In terms of animation, 'Pinky and the Brain' has always been one of my favourites. Am a big fan of animation while not being afraid to admit that there are average to terrible ones out there, so there is no bias here. Won't say that it is a completely consistent show but for me it is one of those rare shows where there isn't a bad episode, something that can't be said for many shows around.
'Pinky and the Brain' is one of the best examples of a childhood favourite that has not only held up well but brilliantly, not every childhood favourite has so this has nothing to do with nostalgia. As a young adult, actually find it even better now, due to noticing and appreciating more things and the humour being funnier and easier to understand being more familiar with any references and such. Once again, don't fall for any misconception implying that animation is just for kids and exempt from criticism or to be shyed away from. 'Pinky and the Brain' has much for children and adults alike, young adults even are probably more likely to get the most enjoyment out of it, and there is much more to it than an animated show with two reasonably cute-looking mice.
The only three parter of the show, all three parts of "Brainwashed" are three of the show's best episodes. My personal favourite and the cleverest being "Brain Brain Go Away". Just loved the political edge which was very sharply and intelligently done and in a way that shouldn't go over younger audiences' heads, even if older audiences are likely to understand the content more with more knowledge. Hope that doesn't sound offensive.
The animation is bright and colourful with nice attention to character and especially background detail, it's smoothly drawn too and expressive. Music is similarly blameless. The scoring is dynamic and composed in a way that is always adding to the actions, expressions and gestures and doing what good music scores in animation should do in enhancing them. The theme song is one of the catchiest in animation, have always felt that.
Have very rarely been let down by the writing in 'Pinky and the Brain'. Am still not. The typical zaniness and wit is there, as well as the intelligence. Youngsters will still find the writing funny most likely because the comic timing and visuals are timed so well, even if the concept and a lot of the content is very adult and ambitious.
"Brain Brain Go Away's" characterisation is a large part of the episode's success. Loved the supporting characters, that are among the show's most interesting and amusing. But it's the titular characters and their chemistry that shine through much more. Pinky is incredibly endearing and as ever amusing, stupid can mean obnoxious but not in the case of Pinky. Being a Brain-centric episode, Brain comes over as more interesting and have always loved him for his deadpan personality and dark sarcasm. Have always loved the relationship between the duo, with such different personalities one worries as to whether they would gel together or clash but 'Pinky and the Brain' was always a masterclass of how to contrast two completely different characters and their personalities harmoniously and with substance and complexity.
Rob Paulsen and especially Maurice LaMarche do splendidly with the voice work, they have always been two of the best and deservedly prolific voice actors today and their work on 'Pinky and the Brain' is among their best. Also feel a bond between them when hearing their voice work.
All in all, brilliant first part of an equally brilliant three parter. 10/10
'Pinky and the Brain' is one of the best examples of a childhood favourite that has not only held up well but brilliantly, not every childhood favourite has so this has nothing to do with nostalgia. As a young adult, actually find it even better now, due to noticing and appreciating more things and the humour being funnier and easier to understand being more familiar with any references and such. Once again, don't fall for any misconception implying that animation is just for kids and exempt from criticism or to be shyed away from. 'Pinky and the Brain' has much for children and adults alike, young adults even are probably more likely to get the most enjoyment out of it, and there is much more to it than an animated show with two reasonably cute-looking mice.
The only three parter of the show, all three parts of "Brainwashed" are three of the show's best episodes. My personal favourite and the cleverest being "Brain Brain Go Away". Just loved the political edge which was very sharply and intelligently done and in a way that shouldn't go over younger audiences' heads, even if older audiences are likely to understand the content more with more knowledge. Hope that doesn't sound offensive.
The animation is bright and colourful with nice attention to character and especially background detail, it's smoothly drawn too and expressive. Music is similarly blameless. The scoring is dynamic and composed in a way that is always adding to the actions, expressions and gestures and doing what good music scores in animation should do in enhancing them. The theme song is one of the catchiest in animation, have always felt that.
Have very rarely been let down by the writing in 'Pinky and the Brain'. Am still not. The typical zaniness and wit is there, as well as the intelligence. Youngsters will still find the writing funny most likely because the comic timing and visuals are timed so well, even if the concept and a lot of the content is very adult and ambitious.
"Brain Brain Go Away's" characterisation is a large part of the episode's success. Loved the supporting characters, that are among the show's most interesting and amusing. But it's the titular characters and their chemistry that shine through much more. Pinky is incredibly endearing and as ever amusing, stupid can mean obnoxious but not in the case of Pinky. Being a Brain-centric episode, Brain comes over as more interesting and have always loved him for his deadpan personality and dark sarcasm. Have always loved the relationship between the duo, with such different personalities one worries as to whether they would gel together or clash but 'Pinky and the Brain' was always a masterclass of how to contrast two completely different characters and their personalities harmoniously and with substance and complexity.
Rob Paulsen and especially Maurice LaMarche do splendidly with the voice work, they have always been two of the best and deservedly prolific voice actors today and their work on 'Pinky and the Brain' is among their best. Also feel a bond between them when hearing their voice work.
All in all, brilliant first part of an equally brilliant three parter. 10/10
