Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling – Modern Is An Understatement

90s Kids rejoice! Rocko’s Modern Life is back! You all remember this show right? If you don’t, you will as you watch the special. I’ve always loved this show. It was amazing and had me entertained through the entirety of its 52-episode run in the late 90s. So, when they announced that a reboot was coming in the form of a movie, you already knew I was here for it. As the posters and trailers were released I became so much more excited for this. My childhood was being reborn! I had no qualms with the synopsis of the movie either.

After 20 years in space, Rocko struggles to adjust to life in 21st century O-Town and makes it his mission to get his favorite show back on the air.

Rock’s Modern Life: Static Cling (2019)

With the original cast and creators coming back, I knew this would be an amazing gift to the fans, and that it was. Just so everyone knows as well, although they branded it as a movie, it’s only 45 minutes long, which is pretty good for Rocko’s Modern Life since each episode was only 11 minutes long.

The special started perfectly. With Heffer’s iconic line, “That was a hoot!” I exclaimed for joy as I watched with my girlfriend and she just smiled knowing that I was reliving my childhood. Even the theme song was brought back, although in a more modern form to blend in with the theme of the movie. There were so many Easter eggs and throwbacks to the original series. This was pandering to the fans and I loved it. They even showed CCH, Captain Compost Heap, from my all-time favorite episode, Zanzibar. That part alone made the special worth it for me. Seeing Conglom-O still running everything was a great throwback. All of the iconic characters that used to interact with everyone was just wonderful. The only thing that confused me was the fact that Rocko interacted with everyone and their mama on the show, but it seemed as if some of them didn’t remember him. I mean, Mr. Dupette was Rocko’s boss at one point, and Rocko even did a huge presentation so that O-Town could be cleaned up and Mr. Dupette was the one he presented to. It didn’t ruin the special for me, just had me questioning a few things.

The voice cast – I know they had an amazing time getting back into their roles for this! Everyone did an outstanding job. The only one that sounded different to me was Mrs. Bighead, but it’s most likely because it’s been 20 years since the original voice actor did the work. Tom Kenny is just a voice-acting god at this point. He nailed every original role like it was nothing. If anything, the fact that literally every original actor came back for this special, is enough to make it the absolute best reboot to hit so far. Every character had the same personality and it still worked as far as entertainment goes. Really Really Big Man, the Chameleons, Heffer’s grandpa, and so many others made it all worth it.

Now as far as the story goes, it was solid. It was essentially a special based on the special – allow me to explain. Rocko’s Modern Life has been off the air for 20 years, they’ve been in space for 20 years. Most fans of Rocko’s Modern Life would’ve loved to see a special after so long, Rocko knew that a special would bring in the views and money needed to save the town from going to the pits. So many things have changed realistically in the past 20 years that they translated that to the show, albeit in an outrageously exaggerated way. The story was truly all about things changing faster than you know it. You can’t get stuck in the past just because it’s what you’re used to. Sometimes change is good and needed, and it can do way more good than harm. You’ve just got to be willing to accept it. Believe me, I know, change can be hard and it can take some time to accept it, but once you do, you see that it was a huge benefit. I loved the story simply because of my view on change and moving away from the past. My all-time favorite quote is about that, so a 45-minute special of one of my favorite shows from when I was a child all about the subject? I’m here for it.

You wanna know who was laughing the whole way through? Mr. Not A Movie Buff himself. The jokes were 100% gold the entire time. The over-the-top slapstick comedy that the 90s series was known for still works to this very day. Some new fans might not get the jokes, but we OG fans definitely will. Some lines make you flashback to sitting in front of the TV watching the show as a child. Even seeing Conglom-O’s tagline change due to certain events that happen is something that will make you chuckle as you remember that happening in the original show. Add the fact that nobody knows that Rocko is a wallaby and he keeps trying to correct them – go ahead and keep that running gag going! I loved it. Oh, and Rocko’s dog, Spunky’s love for mops? My girlfriend and I were cracking up when they showed Spunky looking at a mop porn site. Like what? Mops Gone Wild is just outta there!

The creators have always been bold in what they intended for the show and that continues in this special. I tell you what, I did not expect Ralph to change to Rachel, but it worked for the story and the fact that more characters were accepting of it was a nice thing to see in a cartoon still meant for mostly younger viewers. Parents, for sure, will be able to relate to that specific point as it’s something that goes on at this very time. But the one line that everyone will attest to be true is one that Rocko makes early on.

The 21st century is a very dangerous century.

Rocko Rama – Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling (2019)

I’ll let you all decide why that statement is true to this day.

All in all, this special is where it’s at. The entertainment was solid, the characters were great, and the story was amazing and worked wondrously. I enjoyed it the whole way through and it honestly makes me wish for more episodes, but the special was enough. It spoke to the audience and got its message across in the way that it was intended. There was really nothing that I didn’t like. The special flowed and I’ll most likely be going back to take a look at it soon. This is how a reboot is done and I hope Nickelodeon keeps on this trend. The Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie special that they did was great, this kicked it up to a whole new level, and I know they have a special planned for Invader Zim (I never did get into that show though). There have also been rumblings of the Rugrats making a return so we’ll see about that. But I’m content with this and I can’t wait to see what’s next.