Cryptic crossword No 731

Many thanks Meles, an absolute triumph. Fabulous working of the theme, which has to be the star, but lots of hugely entertaining clues in their own rights - 16d a particular favourite for the wonderful thematic allusion as well as brilliant wordplay, although pretty much any clue could feature in the highlights. Fantastic ... a couple of spoilery bits in reply ...

Honestly, you had me at "ROAR!"...there was no way I wasn't gonna like this puzzle, but the density of the thematic references is admirable on its own merits. My faves were 3a, 24a & 26a, all of which married thematic imagery and wordplay to great effect; as neat as 16d was, I had a little reservation about the cryptic grammar that prevents it from joining my other faves. Still, the solve was proper fun, and on the whole I'd say the puzzle was, ahem, a roaring success! ;3

Great stuff Meles, thanks! I’m always pleased to see one of your puzzles arrive and this certainly lived up to expectations. Superb theming and lots of excellent clues, of which my favourites were 1A, 12A, the 15A 17A combo, 20D, and 25D.

Hi Meles. It's nice to see you back here. I promised I'd get around to this and I did. I am not enormously familiar with the theme though I know the kids watched it a lot. Fortunately at an age i no longer had to watch everything with them. But even a heathen like me can spot some of the surface allusions and I guess there's a lot more that will be lost on me. I enjoyed: 20a, 29a, 4d, 5d, 8d, 15d, 16d, 25d (I think). Spoilers in Reply. Thanks. PM