User reviews

This animated series is another under the radar gem. This was based on a toy line from Mattel whom were after the success of their big one "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" they tried to create another big franchise "Bravestarr" but sadly lighting just didn't strike twice which is understandable because sometimes the magnitude of one franchise is hard to match.

But also, because the western genre wasn't as big as it use to be, let alone westerns aren't really my genre which make this franchise a tough sell. Which is why looking back at this can be a little sad sometimes because you can't help but wonder, if given a little more time what more it could have been.

I really love the concept which is a beautiful combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and the western genre. I always love westerns in space or simply a sci-fi with some western elements, both make a beautiful combination which goes to show you can do more with genres and that their never set in stone; it also in a way predates the show "Firefly". It's true that this show does take a cue or two from "He-Man" from Starpeak mountain and the Shaman is the equivalent of the Sorceress and Castle Greyskull. As well as another comparison here and there, it's nothing totally new but it's in its execution that uniqueness that makes it stand out.

The animation is solid I really like New Texas world which is fascinating as it's a place that is one foot in the past but two steps away from it, despite it using old fashioned settings we see it's a place that has high technology as there are laser guns, cybernetic hover horses, starships, aliens but also there is magic and even some creatures that exist from the fantasy realm. The music is decent, there is a theme song which I don't mind listening to despite not one I'd download into my cell phone. Action is good/decent there are some scuffles here and there, nothing too amazing but serviceable.

Characters are serviceable, not too deep but it's a cartoon from the 80's what do you expect. The ones that stand out are for the good guys it's Bravestarr and Thirty Thirty.

Bravestarr is pretty much typical western hero archetype, I love the fact that's he's native American which I think is cool because it's was a rare thing having fictional protagonists of this nationality in the fantasy genre and still is, the only other from pulp fantasy I can think of is the comic book series "Turok: Son of Stone.

Bravestarr was cool as he had all kinds of weapons like that laser gun which is a unique design as the handle has a bulk bottom which I never quite understood why because wouldn't that feature weight the handgun down? But also, he has a tomahawk and a light lasso though all three things he doesn't really use enough which is one weak point in the show.

But the best feature is his mystic ability to harness his inner totems, sort of like Vixen from the DC universe; I don't have to explain them as their explained in the intro. I remember as a kid seeing that made me which I could do that, would of came in handy, for Bullies would love to use the strength of the bear totem to throw and beat the crap out of them.

Thirty Thirty is fun, he's sort of the tough cowboy archetype too, it's interesting how he can morph from a regular horse to a humanoid horse. If there is ever a revival would like some explanation about that like Thirty Thirty is part of some alien species that can metamorph. But anyway this character has a lot of fun lines and he is armed with a big rifle named Sara Jane which I always found cool as that rifle can just do serious damage, just obliterate large objects in the way, create large craters, this would make bad guys twice when they think of shooting out with him.

But my favorite character is Tex Hex whom I think is another underrated animated villain. Yeah, he's the Skeletor equivalent but cool all the same. I really like the design of him as he's pretty much a zombie cowboy, he's got purple decayed skin, a skeletal face and those red eyes. He's got some of the best lines where he is just fun and funny, but also at the same time menacing. And of course, he wields black magic which makes him also a mystical cowboy.

There are some memorable episodes like one on Bravestarr having to go against his mentor and hero. Another which is a crossover with both Bravestarr and Sherlock homes which was cool. And then there is the drug episode which has an ending that is haunting and was unique for its time.

The only bad things are the show some of the storylines consist of a few too many prechies. Not to say that most 80's cartoons weren't without them as they were commonplace, it is a kids cartoon after all. However, in some of the other shows there weren't all that many and most of the time the message was conveyed suttlely which I prefer best, this show at times really lays that message down a tad thick, which gets in the way of actual storytelling and adventures.

The ally and rogue gallery is rather short, not to say their bad but neither side has much to do, nor is developed all that much though that could be because the run on the show was short which didn't give them much of a chance to, which is why they don't stand out much, there sort of nothing but background ornaments.

I also feel the protagonist may come off a tad too powerful as it seems like he has lots of advantages and not enough struggle. Might have helped more if Bravestarr was challenged a lot better or he didn't come out too smoothly, though same could be said about other animated shows of yesteryear also so I can't complain too much.

I personally would like to see a revival of this show. Could broaden the universe of the show, like seeing Bravestarr not just in New Texas but venture to some other planets. May 'be even enhance the fantasy aspect more like have Tex Hex do more black magic, have a better or more enhanced version of the rogue gallery, have him and his gang go on some quests to retrieve some ancient magic book or something, have more creatures both aliens and ancient beings may'be some of them could be Lovecraftian where Stampede could be a creature from the time of the old ones; but most importantly have a little more on Native American mythology.

Have some more action like seeing both Bravestarr and Eighty-Eight engage in more shootouts and even fisticuffs action. But also have some depth or a constant developing plotline and story arcs like one on Bravestarr's past as we get more clues we see how it affects and catches up to the present, and have him just learning to use each of his abilities as the show goes on and maybe even include some new totem if you want. Well like any nice horse it's a thought worth considering.

Like any pony ride, this show is worth a ride, "Bravestarr" rides high.

Rating: 3 stars

BraveStarr was the only cartoon I remember to show someone, a child no less, die of a drug overdose. Most other cartoons had a kid drawn into drugs by some sleazy, awful looking guy, massively OD, than make a complete recovery with no ill effects, just in time to say, "I'm sure glad I learned my lesson," before the end of the show. BraveStarr's "drug episode" had a pretty cool looking, suave guy convincing a kid to steal from his mother in order to buy the drugs, showed the kid's transition from handsome, healthy young lad to burned-out junkie, and then showed him die when he finally OD'd. If I saw that episode today, I might see that it isn't as good as I thought it was when I was a kid, but, darn it, it DID hit me hard and make me think when I was eight and that was the point. For that, I will always hold BraveStarr a little higher in regard than the other cartoons of the period.

OK, it's the weekend my girlfriend is out of town and I am an adult male, pushing 40, very highly educated and have been sitting at my desk writing reviews about Scooby Doo and my favorite childhood cartoons all day...whilst doing that thing that only people over 21 can do here in America.

And she is a Millennial and got robbed of Saturday Morning Cartoons and doesn't understand the bent appeal...

So what we have here is a cartoon about a Native American that was born and raised on another planet...named "Texas" and has a sidekick that is a humanoid horse of the variety that would do horrible things to you if you were an animated Japanese School Girl.

And they are both heavily armed and in the futuristic wild west and the Native American Alien from Texas the planet is part of the Texas Rangers who the real Native Americans once fought.

And they are facing a cowboy that looks like a horrible demonic ghost from an actual horror movie made for adults.

Just remember, these things don't have to make any sense...they are made for little boys...the less sense they make the better.

BraveStarr is not quite one of my favourites now, but as a kid it was my personal favourite of Filmmation's efforts. However, I do like it a lot For its time with the aforementioned episode with the boy dying of an overdose BraveStarr was quite bold, especially seeing as it was an animated show. The animation is more than reasonable, it isn't the animation that you go wow over as there is the odd flat character design, but I did love the ethereal-looking backgrounds, colours and visual effects. The incidental music is good, likewise with the theme tune, which is easy to remember and intriguing. The story lines are well paced and fun, complete with pretty strong writing and good characters(both good and evil), while the voice acting is top notch. In conclusion, a great childhood memory. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The 80's were a great (and not so great) time for cartoons. Bravestarr was among the greats. It had everything a kid could want, a space western setting, a kick ass Marshall and his unorthodox sidekick,an anthromorphic biped named Thirty Thirty and a band of weird antagonists all having "shoot outs"(rarely) on a planet called New Texas. It always had a moral at the end of each episode and as a kid, it made you empathise with the affected characters. Its a pity that Filmation did not continue this awesome series. A reboot would be phenomenal.

Man! I remember this show with nostalgic... I really dug Bravestarr because he wasn't the conventional hero. He was more than a futuristic Texas cowboy. The man had the strenght of a bear, the vision of a walk, and the agility of a ... I can't remember that one.

The action sequences were great! I remember that Bravestarr would always use his bazooka named SARAJUANA (translated to Spanish) anytime he was in big troubles.

This was a quality action cartoon. I loved the characters, the dialogs, the music, and of course, the opening credits sequence! Bravestarr! long live to him. A cult classic in my opinion and a must see.

I remember Bravestarr and I still remember the theme song. I never forget songs so I remember a majority of the 80s cartoons theme songs. This show was cool. I always watched it right after school. Too bad it didn't last long. I wish I could get all of the 80s cartoons on video because it's wonderful taking trips down memory lane.

My god.

How this movie has been given 7 stars leaves me dumbfounded.

I'm sure it may have brought up some happy childhood memories for the few who watched t.v series, but as a person who's only seen this movie as it is, I swear I cried a little.

My brother and I bought this movie because we saw the horse with the arm cannon and thought it was hilarious. The only thing that was hilarious was the quality of the storyline.

seriously, unless you desperately wish to watch a horrible movie that makes you cringe so much you need your cheeks replaced, I'd avoid at all costs

In a distant time and far away place the planet of New Texas floats deep in space. Land of three suns, and land of precious ore. The carrium rush bought out-laws by the scores. BraveStarr. BraveStarr. Then one day a lawman came with powers of hawk, wolf, puma, and bear. Protector of peace, mystic man from afar. Champion of justice Marshall BraveStarr. BraveStarr, BraveStarr, eyes of a hawk, ears of a wolf. BraveStarr, BraveStarr, strength of a bear, speed of a puma. BraveStarr, BraveStarr, BRAVESTARR!

Absolutely one of my favourite cartoons. At the time I was eleven and I didn't really care that Marshall BraveStarr was a fictional cartoon character. I just knew that the BraveStarr cartoons were great and that I wanted to watch more and more of it every time it came on. Marshall BraveStarr was one of my childhood heroes and I never forgot the day that he first came on. I was in awe about it because it was the first time that I saw a country western cartoon that wasn't about the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

Everyone that rates this high mostly saw it as a kid but they have to understand this isn't that music of a good show its only made for kids basically and the superhero can do anything he wants basically.

Bravestarr was an excellent cartoon series. It was one of My favorites and I liked it just as much as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe! The cartoon was always action packed and exciting and even viewing it today its still one awesome cartoon. I just like the story and futuristic western characters. I hope one day Bravestarr will come back once more like He-Man did this year. If you haven`t seen a Bravestarr episode before please do if you can because it packs a wallop!

I loved this cartoon series. I even remember that i live action movie was supost to come out but never did. This show was one of the best cartoon series for young boys that has ever come out. The only other thing i can say is that this show was even better than he-man and that was a good series that ran a long time and had one movie.

Looking back, the 1980s was not a great time for cartoons, one reason being the stranglehold toy manufacturers had on the genre, with whole armies of corporate creations getting TV shows and not usually to the benefit of viewers; for every show like "Wuzzles" and "Transformers" (which at least had the advantage of being good) there were series like "She-Ra, Princess Of Power" and "Lazer Tag Academy." (Since the latter isn't listed on IMDb, I'll take time out to comment about this - based on the laser gun game, this had heroine and star pupil of the Lazer Tag Academy Jamie Jaren pursue cryogenically-frozen-and-thawed-out villain Draxel Drear and his genetic sidekicks the Skuggs - probably the most useless assistants in TV history - through time, with the help of her modern-day ancestors Tom, Beth and Nicky. It only lasted one season, and was yet another stinker from Ruby-Spears. Enough.)

Of course, there were still plenty of shows that came before the merchandising, and "BraveStarr" was one such; several SF shows have been dubbed Westerns in outer space, but this one took the concept literally, with Frank Becker's title song setting the scene: "In a distant time, and far away place/The planet of New Texas floats deep in space/Sky of three suns, land of precious ore/The kerium rush brought out thugs by the score!" (The lyrics were talked rather than sung, in a manner that really helps you understand why it took so long for Eminem to make his mark.) The thugs were generally led by the evil, wizened Tex Hex, who wanted to take control of New Texas and its kerium.

"Then one day a Marshal appeared/With powers of hawk, wolf, puma and bear..." Enter Marshal BraveStarr and his sidekick, cyberhorse Thirty-Thirty (named in honour of his rifle) - BraveStarr was what we now call a Native American who could call on the eyes of a hawk, the ears of a wolf, the speed of a puma and the strength of a bear. As you may have figured, he had a bit of a mystical bent (the show was also given to "Kung Fu"-type flashbacks to his youth); less positively, it wasn't free of Filmation's typical sledgehammer morals - in one episode, the guest villain even berated a regular villain for his smoking! But the show was several cuts above average for the studio in terms of watchability and entertainment; and it deserves a footnote for what comes next.

"Sherlock Holmes in the 23rd Century" was a two-part story which dispensed with all the characters but BraveStarr, basically dropping him into a plot that had Sherlock fall from Reichenbach Falls just as a time warp opened, carrying him into the time of "BraveStarr." (Moriarty followed, and the deerstalker'd one acquired equivalents for Watson, the Baker Street Irregulars and Lestrade - his female descendant, a much tougher cop than the Inspector.) It's not uncommon for TV shows to work in pilot episodes through the back door - "Star Trek," "Adam 12," "Who's The Boss?," "The Nanny," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Murder, She Wrote" tried it (only the latter two succeeded in launching "CSI: Miami" and "The Law and Harry McGraw" respectively) - but it's never been as obvious as it was here, and it didn't work... although we did eventually get the unrelated "Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century"!

"BraveStarr" was one of Filmation's last shows, but it was one of their better ones. Maybe if they had had more like that and less like "Filmation's Ghostbusters"...

this was a show i ran home from school to see. When talking to friends about other shows when ever i bring this one up they all don't remember. So I guess i will enjoy it alone

I remember this one.. It was about a guy, who had the strength of a bear, the speed of a panther and the eyes of an eagle. Please if anyone has some pictures or movie clips from this series email them to me!

Thanks