The 2020 reboot of 'Animaniacs' proved to be better than expected and not as pointless as feared, considering that some reboots don't have the best reputations. It is inconsistent and nowhere near on the same level as the original 'Animaniacs', but none of the previous episodes were less than decent (with episodes 5 and 11 actually being excellent). With most being uneven, often with one great segment, one good one and in some episodes the odd one that doesn't work, but with more good than bad.
For me, "What is That"/"Mouse Madness"/"Christopher Columbusted"/"Fake Medicines" is one of the best episodes from the 'Animaniacs' reboot, and one of the few episodes that are great and where all the segments work (the weakest still being very good). Absolutely loved the premises for all the segments, especially for "Run Pinky Run" (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 starts off slightly blandly but very quickly becomes great at its best.
"What is That" is the weakest of the four. Still amusing and has some energy, with the Warners being faithfully characterised, but not hilarious or inspired as well as very thin.
Hilarious and inspired sums up "Mouse Madness" brilliantly however. Once again there is plenty of hilarious and irreverent writing, sharply clever wit and exuberant energy, with some unsettling and wonderfully mad 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.
It is not everyday where you see famous historical characters having their pioneering achievements questioned in animation and in parody form. Not Christopher Columbus anyhow. Was worried as to whether "Christopher Columbusted" would be too smug and self-indulgent, but actually it was a good deal more appealing than it sounded and the humour was clever and suitably wacky. The Warners were a little smug at times (especially Dot), but mostly they hadn't lost what made them so memorable before, and the questioning of the discoveries was quite thought probing.
"Fake Medicines" also didn't sound very interesting on paper and it doesn't have the cleverness or imagination of the previous two segments. It was amusing though and did have energy, while the Warners are not portrayed too safely or smugly.
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.
Very well done overall. 8/10.
For me, "What is That"/"Mouse Madness"/"Christopher Columbusted"/"Fake Medicines" is one of the best episodes from the 'Animaniacs' reboot, and one of the few episodes that are great and where all the segments work (the weakest still being very good). Absolutely loved the premises for all the segments, especially for "Run Pinky Run" (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 starts off slightly blandly but very quickly becomes great at its best.
"What is That" is the weakest of the four. Still amusing and has some energy, with the Warners being faithfully characterised, but not hilarious or inspired as well as very thin.
Hilarious and inspired sums up "Mouse Madness" brilliantly however. Once again there is plenty of hilarious and irreverent writing, sharply clever wit and exuberant energy, with some unsettling and wonderfully mad 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.
It is not everyday where you see famous historical characters having their pioneering achievements questioned in animation and in parody form. Not Christopher Columbus anyhow. Was worried as to whether "Christopher Columbusted" would be too smug and self-indulgent, but actually it was a good deal more appealing than it sounded and the humour was clever and suitably wacky. The Warners were a little smug at times (especially Dot), but mostly they hadn't lost what made them so memorable before, and the questioning of the discoveries was quite thought probing.
"Fake Medicines" also didn't sound very interesting on paper and it doesn't have the cleverness or imagination of the previous two segments. It was amusing though and did have energy, while the Warners are not portrayed too safely or smugly.
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.
Very well done overall. 8/10.