Jurassic Lark/Suspended Animation Part 1/Of Mice and Memes/Suspended Animation Part 2

No slappy squirrel, no Rita and runt.. no thank you..

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.

Overall, the 'Animaniacs' reboot was uneven but still managed to be above average with some outstanding things but also other things that don't quite work. This is all apparent in its first episode "Jurassic Lark"/"Suspended Animation Part 1"/Of Mice and Men"/"Suspended Animation Part 2", with one outstanding segment, one especially good gag and everything being certainly watchable but with nothing mind blowing. An uneven first episode but a promising one.

There are plenty of things to like about all the segments. 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.

Have said that one segment is outstanding and that was "Of Mice and Memes". Was honestly not expecting it to work, with it sounding like the contemporary setting would not gel well with Pinky and Brain and that it would come over as forced. The setting was done cleverly and affectionately while also being remarkably true in spirit to to the segments in the original in atmosphere and writing and the two characters were clearly written by writers that understood the characters and loved them (especially Brain). Also loving their chemistry.

Certainly there were great moments too in the other segments, the hilarious opening scene in "Jurassic Lark" being one of the highlights of the whole episode. Some great dialogue in that scene. There are funny and smart moments, especially that scene, the pace is lively in two of the segments ("Jurassic Lark" and "Of Mice and Memes") and the target audience was not a problem (some of the references may go over the heads of the younger crowd if not familiar with what is being referenced).

Did find the "Suspended Animation" segments not as strong, with an over-stretched feel that made the pace drag and the satire wasn't sharp enough and was a little too safe. The story could have been wilder and not been as repetitive.

Furthermore, the Warners aren't as consistently written as with Pinky and Brain and not written with as much love or wit. Their writing in the "Suspended Animation" segments doesn't have the absurdity present in the opening scene of "Jurassic Lark" or of "Of Mice and Memes" and does not enough new with familiar territory.

In summary, uneven but promising. 7/10.

Among the old-school animations I can sort of understand bringing back in the age of nostalgia due to their self-awareness and satire, including Rocko's Modern Life and its topical 2019 special, is also Animaniacs. I'm sure you remember these goofballs, especially if you're even more of a 90s kid than I.

However, having seen them once again in their brand new comeback series, I now find that even this sort of thing can get old. There comes a point where you have to say "Yeah, we know that you know you're doing it, but you're still doing it".

On top of being longer than the Rocko special (featuring 13 entire episodes of self-referential Warner Bros. hijinks), it also isn't as satirical of the very idea of itself; the idea of wanting to go back to something and then realizing that it isn't what you thought, even when it gets faithfully recreated (and yet somehow "betrays" the fans by featuring a trans character or some other thing that isn't as far removed as said fans believe). The premise of Hulu's Animaniacs reboot amounts to: "Characters in nostalgia-bait cash-in are very much aware they're in a nostalgia-bait cash-in". (They even joke about the fact that that's the joke.)

The way these old characters handle new technology, new trends, new sayings, and even new methods of animation isn't always knee-slapping either. But to give credit where due: the characterizations are intact. I was more into Pinky and the Brain and Tiny Toons than the bona fide Animaniacs series but it was still fun to see these critters again - not to mention hearing the voices that made Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, et al so iconic. I was ready to cringe at the segment titled Of Mice and Memes but boy does it make sense that The Brain would try to use the Internet and social media platforms for his world-domination schemes.

As I am writing this, I have only seen the first episode. I had several chuckles but I must be frank: we'll see if I continue. It may seem strange that I contemplate binging something ostensibly child-oriented, but considering the jokes and references (as well as the very idea of bringing this IP back), I'm not sure this was made with today's kiddies in mind, nor do I think they'll become curious on the classic series. Then again, that might be because y'all raised a bunch of Minions fans, though I don't know that 8-year-olds would understand references to Twin Peaks, Fargo, and Oldboy either way.

Animaniacs are back in great form as are Pinky and The Brain. The Jurassic Park opening spoof was hilarious and it was consistently so all the way through. Well done.

What a stellar debut! The REBOOT IT song is my favourite besides the Animanaics theme song.