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Post by Trey_Vore on May 7, 2006 14:32:59 GMT -5
Episode review: Robo Rolly/Splishing and Splashing
Classification: Cleverly plotted
Summary: 'Robo Rolly' is great, 'Splishing and Splashing' needs some work.
Score: 8.0 (great, from 0 to 10)
As research for my hand at fanfiction, I thought I should rewatch 'Robo Rolly/Splishing and Splashing'.
'Robo Rolly'--Cruella fires Anita, who then goes to work for Ralphie St. Lowrent; Cruella then has P.H. DeVil design an evil robot clone of Rolly to spy on her work.
I will start by saying this episode was cleverly plotted; Cruella is well-utilized in this episode and she is shown in a fairly devious fashion in her plot to put Ralphie St. Lowrent out of business in regards to her scheme involving P. H. DeVil and his tech smarts.
It is a good vehicle for Lucky, Cadpig and Spot; they are right to suspect that Rolly isn't Rolly by him not wanting to eat, and I thought it was plausible for Cadpig to not believe Lucky when he claimed Rolly was actually a robot (her 'we're all robots' line was classic Cadpig). Mayor Ed Pig also gets a great bit part when the Main Pups con him into attacking the Robo Rolly by lecturing it (Cadpig claims that Robo Rolly didn't vote for him).
In addition, the robot Rolly is well-designed; it is a classic 'got everything' (claw, camera, rocket boots, saw, etc.) cartoon robot that is seemingly indestructible; unforunately, it only made me wish that P.H. DeVil would have gotten a greater role.
All said and done, 'Robo-Rolly' is a lot of fun and I would suggest checking it out.
'Splishing and Splashing'--Hiccup Hole is off limits after Lucky splashes Lucy the Goose and refuses to apologize.
Uh-oh. It's a hot day in Grutely. This can't be good.
To tell the truth, this episode I thought could have been stronger; it has some pacing problems and I thought that some lines from Lucky and Spot seemed excessive. On the good side, Cadpig and Rolly are in character and they are the definite positives. The bad part is Lucky...probably should be depicted in this way and it makes him seem unlikable. Pongo also seemed to be a little dense in this ep.
The Hiccup Hole 'alternatives' were an example of the pacing problems; only two are shown (having three helps) and while the swamp felt wasted, Cruella's pool is a little better. Cruella's 'anti-swimsuit' seems like a surefire way to get fat.
The message behind this episode was 'Respect your elders'. Lucy the Goose, in my viewpoint, appears to be the elderly woman who does not have a family or friends (think Mrs. Dubose on To Kill a Mockingbird). She, I think, is best left as a minor character (which this episode does); the cranky old chick is like that (no one wants to listen to a crab for 11 minutes).
The ending here also seemed rushed; it felt like it could have gone on for two more minutes or so but they just hit the 11 minute mark and they needed to stop.
As far as my personal picks for best and worst episodes, 'Robo Rolly' is in the 'Best' category and I felt it is worthy of the 'Must see' billing. 'Splishing and Splashing' is just 'in the middle'; more could have been done and I would guess that it's a victim of the 11 minute mark. They are welcome additions to the show and are worth your attention.
'I just stopped by for a cup of sugar. Or maybe an anti-tank gun, if you're not using yours.' --Whichever comes first, 'Robo Rolly'
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Post by Belchic on May 8, 2006 21:19:24 GMT -5
Nice.
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Post by Trey_Vore on May 17, 2006 17:00:38 GMT -5
All righty then. Here's my review for another one of the series' best. Episode review: Leisure Lawsuit / Purred It Through the Grapevine Classification: Another great installment Summary: Definitely stand as some of the series best. Score: 9.4 (superb, from 0 to 10) One of the first episodes I remember seeing, 'Leisure Lawsuit/Purred it Through the Grapevine' is a strong pair of episodes that are certainly a solid way to be initated into the series. 'Leisure Lawsuit'--Lucky, Cadpig, Rolly and Spot must find a way to reveal Cruella's insurance scam through an 'injury' she got on the farm. While the plot was a little thin, I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. Cruella's scheme is well-thought out and the various attempts by the pups to reveal Cruella's scam were entertaining to watch. It does a nice job establishing the point of views from the pups and from the humans', I enjoy seeing multiple points of view from the different characters. It gives some depth to the proceedings and made it more than fun to see. It also has some strong character development; we get to learn more about characters like Mooch, Lucky, Cadpig and Cruella. This episode is a strong vehicle for Lucky in particular; it is understandable and clear that Lucky is the leader and gets to make all the decisions. Cadpig is also quite strong for her size. The ending, I also felt was appropriate; Cruella now having to work off her blackmail by working as the Nanny while Nanny was off visiting her sister was an appropriate end and it made sense. The only foreseeable problem that I could see with this episode was the fact the plot was a little threadbare; there wasn't much to it other than 'Let's expose Cruella's scam.' Beyond the plot issue, a strong episode. 'Purred it Through the Grapevine'--Lucky, Cadpig, Rolly and Spot must translate a barking code message that was given during Bark Brigade. While I don't tend to care much for the 'Lt. Pug and the Bark Brigade'-based episodes (kinda like I tend to prefer to skip over Spaceman Spiff strips when I read Calvin and Hobbes), this was actually another episode that I honestly liked very much. While I am indifferent to the Colonel and Sgt. Tibbs, I would prefer they be in charge of the Bark Brigade. Regardless, this episode actually has Lt. Pug in one of his more bearable moments and he doesn't interfere much with this episode's quality. The plot was a little stronger than the plot in 'Leisure Lawsuit' and message of the episode--pay attention in class--is a good message to be sending. Other bit parts that I liked included the pups' rendez-vous with Mayor Ed Pig, his 'vote for me' running gag is good for a laugh. And to be honest, Mayor Ed Pig tends to get good parts anyway (better than Dumpling, at least). Another bit part that I liked was when Lucky, Rolly and Cadpig paid Swamp Rat a visit for barking code translation. His official code book turned out to be an issue of 'Eratica' (and I think this episode confirms that any question about the pups' sexuality would be answered in this ep...given how they react to Swamp Rat's magazine, it's safe to say the pups are all straight). And I'll admit--I adored Cadpig's perky little response to Pug getting her name right. While the emergency turned out to be nothing serious, this episode is still a strong installment. And yes. I would strongly reccommend this pair of episodes. They did not disappoint me in my viewpoint and they both rank as some of the series' best. 'That's right! Cadpig! See what happens when you try?' -- Never fails to make me smile, 'Purred it Through the Grapevine'
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Post by Belchic on May 17, 2006 20:46:21 GMT -5
Great minds do think alike!
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Post by Trey_Vore on May 18, 2006 18:38:24 GMT -5
Fanfic review: Battle of the Barks
Classification: Exciting
Summary: Fanfic review, number 2.
Score: 8.0 (great, from 0 to 10)
To start off, I know more about animation than I know about music. However, I am a sucker for cartoon characters in music videos (think Bart Simpson with "Do the Bartman"). Here's my look at fanfiction story "Battle of the Barks".
'Battle of the Barks'--Lucky, Cadpig, Rolly and Spot form an all-pup rock band to compete in a band contest.
I will start by saying the author, again, does a fine job depicting the Main Pups' personalities; they are, again, as I would expect them to be and it feels like the script for an unaired episode. Pongo is also in character as a supportive father figure. It is set before the pups met Noggin (as evidence as to why he doesn't appear as a character in the story).
The pups' band positions I thought were appropriate; Lucky on lead guitar (being the leader), Cadpig on keyboard, Spot on bass and Rolly being the drummer made some perfect sense. I could see the Main Pups with these band positions in an actual episode. Their band name, '101 RPM' made for an appropriate name. I also can picture Lucky and Cadpig having singing voices.
The song selection I can't truly comment on; knowing little about music. The only thing I can say is I like pop music best.
The only part that didn't make sense is how the Pups could sing for a human audience. Maybe this is only the music and the barks were on key?
Regardless, I still enjoyed this fanfiction and would still reccommend reading it. Personally, I liked 'Pup and Down' a little better, but this fanfic is still good. Give it a read and I don't think you'll regret it.
'Pizza belongs in a triangle.' --End of story, 'Battle of the Barks'
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Post by Trey_Vore on May 25, 2006 7:53:02 GMT -5
Episode review: Shake, Rattle n' Woof/Cadpig Behind Bars
Classification: Fine example
Summary: Rock and Roll! Two solid episodes in one nice package!
Score: 9.5 (superb, from 0 to 10)
I will say that I consider 'Shake, Rattle n' Woof/Cadpig Behind Bars as two superb episodes of the series and they are likely to be ranking in the Series' Finest. They both have great plots and humor, and will be episodes I will watch over and over again.
'Shake, Rattle n' Woof'--Cruella blackmails the Dearlys into putting on a Hee Haw type show; and it's up to the Main Pups to save the farm.
We start with Roger using the pups barks (and Spot's clucking) to make a mix tape. I will start by saying I liked the musical interlude reference to Jingle Cats; cartoon characters doing music videos is a lot of fun in my book; it reminds me of the 1990 Bart Simpson music videos 'Do the Bartman' and 'Deep Deep Trouble'.
Cruella's scheme this time-to take posession of Dearly Farm under contact-was a devious little plot that I wasn't sure how the Dearlys would get out of. However, they just let the cards fall where they would, and Cruella getting her comeuppance through Horace and Jasper 'just following her strict orders' was a funny bit. Other bits of humor, such as Cruella getting the pups names wrong (Ucky, Roy, a Pig and Spit) is humorous and in character; Roger's not the only one Cruella misnames.
I also liked the Main Pups' guises; Lucky as Elvis, Rolly in a Mexican garb, Cadpig as a biker chick and Spot in a cheesehat was funny to look at.
If there were anything I would point out as wrong, maybe Lucky, like the other for Main Pups, would like being on TV, him at first trusting Cruella would be out of character (she did originally plot to kill them all), but Spot corrects them in this case. I don't know if there would be a message--other than, 'Your friends will help you out in a jam'--but it's overall still a great episode and I would highly recommend it.
'Cadpig Behind Bars'--Lucky, Rolly and Pug go to help Cadpig when she is taken to the pound.
This is another solid ep in the series, it gives us a stronger idea of who Cadpig is and it is a truly humorous episode. Unlike Rolly and to a degree Spot, Cadpig works great as a central focus character and she is a lot of fun to watch, while I tend to prefer the other two to play support. Cadpig, on the other hand, works great as both. Like Lucky, she leaves something to your imagination, which I think is a great asset in Cadpig-centric episodes. While you can pretty accurately guess what Rolly and Spot were like prior to the series (Rolly was the Dearly family gourmand, and Spot was a chicken that felt she didn't quite fit in), it is fun thinking exactly what Lucky and Cadpig were like earlier.
Her attempts to liven up the pound despite her predicament were funny, and in character to boot. The other animals were used to feeling down and they didn't like the sudden shift in mood.
The only downside to this episode is Lt. Pug. As I will establish in greater detail in my review of 'Mall Pups', I tend to like the 'non Pug' episodes better than the 'Pug' episodes. He's a hinderance to both Lucky and Rolly here, I think they are much more competent without him.
Also...where exactly was Spot?
Both fantastic episodes of which I believe were made to establish that you should help friends in need, I whole-heartedly recommend 'Shake, Rattle n' Woof/Cadpig Behind Bars'.
'What you need to do is to put on a happy face! Smile, and the world smiles with you!' --Get me outta here, 'Cadpig Behind Bars'
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Post by Belchic on May 25, 2006 15:35:39 GMT -5
Once again, you've done a great job.
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Post by pongo57 on May 26, 2006 11:12:57 GMT -5
I agree!
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Post by Trey_Vore on May 29, 2006 7:43:24 GMT -5
If there was any good that came out from the following episode, it's that the review that I posted inspired this review section.
Episode review: Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move
Classification: Nothing happened
Summary: From their 'Big Career Move', Donald Trump says it best:
"Horace, Jasper...You're fired!"
Score: 1.0 (absymal, from 0 to 10)
I truly love 101 Dalmatians: the Series. There are so many brilliant episodes in the show which have so much charm and humor, which I really loved and I'd immediately reccommend them to anyone. Maybe amidst those episodes, there were a few of which that didn't sit right with me but they are forgivable in the long run.
However, there's a line I must draw. As stated before in my review of the series, I can say without any doubt that "Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move" is unquestionably the "Series' Worst Episode".
'Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move'--After getting fired by Cruella for the last time, Horace and Jasper start applying for work, where their experience aiding Cruella against the Dearlys makes them overqualified; and they start moving up to bigger and better jobs.
It's 'Jasper and Horace Appreciation Day'...cancel my reservation, please.
I don't know where to start--first and foremost, the focus is terrible. We care about Lucky, Cadpig, Rolly, Spot, the Dearly family and their friends. They are who we want to see in the spotlight. We don't care about Jasper and Horace. They are boring, unappealing characters who would not exist in the story if not for Cruella DeVil. They were never intended to be lead characters. They may be mildly funny, but they are supposed to help make us root for the Dearlys.
The whole plot consists of the the evil Mario Brothers trying to find work, but appear to be overqualified for the jobs they apply for. They just move up and up and up...it's about as entertaining as it sounds. Not to mention, it's a clip show. We don't see our four heroes in non-archive footage at all, until the very end. Some of the dialogue, especially some lines coming from Horace, were unnecessary, in addition to being uninsightful or unfunny. The employers also fail to come alive. Nothing interesting about them either; we are expected to be entertained by...Cruella's (ex)henchmen.
Slow, boring, repetitive, not particularly interesting and no real laughs, it's a very dull way to kill a half-hour. Sure, the archive clips are nice, but their primary focus is on Horace and Jasper, where the Main Pups...act as if they are supporting them. Now, clip shows never tend to be the best episodes. But when we have 'The Making Of...', one of the series' best episodes, which was...sort of a clip show, but wasn't...and if you had already seen the episodes 'Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move' borrows from, what's the point? The wraparound sure isn't worth it. It's a little strange that Disney pulled an episode like 'Alive N' Chicken/Prima Doggy' off the air due to it's time sensitive content (but that was back in 2001), yet they don't throw this turkey into the fire.
I'm not going to go so far as give it nothing--it deserves at least a '1' for the unexpected ending, where Horace and Jasper get a job working as substitute puppysitters for Nanny. Now, I understand that Horace and Jasper do have a relevant role in the series; Cruella does need someone to do her dirty work (which is more than I can say for Lt. Pug), but please, just leave the Baddun brothers as minor characters.
Okay, I'm done ranting.
In short: if you, dear viewer, had never seen '101 Dalmatians: the Series' before and planned to sit down to get initated, I would say, 'By all means'. However, as a true '101D: Series' lover, I will give you this advice: if that was the case, and the network listings announce this was going to be the episode they would show...just skip it for the day, do something else with your time and wait for tomorrow's episode (chances are, they won't play the same episode twice).
If you must watch it, I would reccommend it only after seeing a good number of the many excellent episodes of '101D: Series'. But don't say I didn't warn you...there are very, very few redeeming qualities in the extremely boring and ultimately pointless 'Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move'.
"Some buggy. They must be lost!" --Don't worry Lucky, you didn't miss anything, 'Horace and Jasper's Big Career Move'
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Post by Trey_Vore on Jun 26, 2006 9:34:10 GMT -5
Here's a new episode review that I just wrote:
Episode review: Poison Ivy/Twelve Angry Pups
Classification: Above average
Summary: Ivy DeVil and Mooch? Better watch out!
Score: 7.1 (good, from 0 to 10)
These episodes are worth watching, even though they, I feel, aren't the series' absolute best.
'Poison Ivy'--When Roger and Anita are stuck babysitting Cruella's innocent (looking) niece Ivy, she is in truth responsible for the pups' supposed mischief.
We start with Ivy's little hum...get used to it, she will be repeating it throughout the episode.
I will start by saying it is good to see that the writers have the pups in character, Lucky and Rolly in particular have the most memorable bits. Rolly, typically thinking with his stomach, is characterized well as he is shown falling for Ivy's red hot puppy treat. Lucky is also in character for his 'never say die' attitude in this ep; unfortunately, Cadpig isn't given much to work with and I felt that hurt the episode in terms of overall quality.
Now for the new kid on the block; Ivy DeVil is an okay character, I liked that she didn't turn out to be an Elmyra knock off (the pet crazy Elmyra on 'Tiny Toon Adventures', brrr!), but she was a bit unrealistic. A young girl like that having advanced tech smarts is stretching reality a little (much like how on Men In Black, Agent Jay shot a little girl dummy for holding an "Advanced Physics" book).
I hated seeing the pups acting as Ivy's scapegoat, but Spot inadvertently saving them all was a welcome relief. Cruella's 'Ferocious Fun Pups' were behind a terror in Grutely and Cruella's newest scam was foiled.
As it stands, it's a middle of the pack episode. Not the best, not the worst. It's just passable.
'Twelve Angry Pups'--When Mooch is blamed for a series of thefts around the farm, Mayor Ed Pig appoints Lucky to be his lawyer.
So Pug has the pups up at dawn...typical Pug.
Again, good characterization, the pups are all in character and we learn that they all love TV. Cadpig, Dipstick and Two-Tone all seemed to be handled in a great fashion. The trial was fun to watch and it was entertaining for what they could do with it.
Mooch is also in character, it is essentially an episode devoted to him and found it worthwhile. Lucky being appointed his lawyer must have been hard for him; it's not easy to defend your nemesis.
The only thing that threw me for a loop was the shot of Mooch riding a horse; that was just too 'human' for me.
Scorch was also there...just to be a red herring.
While I don't think that either episode is notable for being outstanding, they are enjoyable for what they are and I guess that means something. I thought Twelve Angry Pups was ultimately stronger than Poison Ivy, but neither ranks among my favorite episodes in this series. They are both just passable; ranking somewhere 'in the middle'.
'Someone took my daily affirmation calender! What will I do? How will I center? How will I...focus my rage so I can rip the lips off the thieving jerk?' --Someone's definitely in trouble, 'Twelve Angry Pups'
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Post by Two-Tone on Jun 26, 2006 16:06:36 GMT -5
Ivy DeVil is a little brat and she tried to make jailbirds out of all of us.
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Post by Belchic on Jun 28, 2006 1:03:25 GMT -5
"Poison Ivy" is kind of a depressing episode. Maybe I should write a review on that one.
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Post by Two-Tone on Jun 28, 2006 13:30:27 GMT -5
ok, oh and Belchic can you get me a screen from that ep, of all the pups in the barn looking down?
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Post by Belchic on Jul 7, 2006 21:44:17 GMT -5
ok, oh and Belchic can you get me a screen from that ep, of all the pups in the barn looking down? More from that episode?? Okay, I will, but later.
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Post by Two-Tone on Jul 13, 2006 0:08:39 GMT -5
ok
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