Expectations were very mixed for this 'Animaniacs' reboot. The original 'Animaniacs' is one of my favourite animated shows and a favourite overall. Likewise with 'Pinky and the Brain' (not the case with its spin off 'Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain'). Part of me was interested to see how they would work in a contemporary setting, but much of me also questioned its point because it didn't sound necessary to me as can be the case with a lot of reboots.
Almost all the previous episodes of the show falls in the very inconsistent but also very watchable category, excepting Episodes 5 and 11 which for me were great. "Rome Sweet Rome"/"Backwards Pinky"/"Wakko's Short Shorts: Now Loading" is another one of the very inconsistent but also very watchable episodes, actually thought that generally it was pretty good despite not caring for one segment (which was not a surprise for me as that was the case with a lot of the episodes from this reboot). Luckily the other two more than made up for that.
While not perfect, with it being a type of concept done before elsewhere with a little more originality, for me the best segment was "Backwards Pinky". Which was sharply, smartly and wittily written on the whole and the story wouldn't be too out of place in 'Pinky and the Brain'. Once again, the character writing for both titular characters is a delightful revelation and indicative of people that loved the understood the characters. The chemistry is dynamite.
Really liked "Rome Sweet Rome" on the whole. It isn't an original plot and it is slight, but it's energetic, the writing is mostly funny and smart with no signs of dumbing down and it is true in spirit to that of the original 'Animaniacs' on the whole. The Warners were inconsistently characterised on this show, but this is thankfully closer to the wackier, witty personalities of the original than the smug ones that have been apparent in some episodes. It could have been sharper though and took more risks and while it was interesting seeing a version of Nero he is too much of an annoying caricature.
The weakest segment by far is the very flimsily plotted and very bland "Wakko's Short Shorts: Now Loading". Wakko's personality lacks spark, no wackiness here, and shows that he is a lot more interesting when with his siblings, while the story is very thin and the humour too tame and smug with the subtlety of an axe.
A lot of fine individual components can be found. 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.
Overall, liked it but didn't love it. 6/10.
Almost all the previous episodes of the show falls in the very inconsistent but also very watchable category, excepting Episodes 5 and 11 which for me were great. "Rome Sweet Rome"/"Backwards Pinky"/"Wakko's Short Shorts: Now Loading" is another one of the very inconsistent but also very watchable episodes, actually thought that generally it was pretty good despite not caring for one segment (which was not a surprise for me as that was the case with a lot of the episodes from this reboot). Luckily the other two more than made up for that.
While not perfect, with it being a type of concept done before elsewhere with a little more originality, for me the best segment was "Backwards Pinky". Which was sharply, smartly and wittily written on the whole and the story wouldn't be too out of place in 'Pinky and the Brain'. Once again, the character writing for both titular characters is a delightful revelation and indicative of people that loved the understood the characters. The chemistry is dynamite.
Really liked "Rome Sweet Rome" on the whole. It isn't an original plot and it is slight, but it's energetic, the writing is mostly funny and smart with no signs of dumbing down and it is true in spirit to that of the original 'Animaniacs' on the whole. The Warners were inconsistently characterised on this show, but this is thankfully closer to the wackier, witty personalities of the original than the smug ones that have been apparent in some episodes. It could have been sharper though and took more risks and while it was interesting seeing a version of Nero he is too much of an annoying caricature.
The weakest segment by far is the very flimsily plotted and very bland "Wakko's Short Shorts: Now Loading". Wakko's personality lacks spark, no wackiness here, and shows that he is a lot more interesting when with his siblings, while the story is very thin and the humour too tame and smug with the subtlety of an axe.
A lot of fine individual components can be found. 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.
Overall, liked it but didn't love it. 6/10.
