Gravity Falls: A Critical Review

Overview

• Author: Aaron James Hills
• Publication Date: October 12, 2019
• Review Grade: F

Key Points of Criticism

General Critique

• The show is described as boring, overrated, and terrible.
• Criticized for being portrayed both as a children’s and adult show, leading to conflicting praise and scrutiny.

Plagiarism Allegations

• Accused of stealing ideas from older TV melodramas like "Twin Peaks" and "Murder, She Wrote."
• Similarities drawn to towns with dark secrets in other shows such as "It," "Eerie Indiana," "Northern Exposure."

Animation and Character Design

• Criticized for using a basic, unoriginal animation style.
• Characters compared unfavorably to those from "The Simpsons."
• Main characters are perceived as lacking originality and likability.

Characters

• Dipper: Compared to Lisa and Bart Simpson; depicted as whiny and self-centered.
• Mabel: Compared to a brain-injured version of Lisa Simpson; obsessed with pigs and glitter.
• Stan (Old Man): Compared to the old man from "Up" with no wit.
• Bill Cipher (Tortilla Chip): Described as a non-threatening villain.

Plot and Storytelling

• Lacks originality, charm, and humor.
• Suffers from clichés and a convoluted plot.
• The show’s ending is perceived as cliché and dull.

Creator and Fanbase

• Accusations against the creator’s integrity.
• The fanbase labeled as vapid and overly supportive.

Comparison with Other Shows

• Compared negatively to contemporary cartoons like "Adventure Time," "Steven Universe," "Star vs. the Forces of Evil," "Duck Tales," and others.
• Criticized for poor animation quality attributed to outsourced labor.

Conclusion

• The review is overwhelmingly negative, emphasizing perceived flaws in originality, character development, and storytelling.
• It also criticizes the broader trend in modern cartoons within the Disney channel and Cartoon Network, suggesting a decline in quality and creativity.