ox Kids Network mixes live action with 3-D CGI to create Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension, a half-hour action/adventure series for kids. The series begins in the all-too-normal present, at least too normal for Nicholas Bluetooth (Ewald), a teen who can't keep himself from telling his teacher she's wrong about evolution. Nick believes other possibilities exist, that perhaps an advanced civilization existed long before mankind ever had a chance to evolve.
Nick's best friend, Allegra Zane (Sabongui), has heard it all before. Nick is about to turn 15 and Allegra wonders if he isn't reacting to the strange dreams he has every year when his birthday approaches. In fact, the closer Nick's birthday gets, the stranger his dreams are as he dreams of a barren land with bizarre creatures.
The second the clock strikes midnight and Nick turns 15, he wakes up to find a glowing object in his bedroom. He doesn't have any idea what it is, and the next day he takes it to show Allegra. Together, they figure out it's some kind of map with longitude and latitude coordinates. Nick's more than ready
for an adventure, and the pair set off with the map as their guide. Nick and a reluctant Allegra end up in a deserted underground passageway that takes them to an egg-shaped vehicle.
Allegra is ready to go home, but when Nick touches the machine it begins to glow and opens up for them. Nick is thrilled and walks aboard with Allegra in tow. When the ship takes off, the two teens find themselves suddenly in a strange land that looks like the world of which Nick has been dreaming, and facing an upset robot who can't seem to understand why Nick and Allegra are there when he's expecting a great warrior.
Nick and Allegra discover they are on a quest that will pit them against the evil Grom, who has enslaved most of the Outer Dimension, and Nick is about to discover the destiny he was born for.
Sci-fi that's strictly kids' stuff
Fox Kids uses cutting-edge technology to unite live action with 3-D CGI for an entertaining mix that offers appealing characters and cool animation. Created by Tom Lynch, Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension knows its audience and plays to it. Adults won't have much interest; however,
older kids at will enjoy seeing a live action series that goes places it never could have been without CGI.
Galidor's premise of people being sucked into a strange new world has been done before, and it's difficult to know from one half hour, episode whether or not the world Lynch and his crew have created has enough depth to make the series interesting or unique. In "Identity," there's only enough
time to begin to lay out the story before the episode is over. "Identity" does establish the two main characters well enough, but viewers may find the cryptic information about what's going on confusing.
The series may feature terrific animation, but its success rests squarely on the shoulders of its young cast. Both Ewald and Sabongui are engaging actors, and Ewald is excellent as Nick. Sabongui hasn't quite settled into her role as Allegra; however, a couple more episodes should change that.
The animation is the other star of Galidor, and a solid supporting act it is. The world of Galidor may be barren, but it feels real enough. The mix of animation with live action is seamless and effective. The series will feature many Realms of the Outer Dimension, so it seems likely that the world won't stay barren for long. The series will also feature three non-human companions for the teens, which should bring more humor to the series.
