Animation has never really been taken seriously by prime-time television, unless you think Homer Simpson's "D'oh!" has philosophical import. But Harve Bennett, the guy behind a zillion Star Trek movies, and Steven Spielberg, the guy behind everything else in Hollywood, have changed all that with Invasion America - a serious science fiction series that would qualify as top-shelf anime if only the Japanese had thought it up first. Amazingly, it ended up on the much maligned WB Network instead.
The story is about aliens from the planet Tyrus who came to Earth about 50 years ago to make friendly contact, even learning our language, "Earthspeak." But some Tyrusian rowdies felt we were too violent to cozy up with; they decided conquering us was the next best option. Since the US is "the most warlike nation on the planet," they started the invasion here. With the Tyrusians' own planet dying, the plan will also free up some prime Earth real estate.
For 30 years, the Dragit (Tony Jay) has secretly been building a massive city under the Utah badlands that he plans to use as a staging area for the invasion, to be headed by General Konrad (Leonard Nimoy). All of this is news to Tyrusian ruler Cale Oosha (Lorenzo Lamas), who makes an inspection visit to Earth, only to learn that the trade accords aren't quite ready to be signed. He protests, is nearly killed by some Manglers, really cool cat/dinosaur things, and ends up having a child with Earth woman Rita Carter (Kath Soucie) - think blond Lara Croft. It's their son, David Carter, now 17 in the chronology of the series, who seemingly holds the key to Earth's survival.
Although it sounds too good to be true, Invasion also has the looks to back up this compelling story and whirlwind pace. Each half-hour episode blends hand-drawn animation - done in Korea - with CGI from Spielberg's DreamWorks SKG labs. This CGI/cel composite isn't new in feature-film animation, but it's never been done on such a scale on a weekly series. The Tyrusians look adequately cool, angular enough to seem alien while still able to pass as human (as long as they keep their weirdo eyes in check). And the spaceships look like, well, spaceships. How can you beat that? Looks like hipstress Buffy might finally have some company on WB's hit list.
STREET CRED
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Animation Invasion
