Expectations were a bit mixed for "Warners Unbound"/"How to Brain Your Dragon"/"Suffragette City". Ancient Greece has been lampooned/parodied very well in animation, but it did seem like a somewhat tame setting for the Warner siblings. Loved the idea for the Pinky and the Brain segment, and these segments were consistent highlights in the reboot, and Pinky and Brain can do no wrong. Was intrigued in seeing how the subject of the suffragettes would work in animation.
Like the first episode of the 'Animaniacs' reboot, this is an uneven episode (like the show in general). One segment is a failure. One is amazing, and in that case it was hardly surprising. And one, despite its issues, is surprisingly great. Not great overall and would put it a little lower than the previous episode (which was uneven too but none of the segments failed in that), but definitely worth the look and very interesting with most of the initial reservations actually working.
The segment that was a failure was "Warners Unbound". Loved the animation, music and voice acting, but the use of the setting could have been more imaginative. More problematic were the rather too tame and occasionally childish humour, the too smug and safe portrayal of the Warner siblings and the flat and padded story. The last task particularly falls flat.
"How to Brain Your Dragon" was a complete winner. It was a scenario that really played to Brain's strengths and liked that it was true in spirit to 'Pinky and the Brain' while having a more expansive setting. The humour and writing is perfect for kids and adults alike, both Pinky and especially Brain are true to character, beautifully contrasted and funny, the pace is lively and their chemistry still sparkles. Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche being brought back was a masterstroke.
"Suffragette City" was the segment that surprised me. Despite the heavy handed ending and one line not being in good taste in my opinion, it was a great way of educating younger audiences about the ground breaking suffragette movement, managing to be entertaining and educational and balancing the two remarkably well. Which is not easy for such a ground breaking and mature historical event. Dot is a lot truer to character here as well.
Coming onto talking about 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.
While falling flat in "Warners Unbound", the writing is spot on in "How to Brain Your Dragon" and manages to not be too simplistic for adults or too confusing for kids in "Suffragette City" (again not an easy balance to achieve). The pace is lively in most of the episode. As said, the voice acting is without fault and Pinky and Brain were clearly written by people that loved the characters.
Overall, inconsistent but worth seeing. 7/10.
Like the first episode of the 'Animaniacs' reboot, this is an uneven episode (like the show in general). One segment is a failure. One is amazing, and in that case it was hardly surprising. And one, despite its issues, is surprisingly great. Not great overall and would put it a little lower than the previous episode (which was uneven too but none of the segments failed in that), but definitely worth the look and very interesting with most of the initial reservations actually working.
The segment that was a failure was "Warners Unbound". Loved the animation, music and voice acting, but the use of the setting could have been more imaginative. More problematic were the rather too tame and occasionally childish humour, the too smug and safe portrayal of the Warner siblings and the flat and padded story. The last task particularly falls flat.
"How to Brain Your Dragon" was a complete winner. It was a scenario that really played to Brain's strengths and liked that it was true in spirit to 'Pinky and the Brain' while having a more expansive setting. The humour and writing is perfect for kids and adults alike, both Pinky and especially Brain are true to character, beautifully contrasted and funny, the pace is lively and their chemistry still sparkles. Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche being brought back was a masterstroke.
"Suffragette City" was the segment that surprised me. Despite the heavy handed ending and one line not being in good taste in my opinion, it was a great way of educating younger audiences about the ground breaking suffragette movement, managing to be entertaining and educational and balancing the two remarkably well. Which is not easy for such a ground breaking and mature historical event. Dot is a lot truer to character here as well.
Coming onto talking about 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.
While falling flat in "Warners Unbound", the writing is spot on in "How to Brain Your Dragon" and manages to not be too simplistic for adults or too confusing for kids in "Suffragette City" (again not an easy balance to achieve). The pace is lively in most of the episode. As said, the voice acting is without fault and Pinky and Brain were clearly written by people that loved the characters.
Overall, inconsistent but worth seeing. 7/10.
