Being a big lifelong fanatic of animation, there wouldn't be any question of seeing anything animated regardless of the studio, director, style, how old it is and its critical reception, will hardly say that everything animated is great. There is some bad or worse animation out there. With my knowledge having been extended and broadened, my love and appreciation has overtime significantly increased.
'Pinky and the Brain' is an example of good animation. Brilliant even. Although a fan of 'Animaniacs' (as has been said quite a number of times, but it is worth saying), 'Pinky and the Brain' to me has always been even better. All of that show's numerous qualities are present here while making them even better, even more in quantity and even bigger in quality. It has always been one of my favourite shows, but love it even more as an adult. Due to more knowledge of animation and understanding the humour more. Same with animation in general. 'Pinky and the Brain' is like 'Animaniacs', it has something for everybody and children and adults alike will love it, it is so much more than "just another kiddie show" and should never be dismissed as such.
Another episode to comprise of two segments, this may not be 'Pinky and the Brain' at its very best but it is still great. Both segments are winners, with "Schpiel-Borg 2000" being a little more imaginative.
There is little to criticise the animation quality for, though some of the drawing could have been a little more careful. The characters designs have no stiffness (personally think they have a little more refinement than those in 'Animaniacs'), the backgrounds are very detailed and the colours are a mix of vibrant and atmospheric. The music is also faultless. The scoring is dynamic and composed in a way that is always adding to the actions, expressions and gestures and doing what good music scores in animation should do in enhancing them.
Have never faulted the writing. It is very smart, its best parts riotous and the exchanges between Pinky and Brain are mini masterpieces. There is zaniness, wit and surprising intelligence and has references that will delight adults especially as they are more likely to get them. It achieves a perfect balance of never being too simplistic or too convoluted and when something makes baseball entertaining and exciting as well as capturing the danger and atmosphere of it you know you have a winner. While neither segment is particularly original in story, this is a not so common example of that not mattering at all, because of the cleverness, creativity and idea variety of the writing and storytelling, here benefitting from a different opened up location so things never become repetitive.
Younger audiences will have little trouble understanding but adults will get more out of it, because the humour is more understandable when older due to more familiarity. Both are easy to follow while not being childish, "Schpiel-Borg 2000" being another fine example for 'Pinky and the Brain' of having a subject that could go over younger viewers' heads but done in a way that is both fresh and accessible. 'Pinky and the Brain' always excelled when it came to references and spoofs, and there is no exception here with many witty and nostalgic references to a number of Steven Spielberg's (spoofed himself here with the robot being based off him) films in "Schpiel-Borg 2000".
Characterisation always was a major strength, it is in both segments here. Pinky and Brain were two of 'Animaniacs' best characters, Brain especially stole the show whenever he appeared and elevated already very good to great episodes to an even better level, and more than deserved their own show. For me they are even more interesting and defined here in 'Pinky and the Brain'. It is hard not to endear to Pinky and his inane comments and actions, he is not the brightest mouse on the block and Brain's frustration is understandable. But he is one of the finest examples of stupid not falling into the trap of being obnoxious, throughout the show's run Pinky never once annoyed me. Pinky instead is very funny and often hysterically so and simply adorable without being overly-cute.
Brain is the infinitely smarter one of the two, a genius in fact, although also the meaner and more intricate one, a very large contrast. Somehow though he is still very lovable, it is impossible not to fall in love with his schemes (both inspired, especially in "Schpiel-Borg 2000" and how he goes about it, nor is it impossible not to love his deadpan personality and dark sarcasm. Have always loved the relationship/chemistry between this duo. Their always compelling personalities never feel false or overdone, and the depth to their contrasting personalities and relationship has not been forgotten. The chemistry between the two is just delightful, sometimes antagonistic but there is more substance to it than all of that. It is essentially the show's heart, it was essential for it to work (make or break) and it does brilliantly.
Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche cannot be bettered and are irreplaceable from personal opinion as the characters. Both are amazing and throughout the show gave some of their best ever work, especially LaMarche. They are one of the main reasons as to why the characters work so well, their voices suiting the them and their personalities perfectly. The bond between them throughout 'Pinky and the Brain' has always been present and never been lost.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Pinky and the Brain' is an example of good animation. Brilliant even. Although a fan of 'Animaniacs' (as has been said quite a number of times, but it is worth saying), 'Pinky and the Brain' to me has always been even better. All of that show's numerous qualities are present here while making them even better, even more in quantity and even bigger in quality. It has always been one of my favourite shows, but love it even more as an adult. Due to more knowledge of animation and understanding the humour more. Same with animation in general. 'Pinky and the Brain' is like 'Animaniacs', it has something for everybody and children and adults alike will love it, it is so much more than "just another kiddie show" and should never be dismissed as such.
Another episode to comprise of two segments, this may not be 'Pinky and the Brain' at its very best but it is still great. Both segments are winners, with "Schpiel-Borg 2000" being a little more imaginative.
There is little to criticise the animation quality for, though some of the drawing could have been a little more careful. The characters designs have no stiffness (personally think they have a little more refinement than those in 'Animaniacs'), the backgrounds are very detailed and the colours are a mix of vibrant and atmospheric. The music is also faultless. The scoring is dynamic and composed in a way that is always adding to the actions, expressions and gestures and doing what good music scores in animation should do in enhancing them.
Have never faulted the writing. It is very smart, its best parts riotous and the exchanges between Pinky and Brain are mini masterpieces. There is zaniness, wit and surprising intelligence and has references that will delight adults especially as they are more likely to get them. It achieves a perfect balance of never being too simplistic or too convoluted and when something makes baseball entertaining and exciting as well as capturing the danger and atmosphere of it you know you have a winner. While neither segment is particularly original in story, this is a not so common example of that not mattering at all, because of the cleverness, creativity and idea variety of the writing and storytelling, here benefitting from a different opened up location so things never become repetitive.
Younger audiences will have little trouble understanding but adults will get more out of it, because the humour is more understandable when older due to more familiarity. Both are easy to follow while not being childish, "Schpiel-Borg 2000" being another fine example for 'Pinky and the Brain' of having a subject that could go over younger viewers' heads but done in a way that is both fresh and accessible. 'Pinky and the Brain' always excelled when it came to references and spoofs, and there is no exception here with many witty and nostalgic references to a number of Steven Spielberg's (spoofed himself here with the robot being based off him) films in "Schpiel-Borg 2000".
Characterisation always was a major strength, it is in both segments here. Pinky and Brain were two of 'Animaniacs' best characters, Brain especially stole the show whenever he appeared and elevated already very good to great episodes to an even better level, and more than deserved their own show. For me they are even more interesting and defined here in 'Pinky and the Brain'. It is hard not to endear to Pinky and his inane comments and actions, he is not the brightest mouse on the block and Brain's frustration is understandable. But he is one of the finest examples of stupid not falling into the trap of being obnoxious, throughout the show's run Pinky never once annoyed me. Pinky instead is very funny and often hysterically so and simply adorable without being overly-cute.
Brain is the infinitely smarter one of the two, a genius in fact, although also the meaner and more intricate one, a very large contrast. Somehow though he is still very lovable, it is impossible not to fall in love with his schemes (both inspired, especially in "Schpiel-Borg 2000" and how he goes about it, nor is it impossible not to love his deadpan personality and dark sarcasm. Have always loved the relationship/chemistry between this duo. Their always compelling personalities never feel false or overdone, and the depth to their contrasting personalities and relationship has not been forgotten. The chemistry between the two is just delightful, sometimes antagonistic but there is more substance to it than all of that. It is essentially the show's heart, it was essential for it to work (make or break) and it does brilliantly.
Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche cannot be bettered and are irreplaceable from personal opinion as the characters. Both are amazing and throughout the show gave some of their best ever work, especially LaMarche. They are one of the main reasons as to why the characters work so well, their voices suiting the them and their personalities perfectly. The bond between them throughout 'Pinky and the Brain' has always been present and never been lost.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
