Summary

• Kim Possible deserves a TV reboot, as the original animated series was highly regarded for its redefinition of gender roles and well-developed characters.
• The live-action Kim Possible film was a disappointment, lacking the over-the-top action and exaggerated characters that made the original series great.
• An animated reboot can learn from the movie's failures by bringing back the original voices, allowing for more time to develop stories, and avoiding the need for low-budget special effects.

Those who watched Disney Channel in the early 2000s are sure to be quite familiar with best animated shows to come out of Disney Channel.

Like many other successful pieces of entertainment, Kim Possible was given a reboot in 2019. Many of Disney's live-action remakes and reboots receive the same audience sentiment - that they simply were not able to live up to the original stories. While this complaint isn't new, it really rang true for the Kim Possible film. It lacked many of the elements that made the original series what it was and making it both live-action and a movie proved to be disastrous choices. This leaves the door open for a better reboot to be created and accomplishes what the 2019 movie could not.

Kim Possible Is Overdue For A TV Reboot

Despite Kim Possible having already received a live-action movie, it's high time for the animated TV show to return. The series is widely regarded as one of Disney Channel's best original shows, partly because of the seamless way it helped redefine gender roles. Seeing a strong female heroine with a male sidekick by her side was refreshing, as was how complex and well-developed each character was on the show. As Disney continues to re-find their footing and make programming that resonates with their audience, re-visiting this classic show makes complete sense.

Just like Disney is reviving Phineas and Ferb and producing more seasons, they should do the same with Kim Possible. Phineas and Ferb also got a film reboot in the form of Candace Against the Universe, and Disney was able to recognize that viewers were still looking for more. They should recognize the same for Kim Possible, especially due to the fact that the live-action film reboot left much to be desired.

2019's Live-Action Kim Possible Proves A Reboot Must Be Animated

Unfortunately, the premise of Kim Possible just did not translate well into live-action form. Part of what set the original Kim Possible apart was over-the-top it was in its depiction of action. The live-action movie had to rely on special effects to make these scenes happen, and they ended up creating a cheap and unrealistic-looking result. Animation also lends itself to more exaggerated characters. A big part of what was missing from the film was that Kim, Ron, and the other characters present were quite noticeably different from their animated counterparts. Their characteristics were tuned down, leading them to almost feel like different characters altogether.

How A Kim Possible Reboot Can Learn From The Movie's Failures

Despite this misstep, Disney still has a chance to right the wrong, fix the Kim Possible legacy, and allow viewers of all generations to experience and enjoy the best of what the original series had to offer. It can feature the same lighthearted tone with over-the-top elements that were appealing in the first place but harder to accomplish in live-action form. The sharp wit and memorable humor can be brought back once again and serve as a better testament to the show's original spirit.

An animated reboot could also bring back the voices of Kim and Ron, making them feel much more like the original characters. In a YouTube video the voice of Kim, Christy Carlson Romano, explained "If they ever brought it back, and I wasn't the voice and they re-casted me, I would be devastated. I really hope that since it is a cartoon, and my voice is the same voice, that would be considered". Romano being a major part of the project would make a major difference, bringing in that much-needed nostalgia factor that was lacking from the film.

Another issue with the film reboot was that the plot felt basic and predictable, whereas the show never did. A television reboot could easily rectify this. It would have way more time to develop stories, given that it is not limited to the shorter length of a movie. The action scenes would also be able to be much better, as Disney would not have to rely on low-budget special effects to bring them to life. There would be no more having to recreate the look and the feel of the animated series, and coming off as a failed attempt at imitation, but rather just a continuation of what made the original show so great.

Now that the studio has seen the reactions to the live-action film, they can be extremely aware of what the missteps were. This knowledge can empower them to take extra caution to ensure they don't happen again and really lean into the nostalgic elements that were missing. With a switch from live-action to animation and from a film to a show, another Kim Possible reboot can be extremely satisfying and successful.

Sources: Christy Carlson Romano (via YouTube)