Review #7: Gravity Falls by Alex Hirsh [Disney Channel]

Title: Gravity Falls [Television Program]
Produced By: Disney Channel
Rating: TV G
Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level: Grades 3 & Up
Awards: None
Similar Titles: Phineas and Ferb [Disney Channel], Pokemon [4Kids Entertainment]

While many kids are sent to camp during the summer, 12 year old twins, Mabel and Dipper Pines, are sent to live with their eccentric great uncle, Stan, who runs an oddities shop for tourists in the small town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. It isn’t long before the complex, pop music loving Dipper and the perky, nutty Mabel discover that the sleepy little town they thought they would be bored in has become the most exciting, mysterious and magical place there is. From shrinking flashlights to “Men-o-taurs” and bigfoot, copiers that replicate humans that dissolve with water to Gideon,  the crazy, child psychic and self-declared mortal enemy of the Pines family to magic books, Gravity Falls is anything but dull.

 
While it is not to be mistaken for education programming it is incredibly fresh and immensely entertaining. I found myself going from a position of skepticism and potential disapproval to one of absolute adoration, just like my six (going on 30) year old. With paranormal subjects, myths, urban legends and cryptozoology, first crushes, sibling competition, unconditional acceptance, typical tween issues about growing up (like fitting in and being yourself) and love in a non-traditional family, not to mention gritty and complex characters, like the comically dysfunctional Grunkle Stan, there is not a single animated television show to compare it to.
 

While some may disapprove because they think that some of the crazy behaviors might be out of line or objectionable, I like it because it goes beyond the norm, pushes the envelope but presents the material in an age appropriate matter and shows that life can be a little crazy, unusual and unexpected but what matters at the end of the day is those that stand behind you, your family.

In this reviewer’s opinion, Gravity Falls knocks it out of the park and is absolutely not to be missed, especially for those that like a little levity to their mysteries.