Dawalk-1
Which of the great cartoons from the past decade (or rather, at least, it will be a decade since this cartoon premiered within a matter of a couple more years) have I been missing for as long as I had? I skipped this and missed out when it originally aired as part of the ABC Kids lineup. But thanks to the original member at Youtube who posted videos of all the episodes on that site, I was able to catch up on what I missed. But unfortunately, I never got around to finishing up them, so I only saw some of them and it seems that not only were those videos removed, but the poster's whole account seems to have been deleted. However, it now and has ever since become one of my favorite (or even most favorite) Disney animated t.v. series of not only the last decade, but of all time and shows in general, and I concur it's one of the best. I wish I had checked it out sooner, but viewing them on the video site made up for it. However, I would get to watch the rest once other members eventually posted the whole series. Who says that a cartoon that's set in a school can't work because cartoons should be school-free considering kids are supposed to not have to worry about it and stress out over it until after the weekend has passed (which isn't exactly the show's focus), or that it can't still make for interesting t.v. because of that? It isn't really one of those educational shows if that's the case and the reason why some were anxious about it. Fillmore is the third Disney animated crime/mystery/suspense-based program (after Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers and Bonkers). Fillmore stars the eponymous, lead character, Cornelius Fillmore, a street-smart black boy and Ingrid Third, a goth girl with a photographic memory, both of whom came from previously troubled backgrounds. But they'd turn their lives around once they both joined the safety patrol. It's a crime/mystery/suspense show in a junior high setting. I like how they met and came together, as seen in one episode when the latter transferred to X. Fillmore and Ingrid have such great chemistry as partners in crime solving and stopping, and they make for another of the best crime fighting duos in history. Among the things that makes this show great and work so well, and how, and why so. There's also some humorous moments in there, references or hints to other crime/mystery programs like Dragnet, it has action, etc. I don't think I've ever even seen Dragnet until a while back for the first time on Antenna TV, but I've heard of it. I get Fillmore's catch-phrase of "disco", having the '70s connection, but not Ingrid's ("crackers"). This is grade A, top-notch entertainment here. Don't make the mistake and pass on this like I did. I don't get how anyone could not feel this show, because it's got it all. Well, okay, so there were those moments in which things got too serious, but that's why the comic relief provided by O'Farrell was included. I, too, consider this to be one of the better animated t.v. shows by Disney. It deserves a longer run than it got as I can see it now and to be brought to DVD already. Presently, I wish it had lasted longer, it's another one of the greats that had so much potential. Since it didn't get far enough and Disney dropped it too soon (dern it and dern them for dropping it, horse-feathers), I can't help wondering what it would've been like and what more cases there could've been had it continued after the second season, who else would've/could've guest starred and more. And since seeing the whole series, it has left me yearning for more badly. Here's something I thought about: There's almost a great chance this would've ran longer if it didn't air on Saturdays and was a part of a weekday afternoon block similar to the Disney Afternoon instead. I wish that had been the case since thinking about that. Weekday afternoon airings mean more episode orders and a better chance at longer runs. But then again, that's almost a plausible guarantee. Quack Pack was originally a part of the Disney Afternoon and it got dropped after 39 episodes. Couldn't put this on the Disney Afternoon, since it became defunct a few years before Fillmore came along (unless someone allowed it to be revived or replaced). How great that would've been and I would've loved to see the series continue it's airings that way. Who knows if a whole, longer series would've aired on there exclusively or mostly (with some episodes airing on Saturdays on ABC, like what Disney did with Darkwing Duck). I wish this ran for as long as or longer than Rescue Rangers and Bonkers. If only, what more there could've been. General audiences can relate and I like how it expanded beyond the youth demographic. Quite intelligent and, I guess, sophisticated would be the other word to describe this show, both of which are enough for older audiences on their level but it has the usual fare to keep the kids engaged as well, so there's an equilibrium. Recommended and not to be skipped, because it's really worthy of so much more and worth your time. Everything that could and would make for a very interesting show. I looked up Scott Gimple on Wikipedia to see if he had any new, upcoming projects in the future, but it doesn't seem to be so. I wish he'd come out with more ideas to save some of us viewers from the majority of shows these days, which are whack, and hope he has more great shows up his sleeve, and I'd be intrigued to see more from him or by him. Please, Mr. Gimple. Come up with more, I know you can do it again.
atomius
Now, for the most part, even the most appreciative of the talking picture and the cathode ray tube get's tired of a companies works after a while, and Disney, despite it's former grandeur, is no exception. This was a refreshing show, and it is nice to see that the company is making some fresh plots worth seeing. The animation style itself is nice and sharp and the characters are good.Cornelius Fillmore is a once delinquent now good guy working with his partner in anti-crime Ingrid Third to solve mysteries at X Middle School, a state of the art establishment that's unfortunately (though fortunately for us, the viewers), teeming with young criminals and crimes to their names.The plots are true to the 'mystery' style, but full of action. The opening credits are nice, and the overall show fairly good. I can sense a movie in the air but don't know whether that'll happen, but this is all in all a good watch.Also, i like the way that the one time rebels own lives get intertwined in the plot. This is a nice change for Disney, and i hope to see more plots that go deeper than a millimeter soon. Nine stars.
glabro
The theme song for Fillmore was written by Adam English and Rand Bellavia, better known as the rock band "Ookla the Mok". It appears on their album "Super Secret" as the opening to the song "Das Uber Tuber, or the Mystery of Mister P". The group has also written the theme and score for the film "Bite Me, Fanboy", and draws much of their inspiration from comic books, films, and other modern media. One reviewer of the group was quoted as saying, "These guys watch way too much TV. I mean WAY too much TV." Ookla the Mok takes it's name from the character Ookla the Mok from the Jack Kirby inspired Saturday morning cartoon show "Thundarr the Barbarian".
Danny
Fillmore! is, to be succinct, a totally awesome cartoon. As a 21-year-old male, it might be hard to believe I could be such an enthusiastic supporter of the show, but I am. I actually arranged my school schedule so I could see the show more often.Fillmore! is about a cadre of safety patrol officers patrolling the hallways of X Middle School, Home of Lobstee The Lobster. Through hard work and detective skills, they always manage to catch the crook before a half an hour is up.The show is hilarious. First and foremost is its tone, which never deviates from the gravity of the matter. Shredded petitions and pilfered robotic dogs are treated as serious as a homicide, and the detectives hit the beat in a middle school version of Law & Order. It never lets the characters know just how ridiculous the setup is, and plays fairly within their world.Beyond that, the subtle jokes work wonders to add to the show's quality. A banner being put up reading "Hooray for Banner Club" or a group working together, becoming as solid as "Geodude using his harden attack" are just examples of how sublime the show can get.This really is a great example of a show that everyone can enjoy. The animation is bright and vivid, the characters are all real with good motivations, and some of the plots will actually leave you guessing, which is refreshing for a show aimed at the younger set. Catch Fillmore! whenever you can.