As has been said fairly frequently, when it comes to animation, 'Pinky and the Brain' has always been one of my favourites. Am a big fan of animation while not being afraid to admit that there are average to terrible ones out there. Won't say that every episode of the show is amazing and that it is a completely consistent show, but for me it is one of those rare shows where there isn't a bad episode, something that can't be said for many shows around.
'Pinky and the Brain' is one of the best examples of a childhood favourite that has not only held up well but brilliantly, not every childhood favourite has so this has nothing to do with nostalgia. As a young adult, actually find it even better now, due to noticing and appreciating more things and the humour being funnier and easier to understand being more familiar with any references and such. Once again, don't fall for any misconception implying that animation is just for kids and exempt from criticism or to be shyed away from. 'Pinky and the Brain' has much for children and adults alike, young adults even are probably more likely to get the most enjoyment out of it, and there is much more to it than an animated show with two reasonably cute-looking mice.
Being another episode to comprise of two segments, this is another fabulous episode. It may not contain one of Brain's most innovative plans and the premise is not exactly original. That didn't matter to me, as the execution felt very fresh and it was just so cleverly done, and this is not just the ingenious play on titles of films and songs.
The animation is bright and colourful with nice attention to character and especially background detail, it's smoothly drawn too and expressive. Music is similarly blameless. 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. The theme song is one of the catchiest in animation, have always felt that. The two songs featured are infectiously catchy while containing some typically (for 'Pinky and the Brain') genius lyric writing, especially "Just Say Narf".
Have very rarely been let down by the writing in 'Pinky and the Brain'. Am still not. The typical zaniness and wit is there, as well as the intelligence. While there is a good deal of affectionate nostalgia with the references and being transported back to such an iconic decade for film. References will delight adults especially as they are more likely to get them and get younger audiences, who will still find them funny most likely because the comic timing and visuals are timed so well, intrigued into being more familiar with what is being referenced. "Whatever Happened to Baby Brain" achieves a perfect balance of never being too simplistic or too muddled, always trying while not trying too hard. Nothing feels repetitive or lazy.
Characterisation always was a major strength. 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, appropriate seeing as they are the focus and lead characters here. Pinky is incredibly endearing and as ever amusing, stupid can mean obnoxious but not in the case of Pinky. Also still love Brain for his deadpan personality and dark sarcasm. Have always loved the relationship between the duo, with such different personalities one worries as to whether they would gel together or clash but 'Pinky and the Brain' was always a masterclass of how to contrast two completely different characters and their personalities harmoniously and with substance and complexity.
Rob Paulsen and especially Maurice LaMarche do splendidly with the voice work, they have always been two of the best and deservedly prolific voice actors today and their work on 'Pinky and the Brain' is among their best. Also feel a bond between them when hearing their voice work.
In summary, fabulous. 10/10
'Pinky and the Brain' is one of the best examples of a childhood favourite that has not only held up well but brilliantly, not every childhood favourite has so this has nothing to do with nostalgia. As a young adult, actually find it even better now, due to noticing and appreciating more things and the humour being funnier and easier to understand being more familiar with any references and such. Once again, don't fall for any misconception implying that animation is just for kids and exempt from criticism or to be shyed away from. 'Pinky and the Brain' has much for children and adults alike, young adults even are probably more likely to get the most enjoyment out of it, and there is much more to it than an animated show with two reasonably cute-looking mice.
Being another episode to comprise of two segments, this is another fabulous episode. It may not contain one of Brain's most innovative plans and the premise is not exactly original. That didn't matter to me, as the execution felt very fresh and it was just so cleverly done, and this is not just the ingenious play on titles of films and songs.
The animation is bright and colourful with nice attention to character and especially background detail, it's smoothly drawn too and expressive. Music is similarly blameless. 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. The theme song is one of the catchiest in animation, have always felt that. The two songs featured are infectiously catchy while containing some typically (for 'Pinky and the Brain') genius lyric writing, especially "Just Say Narf".
Have very rarely been let down by the writing in 'Pinky and the Brain'. Am still not. The typical zaniness and wit is there, as well as the intelligence. While there is a good deal of affectionate nostalgia with the references and being transported back to such an iconic decade for film. References will delight adults especially as they are more likely to get them and get younger audiences, who will still find them funny most likely because the comic timing and visuals are timed so well, intrigued into being more familiar with what is being referenced. "Whatever Happened to Baby Brain" achieves a perfect balance of never being too simplistic or too muddled, always trying while not trying too hard. Nothing feels repetitive or lazy.
Characterisation always was a major strength. 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, appropriate seeing as they are the focus and lead characters here. Pinky is incredibly endearing and as ever amusing, stupid can mean obnoxious but not in the case of Pinky. Also still love Brain for his deadpan personality and dark sarcasm. Have always loved the relationship between the duo, with such different personalities one worries as to whether they would gel together or clash but 'Pinky and the Brain' was always a masterclass of how to contrast two completely different characters and their personalities harmoniously and with substance and complexity.
Rob Paulsen and especially Maurice LaMarche do splendidly with the voice work, they have always been two of the best and deservedly prolific voice actors today and their work on 'Pinky and the Brain' is among their best. Also feel a bond between them when hearing their voice work.
In summary, fabulous. 10/10
