The show wasn't just one of the premier animated series for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block; it was some of the best action-adventure storytelling that has ever graced television as a medium. There may have been some moments in the show in early seasons that didn't age well (cheap jokes or a bit of punching down), but the writers quickly grew past and shed those issues to give us nothing but the humor of unfailing wit and far-sighted intelligence. That same intelligence was further bent at all times toward dazzlingly complex storytelling with a stunningly long memory, working in countless references big, small, obvious, and obscure, fabulously smart, clever, and imaginative science fiction, and tremendously exciting action and adventure that put countless live-action enterprises to shame. Factor in the meaningfully diverse cast of characters impeccable visual designs and animation, outstanding voice work, stellar music, and otherwise top-notch craftsmanship and production values, and the result was a landmark that will not soon be surpassed, if ever. Fast-forward five years since the seventh season of 'The Venture Bros.' concluded, and take the breadth and scope of a full eighth season - a collective four hours, give or take - condensed into one ninety-minute full-length feature: and still Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer never miss a beat. 'Radiant is the blood of the baboon heart' is everything we love about 'The Venture Bros.,' and is simply brilliant.
It's sad that the saga of the Venture family and all their allies, adversaries, and acquaintances had to come to an end, but all things do. And one could hardly ask for a better end than this. There are only two possible criticisms that come to mind here, and they both stem just from the matter of a season's worth of narrative being shrunken into a single picture. For all the many, many characters that we have ever met in the series, there are relatively few that are represented in this finale; while some get more of a welcome opportunity to shine than they might have before, others are unexpectedly reduced to small supporting roles. More significantly, there are unquestionably a lot of examples in the movie of plot ideas that deserved and needed expansion and the elaboration that would have been allowed in a serial manner in which each was spotlighted in turn. Rich, tantalizing, absorbing, and satisfying as the narrative is exactly as we see it, one can't help but wish that we got more details about This, That, and The Other Thing, and/or that they were more drawn out. Be all that as it may, even as Publick and Hammer were forced to cram hours of plot into ninety minutes, the finished product is nothing less than stupendous. The tale picks up right where the seventh season finale left off; another exquisite bounty of story beats and strokes of ingenuity are deftly woven together; all the flavors we have ever wanted out of TVB are retained and sustained through to the anticipated post-credits scene; and the ending draws to a close the twenty years of the viewing experience that this title portends, while assuring us that the saga continues in-universe. Arguably most rewarding of all, the enigma of the name - 'Radiant is the blood of the baboon heart' - is illuminated in a fantastically delightful, shrewd fashion. Realistically, what more could we ask for?
Same as it ever was, all the high quality of the long-running series is ported over to this film; all the traits that made TVB such a beloved hit are right here waiting for us. Publick and Hammer knew they had to Get It Right and give fans the swan song we needed, and they absolutely delivered. It's been a couple years since I had watched through the whole series with a friend, and this romp was wonderful and comforting, like nostalgia, a homecoming, and a breath of fresh air all rolled into one. Whatever one thinks of the format, clearly cutting out portions of the entirety that Season 8 might have been, I don't think there could truly be any arguing that this 2023 conclusion is roundly superb and reflective of all the boundless skill, intelligence, love, and care that those involved could ever pour into such a wild ride of a creation. I could scarcely be more pleased with this send-off for 'The Venture Bros.,' and anyone who enjoyed the show owes it to themselves to also find a way to watch this. I would go further still: while it would necessitate first watching the prior seven seasons, anyone who appreciates adult-oriented cartoons, genre storytelling, or action-comedy would also be very well served by committing to the full saga, for there's really nothing quite like it anywhere else. 'Radiant is the blood of the baboon heart' is altogether excellent, and I'm happy to give it my high, hearty, and enthusiastic recommendation!
It's sad that the saga of the Venture family and all their allies, adversaries, and acquaintances had to come to an end, but all things do. And one could hardly ask for a better end than this. There are only two possible criticisms that come to mind here, and they both stem just from the matter of a season's worth of narrative being shrunken into a single picture. For all the many, many characters that we have ever met in the series, there are relatively few that are represented in this finale; while some get more of a welcome opportunity to shine than they might have before, others are unexpectedly reduced to small supporting roles. More significantly, there are unquestionably a lot of examples in the movie of plot ideas that deserved and needed expansion and the elaboration that would have been allowed in a serial manner in which each was spotlighted in turn. Rich, tantalizing, absorbing, and satisfying as the narrative is exactly as we see it, one can't help but wish that we got more details about This, That, and The Other Thing, and/or that they were more drawn out. Be all that as it may, even as Publick and Hammer were forced to cram hours of plot into ninety minutes, the finished product is nothing less than stupendous. The tale picks up right where the seventh season finale left off; another exquisite bounty of story beats and strokes of ingenuity are deftly woven together; all the flavors we have ever wanted out of TVB are retained and sustained through to the anticipated post-credits scene; and the ending draws to a close the twenty years of the viewing experience that this title portends, while assuring us that the saga continues in-universe. Arguably most rewarding of all, the enigma of the name - 'Radiant is the blood of the baboon heart' - is illuminated in a fantastically delightful, shrewd fashion. Realistically, what more could we ask for?
Same as it ever was, all the high quality of the long-running series is ported over to this film; all the traits that made TVB such a beloved hit are right here waiting for us. Publick and Hammer knew they had to Get It Right and give fans the swan song we needed, and they absolutely delivered. It's been a couple years since I had watched through the whole series with a friend, and this romp was wonderful and comforting, like nostalgia, a homecoming, and a breath of fresh air all rolled into one. Whatever one thinks of the format, clearly cutting out portions of the entirety that Season 8 might have been, I don't think there could truly be any arguing that this 2023 conclusion is roundly superb and reflective of all the boundless skill, intelligence, love, and care that those involved could ever pour into such a wild ride of a creation. I could scarcely be more pleased with this send-off for 'The Venture Bros.,' and anyone who enjoyed the show owes it to themselves to also find a way to watch this. I would go further still: while it would necessitate first watching the prior seven seasons, anyone who appreciates adult-oriented cartoons, genre storytelling, or action-comedy would also be very well served by committing to the full saga, for there's really nothing quite like it anywhere else. 'Radiant is the blood of the baboon heart' is altogether excellent, and I'm happy to give it my high, hearty, and enthusiastic recommendation!