Friday, January 7, 2011

Cartoon Quickie: Jem

Sailor Moon: Hey everyone,Sailor Moon here,bringing you The very first Cartoon Quickie of 2011. On this edition of Cartoon Quickie,I'll be reviewing that 80's cult classic,Jem.

Sailor Moon: In a way,Jem is another American Henshin Heroine,like She-Ra. However,she doesn't fight crime. The story goes like this:

Sailor Moon: Jem is the lead singer and frontwoman of the rock group Jem and The Holograms,In reality,though,she's Jerrica Benton, owner/manager of Starlight Music. Jerrica adopts this persona with the help of a holographic computer, known as Synergy, which was built by Jerrica's late father to be "the ultimate audio-visual entertainment synthesizer".

Sailor Moon: Jerrica is then able to command Synergy to project "the Jem hologram" over herself by means of the remote micro projectors in her earrings, thus disguising her features and clothing and enabling her to assume the Jem persona. Looks like Ditzny ripped off this idea for their crapfest iof a series,Hannah Montana.

Sailor Moon: Anyway,the reason for this Henshin is to acquire money to support Starlight Music and the Starlight Foundation for Girls, a foster program founded by her late mother Jacqui Benton.

Sailor Moon: The band The Holograms consists of: Kimber Benton,Jerrica's younger sister, keyboardist and main songwriter for the band; Aja Leith,guitarist; and Shana Elmsford,who plays the synth drums. Aja and Shana are also childhood friends and adopted foster sisters of Jerrica and Kimber. Only The Holograms are aware of Jem's secret identity and the existence of Synergy when the series begins.

Sailor Moon: Episodes of the series frequently revolve around Jerrica's efforts to keep her two identities separate, protect Synergy from those who might exploit her, and support the twelve Starlight Girls who live with her and The Holograms.

Sailor Moon: The Holograms have two rival bands, one of which are called The Misfits: petulant rich girl Pizzazz and her cohorts: no-nonsense Roxy and kind-hearted,sensitive keytar player Stormer,who are later joined by the manipulative British saxophone player Jetta.

Sailor Moon: Most episodes of the series involve a plot by the Misfits to upstage Jem and the Holograms' latest glamorous escapade. This rivalry is encouraged and manipulated by their manager,the ruthless Eric Raymond (the once half-owner of Starlight Music who, during the series, plots constantly to be its owner again).

Sailor Moon: In the middle of the third season, the second band, The Stingers (Riot,lead singer and egotistical;Rapture,female guitarist and professional con-artist;and Minx,keyboard player and a man-manipulator),hit town and shake things up for both groups.

Sailor Moon: Now,some people say that Jem is a clone of Hannah Montana,but in reality it's the otherway around. Unlike,that crapfest of a show,Jem is a show with high quality. The story is kinda nice. The music is your typical 80's stuff. The Artwork and Animation are excellent.

Sailor Moon: In fact,The animation was provided by the Japanese animation studio Toei. Yes,the same company who made Dragon Ball Z and My show. Awesome huh?

Sailor Moon: I think Jem is a good watch. If you can find episodes on Youtube,watch them,you won't be disappointed. However,if you're not a fan of 80's music or 80's fashion,then stay away from this show.

Sailor Moon: I'm Sailor Moon and this has been another Cartoon Quickie. See Ya Next Time.

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