Umbrella Academy is a quirky, yet dark take on the super hero school story with a family drama/save the world from impending doom twist. 43 children were born on October 12th, 1989 to mothers who weren’t pregnant. 7 of them were adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreves and trained to be a family of heroes. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a great father and only cared about getting his results. This brings us to the dysfunctional broken adults that they are now…
Ellen Page (X-Men: Days of Future Past) is the big name in the show, but, really, the entire cast step into their roles with ease. They all do a wonderful job of bringing out their characters very different personalities and blend really well as a family. This first episode really sets up where the show is going to go. While I’m having a hard time debating which scene is my favorite, I adored the moment when the “academy” all have gone to different rooms all upset, and #1 decides to blast Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” through the house, and they all start dancing. It was a very uplifting moment that I couldn’t help but smile through (I can’t wait to get the soundtrack). This is quickly interrupted by their long lost brother coming through a time portal.
Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame — and author of the Dark Horse comic (and head writer/creator of the DC Comics imprint Young Animal; see Doom Patrol) — has built such a detailed, emotional, fun, deep story. Umbrella Academy is also perhaps my favorite hero show that Netflix has done in a while. I’m excited to see that even though they are losing the Marvel shows, they are not shying away from keeping comic book shows alive. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, talking.. chimpanzee.. butler. 5/5 Umbrellas.
-Jimmy Cupps