User reviews

Gargoyles is essentially Disney's answer to Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series. Now I'm certain someone's compared this to Batman on IMDB already (at least it's been compared to it elsewhere) and I don't want to take ANY credit for that comparison, but I will still sing praises for this show because it became one of TV's few original superhero offerings that never derived itself from a comic book or pre-existing property. Gargoyles was equal parts dramatically engaging, funny and shocking when it decided to go there. And best of all it didn't treat the kiddies in condescending ways: it didn't simplify the complexities of the drama between Goliath and company. It was a dramatic family show as accessible and as well-realised as Batman; it also had equal respect for its audience.

One element of the show that really stands out is Jonathan Frakes' performance as David Xanatos: who gives a performance so seductive and intriguing it's a wonder as to why Gargoyles hasn't been re-adapted to film or other mediums outside tv. Seriously: Xanatos' character is so interesting and cunning that he'd give villains like Joker, Lex Luthor and Magneto a run for their money. And though Xanatos IS a bad guy, he's not ALL bad: he's just an impossibly sophisticated puzzle in the form of a billionaire super-genius.

Gargoyles is still thoroughly entertaining stuff, and it's a family show that appeals to the kids and adults equally. Give this one a go. 4.5/5 stars.

P.S. Did I forget to mention that this show is now on Disney ? Well now you know.

Imagine having this series today either in animation or real life CGI stuff on Disney channel. They would have to stick to the old formula, meaning dark, great voice acting, great writing, great characters and great premise.

"Gargoyles" was a series released during the "Disney Afternoon" block of the mid-nineties. What makes it so unique is that it's still the only dramatic animated series Disney TV has ever produced. It stunned people at the time with its tragic plots, realistic weapons, and clear consequences to characters' actions. It's definitely not for young children (the Y7 rating is a good guideline), but don't think it's just another brainless afternoon shoot-'em-up designed to sell action figures. The backbone of this saga is what all timeless fiction must contain: plot and character development. The writing is taut, the acting fantastic, and the animation beautiful, but they are all mere servants to the story, which stays interesting and moderately serialized throughout the entire series (just the first season has been released on DVD, 13 of 65 episodes).

Overall, I think this is the best animated television series to ever come out of this country. If you at all appreciate the art form, you'll wonder where this show has been all your life. In a time when comedies are saturating both the primetime and daytime cartoon markets, it's nice to find a gripping animated drama without needing to set your sights to the other side of the Pacific. Highly recommended.

Really, has there been anyone better? I need to see that! It's almost unreal that Disney produced a series like this; mythology, technology, action, drama, strong characters, great voice acting, shakespeare refereces, breathtaking environment and a TIGHT story with no flaws or holes- all links together. Unfortunately the series has never aired in Sweden, at least not yet, so the audience here (both young and old :) has not experienced it... I'm glad I did and in english.

Gargoyles is without questioning the best cartoon series aired. It's sad they were taken off the air, but of course, a long lasting series isn't as good in the long run...

I honestly don't understand why this didn't last longer. It was the best.

It was full of lovable characters beyond count: Brooklyn, Lexington, Galiath, Hudson, Broadway..the list goes on and on.

You'd never settle for the usual crap Disney comes out with after watching this for any length of time.

I cannot begin to detail how phenomenal this show is. I have seen plenty of exceptional animated shows, and some of them are very underrated, but Gargoyles has it all, mystery, complexity, depth, adventure and suspense, and one of those rarities where there is not a bad episode.

The animation is superb, very dark, moody and stylish. In fact, there are several animated sequences in Gargoyles that have a cinematic feel to it. The backgrounds especially are a wonder, and I loved the creative yet bold and dark use of colours. The music is outstanding, it is dark, atmospheric and mysterious constantly and adds to the mature tone of the show.

Another strong asset is the show's writing. No clichés, no wishy-washy moments. This writing can have a subtle humour to it, yet is also very intelligent, bold and thought-provoking. Then there are the story lines. They are filled with mystery and adventure, and I was really surprised at how incredibly deep Gargoyles was. I have seen some deep and complex animated shows, namely Peter Pan and the Pirates, to some extent ThunderCats and especially Batman:The Animated Series, and Gargoyles is just as deep as those. And the characters are wonderful, so unique and likable, while the voice work is top-notch from all involved especially from Keith David who is note-perfect in the title role of Goliath.

Overall, if you haven't seen Gargoyles, I suggest you do. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Note: I have seen all 3 seasons.

Gargoyles is pretty intense for a kid's show. The themes are pretty advanced, but explained in a way that's easy to grasp. The show is still appropriate for the 7 crowd it was rated for, but it doesn't treat the audience like they're idiots just because they're kids. For most kids, this show is an excellent introduction to discussions of morality.

Season 1 & first half of Season 2 - Xanatos is an excellent villain. He's such a master manipulator that there's even a trope named after him called the Xanatos Gambit. Each episode's story is perfectly bite-sized for a kid, but Xanatos' overarching story is written well enough to keep even adults entertained. 6/10

Season 2 (second half) - I recommend you stop watching before this point (beginning with the Avalon episodes). Now the show becomes very episodic. It falls back into the comfort of being just another kid's show instead of the well-written series it was before. The overarching story is still interesting, but there's much less substance spread over many more episodes. 5/10

Season 3 - Contunues the trend of episodic storytelling, but it completely removes all overarching storylines. Season 2 sets up Xanatos for a perfect gambit conclusion, but season 3 completely rewrites his character for no apparent reason. Season 2 also sets up a complex world where the gargoyles can potentially be overwhelemed by daily life, but season 3's writers seem to struggle with how to implement complexity into a kid's show. Instead of simply looking to season 1 for guidance, they write a story that appears half hearted or glossed over. It's a very poor conclusion for a series that had so much potential. 3/10

I started out a nine-year old watching this show. I am now eighteen years old and I still love it. This show had a lot of things that cartoons today don't have. I mean morals, great animation, great story ( most important of all), and great characters. What more could you want? Every one of the characters embodied someone you could look up to. This is especially true for Goliath. He always stuck with what was best for everybody. Even when the whole clan was destroyed, he searched out the enemy to save those that were kidnapped. That is the true measure by which humanity should be measured, doing the right thing. I kind of feel sorry for kids today because cartoons today stink for the most part. I only hope the live action movie is as good as the show was. I can't wait!

A solid 10/10

But when the world tour part arrives the boredom comes with it. Watch the first season without expecting some sort of total masterpiece and forget that everything after the confrontation at Avalon ever existed.

I absolutely love this series, and was very disappointed when it was taken off air. I felt like it was never completed. I wish it lasted longer, and I hope Disney would re-consider creating more episodes sometime down the future (though I doubt it, since Disney is too busy producing Britney Spears # xviii.

This was absolutely a beautiful story/ love story, but it also targets an older audience.

I like how it's not all fluff like most Disney movies/ series are.

Rating: A 10/10

Gargoyles rule!!

After two thrilling seasons of "Gargoyles", the show gets a new premise and a new look. Now we enter Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles. I loved the original series and was looking forward to this series and holy cow does this stink! The compelling and interesting story lines, gone. The stylish animation, gone. All the fun and thrills, gone. Now we are stuck with a series that is a shadow of it's former self. The series is strictly custom made for kids and all of the teenage and adult fans of the original series will despise this with all fiber of their being. Not ONE episode of this tripe was even the least bit interesting at all. It was no wonder this lasted one season.

The Last Word: Avoid. Stick to the original epic series instead.

I have just one question: How can Disney Television Animation produce such a wonderful show as "Gargoyles" for a couple of seasons and then go back to being Disney Television Animation? I simply cannot understand it, and if anyone has any thoughts, PLEASE share them with me! This show was a breath of fresh air on every level. If this wasn't a groundbreaking show, it certainly raised the bar sky high.

Voices--Many's the time I have thought that they could have chosen a better actor for a part in animation. Not here. The voice cast was so good that to this day I cannot imagine anyone else filling the bill. In the role of Goliath, Keith David demonstrated that he possesses one of the greatest speaking voices of any actor in the business. Jeff Bennett was also great as Brooklyn, my favorite character. (Loved the white hair!)

Music--Carl Johnson's scores were great. They beautifully set the tone and underlined the action and the drama.

Animation--Excellent. Dark, moody and stylish. The shots of the clan as stone statues are downright eerie at times. To this day, I still can't believe Disney did this one.

Plot--Action, drama, technology, mythology, humor and a little Shakespeare on the side. Folks, WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY ASK FOR? This series had the most tightly structured story lines ever--there was not a single moment of dead air anytime.

The best thing about the series, however, was the characters. For being a clan of gargoyles (with a couple of humans), these characters were as real as you and I. Things HAPPENED to them! They actually got HURT as a result of violence. They matured, sometimes in ways unexpected. They found out the hard way who their friends and enemies were. And they had to live with the consequences of their actions, which sometimes came back to haunt them in later episodes.

Here's hoping Disney will realize the error of their ways and bring this show back. If you are already a fan, may you continue to enjoy the show. If you haven't seen it, give it a chance. But be advised: Once you have seen television and the world through the glowing eyes of a gargoyle, you will never want to settle for "standard kiddie fare" ever again.

I must say that I started this series real late. I am happy for that as now I understood the character build-up and complexity in the series.

There is no clear distinction of good or evil, which at the time this was made, was prominent in every other series. All characters are a shade of gray. Even the noble Gargoyles have done something evil sometime in the series even if it was for the greater good. All the characters and their corresponding actions have consequences. The characters feel and respond to those actions, develop accordingly. They all have a reason to do whatever they do. It's not just plain vigilant work.

The way the creators have mixed science and fantasy, hats off to them. They have also managed to keep the suspense built up across the first two seasons. It's not like they have dealt off all their aces at one go. The secrets and history of the characters are revealed slowly and nicely. The plots and the sub-plots, all make up a wonderful experience.

I agree that the third season was not up to the standard the first two reached, but in my opinion, it still is better than many shows being aired even today, be it animation or live action.

That being said, I have already recommended this fantastic series to many of my friends, would like to recommend the same to all the readers of this comment too. If you haven't already, please do watch this masterpiece.

I had heard about Gargoyles, but I had never seen it. I spend an evening watching the five-part beginning of the series called "Awakening" and thought to myself "this is really good! Disney goes dark".

But when the main gargoyles went to New York, I had my doubts on how it was possible to top that great set-up. Was it going to be just a fish-out-of-water story? Was Goliath's gargoyle friends just one-note comic relief characters? (they actually seemed so for one or two episodes).

But the writers managed to make it! Every one of the gargoyles and the humans gets their time to shine and don't seem like they do nothing in the episodes not revolving solely around them. We get intrigueing storylines connecting to their complex relationship with their human friend Eliza and other not so friendly characters not to mention some flashbacks here and there to their time in Scotland.

The animation was atmospheric, dark and beautifuly detailed with god use of shading and angles making New York look foreboding and grand. The statues appearing when the gargoyles turn to stone also look amazing.

I love Keith David's voice, period! I knew him from Todd McFarlane's Spawn and Disney's own Princess & The Frog, and his gravelly voice really captures the tortured moddy spirit of Goliath. And Ed Asner did an equally enchanting job as the elderly Hudson.

I love Disney's animated work, but I love them even more when they step out of their comfort zone and tries something darker and more thoughtful like Hunchback of Notre Dame and in this case, Gargoyles.

I'll admit that it is the substance that defines a good movie and not only how dark it is, and therefore I don't consider The Black Cauldron so due to too much style over substance, but when Disney does dark right like Gargoyles, it is absolutely amazing!

This is another one of my favorite TV shows of all time, when I saw this show when I was about 12 and it also was a show that didn't come a moment too soon as it in a way played a significant roll in my life.

It came at a time when I was in the fifth grade which to me was the worst school year of my life that should never have happened, or probably should never of been in that classroom as it was filled with a lot of bullying scumbags that targeted me. Seeing this show really lifted me up from all that, as it surprisingly showed how these characters, we're going through the same troubles I was, but seeing how they endured and fought though it really showed me that even though prejudice and intolerance existed so does heroism and justice.

I really love the story line, it's pretty much taking fantasy into the modern-day world which is an awesome concept, It's sort of plays out like a Neil Gaiman tale as his stories most of the time did the same thing; let alone predates other urban fantasy shows like "Grimm" and "Once Upon a Time". The show is also kind of educational as it brought not just mythology and fantasy but also Shakespeare as there are dozens of references and a few characters most notably from Shakespeare's play "A Midnight Summers Dream" which is cool since that's one of my favorite plays.

Really love that theme song which is one of my favorite themes just sings epic fantasy which this is. The animation is great it is just top notch, from the character animation but also in the environment, I really love the use of darkness and shadow giving the show a noir look, making the world the Gargoyles occupy both fascinating but at the same time dangerous there can easily be danger hidden in the next shadow or the next turn. The action is also great well-choregraphed, I really like seeing the Gargoyles abilities from climbing buildings with their claws much like "Spider Man" can crawl on walls. Really like the flying sequences, they really capture the illusion of flight very well.

The characters are great, really like how three dimensional they make them from not just the Gargoyles but also human and other non-human characters; that was one of the things that make the show stand out and was rare for animated shows at the time except for anime but that's a different matter. It just went to show just because characters are animated doesn't mean they can't be characters.

The voice acting ensemble is awesome, this show has one of the best damn ensembles I've ever seen up there with the DC animated shows "Batman the Animated Series", "Justice League" etc. One of the things it has going for the ensemble is most of them consist of "Star Trek" alumni which is just awesome since I'm a fan of the franchise and like/love all the shows (except "Star Trek Discovery", not on my list); there's Kate Mulgrew, Bret Spinner, Johnathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, etc. Sometimes when I watched episode of a show I always try and spot another "Star Trek" alumi as much as anyone trying to find Waldo in a "Where's Waldo" book. I'll just state some since so many characters and the actors playing them are excellent.

Hudson by Ed Asner is great, this is probably my favorite voice acting role from him as I found his Scottish accent convincing also like the gravely quality of it which reflects his toughness. He's a bit of a mentor/father figure for the "Gargoyles" really like that despite his age, he can still kick serious ass but also still can learn some new tricks which shows he's capable of adaptation.

Zanatos voiced by Johnathan Frakes, he's an interesting character whom is bit Bruce Wayne like but slightly different, he's not really a straight forward villain he's more of a person that is in a grey area. What I love about this character is how much a cypher he truly is, you never really know his true motives are. Sometimes it seems he wants to kill the Gargoyles but then he doesn't, does he fascinate or envy them, is he tussling with them just to inflate his ego or just because he's bored. Your never sure he's one of those characters you can draw your own conclusions about or none. But what I like about him is he's like someone I could be friends with as he really does possess and display humanity even when it doesn't show.

Macbeth voiced by one of my favorite actors John Rys Davies he is just excellent in the role. What I like about his character is how much depth he truly has which also makes him tragic hence his name as we see he's a person that has lost more than he's gained. To me he's not a real bad guy but a person that also like Zanatos is in a grey area, he's aware of what he's doing but feels it's necessary to accomplish whatever goal he has in mind.

Elisa voiced by Salli Richardson she is awesome, she one of my favorite feme fatales. Really love the character animation for her character which is modeled after the actress herself which I though was a good decision as the actress is hot. I really like how she's a strong well-rounded character that is a smart strong detective, she can kick ass, she has sharp charisma and warmth.

Of course, my favorite characters and fictional heroes is Goliath voiced by one of my favorite actors Keith David. His character is also awesome, much like with Optimus Prime on "Transformers" he is just the strong leader that you just want to follow. This guy is not just strong in muscle and command but what makes him truly strong emotions as he cares not just about his clan but also humanity as a whole.

He's also a character that is sympathetic as you sense he carries a great sadness whenever he feels in his mind he fails in some way or even when his clan is nowhere near the future they want for themselves. However, he always finds a way to persevere, to continue on no matter what; it goes with the old saying "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

I really like the dynamic between both Alisa and Goliath both are one of my favorite fictional couples. It's sort of the "Beauty and the Beast" dynamic but what I like about this is we see both genuinely interact with each other, which I think is beautiful because despite their differences it doesn't matter because they along with we just seen them as simply two people. Both really are a good dynamic as Alisa is a person that is not just his guide in the modern world but also a rock for him, likewise with him for her.

Though it's not all fun and games, one of the reasons this show is dark is that it deals with the social issue of racism which they do in a suttle manner and it's not preachy. We see that sadly despite all the Gargoyles do most of the time they are not accepted into modern day society or among the human populace as their regarded as monsters. But the Gargoyles aren't monsters, despite the appearance of the Gargoyles and their abilities their also mortal, you shoot and stab them they can die like anyone else, let alone have wants and needs as any other which makes them no different.

The real monsters are prejudice and intolerance which not just makes monsters out of anyone that exercises them but destroys the humanity they possess. The show suttlely gives an anti-racism message as to the importance of not just getting along but to be able to judge a person not by appearance alone but content of character.

Gargoyles soar high with adventure and heart.

Rating: 4 stars

With in depth characters that show growth and subtext, this is by far the best cartoon ever written for television. The continuous story lines that develop over time. The recurring characters. The strong protagonist that is Goliath struggling to do what's right while protecting his clan. I can watch this story over and over again.

You also have amazing villains for the protagonist to face that are not just black and white. DEMONA is a tragic story that has developed her character over centuries. MacBeth is more of an antihero than a villain. The Pack is varied and diverse leading to redemption for some while others take a darker path. Than we have Xanatos, a Lex Luthor type character who is not evil but definitely power hungry. He has an arc that's both slow and believable.

Watch this show. It's worth it.

At best, I could only give this "Gargoyles" animated TV series (from 1994) an average 4-star rating.

Between all of the predictable explosions, and all of the boring combat scenes, and all of the petty personal dramas - I found "Gargoyles" to be, pretty much, just another variation on the stale-to-the-max "X-Men" theme. And nothing much more than that.

Anyway - That's about all that I have to say about "Gargoyles".

The plot of Gargoyles is like a well paved street: no holes. The creators took exceptional care to ensure a growing and continuing plot line that involved all of the characters. The idea was very innovative and inspiring. It involved a clan of Gargoyles, stone by day/flesh by night, that were betrayed by humans in 994. They were frozen in stone by a magic curse for a millenium until a multi-billionaire broke the curse. They awoke to a new world in a foreign land completely dominated by humans that were unaware of their existence. After befriending a courageous police officer, Elisa Maza, and being betrayed by the man that broke their curse and a fellow clan member, they triumphed over their enemies and became Manhattan's guardian angels. The rest of the series continued to be interesting. Incorporating Arthurian legends and mythological deities, the show always took fictional constructs and shaped them into tougher versions that were really cool. Most impressive, Gargoyles included Shakespearean characters, with a twist. Macbeth had been alive for over 900 years, and had a grudge for gargoyles. A Midsummer Night's Dream's Oberon and Titania were powerful beings that possessed powerful, and often destructive magic. With a unique blend of villains and allies, and villains that became allies, the plot of Gargoyles was ever changing and continuous. As for action scenes, I have never seen better ones. Scenes of epic sword fights, aerial combat, and hand-to-hand fighting made the fight scenes exceptional. I would like to describe the action better, but I find it hard to express in words how intense, creative, and simply awesome the scenes really are. Ultimately, Gargoyles is the greatest animated series I have ever seen, and I advise any action lover to see it. Whether you like action, plot line, creativity, or even Shakespeare, you will find all of that in Gargoyles: The Best Animated Series Ever!

Gargoyles is an underrated gold of a show.

It's a superhero, mystic, magic and historical show. This show is perfect from the animation type to story the whole show was gold.

Each Gargoyle had their unique personality which is why all of them were so good.

Verdict: Disney please don't reboot. You'll mess it up for sure. Look what you did to the MCU.

They don't make it like this anymore. This series captured history, Shakespeare, mythology, and religion so well and nuanced throughout its episodes. The best animated series without reverting to cheap violent theatrics or gross humor.

In medieval times, gargoyles existed to fight alongside a group of humans and protect them at all costs. The humans would betray the gargoyles and slaughter a good chunk of their clan, leaving only Goliath, Demona and a few others alive. A spell is cast on them that keeps them in stone for a thousand years. When the spell breaks, they find themselves in Manhattan and meet Detective Elisa Maza. Together, they protect the humans of Manhattan that could lurk about. Demona betrays them and vows revenge on the human race.

This is one of the best cartoons that I have ever watched and I have seen a lot of them. What really draws me into this show is how good the characters were. Every character is so well done. Goliath is a great protagonist who wants a peaceful world and to help the humans, but what makes him great is how his beliefs are challenged with each episode and you can see a dark side that is in the gentle gargoyle. Elisa Maza is one of the coolest women in animation. Not only is she really strong and is capable of protecting herself and the gargoyles, she is super likable. She is a very nice woman, but she is flawed to some degree and has a hard time trusting anyone other than the gargoyles.

The supporting characters are fantastic as well. My character in this show is Broadway. He is supposedly the gluttonous comic relief, but he has a great personality and he changes the most over the series. Also, it is crazy that this character was voiced by the man who would later go on to voice Patrick Star. Brooklyn was the most serious character of the trio and he was very likable and sympathetic. He just wants to be friends with the humans and they keep pushing him away. It seems like whenever he tries to be helpful, it works against him. Lexington is the cute, somewhat nerdy gargoyle. Although he starts out pretty naive and trusting, but he becomes more paranoid and skeptical. Hudson is one of the most loyal characters I have ever seen. He also finds himself invested with the human world, more so than the other gargoyles. What I love about this show is that every character develops over the course of this series. Their personalities are still good, but their stance on life changes and they mature throughout the series.

The villains however, might be the best part of the show. Demona is one of the most complex, yet evil villains in animation. She is one of those villains where she has a good and understandable motive, but it is also to the point where she needs to be stopped. Xanatos is just as complex and mysterious. He is very charismatic and powerful, and his development throughout the series is terrific. Demona and Xanatos are both terrific villains and there are plenty of other great villains in the series.

The visuals for the show are stunning. The animation is crisp and smooth, the setting of the show makes the dark tone work beautifully and the gargoyle designs are extremely creative. You can tell a lot about their personalities just by looking at their designs. Their that good. The action scenes are a joy to watch as they are fast and fluid.

The stories in the episodes are also amazing. They give each character time in the spotlight and it was never afraid to get dark. There is an episode where one of the main characters gets shot and nearly dies. Keep in mind that this show aired on Disney! Each episode is important to the series and adds to the lore and world building aspects. The world of Gargoyles is very deep and rich. It is also really fun seeing the clan delve into human culture in present day.

One other thing I must mention, the musical score is nothing short of brilliant. Not only does it fit the dark tone of the show, but it is just so memorable. I still have the theme song stuck in my head. I never grow old of the music and I already miss listening to it.

Gargoyles is just a phenomenal show. It is one of the absolute best cartoons I have ever seen. It has been a long time since I have been this invested into characters like this in a show. It is an old show, but it is certainly a shiny gem. If you have Disney and you are looking for a show to binge watch, look no further than here. You will not be disappointed!