Rockin’ with Judy Jetson (1988) [Movie Review]

In 1988, as the music video revolution hit its big hair-sprayed apex, Hanna-Barbera decided to give their iconic Jetsons franchise a rockin’ futuristic update by blending it with the neon-soaked energy and mall rat angst of the era. The end result, Rockin’ with Judy Jetson, is an utterly bonkers but strangely endearing cult object – a delirious exercise in reckless animated camp and showbiz satire taken gloriously over-the-top. It’s wildly stupid to be sure, but also admirably swinging for the garish, synth-drenched fences at every wildly erratic turn.

Animated TV movies for Syndication

The paper-thin plot, stretched well past its breaking point across 92 dizzying minutes, follows Judy Jetson as she chases her lofty dream of music video stardom in this far-flung futuristic society. Of course, being a plucky teen heroine, Judy faces a daunting celestial gauntlet of obstacles.

“Rockin’ with Judy Jetson” encapsulates the dreams and dilemmas of its titular character, Judy Jetson, whose passion for music leads her on an unexpected adventure. The plot is ignited by Judy’s composition of a love song dedicated to her pop idol, Sky Rocker. The narrative takes a twist when the song accidentally gets transmitted across the universe, reaching an malevolent alien, Felonia Funk, who interprets the song’s lyrics as a declaration of war against her. The ensuing chaos and misunderstandings catapult Judy and her friends, along with the rest of the Jetson family, into a space-faring mission to avert intergalactic disaster and save their futuristic world from impending doom.

Admittedly, parsing through the maniacal tangle of plot threads and inexplicable narrative swerves can be utterly maddening at times, as the film discards all semblance of logic or momentum in favor of heaping one gaudy, synth-scored music video vignette atop the next.

It’s goofy, but it was for kids.

The film shines a spotlight on Judy Jetson, exploring her character beyond the familial and domestic settings of the original series. Judy’s portrayal as a determined, creative, and somewhat rebellious teenager reflects the universal journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams. Her interactions with family members, especially George Jetson, her father, underscore the generational conflicts and mutual understanding that are characteristic of family dynamics.

The antagonist, Felonia Funk, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, serving not only as the source of conflict but also as a character with her own motivations and backstory. The inclusion of Sky Rocker, Judy’s idol, introduces themes of idolatry and the impact of celebrity culture, which are examined through Judy’s idealized perception of him and the eventual realization of his human qualities.

Everyone was trying to sell MTV to the kids

The animation in “Rockin’ with Judy Jetson” is a vivid representation of the era it was produced in, showcasing the aesthetic sensibilities of the late 1980s. The film’s visual style retains the iconic design elements of the Jetson universe, with its imaginative depiction of futuristic technology and architecture, while infusing it with the vibrant colors and fashion trends of the 1980s.

Music plays a pivotal role in the film, both as a plot device and as a thematic element that captures the spirit of the era. The soundtrack, featuring songs performed by characters within the narrative, mirrors the pop and rock influences of the time, creating a memorable musical experience that complements the visual storytelling. The use of music to drive the plot forward and express the characters’ emotions and aspirations is executed with a blend of humor, energy, and sincerity.

“Rockin’ with Judy Jetson” explores themes of communication, misunderstanding, and the quest for peace, set against the backdrop of intergalactic tension. The misinterpretation of Judy’s song as a hostile act serves as a metaphor for the broader challenges of communication and the potential for conflict inherent in misinterpretation. The film also delves into themes of celebrity worship and the disillusionment that can accompany the realization that idols are fallible humans.

At its core, the film is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of music to transcend cultural and galactic boundaries. It presents a hopeful vision of the future where technology and humanity coexist, and where music serves as a universal language of peace and understanding.

One of Mel Blanc’s last major outings

While animation nerds will remember the film for being one of Mel Blanc’s last major voice acting roles, there’s more to it. “Rockin’ with Judy Jetson” explores themes of communication, misunderstanding, and the quest for peace, set against the backdrop of intergalactic tension. The misinterpretation of Judy’s song as a hostile act serves as a metaphor for the broader challenges of communication and the potential for conflict inherent in misinterpretation. The film also delves into themes of celebrity worship and the disillusionment that can accompany the realization that idols are fallible humans.

At its core, the film is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of music to transcend cultural and galactic boundaries. It presents a hopeful vision of the future where technology and humanity coexist, and where music serves as a universal language of peace and understanding.

Rockin’ with Judy Jetson comes to Blu-ray as part of Hanna Barbera’s Superstars 10

The Hanna Barbera Superstars 10 is the latest massive release from Warner Archive. While I barely remember Rockin’ with Judy Jetson from when I was a kid, I do remember it airing. It was one of those long form syndicated movies that would air on Sundays rather than Saturdays on WBNA. But, as an adult, I kinda get what they were trying to do. It was Hanna Barbera’s effort to restage their classic fare for 1980s audiences. It was rather bold to take these big characters right as Jetsons and Flintstones and restage them during the height of that era’s animation.

Unfortunately, it never felt like it could hang with the kind of stuff I enjoyed watching. The bigger collection comes with some bonus movies, but there aren’t a ton of individual special features. So, what you see is what you get. It’s the best A/V Quality these releases are going to have, so try it out. Now, we’ve got another 9 movies to cover…see you over there.

Rockin’ with Judy Jetson is part of Hanna Barbera’s Superstars 10 and it’s available to buy at MovieZyng!