I recently gained access to Disney+, which means I have the opportunity to rewatch “Kim Possible.” Therefore, I am a happy camper.
If you don’t know what “Kim Possible” is, it’s a show about a teenage cheerleader, Kim Possible, who uses her acrobatic skills to fight crime. She is assisted in her world-saving efforts by sidekick and best friend Ron Stoppable, 10-year-old tech genius Wade, best friend Monique voiced by “That’s So Raven” Raven Symoné, and a naked mole-rat named Rufus.
My ringtone is the Kimmunicator ringtone, so it’s only fitting I watch the show in its entirety to feel proud about all the times my phone has accidentally gone off in lecture without being silenced. (A fitting and “embarrassing” six or seven times.)
I did not come from a “Disney” house. Barring one or two, I did not like Disney movies. But I’ve been watching “Kim Possible” since I was three. I made some of the closest friendships I have over this show. Also, not to flex, but when I was 11 years old I knew the name of every “Kim Possible” episode.
Now, at the ripe old age of 19, this show is comfort food. When I’ve been slammed all week by exams and complicated problem sets (or “sitches”), and I need to unwind with something I don’t have to pay too much attention to, this show is perfect for me. I wholeheartedly believe that “Kim Possible” is the perfect comedy for a college student, and let me tell you why.
(For editorial purposes, I will quickly acknowledge the fact that there was a 2019 live-action Kim Possible movie. There is a live-action movie that exists, the cast was alright, and that’s all that’s going to be said about this.)
The theme song is iconic, the villains fantastic, the characters top-notch, and the outfits on point. The animation is butter, and fight scenes imaginatively and meticulously thought out.
The “Kim Possible” music doesn’t get enough attention. When the show wanted to do a song, it went the extra mile. The soundtrack of the episode about boy bands alone can put whole cartoons to shame.
The villains are the cream of this superhero crop. “Kim Possible” is heavily influenced by James Bond and comic books — all the more yay for me.
There’s a Scottish golfer who shoots explosive golf balls, a billionaire and his son whose hobby is trying to take over the world, a man so obsessed with gaining “mystical monkey powers” he gave himself opposable thumbs, a German mad scientist played by Patton Oswalt, and of course, blue-skinned mad-scientist college-dropout Dr. Drakken, and his verdant villainess sidekick that stole our hearts as tweens, Shego.
The show’s humor appeals more to me now than when I was five years old. One-liners and quips are the show’s sugar and spice. The jokes are smart and zesty. The quips are timely and the banter bounces off each character.
I’m not a fan of running jokes, but the exception to the rule is “Kim Possible.” The jokes that continue throughout the series never get tiresome, my favorite being the actuary jokes, Ron’s parents never cluing him in on life-changing decisions with the phrase “This is our way of telling you,” and the messages on the sign of Middleton High School.
These aren’t your average kids-show gags. There are, of course, laughs for the whole family, but I believe the average college student will appreciate most of the jokes thrown at them.
While I enjoy most episodes with the exception of a rare few, I have gathered some of my all-time favorites to share with you:
- “Big Brother”
- Ron’s parents adopt a daughter without telling Ron. At the same time, Ron has a health class baby assignment where he has to take care of a bag of flour lovingly dubbed “Sacky.” What’s so amusing about this episode is not only the number of times (counted in roman numerals) that Sacky gets destroyed, but the shocked reactions of the people around him when the total Sacky Kill Count is announced.
- “RAPPIN’ DRAKKEN”
- This episode is a fever dream that you thought you imagined. But no, there is a Dr. Drakken rap that exists in the wild, along with a rap about the naked mole-rat Rufus. Iconic.
- “Bueno Nacho”
- This episode is near and dear to my heart because it’s the first episode I ever watched. Kim and Ron get a job at the infamous Beuno Nacho, and Dr. Drakken hides a laser-drill in a stadium-sized piece of cheese.
- “Team Impossible”
- A pay-for-hire crime fighting team challenges Kim’s nonprofit world saving team. The laughs are plentiful in this episode. Wade finally leaves his room, Kim’s career comes from a typo, Ron tries to make a theme song, and it’s tax season with a rocket scientist in the Possible house. But the best of all is: “Burn Bernman. Certified Public Accountant. Numbers aren’t the only thing I crunch.”
- “Ill Suited”
- This is the first episode right after “Kim Possible: So the Drama,” the animated film where Kim and Ron become a couple. The episode begins with what seems like a continuation of where the movie ended, with Kim and Ron pulling apart from the kiss, only for a grinning Kim to creepily melt into a green pile of goo. The rest of the episode is pretty good, dealing with Kim and Ron’s new dynamic along with Patton Oswalt killing it as Dr. Dementor.
- “Hidden Talent”
- Kim Possible can do anything… except sing a high note apparently. Kim is signed up for the school talent show against her will and has to tackle the challenge of hitting a high note. The banter is at its finest in this adventure.
The adventures of Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable resonate with the struggles of a college student. Juggling academics, work, social life, extracurriculars, and all our other responsibilities is a lot, and especially so now.
I could continue with an overly complex analysis of a Disney cartoon, but it isn’t that deep — it’s a smart and fun escape. You already know the lessons the show tries to pawn off on you, so kick back and enjoy the shenanigans. Sing along to the all-too-catchy “Call Me, Beep Me If You Want to Reach Me,” delve into sharp-witted comedy and action, and allow yourself to laugh at the absurdity of the villains.
“Kim Possible” might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are looking for something to destress before finals, but it just might be the right choice. You might even consider getting a Kimmunicator ringtone, too.
