Reviews

Hey, I like it a lot!

As a kid, I grew up with the original animated 1961 movie and I liked it plenty. I also paid for the 1996 live-action movie (with Glenn Close as the diabolical Cruella DeVil) and I own the DVD of "101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure". I've enjoyed them all. The only "Dalmatians" film I haven't seen (thus far) is "102 Dalmatians". (would anyone tip me off if it's any good? Or should I just not bother?)

However, my personal favorite "101D" medium is Disney's "101 Dalmatians: the Series". It combines many themes of the existing material (Dodie Smith book, 1961 and 1996 movies). But still does its own things, too.

Our main pups include brave Lucky, who gets a strong personality mirroring his character in the book, lovable Rolly, the gourmand of the pups, and sweet little Cadpig, who is the true runt of the litter. Also there is Spot the chicken, who longs to be a dog. I find them all extremely amiable and enjoyable to watch. They are usually foiling Cruella's schemes for their land, or outwitting Lt. Pug (I'll get to him later), or sneaking into Grutely, or...just having fun, making a very likable show.

I also like the majority of the other characters. There's Tripod, the resident athlete dalmatian pup, he has only has three legs and is a positive "handicapped" character. Patch is designed after his character in the book (he's supposed to be large). Pongo and Perdy are much like their characters in the original animated movie. Lucky's nemesis Mooch the Mutt is like all the jerks you knew in school. Two-Tone is really cute (she even has a pierced ear). Roger and Anita are written like their characters in the live-action movie, they were much more involving in that film. Of course, Cruella DeVil is now their neighbor, constantly scheming to take over Dearly Farm. Even Cruella can now have funny moments. The one-shot characters are also charming and likable (a popular example is Lucky's friend Blaze the German Shepard pup from "Dog's Best Friend"). The only character I just don't like is Lt. Pug. He feels rather tacked on, and the show never benefits from him: just a weak link.

I personally like the modern theme (I really just don't need a "That '60s Show"), and the American setting (evidence is through American flags in many places, cars driving on the right-hand side of the road, American Southerners, etc). It makes the characters more relatable, and the little truths the main pups discover in their lives lend a Simpson-esque feel. The focus on these modern-day puppies reminds me of "Tiny Toon Adventures" (another show I loved and still love. ^_^)

So, yes, I love this show. I believe it is better than the movies. It's just too good. Giving this show a chance on Toon Disney, I'm glad I took the time to see it. If the guys at Disney are listening, I'd just love to see more of this show. I'll recommend it to anyone. When the good points can override the flaws easily, and can even outdo a favorite film from my childhood, how can I refuse? Of course, you can't go wrong with so many cute puppies.

It receives an enthusiastic 101/10.

Okay, people here we have "Baby Looney Tunes", which might seem cute, but is simply lame and uninspired.

I've seen more than 4 or 5 episodes and I can attest this show is nothing special for anybody. I will not get caught up in the "Muppet Babies" debate (hence, I anticipate that anybody who grew up watching "Muppet Babies" will mention it). All I'll say is that this show is not a mere "Muppet Babies" knock-off. That would be an understatement. (Plus, is it any coincidence that "Granny" rhymes with "Nanny"?)

The problems I have with this cartoon are many:

1. Choice of characters. For the most part, the only Looney Tunes (official Looney Tunes, I mean) who consistently appear are the same five characters we see on merchandise over and over again. I can understand the use of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester and Tweety, but when others like Porky Pig and Elmer Fudd are given the shaft in favor of the Tazmanian Devil (he's only appeared in a maximum of FIVE Looney Tunes shorts-face it, he's just overexposed), something's wrong here. I already mentioned Porky and Elmer, but in addition to them, why not let us see more of the other characters, like Pepe Le Pew, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Speedy Gonzales, Wile E. Coyote and the RoadRunner more often? The guys at Warner Brothers can make a MUCH better assortment than the same five characters always bunched together.

2. Political correctness. The original Looney Tunes didn't need to be politically correct-their brand of humor was always a walk on the wild side, ranging from news headlines to making jabs at racial groups-here, they are SO PC they're not funny. Another idea is the fact that all the main Looney Tunes, disspite their androgynous designs, are considered 'male'. (As Babs Bunny once pointed out in the episode "Fields of Honey" on the far superior "Tiny Toon Adventures") The only major female Looney Tune character is Granny. So, to be politically correct, they must bring in some female characters. Big mistake. For one, we also get Lola Bunny. She was only a character introduced through "Space Jam", a new player for the "TuneSquad", but she fits just as well as making Michael Jordan a baby Looney Tune. Also, Lola shouldn't even be together with Bugs and the other Looney Tunes at this point-she met them for the first time in "Space Jam", as an adult. Similar to why the guys at Disney can't make a prequel to "Beauty and the Beast"-the two main protagonists had nothing to do with each other before the film's beginning. We also get Melissa, Daffy's girlfriend, and Petunia (but why not Porky?). They serve almost no purpose-they are just two additional "Hi, I'm nobody" characters there to increase the amount of political correctness.

3. Very modern world. If these are the Looney Tunes as babies, one would think their world would be seem extremely 1920s/1930s. But no-among the episodes I've seen, I saw a laptop, a very modern telephone, color TV, the kids once watched a very Japanese-like show, and at least one reference to children's shows like "Blue's Clues" and Cartoon Network's own "The Powerpuff Girls". (?) What the hell?? They shouldn't have this stuff, it would have been WAY ahead of their time!

If you can't tell by now, I wasn't exactly thrilled with "Baby Looney Tunes". The guys who write this show also wrote other Warner Brothers shows like "Taz-Mania", "The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries", "Pinky and the Brain", and the aforementioned "Tiny Toon Adventures". Whatever the cause, I doubt they'll put this diaper bag on the top of their resume list. While the show's budget is obviously higher than all the Cartoon Cartoons that run exclusively on Cartoon Network, it's not enough to save this show.

Another person claims this show was planned out in the late '80s and only now is being physically done. I doubt Friz Freleng, Rob McKimson, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones would be happy to see this happen to their classic characters. If you need me, I'll be watching "Tiny Toons". It's better for you.

Of all the Cartoon Network original shows, I undoubtedly must award "Grim and Evil" the worst. (Yes, I forgive "Courage the Cowardly Dog" after seeing this dreck)

I remember back in late 1998-pre Jan. 3, 1999, I saw trailers for a new show called "Ed, Edd n Eddy". The commericals were vague (the Eds all running to the right) but when we finally got to see the show, it was better than anybody ever anticipated. Then, in summer 2001, we saw some trailers for Cartoon Network's "U Pick" Big Pick Winner, the short "Billy & Mandy" became a new show called "Grim & Evil". The trailers were also vague (a laughing brain on a bear's head and a laughing skull head on a green vortex background) but when we finally got to see the show...well, that's where the similarities stop.

The "Grim" segment is about 'the Grim adventures of Billy and Mandy' where two children, Billy and Mandy, defeat the Grim Reaper in a limbo match and he then becomes their 'friend'. The two kids are simply two more "Ren and Stimpy" knock-offs (c'mon, Cartoon Network, you've already paid homage to Ren and Stimpy with Cow and Chicken. Try not to repeat yourselves, guys). It's also a lot like the 'Animaniacs' cartoon where Yakko and Dot harass the Grim Reaper when he comes to take Wakko away. Billy and Mandy are two charmless, unappealling characters with only one personality trait, and the Reaper is constantly the joke subject. It's like they're trying to take one episode and make a whole series out of it. Yet, "Grim" is the superior of the two short cartoons.

The "Evil" segment is "Evil Con Carne", a cartoon about a disembodied brain named "Hector", whose body got destroyed in a lab experiment. His brain and stomach are now fused to a dim-bulbed bear named Boscov, and now, he continues in his quest to rule Earth. It was tempting to say "Evil" is trying to be like "Pinky and the Brain" (with 'the Brain' now in a literal sense) but it's more like the 'Dr. Evil' segments from the Austin Powers movies. His two cronies, Major Dr. Ghastley and General Skarr, are pretty much Frau Farbissina and Number Two, respectively. But it takes itself too seriously and it's too heavily plotted to be funny.

It's the worst Cartoon Network original, thus far. I would reccommend any other show on the network instead, seeing as this show is not going anywhere new. Take my word for it, "Grim and Evil" is a total waste.

Bottom line: DOA (dead-on-arrival)

All right, right off the bat, I'll let you know I am an open-minded person towards movies. Early in 2002, I saw the trailers for a new film called "Rollerball". The previews made it look like the flick was going to be pretty cool, and fast, a la "The Fast and the Furious".

But one day, I was on the iMDB home page when I read a news article saying that MGM was in a big financial rut. Two of their big spring releases-"Hart's War" and, uh, "Rollerball" were sinking faster than a swimmer in a pool of oil.

Reading both film's box-office businesses, I understand. "Hart's War" had a budget of $70 million, and it's opening weekend gross was $8 million. "Rollerball" had a budget of $85 million, and it needed a month to make $17 MILLION. In these cases, they were not even duds-they were two big financial busts.

So, I waited for "Rollerball" to come out on video. When it did, I evenutally checked it out from my nearest Family Video.

And from my viewing, it was terrible. The whole movie didn't seem to have any point, plot, characterization, thrills, etc. From the high-energy trailers, you might think that this film would offer that type of thrills. But the game itself makes "Baseketball" look like fun (a Comedy Central Canned Ham told us the Baseketball game itself was a very boring game to play).

What was the point for the Slipknot appearance? And that scene filmed in Nightvision? It's obvious the filmmakers wanted to work on making the movie LOOK cool. Too bad the scripting was awful. I even remember seeing the camera focus on one character only to stop and then make them face a different direction! Intelligence insulting at its finest.

It got my vote in the "Worst Films of 2002" list. I close by telling you, dear reader, not to bother with "Rollerball". At least I didn't go to the theater and PAY for it...

I just doubt movies based on original sports will work.

Alright, just saw the movie tonight. And? It's good!

I remember watching the Spider-Man cartoons back when I was a kid, and seeing the hot-looking trailers, I had to see it for myself. And it didn't disappoint! It lived up to its hype! Man, the theatre was PACKED...

Still true to the original comic book by Stan Lee (who's also one of the executive producers) it concerns a gawky science geek named Peter Parker who, on a field trip, gets bit by a radioactive spider and begins developing strange, spider-like powers.

They did have fun making this movie, like the first Superman and Batman flicks. I felt that Spidey's live-action movie was a more successful transfer than the 2000 film "X-Men". It can balance its characters, and give them all equal screen time. Its heart is also in the right place. I feel that Peter Parker/Spider-Man, his girl Mary-Jane, Aunt May, Uncle Ben, his foe, Norman Osborne/the Green Goblin, friend Harry Osborne, etc. all have their own purpose for appearing in this movie. And they can still squeeze in JJ!

IYI (If You're Interested): Some parts of this movie had to be re-shot, because at one point, Spider-Man was to shoot his webbing between the Twin Towers in New York City. (And I'm very sure that we, the Americans, know what happened)

So, yes, I recommend "Spider-Man: the Movie". What a way to kick off a great summer!

This was the cartoon that formed Pepe Le Pew as we know and love him. It was this cartoon that Chuck Jones found the correct formula to make Pepe a true winner.

Earlier, producer Eddie Seltzer thought that no one would believe that a French-speaking skunk was funny. Jones and Seltzer really battled on that. But when this cartoon won an Academy Award in 1949, he was proven wrong, and stepped up to receive the award anyway!

According to Chuck, Pepe, like Bugs Bunny, is one of his aspirations. He held a place in Chuck Jones' heart. He claimed that he never had much luck with 'les femmes' when in school, and Pepe is a character with so much security in his own sexuality that he contained much will power. So Pepe's a very personal character to Mr. Jones.

In the past, the humorous 'talking-through-the-glass' scene was cut due to the suicide reference. However-Pepe: I meesed...fortunately for you!"

His name was a spoof of Charles Boyer's character in the French film Algiers, a character named Pepe Le Moko.

A truly great for the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes collection.

BTW: I am saddened by the fact that Mr. Charles M. Jones, the last of the original Looney Tunes directors and creator of such a great Looney Tune, passed away just recently.

*sniff* Goodbye, Chuck Jones... >_<

As a Street Fighter fan I decided to try and defend the video game based on an underrated movie. I enjoyed the live-action movie back in 1994 and it carries my general perspective of Street Fighter.

Many people complain about the movie straying from the game's plot, and all the characters were changed. This isn't necessarily true, the game's plot isn't that deep: you, as one of the Street Fighter characters, try to bust a drug lord and his minions. It's a little deeper than the Super Mario Bros. movie's plot (two plumbers trying to save the day), but try making a 90-minute movie out of it.

Same for the movie's views of the characters. Most of them are close enough to the game's characters. The movie did portray Guile, Bison, Chun-Li, Sagat, Ken, Ryu, Cammy, Zangief and Vega correctly (Guile and Chun-Li both still have personal vendettas against Bison, Ken and Ryu have their rivalries with Sagat and Vega, etc). I had no problems with E. Honda, and Blanka and Dhalsim only briefly appear (I personally prefer the 'Charlie mutated into Blanka' story). The only characterization problem the movie had was that a few characters just weren't shown right. Steven E. DeSouza should've just re-cast the actor playing T. Hawk. Plus, Balrog and DeeJay swapped alignments, but that's all. Most of the World Warriors and Grand Master characters ARE correctly depicted, just the New Challengers (exception being Cammy) just needed better casting.

The arcade game, Street Fighter: the Movie, was released around the same time Mortal Kombat 3 was. (I never got to play the arcade game, but I'm willing to bet SF:TM was the better game) It also contained Come Back moves, red Super moves, juggle-me-til-I-die combos, all that good stuff. Playing as Balrog, Bison, Cammy, Chun-Li, Guile, Honda, Ken, Ryu, Sagat, Vega or Zangief, you play to determine the fate of the AN relief worker hostages and the free world. Also included were Capt. Sawada, Akuma and Bison soldier Blade. Hidden characters were palette swapped Bison troopers, like Arkane, F7 and Khyber (I think Blanka was hidden in somewhere, too).

I like the home version of Street Fighter: the Movie, it played like Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo with movie graphics. However, Blade was gone, and Akuma was now a hidden character again. At least you now got Blanka and DeeJay back. (Wish they spent a little more time on Blanka's design, though.) One thing I did like was the music, the power of the good or bad guy win music gets me pumped.

All I'm saying is, it might not be the best game ever, but you could do a lot worse. (N64 Superman, anyone?) If Capcom ever does a complication Street Fighter game for a future system, they should release the arcade game for it, to give it a bit more publicity.

What can I say? It's the best!

The universal sitcom, one we all can watch, relate to, and of course, laugh at. With so much great characters and lines, plus the fact it uses more plots and gags than so many other dopey sitcoms, I can't see anyone truly hating this show. (Unless they're on weird medication).

I was, I believe 6 when the Simpsons were on minute-long segments on "Tracey Ullman", but I was 8 when "Simpsons Roasting on a Chestnut Fire" debuted, all the way back in December 1989. Homer's catch-phrase, "D'oh!" is now a dictionary term.

I've got SO many fave episodes, I can't place in any particular order. I like "Bart's Friend Falls in Love", "Stark Raving Dad", "Krusty gets Kancelled", "King-Size Homer", "Some Enchanted Evening", "Saturdays of Thunder", "Black Widower", etc. I like the show's first season through the eighth, along with some select episodes from the ninth season on. (One expendable episode is "Lisa the Simpson," which is aired in the same season as, and directly contradicts, "Lisa's Sax", the best episode of Season 9. It COMPLETELY ignores Homer's half-brother Herb Powell-and the concluding answer it provides is wrong.)

I do think the show was a bit stronger when it's primary focus was on Bart (he practically MADE the show!), the "Homer gets a new job" episodes can be a bit formulaic, though. Let me tell you, I once read a Web-based "Grudge Match" where Bart Simpson was in the running to scare away babysitter Jan Brady. His opponent? Calvin, of Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip. The winner's prize? The remaining ice cream, and control of the remote. The loser receives? Clean-up duty. Very close results, but only one could win...and Bart took out Calvin. That is DEFINITELY saying something.

I like a lot of the show's characters, Homer, Bart, Mr. Burns, the Comic Book Guy, Milhouse, Chief Wiggum and his family, Fat Tony, Krusty the Clown, Apu, Groundskeeper Willie, Barney, Moe, Martin, Lenny, Otto...all them and many more. They need no introductions.

I'll watch it, long after "Futurama" is gone.

BTW: Someone said this show is now being surpassed by "The Powerpuff Girls" and "South Park". I sincerely HOPE that was meant to be a joke.

Sorry if that sounds bad, but I'll only recommend the first season (1991-1992) and some select episodes in the second.

"The Ren and Stimpy Show" premiered on Nickelodeon as a "Nicktoon", along with "Doug" and "Rugrats" (both 1991). It became a smash hit for Nick, and everything seemed bright for the asthma-hound chihuahua and the fat, bloated cat. This show didn't become a success due to the toilet humor; if it was simply a big gore parade, this show would go nowhere. It's success lied in its high energy and wackiness.

It was a BIT obvious this was a mature-themed show, playing on a kids' network. Offscreen, the Nickelodeon executives had John Kricfalusi cut a lot of 'mature' jokes and references, due to the fact they would be appropriate for adults, but not young children.

One good point for this show, today, is to be an example of what happens when censorship is permitted to go unpoliced. The episodes John K. made were severely cut-up to anime-like proportions, because SO much was just 'not for kids'.

Memorable cuts: In "Dog Show", George Liqour's last name, which some people, according to the Village Voice, thought wasn't a reference to alcohol, but a dirty joke ("Lick her"). In "Powdered Toast Man", Powdered Toast Man, while filling in for the president, burns the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights to stay warm. (HOO boy...) And the infamous 'lost episode', "Man's Best Friend", which was shelved due to its senselessly violent ending sequence-while George trains Ren and Stimpy to be 'champions', Ren loses it and savagely beats him with a boat oar.

During the second season, John K. and Spumco were fired and Nick continued the show under their own animation studio, 'Games Animations', the same company which later brought you "Rocko's Modern Life" and "Hey, Arnold!". The remaining Spumco episodes were completed by Games in the second season. The original 'Games' episodes are unquestionably miserable. They just overkill on too many revolting jokes, which aren't in good style. Well, a halfway decent episode is only occasionally made (the whole deal is pretty much established in "Hard Time for Haggis"), but when they hit rock bottom, well...they REALLY hit the bottom.

Later, after John K. was fired, Billy West, who voiced Stimpy, filled in for Ren. (I WONDERED why John K.'s name was gone...) Plus, the ending Spumco title card, featuring Jimmy the Idiot Boy, (subtitle: 'the dames call it "Quality"') was replaced with a shot of Stimpy, dressed as a milkman, and under him it reads "Games Animations".

If you want to see this show, my suggestion is to wait through the opening sequence (made with footage from "Big House Blues", the series' pilot, another cut seen in the opening and cut in the actual episode is where we see Ren washing his mouth in a toilet). When you see the title card, wait out the theme music: if you then see a card which reads "created by John Kricfalusi," watch it. If you don't see it, SHUT THE TV OFF.

Ren and Stimpy's lives were difficult, even outside the show.

Ah, '94. One year I'll always remember. I made one of my best friends, who I would get together with and promote the Street Fighter series and cut on Mortal Kombat. Beavis and Butt-head had a huge following. Any movie Jim Carrey starred in would get my money. Nintendo dropped their 'squeaky-clean' policy with the release of MK2. Oh yeah, and Disney made one of their best movies, "The Lion King".

An animalistic 'Hamlet', this movie (if you don't know by now) is about a lion cub named Simba, who 'just can't wait to be king.' His uncle Scar has other plans, killing good king Mufasa and blaming it on his nephew. After some time in exile, Simba, along his childhood friend/betrothed lover Nala, exile friends Timon and Pumbaa, and wise old Rafiki, sets out to right the wrongs.

The music, while not as memorable as, say, "Aladdin", is great. (Howard Ashman died before this movie was made, may he rest in peace.) It kept me going for a long time. As a result, I like Elton John's music.

Timon and Pumbaa kept the laughs coming. (Don't bother with that Saturday Morning cartoon they had, it doesn't do this movie any justice. A lot of its humor felt very contrived.) Like the Genie in Aladdin, who doesn't appear until two-thirds of the film, Timon and Pumbaa also work.

One of the better, more memorable Disney animated movies. Try "The Lion King," and buy the soundtrack.

What is it that makes this cartoon so great? The villains are idiots, there are so many attempts to parody, but it winds up doing spoofs that are just cliches (Star Wars, Jaws, The Godfather, etc. Come on, dime a dozen stuff) and I'll be the first to say...I HATE the way it's drawn! The three girls are often animated to look the same, dress the same, move the same, think the same, act the same, and even DO the same thing in unison (hell, just watch them anytime they eat)! I can't count the number of times all three were flying, with arms spread and one leg bent. Now, I don't hate crudely drawn cartoons and expect Disney animated quality from everyone (otherwise, I'd hate a LOT of cartoons today, even the Simpsons) but any cartoon drawn to the point of making South Park look like Disney movie animation is too much. I know it wants to be an anime/superhero parody, but sometimes it goes into other areas like Spumco cartoons (like the "close-ups", and one episode where Mojo makes a plan to trap them, but the Amoeba Boys get it. Just watch the bit where Mojo says, "I know who took my plans" and you'll agree) I mean, make up your mind.

I don't think the three lead heroines are that great, either. There are times when their personalities seem irrelevant, and sometimes they even swap! Case in point: in one episode, the one where Bubbles thinks she's Mojo, she pounds Blossom (the philosophical one), Blossom wants to really sock it to her, and Buttercup (the "toughest fighter") stops her and acts like Blossom typically does. What's with the exchange of personalities?

About the three leads: they're not so hot. Blossom is philosophical at the worst times, Buttercup is obnoxious and pushy, and Bubbles is a total crybaby (and I detest her the most when she talks in a high, whiny voice).

Granted, this is better than another cartoon involving a derivative pink dog (who makes absolutely NO attempt to be original), but if you want a good Cartoon Network Cartoon Cartoon, I also say try Ed, Edd n Eddy, Johnny Bravo, or Dexter's Laboratory. If you want a good superhero spoof, try The Tick.

Though I liked the first movie better, Pokemon: the Movie 2000 is a fun kids movie. I thought that Lugia was a nice addition, but to me, he's no Mew. The villain, I thought, was a little weak, I know Mewtwo could take him and his flying fortress on (Then again, there's that 'sequels are rarely better than the first movie' deal). There was no Brock to keep us going (though he does appear), and Team Rocket going good...well, at least they're being logical. The first movie had heart, this one has adventure. There is more hinting that Misty likes Ash. To me, "Pikachu's Rescue Adventure" gets blown into the dust by "Pikachu's Vacation" (If you hate Pikachu, you evil person. I'm an adult, and he's one of my favorite Pokemon).

The critics shouldn't be the ones to judge these movies, though. They didn't like the first movie, and "2000" didn't change their minds. It's one of those 'you've got to know about the product before you like the movie' scenarios. Face it, if you never read the "X-Men" comic books and you never watched the cartoon, chances are good you wouldn't like "X-Men: the Movie". That's only one example.

Box office grosses are what's important, not critical views. In its opening weekend, this movie made $22 million. That means it made more in a weekend than "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle" made in a month ($21 million, everyone understood it, but no one liked it) and more than "Titan A.E." made in six weeks (same gross!)

And Pokemon is better at the box office than Digimon is. Digimon only made $4.2 million in its opening weekend. Plus, Pokemon has a stronger following. Pokemon started as a Game Boy game, Digimon started as a keychain. The Pokemon video games are better than the Digimon games, and who does the English dubs? 4Kids does Pokemon, Saban does Digimon. (Advantage goes to 4Kids, because Saban made the Power Rangers, and we know how much we LOVE them...) Over in America, we may have seen Digimon before Pokemon got here, but Pokemon was such a monstrous hit with the Japanese, and that's why Digimon is trying to compete with it. That's why Pokemon is much more popular than Digimon is. That, and Pikachu and his kin have cuter qualities.

Pick this one up, along with the first movie, and some episode tapes, too. Get one of the games to round everything off.

Okay, I'll admit it. I've really got a soft spot for Pepe Le Pew. He's practically the reason I started to love cartoons. He also taught me to set my mind on a goal and work up to it, not to mention take my French ancestry and love it.

This cartoon I find intriguing because the way it starts, with Pepe offering the viewer champenge gives this cartoon some depth. It helps enforce Pepe to really be one of the Warner Brothers' better characters. After so much Wile E. Coyote and RoadRunner, and so much Sylvester and Tweety, etc., they begin to lack much difference in their cartoons. So much anvils, dynamite, ACME products backfiring, and the like, it wears a little thin. But Pepe is a Looney Tune who is fairly dynamic, he's always kept fresh and funny in his cartoons (that, and he's just so cute). To me, he deserves to be appreciated a little more. "Just theenk, radiant flower, you do not need to come wiz me to zee Casbah...we are already there!" -Pepe Le Pew. It's a classic line.

BTW, this cartoon is also known for revealing the name of Pepe's primary object d'affection: Penelope. (she likes him, she is just a little shy.)

I remember during the early summer, I would start seeing a lot of commerical trailers for a new Christmas-related movie. It was a big-screen adaption of a classic children's story (and an equally classic cartoon by Chuck Jones) modeled after...who else, but the Grinch! With Jim Carrey as the title character, I knew I had to see this one. He, and director Ron Howard, I could tell, where going to bring it to life!

So, along came November, 2000. I was there to see this movie on its opening night (I often like to) and this turned out to be a very funny movie. It contained a true-to-the-book style story, and I, at some point, forgot this was Jim Carrey playing the Grinch. He just belonged in this movie. The supporting cast is fun to watch, and Cindy-Lou Who gets more screen time than she did in the book and cartoon. But don't worry, the Grinch is still the leading character.

Dr. Seuss would more than likely be satisfied. It was easy to see why this movie became the highest grossing movie of 2000. If another Dr. Seuss book was made into a movie, which one do you think they would they do next, maybe a live-action "Cat in the Hat"?

GROSS-OUT ALERT!!!: If you enjoyed your lunch, you should turn away for this one scene. In the remix of, "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch", remember the lyrics, "you've got termites in your smile"? Well, then, Mr. Grinch decides to show us they're not kidding...

Beavis and Butt-head are not role models. They're not even human. They're cartoons. Some of the things they do would cause a person to get hurt, expelled, arrested, possibly deported. To put it another way: Don't try this at home.

"Beavis and Butt-head" is classic stuff. This cartoon had pioneered the 'gross-out, puke, really badly drawn, pop culture reference every three seconds'-type cartoon whose humor we all came to love in 1993 and beyond. But, while it was sick and twisted, Beavis and Butt-head's comments could be pretty darn ingenious, too. Dumb luck is usually the thing that saves them from death or disaster, but then, Beavis and Butt-head wouldn't be around if it didn't.

In 1993, one of my uncles stated that "Beavis and Butt-head" is better than "The Ren and Stimpy Show". I once rented a "Ren and Stimpy" tape and a "Beavis and Butt-head" tape, and I now think he was right. "Beavis and Butt-head" can be gross and stupid, but there are times when they can be just too funny for their timeslot. "Ren and Stimpy" could be humorous, too, but there are times when it just becomes dark and eerie. That's including the episodes John K. made. Also, Ren and Stimpy were good in only their first season. After John left, Ren and Stimpy just sucked. Mike Judge started and stayed on "Beavis and Butt-head", and the two dorky teenaged metalheads stayed funny for their entire run. This soon became the cartoon a lot of other primetime cartoons wanted to be like, just like "Simpsons". When they stopped the show in 1997, "South Park" came along and played out what they explored in three episodes. I bet Beavis and Butt-head could take those kids to school any day. Beavis and Butt-head were cool because they knew how to be stupid and smart at the same time. They knew when enough was enough. South Park is just overkill. It tries to go for so much violence, curses, gore, insensitivity and fart jokes, that it just boils down to the point where its message it wants to get across is lost.

"Beavis and Butt-head" will live on forever. Say their names, and everyone will know who you're talking about. Mike Judge should consider reviving this cartoon, as it was funnier for a longer period of time than both "King of the Hill" and "Daria" put together. The best of the recent primetime cartoons is still "The Simpsons", but the runner-up, in my opinion, is "Beavis and Butt-head". Their movie, in 1996, beat other big movies like "Mars Attacks!" and "My Fellow Americans", and gave "Space Jam" a real run for its money. By comparison, "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut" couldn't even beat "Wild Wild West" in 1999.

Rent or buy "Beavis and Butt-head Do America" tonight!

This movie, is, in my opinion, great. I even thought it was better than "Pokemon: the Movie 2000." Lugia and those Legendary Birds can't compare to the Mews. It packs a lot of heart, like the cartoon, and delivers a nice message to the kids (ie. Violence is not the answer).

I don't care what some people think, I liked "Pikachu's vacation" as a movie opener. It's about Ash, Misty and Brock letting their Pokemon into a theme park for Pokemon. They get into some trouble with four other Pokemon (two of which were new, at the time) but they work things out. This is the 'hyper-cute' Pokemon short to beat.

"Mewtwo Strikes Back" is a terrific movie. Mewtwo's birth scene is breathtaking, and he plots to destroy the human race and their Pokemon, then replace them with clones. And, after seeing the abilities trainers like Ash Ketchum has, he invites him and a bunch of other trainers for a challenge.

The music, though, is just wrong for this film. Who hired these teenyboppers to write the songs? The good songs, to me, are the Pokemon theme remix, Catch Me if you can, and Brother My Brother.

I was a tad disappointed with the movie to end "Animaniacs", but the WB has shown they're not slipping, like Disney is. And I'm VERY sure there were no subliminal sexual images in this movie, like in "The Little Mermaid" or "The Lion King".

The good: a lot of heart, seems like a throw-back to '80's movies where kids' cartoons taught good moral values, the extra details on the DVD, Ash's bravery towards the end (I dare you not to get a little wet in the eyes near the end, just look at Pikachu as he cries).

The bad: Jesse, James and Meowth aren't given much to do, maybe a little dark for very young kids, and I hate people that mindlessly dismiss this movie simply because it's Pokemon-related. They need to give the games a try, if they hate the cartoon.

The cute: Lots of Pokemon. Plus, the writers, on the movie's DVD, say that everyone was happy when a scene involved Mew (he's a really cute one, one of my favorite Pokemon, especially the scene where he's on the windmill and then he laughs-just watch it, this one scene is too cute)

Rest assured, I'm there for the third movie...

It seemed like the only time TV is good is when it plays a cartoon. They seem to be so much more imaginative than most sitcoms. A lot of new sitcoms today are junk, with fake plots, bad acting, and can even stop to be a contest to who can say "sex" the most in a half-hour.

Thank you, Fox, for Malcolm in the Middle! This is a worthwhile sitcom with no laugh tracks, no bad acting and no one-sided telephone conversations. The last one seems very contrived to some people.

Malcolm is the brains of the family. He is a diagnosed genius, and if being a teenager wasn't tough enough, he's in a special class for smart kids. His 'breaking-the-fourth-wall' speeches I like.

Francis is his oldest brother. He is a supposed 'trouble-maker' and was sent off to military school to stay out of trouble. Francis' plot lines at military school often crossover into the affairs Malcolm has.

Hal and Lois are his parents. Hal is more 'laid back', and goes on with an 'uh,....cool' personality. Lois is one mean mom. I would just HATE to have her as mine. One little thing I just discovered: Hal and Lois? Sounds a little like the names of the parents in the 'Hi and Lois' comic strip. But, no matter. Malcolm's parents could take them on anyday.

Reese is Malcolm's second older brother. He's got to the 'family idiot', and cares about nothing and no one but himself. He's not as smart as Malcolm. He's not as cute as Dewey. Reese is, well, dumb. Hal: We've tried to punish Reese. We've taken away video games, TV, his music...but he doesn't care?

Dewey is Malcolm's little brother. He still has to grow up, but he's no less humorous.

Fox has my ratings. After "The Simpsons", I can watch "Malcolm". It's good to see some good live-action sitcoms can still be made.

This was probably the one cartoon made by Ruby-Spears Enterprises that lasted more than two seasons, but this is still a great cartoon. Even today, it looks more meticulously drawn and animated than a lot of other American cartoons now. I am a child of the '80s, and I grew up watching this show. It makes me wonder why we don't draw cartoons to this caliber anymore.

Most of the episodes are about the Seville brothers Alvin, Simon and Theodore, who often get themselves into a jam, and needing to get out of it, without causing too much more trouble (and without getting Dave too angry). The three chipmunks kept their old personalities from "The Alvin Show" (1961), but they now have different voices. Sometimes they also involve the Chipettes, known as Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor.

They also did some spoofs on TV shows of the '80's era. They included "The A-Team", "Miami Vice", "Charlie's Angels", "Moonlighting", (that episode is a favorite of mine) etc. The Chipmunks also occasionally go into a song number, but it's not stupid Disney-like garbage. They performed "Surfin' USA", "Uptown Girl", "Do you Love me", "Monster Mash", and even classic '80's hits like "Beat It". Makes you feel all nostalgic inside...

"The Chipmunks Go To the Movies" offered parodies of late '80's/early '90s movies, like "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", "King Kong", "A Christmas Carol", and "Batman".

This cartoon is currently running in syndication on Cartoon Network. If you can, I suggest to try it. You'll love it. And if anyone hates the boys just because they're chipmunks who appear to be living in a human world...well, Bugs Bunny is taller than Elmer Fudd, but no one gripes about it. "Anyting's possible inna cartoon!" -Bugs Bunny

Ross Bagdasarian's son, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., did this cartoon in 1983, and had a movie, "The Chipmunk Adventure", in 1987. Pick it up today!

The 1980s had some of the coolest cartoons. It's, like, the stuff of legend, dude. Alvin and the Chipmunks forever....

Disney, now that it's run by CEO Michael Eisner, is REALLY losing it's touch. I can hear what Walt would say if he saw what Eisner was doing: "What have you done to my empire?"

This movie was made after Disney bought off DiC Animation City (but they're free from Eisner's clutches now) so they make a live-action movie based off one of their classic '80's 'toons, namely "Inspector Gadget". Novel concept!

And what do they do? Disney-ify it. Meaning: many changes are made just for the sake of changes. I liked the Universal movie "Street Fighter" because it tried to tie in the game with news headlines of 1994. This is just more junk, the newest brick-in-the-wall of the Disney empire.

A "Yahoo!" billboard falls on Claw's car and we hear the tune from the commericals. Stereotypical Asian music plays as a doctor holds up a pair of chopsticks. This is one element of a cartoon that falls flat in live-action. Product placements everywhere. Skittles, McDonalds, Apple Computers, etc. At the time this movie was in theatres, McDonald's had an "Inspector Gadget" promotion and Skittles candies gave away prizes tying in with this movie. Shameless, huh? All that missing was the mottos from the commericals.

Little nitpick I also found: while the cartoon took place in Metro City, this movie takes place in Riverton. (Just wait.) The Gadgetmobile's license plate, which is built by Brenda, reads Ohio. But at the Gadget vs. Evil Gadget fight, doesn't the bridge they're fighting on look a lot like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco?

This film just sinks under all it's gimmicks and ads. Nothing priceless, Walt wouldn't be proud. After paying little homage to the cartoon (THEY SHOWED DR. CLAW'S FACE!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!), the Gadgetmobile, during the credits, says, "This was my movie. That's right, MY movie. Even though we called it "Inspector Gadget"." If they called it "The Wacky Talking Police Squad Car Movie," no one would've bought it. It's almost like they're hinting at something. Like this was almost another movie before the cartoon's name was slapped on it. That's license abuse!

Bottom line: Misassembled. Go go get "The Iron Giant" instead.