The last hurrah of arguably the greatest animated Achievement of the last 25 years. The show, one of my favorites, was canceled in 2020-- but WB Discovery allowed for a last goodbye - - a final movie made from ideas discussed for the never produced season 8.
The production is top notch-- the animation is modern and fluid. Unlike some animated features, this is clearly a feature film and not a 30 min ad for toys. The cast is stellar save for one late addition - - but I'll address that shortly. All the Series regulars are voiced by the correct actors-- including J. K. Simmons and Clancy Brown (always a treat).
As much as I adore the show, the plot isn't perfect... Long term fans will immediately think back to previous episodes and compare details. I've visited the Reddit mega threads and I know so many different theories abound. New viewers may not understand but will find the origins of the Venture Bros as well as Debbie and Bobbi St Simone a bit convoluted.
In fact the addition of the St Simone family brings the real criticism of the film. The new characters seem like additions dictated by some corporate suit.. How often have we seen tv series turned into movies that "must be bigger" for release? The character of Debbie /Debra absolutely kills the momentum of the film. When she appears, you wonder what the other characters are doing - - and her inclusion really seems to be a plot device. Which makes the job especially difficult for the actress who plays one of 2 new characters - - and all the other characters are absolutely beloved. There's no tension - - she's the equivalent of a Star Trek red shirt.
Without spoiling any details - - she could be omitted in favor of the super villain war hinted at in Season 7-- and everything else would be firmly in place.
I love the show and was pleased to get one last chance to say good bye. Is the movie perfect?? No, far from it; yet it is the farewell we fans have been given-- Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick have given years of enjoyment in this franchise and I am personally grateful.
The production is top notch-- the animation is modern and fluid. Unlike some animated features, this is clearly a feature film and not a 30 min ad for toys. The cast is stellar save for one late addition - - but I'll address that shortly. All the Series regulars are voiced by the correct actors-- including J. K. Simmons and Clancy Brown (always a treat).
As much as I adore the show, the plot isn't perfect... Long term fans will immediately think back to previous episodes and compare details. I've visited the Reddit mega threads and I know so many different theories abound. New viewers may not understand but will find the origins of the Venture Bros as well as Debbie and Bobbi St Simone a bit convoluted.
In fact the addition of the St Simone family brings the real criticism of the film. The new characters seem like additions dictated by some corporate suit.. How often have we seen tv series turned into movies that "must be bigger" for release? The character of Debbie /Debra absolutely kills the momentum of the film. When she appears, you wonder what the other characters are doing - - and her inclusion really seems to be a plot device. Which makes the job especially difficult for the actress who plays one of 2 new characters - - and all the other characters are absolutely beloved. There's no tension - - she's the equivalent of a Star Trek red shirt.
Without spoiling any details - - she could be omitted in favor of the super villain war hinted at in Season 7-- and everything else would be firmly in place.
I love the show and was pleased to get one last chance to say good bye. Is the movie perfect?? No, far from it; yet it is the farewell we fans have been given-- Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick have given years of enjoyment in this franchise and I am personally grateful.