Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus Review - 8 Ups & 1 Down
4. It Prioritizes Story Over Nostalgia
Enter the Florpus does not sacrifice what made Invader Zim great during its initial run. However, it still manages to be friendly to those just discovering the franchise in a major way: the film feels more like a standalone product than a nostalgia trip.
While there are definitely a few winks and nods to the original series, Enter the Florpus doesn't bother itself with nostalgic box-checking. Make no mistake, the fanservice approach isn't an inherently bad one. In fact, Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie -- another recent Nickelodeon revival -- pulled it off quite well. However, by eschewing this almost entirely, the film is able to keep the focus on the here and now.
In turn, Enter the Florpus is able to flesh out its story and characters in ways that not only feel fresh, but can also connect with anyone and everyone watching, rather than playing second fiddle to in-jokes that only long-time fans are going to understand.
When doing any sort of reboot, striking a balance between new and returning fans is always one of the more challenging aspects. Fortunately, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus was able to pull this off in spades.