Summary
Highlights
The video introduces a series focused on rewriting and improving preschool shows, selecting 'Blaze and the Monster Machines' as the target. The host explains that despite not being a fan of the show, he sees potential if its poor execution, particularly regarding characters, is addressed. The show's popularity and long run on Nick Jr. are noted, highlighting the opportunity for improvement.
The creator identifies Blaze and AJ as 'Marty Stues' due to their unrealistic perfection and lack of personality or flaws. To fix this, Blaze would be given a competitive streak and a tendency to show off and take risks, while AJ would be more cautious and anxious, serving as a voice of reason. This creates a dynamic where they challenge each other and have room for growth.
A hypocrisy in Blaze's morality is pointed out: he's allowed to use 'Blazing Speed' to win races, which is essentially cheating, unlike Crusher. The rewrite suggests Blaze only uses 'Blazing Speed' for emergencies, not to win races, and should be called out if he does. Additionally, Blaze and AJ shouldn't win every race, allowing other characters to have victorious moments and add variety to the storytelling.
Crusher, the antagonist, is mostly retained but given a motivation for cheating: insecurity. Blaze and Crusher's relationship is also altered, moving away from Blaze being unrealistically nice to Crusher. Instead, Blaze would be more annoyed by Crusher's cheating, leading to a more realistic antagonistic relationship that can evolve over time into one of mutual respect. Pickle, Crusher's sidekick, is kept the same, as his supportive nature is seen as a positive.
The first episode, 'Blaze of Glory,' is rewritten to introduce Blaze as cocky, leading to initial skepticism from other racers. Blaze's arrogance would be the motivation for Crusher's actions, inadvertently sending other racers away. Blaze would then earn the respect of the other racers by helping them, and his eventual win would feel earned, rather than a given.
The video criticizes a later episode, 'Blaze's First Race,' for completely retconning the first episode's continuity by depicting Blaze and his friends meeting as kids. The inconsistent ages of Blaze and AJ and the lack of character development in their 'younger' selves are highlighted as major flaws, questioning the writing team's understanding of the show's established narrative.
Despite its flaws, the video acknowledges the show's good animation, catchy songs, and voice acting. However, it emphasizes that flat characters significantly drag down the show, reiterating that strong characters are crucial for a show's success, even for preschool audiences. The creator concludes by expressing enjoyment in rewriting the show.