Moonbeam City

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Season 1
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 46
  3. Negative: 11 out of 46
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User Reviews

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  1. Jill_Sandwich
    Nov 14, 2015
    10
    Every frame of animation is pure porn for the eyes. It's refreshing to see a cartoon take a risk at being a period piece, & unlike 99% of TV series set in a specific decade, Moonbeam City totally nails the 80s, from the Patrick Nagel character designs, Lisa Frank color pallet, New Wave sound, to the Memphis postmodern neo expressionist details.

    The humor is hit & miss. For example the    Every frame of animation is pure porn for the eyes. It's refreshing to see a cartoon take a risk at being a period piece, & unlike 99% of TV series set in a specific decade, Moonbeam City totally nails the 80s, from the Patrick Nagel character designs, Lisa Frank color pallet, New Wave sound, to the Memphis postmodern neo expressionist details.

    The humor is hit & miss. For example the bulk of jokes from the episode about dolphin racing fell flat, but then the episode about drugs & firefighters was comically successful.    … Expand
  2. Animationlasi
    Oct 3, 2015
    10
    With a very 30 rock sense of humor and visuals like Miami Vice meets Gankutsuou, it's worth a try for the visuals alone. The humor is still finding it's footing, but there's a lot of potential in this series.
  3. SquintyReviews
    Sep 18, 2015
    6
    Its like if Archer tripped acid while watching Miami Vice and 80’s music videos. This was not necessarily funny, though there were one or two jokes that illicit a chuckle, but a definite watch for the spectacle it is alone.
  4. Doona75
    Oct 1, 2015
    0
    This show tries so hard to be cool that it forgets it's supposed to be funny. It's like an anti-Archer. You might get an occasional chuckle out of it, but it will never be funny enough to be worth watching.
  5. LaDresdenMonkey
    Oct 2, 2015
    9
    Its hysterical, it doesnt make up for taking Brickleberry off the air, but its a nice treat and I cannot wait to see where the show is going to go! Big ups to the cast and most importantly the artists, most cartoons arent drawn well or creatively and I feel that this show has a nice little dark twist in the artists room too! :D
  6. mesoupe
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    stunning animation, great jokes, give it a go you might just like it. bla bla bla bla bla bla is good watch it max good time so watch it because i said so
  7. BogKid
    Sep 17, 2015
    3
    Cute, hip, derivative, stupid.

    I don't understand why this site requires that a review be 150 characters long. I cannot think of any more characters that I want to waste on it.
  8. h46gunr
    Oct 2, 2015
    0
    H. Jon Benjamin should sue Rob Lowe and Comedy Central. Only the same mgmt that screwed over Chappelle would schedule a rip off of Archer and Vice City on their own channel. Maybe I'd watch it if it was on Cartoon Net and nothing else was on. Annoyingly similar. Look at the good reviews: Brickleberry fans. I created this account just to crap on it.
  9. TheQuietGamer
    Apr 21, 2016
    9
    The Archer comparisons really only apply to the visual style of the show. When it comes to comedy they are both wildly different beats. Archer's humor comes as more sophisticated in comparison as "Moonbeam City" is rapid fire absurdist humor with a touch of goofy and inane. The result is a wildly funny good time.

    It clearly means to parody old 80s cop shows. However it nature of going    The Archer comparisons really only apply to the visual style of the show. When it comes to comedy they are both wildly different beats. Archer's humor comes as more sophisticated in comparison as "Moonbeam City" is rapid fire absurdist humor with a touch of goofy and inane. The result is a wildly funny good time.

    It clearly means to parody old 80s cop shows. However it nature of going over the top means that it regularly ditches that tone of parody in favor of it's own brand of over-the-top humor. The neon visuals and throwbacks to the era are still present though.

    It's charming characters are repeatedly thrown into crazy situations that bring forth of lot of immature humor to the forefront of the show. It's goofy, silly, nonsensical, and at times even dumb. However none of that changes the fact that it kept me laughing throughout it's first season. Shame it got cancelled, because it was kind of like Archer's goofy little brother. It also wasn't afraid of making some less than brilliant jokes that were still funny. Proof that comedy doesn't always need to have a grounded or serious tone to be funny.    … Expand
  10. Kenmei
    Dec 3, 2015
    3
    What started out with such ambition and promise quickly turned into a very boring Archer clone that is all but cancelled at this point with it's departure from a prime time slot. The very first episode of this show was witty and funny and I thought Rob Lowe was great as Dazzle. There's alot of similar characteristics to Archer here, including alot of the one-liners and smooth comebacks butWhat started out with such ambition and promise quickly turned into a very boring Archer clone that is all but cancelled at this point with it's departure from a prime time slot. The very first episode of this show was witty and funny and I thought Rob Lowe was great as Dazzle. There's alot of similar characteristics to Archer here, including alot of the one-liners and smooth comebacks but the magic of the first episode quickly faded off after by the next episode and now, 9-10 episodes in, this show is just a terribly unfunny clone that won't make it past its first season. Not sure why they got away from some of the moments that made the first episode funny but this one quickly fell off the face of the earth and won't be remembered. The first episode is about the only reason why I've given this show the score I did honestly.… Expand
  11. MNecromancer
    Feb 5, 2016
    3
    This is just a lazy show. The visual ascetic is great, but it seems like that's the only thing they put any effort into. To really nail the 80's vibe, you have to have some catchy music from the era as well. You'd think with all of the 80's pop revivalist bands out right now, they'd be able to license some decent music for the show. The first episode is literally about bands going on tourThis is just a lazy show. The visual ascetic is great, but it seems like that's the only thing they put any effort into. To really nail the 80's vibe, you have to have some catchy music from the era as well. You'd think with all of the 80's pop revivalist bands out right now, they'd be able to license some decent music for the show. The first episode is literally about bands going on tour and the music they use is just dreadful.

    As far as the comedy is concerned, you get about as many good jokes per episode as you would see in 5 minutes of Archer. Same type of joke too, I wouldn't be surprised if these were the writers that Archer fired.    … Expand
  12. FrozenFenrir
    Dec 18, 2015
    9
    Stunning visuals, likeable characters, okay to great comedy, depending on the episode. I see why it's often compared to archer but i think it's definitely different enough to be something of its own. Recommended for everyone who loved the 80 and wants some eye porn garnished with humor.
  13. Mure
    Nov 19, 2015
    7
    The animation is stunning. You could watch it with the sound muted and still be entertained by the visuals. The music is catchy and the writing is above average. Like season 1 of most comedies, it takes time to figure out your characters, fill them out and find your rhythm and voice. Each episode is steadily improving (with the exception of 3, which was just weird - but beautiful to lookThe animation is stunning. You could watch it with the sound muted and still be entertained by the visuals. The music is catchy and the writing is above average. Like season 1 of most comedies, it takes time to figure out your characters, fill them out and find your rhythm and voice. Each episode is steadily improving (with the exception of 3, which was just weird - but beautiful to look at).

    The show has a lot of potential. Don't go into this thinking it's another Archer. Beyond being 1) animated 2) having a lead male that is a horny, narcissistic brunette, they are very different shows. Comparing the two is about as fair as comparing Magnum P.I. with The Rockford Files.

    Give it a shot, it is worth it.    … Expand
  14. TNO821
    Dec 4, 2015
    10
    Moonbeam City is a show that keeps getting better with each episode. For anyone who only saw the first couple of episodes, you really owe it to yourself to see some of the later episodes such as the Annie Award nominated "Quest for Aquatica" (episode 4). I'm also a big fan of "The Strike Visualizer Strikes Again" (episode 3), "Glitzotrene-One Town's Seduction" (episode 5, perhaps myMoonbeam City is a show that keeps getting better with each episode. For anyone who only saw the first couple of episodes, you really owe it to yourself to see some of the later episodes such as the Annie Award nominated "Quest for Aquatica" (episode 4). I'm also a big fan of "The Strike Visualizer Strikes Again" (episode 3), "Glitzotrene-One Town's Seduction" (episode 5, perhaps my favorite), and "The Legend of Circuit Lake" (episode 9).

    Although people love to compare this show to Archer, there are numerous differences, not the least of which is the tighter 4-person ensemble cast...sort of like the difference between Seinfeld (a 4-person ensemble) and friends (a larger ensemble). I also feel that the visual style and the music in Moonbeam City is far superior. The show is far more absurdist than Archer, reminding me of Sealab 2021 or Frisky Dingo/The Xtacles.    … Expand
  15. AndroidMonkey
    Sep 16, 2017
    1
    Moonbeam City gives the distinct impression of Harry Partridge trying to make an Archer knockoff and not doing it particularly well. Not worth your time unless you enjoy watching poorly written, neon animation.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Slate
    Reviewed by: Katy Waldman
    Sep 16, 2015
    30
    Individually and in aggregate, the gags stretch with their whole being toward silliness like plants toward the sun. Moonbeam City is an exercise in the sort of dumb--weapons-grade, analysis-resistant--it takes MENSA-levels of intellect to achieve.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Sep 16, 2015
    70
    I rather liked it, though for its form possibly more than for its content. (Note: Subsequent episodes improve on the pilot.)
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Bob Sassone
    Sep 16, 2015
    58
    It’s okay, but it’s an acquired taste.
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