Is it just me or have cartoons these days been downgraded in many areas? One thing that is appearent is that they have turned from "zaney" to stupidity. It seems to be a key element in "comedy" of cartoons (see Spongebob). There has always been an element of stupidity to cartoons (see Homer Simpson) but there was useually at least some, if not more of, a story and/or "meaning" to balence them out. Thats another thing cartoons were better at stories/sketches in old ones IMO that gave both hilarity to kids and subtle jokes that parents watching them could get.
Another thing is that cartoons seem to take very little pride in animation nowadays. It has gone so far that most people don't even give it a second thought! It's just passed off as "art" or a good/unique "style". If cartoons were made by a single person then I agree that looks shouldn't matter but when cartoons have a hired team to "draw" something that my 4 year old nephew could draw (see Home movies) then WTF???
Now This trend isn't JUST what cartoons have become I still like a few that have the above "problems" (Southpark with its "animation" for example). Also this trend may not or doesn't really apply to animes (I wouldn't know for sure).
Now am I just blinded by nostalgia or do I have something here? anyways if people need their memories jogged for some of the better cartoons that used to be around check out:
YouTube - 30 minutes of 90's cartoon Openings
EDIT: ok I may have been to hasty or may not have made clear that not ALL cartoons follow this route. It just seem that there are MORE cartoons nowadays that rely on stupidity and don't care about animation...
2nd Edit: Just some proof that not all 2000 cartoons are going this sucky way are some of these cartoons that I either like or don't look bad:
Duck Dogers
He-man
TMNT (but its going to go for a less detailed look)
SonicX
X-men Evolution
The Batman
GI Joe
Some that may prove my theory are the following:
Chowder (wtf is that)
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Home Movies (as I have mentioned)
and all the Nikoloneon cartoons that just have random shapes and color splotches for backgrounds
I also wouldn't fight anyone who says Southpark falls into this category
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