When sitting down to watch a show with the whole family, choosing one that interests everyone can be next to impossible. Few television shows are able to interest both younger and older audiences. This is particularly true for superhero shows. These programs are inherently violent and emotionally complex, making it difficult to connect with youths. DC’s Stargirl is a show that breaks from the norm in this regard.
For prospective viewers, here are four reasons why Stargirl appeals to all ages.
1. Mix of Generations
Most superhero shows focus on people in their 20’s or 30’s, thereby making romantic and heart wrenching storylines easier to portray. This also tends to be the age range of those watching. Often, this can result in storylines that are challenging for younger viewers to relate to. Stargirl’s executive producer Geoff Johns circumvents this by portraying a wide range of ages, and not just with less important side characters. The actual superheroes are mostly teens, but adult superheroes are also key parts of the storylines. In fact, many of the recurrent themes revolve around the teens working with and replacing the adults.
2. Tone
The tone of DC’s Stargirl is noticeably different from the company’s recent movies, most of which are rather dark in nature. Stargirl has a far more cheerful style, which suits its focus on younger characters. It contains a comical and fun-loving element that is rarely abandoned. This isn’t a departure from the source material, either. Stargirl has always been happier than many other DC comics, partially because it contains the classic characters from the Justice Society of America. There is an old-school quality to Stargirl that may remind viewers of films like Superman with Christopher Reeve.
3. Ageless Messages
The messages relayed by Stargirl are those that people of every age can relate to. The characters learn the importance of qualities like teamwork and bravery, which are themes that never lose importance throughout life. This isn’t true for all superhero shows. Many focus on darker lessons like getting over trauma and giving up vengeance. By containing more universal themes, Stargirl sets itself apart as a family-friendly show.
4. Fantasy Fighting
There’s a reason parents don’t let kids watch popular action shows. These programs tend to contain overly violent imagery, particularly when the show is grounded in reality. Because Stargirl takes place in a fantasy world, it’s able to portray fight scenes without excessive violence. Clearly fanciful elements like magical staffs make the fighting less scary. While there are moments to watch out for, such as characters being stabbed, most of the show is fairly tame.
Superhero shows and movies are appealing for many reasons. The programs portray a hard-to-reach mixture of realistic problems and escapism, which results in grounded yet engaging and exciting storylines. This is something that children are likely to enjoy and engage with. While others aren’t always kid-friendly, DC’s Stargirl is an ageless show at its core. It portrays young and inspiring characters (most of whom are good role models for children) along with cheerful themes and little violence. When you’re looking for entertainment that will please your entire family, you can rely on Stargirl to have something for everyone.
