Just finished watching the first season of RoosterTeeth‘s newest series, GEN:LOCK. It is a new animated series starring Michael B. Jordon (Creed, Black Panther), David Tennant (Doctor Who), Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds, I am Sam), Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) and more. It was an absolutely amazing series, and I’m totally excited for season 2.
I had heard about Red vs. Blue, but it wasn’t until RoosterTeeth released RWBY that I really discovered RoosterTeeth. I fell in love with RWBY immediately, and it quickly became one of my favorite shows. I had to become a FIRST member, just so I could watch RWBY every Saturday, without delay. Then, when the episodes were compiled as a movie, I had to get the movie for myself. I even regularly listen to the RWBY soundtracks.
GEN:LOCK is now ranked up there with RWBY for me, and when it is compiled as a movie, which I’m hoping it is, I will get that as well. Where RWBY falls more onto the fantasy with technology side, GEN:LOCK falls squarely in the science fiction. Earth of the future is being overrun by a powerful nation-state known only as “Union.” Not much is known about them, except they are evil and very technologically advanced. I guess they’d be kind of like the Nazi’s of the future.
Dr. Rufus Weller (David Tennant), is the scientist who helped to invent the GEN:LOCK program, a way of linking specific minds into giant mechs used to fight against the Union. The GEN:LOCK team is led by Julian Chase (Michael B. Jordan), who was the first candidate to successfully achieve GEN:LOCK.
This first season is the setup season, of course. Union is seen as this unbeatable force, and all that can be done is to hold the line. New recruits for the GEN:LOCK program are brought to a top secret military facility to learn how to pilot their mechs and work together as a team. A familiar tale, but one that is told in a very surprising and exciting way.
The animation is excellent. I would consider it up there with the big budget animation studios. The story itself was engaging and very fulfilling. There were a few surprises that I didn’t see coming, which is always a good thing. Soundtrack was amazing, and the theme song really captured the mood of the series. The acting was also superb, but not all that surprising, considering the talent that was acquired for the series.
All episodes of GEN:LOCK are airing for free on RoosterTeeth’s web site, with the season finale becoming free next weekend. If you haven’t seen it yet, go there and see for yourself. While you’re there, check out RWBY. All six seasons are streaming for free. Of course, there’s a lot more to RoosterTeeth than just GEN:LOCK and RWBY, so check them out and consider supporting them by becoming a FIRST member.
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