'Animaniacs' was a very uneven reboot, with some real highs (the Pinky and the Brain segments) and also some elements that worked in enough instances but didn't in others (the humour and the character writing of the Warners), but was a good deal better than expected. This is especially apparent in Season 1, which was very inconsistent in quality but with enough good episodes. Season 2 for me was superior, with everything feeling more settled and with no real misfires in the segment.
This is apparent in "Ralph World"/"My Super Sour Sixteen"/"How To: Brain Takes Over the World", which is not quite one of the very best episodes of the 'Animaniacs' reboot but is in the better half in ranking easily. Absolutely loved the premises for two of the segments, especially for "How to: Brain Takes Over the World" (not a surprise as the 'Pinky and the Brain' segments were always the segments that worked consistently), and a vast majority of the time the execution is great. The episode has one slightly bland segment but the other two more than make up for it.
"My Super Sour Sixteen " is the weakest segment, though a little better than the premise sounds. It has some amusing moments, some nice visuals and Yakko and Wakko are witty and wacky but it is not hilarious or that inspired, is quite thinly plotted and perhaps could have done with more energy. Some of Dot's character writing is ham handed at times.
"Ralph World" is though a lot of fun. It is a concept that has been done many, many times but the affectionate setting, lively pacing and the smart, funny parodying of 'Westworld' are enough to make that not matter too much. Ralph has grown as a character.
Expectedly, "How to: Brain Takes Over the World" fares the best. Once again there is plenty of hilarious and irreverent writing, sharply clever wit and exuberant energy, with some unsettling atmosphere. The writers clearly loved Pinky and the Brain too, had fun with them and understood them, because they were consistent delights throughout the show. Especially Brain, my favourite character from the reboot.
Coming on to the individual elements, the animation is bright and beautifully detailed with some suitably wild expressions in faces, eyes and body language, despite preferring the bolder and more traditional look. The music fits well and while it may not enhance the action it adds to it in a way that's appealing and accessible. The theme tune is hip and catchy. The voice acting, done by some of the best and most prolific voice actors in the business now and ever, is impeccable. It was a masterstroke bringing the voice actors back and the right thing to do. Cannot for instance imagine Brain being voiced by somebody other than Maurice La Marche and actually to me Rob Paulsen sounded fine.
Very good on the whole with many excellent things. 8/10.
This is apparent in "Ralph World"/"My Super Sour Sixteen"/"How To: Brain Takes Over the World", which is not quite one of the very best episodes of the 'Animaniacs' reboot but is in the better half in ranking easily. Absolutely loved the premises for two of the segments, especially for "How to: Brain Takes Over the World" (not a surprise as the 'Pinky and the Brain' segments were always the segments that worked consistently), and a vast majority of the time the execution is great. The episode has one slightly bland segment but the other two more than make up for it.
"My Super Sour Sixteen " is the weakest segment, though a little better than the premise sounds. It has some amusing moments, some nice visuals and Yakko and Wakko are witty and wacky but it is not hilarious or that inspired, is quite thinly plotted and perhaps could have done with more energy. Some of Dot's character writing is ham handed at times.
"Ralph World" is though a lot of fun. It is a concept that has been done many, many times but the affectionate setting, lively pacing and the smart, funny parodying of 'Westworld' are enough to make that not matter too much. Ralph has grown as a character.
Expectedly, "How to: Brain Takes Over the World" fares the best. Once again there is plenty of hilarious and irreverent writing, sharply clever wit and exuberant energy, with some unsettling atmosphere. The writers clearly loved Pinky and the Brain too, had fun with them and understood them, because they were consistent delights throughout the show. Especially Brain, my favourite character from the reboot.
Coming on to the individual elements, the animation is bright and beautifully detailed with some suitably wild expressions in faces, eyes and body language, despite preferring the bolder and more traditional look. The music fits well and while it may not enhance the action it adds to it in a way that's appealing and accessible. The theme tune is hip and catchy. The voice acting, done by some of the best and most prolific voice actors in the business now and ever, is impeccable. It was a masterstroke bringing the voice actors back and the right thing to do. Cannot for instance imagine Brain being voiced by somebody other than Maurice La Marche and actually to me Rob Paulsen sounded fine.
Very good on the whole with many excellent things. 8/10.
