Dan Harmon, the genius behind shows like “Rick and Morty” and “Community,” has ventured into the world of animation once again. This time with his latest creation, “Krapopolis.” Despite its promising ingredients, “Krapopolis” has disappointed the critics.
The show is set in a semi-mythological version of ancient Greece on the brink of civilization. The show features an impressive vocal cast, including Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Pam Murphy, and Duncan Trussell. It is this ensemble of voice actors that is responsible for eliciting the odd chuckle rather than the content itself. The fact that the show isn’t outright boring can be attributed to the vocal work as well because the critics found the stories uninspiring and the themes explored in the series lacking depth.
The protagonist of “Krapopolis” is Tyrannis (voiced by Richard Ayoade), the king of the titular city. He wants to promote the city as a beacon of civilization while the people around him have no clear understanding of what civilization entails. The show’s characters include his warrior half-sister Stupendous (Pam Murphy), scientist half-brother Hippocampus (Duncan Trussell), his goddess mother Deliria (Hannah Waddingham), and his eccentric father Shlub (Matt Berry).
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Interestingly, “Krapopolis” seems almost self-aware of its mediocrity, with references to jokes not being particularly funny and characters acknowledging the less-than-stellar nature of their surroundings. This might be seen as a nod to the intentionally bland tone Harmon is attempting to create, though it hasn’t resonated positively with early reviewers.
Harmon has previously explored themes of history and civilization in his work, notably in “Rick and Morty” and “Community.” However, in “Krapopolis,” the humor appears to rely on flat dramatic irony, using historical settings to make superficial observations about the present. This approach feels less innovative compared to previous Harmon projects and similar to what shows like “The Flintstones” and “Disenchantment” have done in the past.
“Krapopolis” faces an uphill battle in captivating its audience with its initial episodes. Viewers are left hoping that the show will evolve and tap into the potential of its talented cast as it progresses. But for now, it seems that “Krapopolis” has yet to live up to the reputation of its creator.
