knows how.
The villains are also good like Villigax is solid, really like that voice as it's sort of a high class/aristocratic tone which I feel adds to the menace as he's very sharp, focused on whatever nefarious goals come to mind, and always expects things to go his way which most of the time it does.
I like the three flunkies whom you could say are monster versions of "The Three Stooges" as all three despite their unique abilities there a bit moronic. I really like the unique characteristics on all three let alone voices, Noxious sound like Joe Peshi he's somewhat of a leader of the three, Jara she sounds like Natasha from "Rocky and Bullwinkle" she's a second in command and actually the smart one of the bunch, and Typhus has the deep voice which makes him the muscle.
Though my favorite is Shadow Borg despite not in the show too long he is just awesome, I really love the armor on him which just shines with menace. But I really like that voice where he sound like a rough evil cowboy which is what the villain sort of it.
But it's the three kids I really like, they're not the stereotypical annoying kids but feel (or almost feel) like actual kids, each of them have unique personas.
Rolland the Green Bettleborg, he's a solid character, his dad own the comic book shop, he's a person that loves being active but has this fast wit and charisma to him.
Two of my favorites are Jo the Red Bettleborg whom is one that is on the athletic side but has a spunky persona. Drew the Blue Bettelborg is my favorite as he is the leader, he's one I can sort of relate to a little as I use to sort of be like this when I was his age. He's sort of the brainy type as he's not the guy that's all that into sports but simply into just whatever interest him mainly comic books/graphic novels, he's a person with big dreams, throughout the show he carries a pining touch for this girl Heather. Yeah, we all had those, and he is always struggling to work up the nerve to ask her out or even talk to her. Sadly this subplot never really gets resolved which is one of the weak points of the show.
But what I really like is he's a passive aggressive type, despite being on the shy side sometimes he's never short of courage he's always willing to do what he must to not just save the town but also to back his friends up when they most need him in and out of the Beetleborg armor.
The kids also have some superpowers outside their Borg costume like Roland with its super speed, Jo super strength, and my favorite is Drew whom has telekinesis.
I really like that these kids are comic book fans as these kids shop at their local comic shop. I go to comic shops too, they're like the cathedrals for comic/graphic novels/pop culture for me, just looking at their shop I wanted to shop there also.
But also kids that are into horror as well, as they have their H.Q. in a haunted mansion which doesn't kill them and is actually more of a fun house, which I think is also cool and something different in Super Sentai having H.Q. at a haunted mansion which actually works to the good guys advantage who would suspect Super Sentai H.Q. being there, let alone haunted mansions are places not a lot of people dare to go.
Also, all three kids are somewhat underdogs as their kids that work, their not people on the popular list or always get girls and goodies. But all three are wealthy in strong friendships, people and the customers like them, they not just defend the common good from monstrous threats as Bettleborgs but other kinds of threats as themselves.
One of them are these two other kids Trip and Van that are unsavory characters whom are basically rich fraks that just act like they own everything and everyone. Which makes it more satisfying when either all three or even karma itself knocks both on their ass; and shows the Bettleborgs are no one's b....
But like with all super sentai shows, we're here for the action. The action is very good, it's well choregraphed. There is some martial arts but the combat is more weapons based which I like, it's something a little different.
The monsters they battle are colorful and creative as usual with the sentai shows, one the interesting things about the action is that they actually have comic panel sequences and even put in some of the word graphics on the hits delivered in places sort of like with the "Batman 66" TV series" this gives the show the feel you're seeing a live action comic book.
I really love the Bettleborg power armor the designs of them are awesome, I wanted one of my own. Just the color of them, but also the design of the helmets which are cool as each are unique in the display of a different kind of beetle.
My favorite is the Blue Armor from the fact it's my favorite color, but I just like those helmets, I even like in the second to final season the Metalix armor which made the Borgs look more knight like, the Blue Armor changes to gold.
The weapons are cool and unique from the wrist claws but mainly I like that wrist sword the blue one has. The guns are also cool, really like this dial in feature where if they type in a code they can shoot whatever is needed like ice or flame. With the upgraded metalix guns they had to insert a different card in certain places of the gun to fire certain features. But the best part is when they get to take out the big guns when they sometimes slap on a little upgrade on their current weapon, giving the firepower more oomph than before.
And of course, they even have vehicles which are automobiles which are cool each have their own specialty and designed like bugs, like Jo's which is shaped like a Lady Bug her's is basically a chopper and hover craft. Drews is moves sort of like a jeep/hummer of the sort. And Roland his is sort of a tank. Drews vehicle is my favorite as it has this giant magnet in front that can either discharge electrical bolts or even draw the enimies onto the magnet and just catapult them.
However, there are a few bugs in this show (no pun intended). Some of the humor could be a bit lame even by kid standards, but same can be said about most comedies not every joke is going to be a winner. The music is decent, but that's another weak point of the show most of the tunes aren't memorable, though there is a track or two I don't mind listening to. Especially the theme song which is sort of catchy. The acting it can be really dodgy sometimes; the kids sometimes hit some flat notes, adults overacting or underacting. Yeah some of them probably needed a little more acting training but I really can get past this issue as it's doesn't occur that much or is even noticeable. Though to me the real problem was the show can be a bit uneven sometimes, it really did feel like they were stuffing a little too much in making the show undecisive on what it wants to be.
I wouldn't mind a revival, though with the revival they could take a more darker slightly serious direction sort of like with "Stranger Things" where the kids don the armor but not just fight comic book villains come to life but also deal with supernatural and otherworldly threats. Though personally I'd love to see a comic book adaptation of this series form "Boom Studios" on "IDW" since Hasbro has the rights to the Saban Super Sentai properties.
Big Bad Bettleborgs is big fun.
Rating: 3 stars
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