Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling
The 90s show Rocko's Modern Life has been revived with Netflix's Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling. The film picks up 20 years later with Rocko's house in orbit in space with the rocket still attached. Rocko, Heffer, Filbert and spunky have been floating in space with a VHS of Rocko's favorite shoe The Fatheads that they watch on repeat. The four of them return to a different O-Town as they find the remote to send them back home. Show creator Joe Murray uses this new world to make fun of 21st-century habits while also emphasizing our fear of change and obsession with nostalgia.
The series keeps the nostalgia by bringing back the original voice actors. Other fan-favorite characters like the Bigheads are present. The tone of the special is very 90's keeping to the same color palette and animation. It transports viewers back into the early 90s of watching this Nickelodeon cartoon. Murray excels on keeping the nostalgia present and keeping the cartoon true to its origins in this 21st-century revival. The special is filled with absurd comedy from beginning to end while constantly poking fun at modern trends like selfie-taking and kale. Many of the jokes offer a clear meta reflection on today's media culture especially the scene where Bighead's boss hires freelancers for the Fathead's reboot instead of paying more money for the actual creator. This is a constant theme in today's revival/reboot focused society.
The most heartwarming story line follows Ed Bighead's son transition from Ralph to Rachel. Ed isn't too accepting of this and there is a fracture in the relationship. This story line is essential as it emphasizes changing times and what is considered the new norm. The show revolves around the loss of an iconic TV show while highlighting the concerns of smartphone updates, crazy food items, energy drinks and so much more. O-Town is not the same.
Overall the special was everything and I enjoyed seeing my favorite Wallaby back in action. The show makes fun of itself coming back by using absurd comedy making it enjoyable. The timing was great leaving me with wanting more. The introduction of Rachel was the soul of the special and introduced us to the new norm and that change happens. This special is pure nostalgia while also teaching viewers that our favorite shows will change in the future and we need to accept it as change is inevitable.