‘My Dad the Bounty Hunter’ TV Review
Pure family entertainment with a heart of gold.
Netflix has an amazing catalogue of kid-friendly animated shows that star Black characters. Ada Twist, Scientist, Karma's World, and Motown Magic are just a few. The latest entry is My Dad the Bounty Hunter, which premieres February 9, 2023. Created by Everett Downing and Patrick Harpin, the ten 22-minute episodes are unbridled, wholesome fun for any age range but will particularly appeal to middle-school and younger-aged children. Everett previously directed the award-winning animated short Hair Love and Patrick wrote for the animated series Clarence. Both have extensive story artist credits.
The CG-animated series is beautiful to look at, shifting its look to a more simplistic 2-D form for flashbacks. The Skittles-colored characters and scenery are vibrant, giving this intergalactic world life. The colors are just as dynamic when they're on earth. The Black characters are various shades, and their personalities are just as graduated.
Lisa is an angsty preteen who can’t see eye-to-eye with her parents, particularly her father, Terry/Sabo Brok. Even when she discovers he’s an intergalactic bounty hunter, their bond is tested by his short attention span. He’s more interested in making money and catching aliens than her interests. The obstacles they encounter in space test their friction and ignite her individuality and ability to have her own mind.
Priah Ferguson, who’s the rambunctious Erica Sinclair in Stranger Things, voices Lisa, successfully channeling her young angst, rebelliousness, and good nature. Home Economics’ Jecobi Swain is the voice of Sean, a nerdy kid who just wants to prove himself to his dad. They get along but because Terry/Sabo Brok is always busy, he feels neglected and a little inferior. He doesn’t fit in anywhere. His journey into space with Terry/Sabo Brok and Lisa is just what he needs to prove himself not only to his father but to himself.
Laz Alonzo is Terry/Sabo Brok, human bounty hunter extraordinaire. He loves his family but risks losing them because he’s caught up in the lucrative world of being an intergalactic bounty hunter. Having his kids in space with him teaches him to prioritize what’s important. Insecure’s Yvonne Orji is Tess, the caring mom who’s grown tired of Terry’s unkept promises.
Yvette Nicole Brown is the voice of three characters, namely KRS, who’s the SIRI-like presence the trio is dependent on while on the spaceship. KRS is both sensible and a little motherly.
When Lisa and Sean sneak into the trunk of their dad’s car, they find out he’s much cooler than they could have imagined. He’s an intergalactic bounty hunter! However, once they spend quality time with him in space, the usual problems surface between kids and a parent. Despite the exotic environment, the perils of parenting are tantamount, with learning experiences for all three solidifying their bond. Fighting aliens, visiting unusual locales, and uncovering slave labor are the emotional backdrop for character development.
This is a coming-of-age story cloaked in family crisis, which is a story we’ve seen before, but this sci-fi comedy/adventure handles it creatively and earnestly. Each episode tests the family bonds and provides the three main characters a chance to grow.
The soundtrack, which fluctuates between banging hip hop to classic rock, appropriately sets the mood for each scene and enhances the happenings. Joshua Mosley, known for Tuscaloosa (2019) and Madam Secretary (2015-2017) composed the kinetic score.
Terry/Sabo Brok may be the toughest bounty hunter in the galaxy but, ultimately, being honest with his family and showing that he cares makes him the full-realized dad that his family craves. My Dad the Bounty Hunter is pure family entertainment with a heart of gold.
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Sonya Alexander started off her career training to be a talent agent. She eventually realized she was meant to be on the creative end and has been writing ever since. As a freelance writer she’s written screenplays, covered film, television, music and video games and done academic writing. She’s also been a script reader for over twenty years. She's a member of the African American Film Critics Association and currently resides in Los Angeles.
