Spoilers Below

Parent Console “Enter the X-Block”, is the latest Happy Hour pilot, and definitely not the greatest. In fact, it’s far from it.

Little Zack and Ashley get the X-Block entertainment system, and Dad is thankful the little brats didn’t notice it was second-hand, recalling the salesman informing this father-of-the-year that the refurbished product is cursed. But at least he got a great bargain.

The lights go off, the game comes on, and so do the send-ups of product placement. The children’s pupils’ dilate, and so do their smiles, while anticipating playing ElectronicTM AntsTM PresentTM (emphasis on the trademark) Nights of the One Republic.

But when the children’s principled patriarch sees the on-screen violence from the space adventure, he puts an end to their game time.

After tampering with the machine, making sure the children aren’t exposed to “one more scantily-dressed, well-endowed space woman,” Dad accidently swap places with Bon Duo and Stagnite, two imprisoned star rebels, wanted by the Dark Lord.

And after a long, drawn-out confirmation with the star rebels, the children learn that their parents have taken the game characters place on death row in the Emperor’s darkest chambers.

Now it’s up to the kids and the space rebels to enter the video game realm to save Mom and Dad.

The short doesn’t have much to offer viewers in terms of writing, animation and originality. The dialogue is slow and juvenile, the visuals are a sluggish flash-style and the plot is something of a B-grade Mom and Dad Save the World or Stay Tuned. The only appealing aspect is the Star Wars references and play on product placement.

If only the family had read the instructions carved on the side of the game console – “To activate: Put in a game that is not for your age then walk through the portal after summoning RAGE.” – this entire conundrum could have been avoided.

Consider this YOUR warning before viewing this new third-rate ‘toon.

3/10