Earth’s three finest kindergarten superheroes gave ‘90s fans a blast from the past with their return on Cartoon Network’s special, Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed. Revamped with CGI animation, the original voice cast reprised their roles and revived a now-nostalgic television series.
It’s never easy recreating a famous sugar-and-spice formula that was perfect to begin with, but director David Smith’s take on the Emmy-winning series didn’t disappoint. Minus their characteristic dark outlines, Townsville’s Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup haven’t skipped a beat since their goodbye in 2005.
Blossom remained the level-headed pact leader, having sat the Powerpuff team down for a group discussion when it was decided that their “Dance Pants Revolution” game was tearing them apart. Although it’s still questionable as to why Bubbles had ice breath instead of Blossom, Bubbles was her usual jubilant self, with her beloved Octi still in hand.
After becoming the laughingstock of the town, the megalomaniac monkey known as Mojo Jojo promises to develop another master plan. Soon after, Bubbles’ begins playing the oddly suspicious “Dance Pants R-EVILution 2” that was delivered to the house. In typical super villain fashion, the girls are controlled one by one and sucked into Mojo Jojo’s newest ploy to take over Townsville.
With the help of the brainwashed Powerpuff Girls, three town celebrities are conveniently kidnapped for the second time in a row. One of the celebrities is a glitzy mathematician named Fibonacci Sequins, who is voiced by Beatles legend Ringo Starr. Even in the midst of the growing chaos, Sequins manages to perform a catchy song number, “I Wish I Was a Powerpuff Girl,” before his capture.
It wouldn’t be a complete episode without Townsville's representatives, the Mayor and Ms. Sara Bellum. The Mayor is still as oblivious as ever to his surroundings, while Ms. Bellum continues to be the brains of the operation.
Joining together with Professor Utonium, the three have a humorous dance off against Townsville’s superhero trio turned criminal. The second-hand embarrassment takes a backseat as the make-shift dance crew loses to the Powerpuff Girls’ overwhelming abilities.
Believing he has lost his girls for good, Professor Utonium curls up in defeat and unintentionally awakens them from their evil slumber. Once they escape and destroy Mojo Jojo’s plans yet again, it’s revealed that his goal was far less sinister than attempting to get his hands on the Professor’s Chemical X.
By the end of the episode, the writers seemed to have achieved everything they could manage to fit into a 30-minute script. Though the new animation was risky, it helped spice up the series for a new generation. If anything, it will introduce today’s kids to a show that many people hold near and dear to their hearts.
The overwhelming response building up to the debut of the special is enough to make any longtime fan tear up. Every sentimental buff can rest easy tonight knowing that, once again, the day was saved, thanks to the Powerpuff Girls.
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia
