WTF WED! DON CHEADLE'S CAPTAIN PLANET SAGA!

WTF WEDNESDAY PRESENTS

DON CHEADLE'S CAPTAIN PLANET!

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

I can't believe it has been 15 months since my first WTF WED article on Captain Planet. I think what inspired me at the time was seeing a twisted little video about Don Cheadle (Hotel Rowanda, Iron Man 2) donning the green mullet and sky blue skin of, one of the most underrated super heroes and a symbol of ecoheroism from our nostalgia, Captain Planet. Then about a month ago, I got the excuse to have an awesome follow up to the original article because, not only did they post a sequel, they posted three more parts with a conclusion in the third.

The weirdest part? The frickin' funny but terrifying performance of Don Cheadle as Captain Planet takes pollution, and the human population, down to zero. The videos get continually more twisted and bizarre; and that's the point. Captain Planet with a god complex is horrifying. He is basically as powerful as Superman with the ability to control earth, fire, wind, water, and heart (the latter being terribly underrated. He can communicate and influence/control animals!).

For a quick nerd nitpick, he shouldn't be that hard to defeat for three reasons: 1. His kryptonite is pollution. The villains could team up as heroes and defeat him with pollution. Just an idea. His villains do include an opposite version of himself and a radioactive version of the Thing from Fantastic Four. They might be able to take him if they work together.  2. He is powerless without the willing cooperation of the Planeteers. If they aren't wearing their rings, he can't do anything and will disappear. He needs them to have any power. 3. Gaia wouldn't let this happen.

Anywho, you can watch all of the epic four parter at the links above.

WTF WEDNESDAY 1 CAPTAIN PLANET

WTF WEDNESDAY

CAPTAIN PLANET

By Our Powers Combined.

The year was 1990. The first George Bush was president, the 90s era (sweet crimeny) of comics had begun, Rob Liefeld was about to ruin super heroes for a decade, the golden era of toy driven cartoons was dying down and the world seemed poised for another economic breakdown after a war with the space beavers. We needed a hero. Enter Ted Turner.

A billionaire playboy by day and Captain Outrageous by night. He wanted to give kids a hero that was both entertaining and educational. An edutainment hero who would lead us into a glorious and beautiful future filled with sparkling green meadows and billowing waves of oceans and tears and puppies and kittens and monkeys. He gave us Captain Planet.

90 % more mullet than other heroes.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers was a cartoon show that ran from 1990 to 1992 but has left an indeclinable mark on our cultural psyche (for better or worse). Everyone has seen an episode of Captain Planet but if they haven't they probably should.

The plot is a rather creative one, actually. Gaia, the spirit of Earth (basically chick god), awakens and finds the earth is getting messed up by humans. Now, Gaia, being a benevolent demigod decides to fight the plight with teenagers (works for Zordon). Gaia sends five magical rings, each imbued with one element, out to five teenagers around the world. These five are dubbed the Planeteers and given the task of defending the Earth from the blunders of humanity. 

Coming up against impossible odds the Planeteers combine their powers to summon an almighty djinn, Captain Planet. Comparable to Silver Age Superman, Captain Planet's powers are usually relevant to the situation, he gets his power from sunlight and he is nearly unstoppable. His only weakness is pollution.

Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart

Here is a quick rundown of the individual Planeteers.

 

Name: Kwame (voiced by LeVar Burton)

Element: Earth

Nationality: African

Role: Voice of reason, De facto Leader, Can be a tool

Personal Opinion: Played by Levar Burton, 'nuff said.

 

 Name: Wheeler

Element: Fire

Nationality: American

Role: Clown, Hothead, American

Personal Opinion: Kind of a jerk. Imagine giving Stifler a power ring.

 

Name: Linka

Element: Wind

Nationality: Eastern European (Originally Soviet Union but the union fell during the shows run)

Role: Strategist, logician, Girl for Wheeler to pine after

Personal opinion: She never made much of an impression but she is admirable as a good female role model. She is feminine but strong.

Name: Gi

Element: Water

Nationality: Chinese

Role: Mechanic, Forensics, Dolphin hygienist 

Personal Opinion: A little obsessed with dolphins. Seriously. Squeaky bastards.

Name: Mati

Element: Heart (Not really an element but whatever)

Nationality: South American

Role: Monkey wrangler, bleeding heart, least lucky of the 5

Personal Opinion: My favorite character because he is the underdog. When Mati got serious, you knew things were about to get awesome. I just wish he ripped out a few more hearts with his telekinesis....what?

The other great thing about Captain Planet were the reoccuring villains played by celebrities like Tim Curry and Ed Asner.

The yellow guy is called Duke Nukem, btw.

So then why does this show have such a bad reputation? I think its because Captain Planet and the Planeteers is so obviously liberal, green and educational (sometimes incorrectly) that it reminds some people of school. Furthermore, the show's stories are a little lame and characters grating, though there are a few good episodes.

Ex. Gaia became a homeless lady in one episode and in other they have to compete in an alien game show to save earth.

Yet, despite how people talk about how much it sucked, we still watched it. I happen to like the show but even I would admit it is for nostalgia and cheese. So what kept people coming? The theme song!

CHECK OUT THE INTRO! CLICK THIS!

So the show is odd but why bring it up? Enjoy this horrifying but funny video where Captain Planet (Don Cheadle) finally unleashes his true power after decades of being teased by all those bad ass post modern people who thinks he is lame. This is hilarious, mortifying and hilarifying!

Don Cheadle is Captain Planet.CLICK HERE!