Hulu’s latest series follows middle-aged dad Kevin, who has a burning passion for snuffing out crime under the guise of his not-so-secret identity, Koala Man.
Being a superhero sure isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially in the fictional Australian town of Dapto. But Kevin (Michael Cusack) is determined to clean up the streets, much to his family’s begrudging enthusiasm. No task is too big for Dapto’s resident vigilante as he embarks on a quest to clean up the neighbourhood – no one will forget bin day with this guy around.
Koala Man is a comical pursuit of the titular superhero’s otherwise mundane thirst for justice. When he’s not thwarting town reprobates from wreaking havoc in local convenience stores, he’s faced with cosmic mayhem, and he still makes it home for dinner… Almost.
With every episode clocking in at around 25 minutes, the series makes a fine attempt to deliver non-stop fun and hilarity. Is the payoff worth it? Most of the time. There’s something about Aussie humour that scratches your funny bone the right way.
The show is totally outlandish. Kevin, being the primary focus, bears the burden of carrying the comedy for the most part. Whether he’s battling a supernatural titan or a neighbour’s grass blade, Kevin’s life feels nothing short of a fever dream.
There is a purpose to Koala Man, though. This isn’t just an eight-part misadventure for the sake of a few laughs. While Kevin may not be the most popular amongst his townsfolk, he is tolerated. Except by one villainous fiend – Kookaburra.
Koala Man’s arch nemesis loiters in an evil layer, orchestrating the vigilante’s undoing. But in the land of comedy, we don’t have time to delve into the nitty-gritty of age-old feuds, so instead, we’re introduced to a series of antagonists, all with eccentric traits and motives of their own. And it is hilarious.
Animated sitcoms are often known to overstay their welcome. The genre itself can easily grow tiresome and unoriginal. Koala Man comes after more than three decades of the same old jokes recycled across various shows, but it does do well in trying to stand out from its counterparts. The series is fun and easy-going; however, in hindsight, it’s not much we haven’t seen before elsewhere.
As a whole, Koala Man is a great show to ease into as the first binge-watch of the new year. Lighthearted and full of crude humour, the series doesn’t stretch for the stars and gives viewers exactly what they come for.
‘Koala Man‘ will be available to stream from Hulu on January 9th, 2023.
