Its' been a couple of years, so it's definitely time to revisit one of my favourite series and get some reviews posted. I found "The Venture Brothers" one night on an Adult Swim evening in the UK and loved it. I ended up importing the dvd's from the States in order to get my fix - but, brilliantly, the show is available on 4 On Demand now, as part of their Adult Swim deal.
As a child Thaddeus 'Rusty' Venture (James Urbaniak) was the son of a super scientist, travelling the world and getting to unimaginable peril at every turn. Now an adult, and scientist himself, things have not turned out well for him, both from the trauma of his upbringing and as he's been unable to escape his father's lengthy shadow. Along with his own two sons, Hank (Christopher McCulloch) and Dean (Michael Sinterniklaas) and their bodyguard Brock (Patrick Warburton), the family continue to travel the globe taking whatever opportunities come Rusty's way and avoiding the supervillains that target them.
It's interesting to go back twenty years now and see the show again. Occasionally, visually there are a few janky perspective problems - particularly (and oddly) with Doctor Orpheus - generally though the style is already there. Dynamic and engaging rather than particularly beautiful. The vocal performances are all note perfect already, literally iconic stuff - despite the show still being a cult, rather than mainstream hit.
A lot of the plot strands are hit here early too, even if there isn't that much of a through story. Rusty is having nightmares that will turn out to be the return of his twin brother, who he consumed in the womb. The is an early appearance for Molotov Cocktease and of the original team Venture. 21 and 24 make an appearance towards the end of the season but aren't identified as such and are still lacking a little of the personality traits that would make them fan favourites.
It doesn't perhaps hit stride until episode Six "Ghosts of the Sargasso", the first five are good, but that one is a real step up and, for me, remains one of the shows funniest episodes. In know the show is going to get better, but this is a good start.
As a child Thaddeus 'Rusty' Venture (James Urbaniak) was the son of a super scientist, travelling the world and getting to unimaginable peril at every turn. Now an adult, and scientist himself, things have not turned out well for him, both from the trauma of his upbringing and as he's been unable to escape his father's lengthy shadow. Along with his own two sons, Hank (Christopher McCulloch) and Dean (Michael Sinterniklaas) and their bodyguard Brock (Patrick Warburton), the family continue to travel the globe taking whatever opportunities come Rusty's way and avoiding the supervillains that target them.
It's interesting to go back twenty years now and see the show again. Occasionally, visually there are a few janky perspective problems - particularly (and oddly) with Doctor Orpheus - generally though the style is already there. Dynamic and engaging rather than particularly beautiful. The vocal performances are all note perfect already, literally iconic stuff - despite the show still being a cult, rather than mainstream hit.
A lot of the plot strands are hit here early too, even if there isn't that much of a through story. Rusty is having nightmares that will turn out to be the return of his twin brother, who he consumed in the womb. The is an early appearance for Molotov Cocktease and of the original team Venture. 21 and 24 make an appearance towards the end of the season but aren't identified as such and are still lacking a little of the personality traits that would make them fan favourites.
It doesn't perhaps hit stride until episode Six "Ghosts of the Sargasso", the first five are good, but that one is a real step up and, for me, remains one of the shows funniest episodes. In know the show is going to get better, but this is a good start.
