janey_smile Reviews

Supernatural (2005–2020)

I love this show - you should too!

[8/10 · 7 February 2008]

I only really got into Supernatural recently. I discovered it quite by accident after complaining to a mate that there wasn't anything exciting on TV anymore, and he wigged out about 'Supernatural: it's so awesome!' So, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I'm now an addict. I think I got through season 1 in a week, and season 2 I had to force myself to slow down. I love it! Yes, it has it's problems, but the charisma (not to mention impressive physique) of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, combined with the cheesy, sometimes quite freaky, 'monster of the week' plot lines, make it almost compulsive viewing. I was raised on monster movies, so it's great to find a TV show that riffs on that. The dialogue is fun and loaded with pop-culture references, and the action is gung-ho and fast paced. Also, the soundtrack is like someone stole my i-pod! Classic rock all round! By the end of the second season, it' like the writers were writing to AC DC. I have to approve.

And then there's the car. You gotta love the car.

So if you ever pine for the days of Buffy and co, then this show should be right up your ally. If you like zombies, vampires and the odd cursed ghost thrown in for good measure, this show is for you. If you have an i-pod full of Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas, Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, or even Spinal Tap (made me soooo happy!) then turn this on! And if you don't, well, come for the Winchester brothers - two engaging and interesting lead characters you can't help but fall in love with (and who are pretty easy on the eye to boot!)

This show is my favourite thing on TV at the moment. I think it's a crime more people aren't watching it. OK, so I got to it a little late, but at least I got there! You should too. It's fun, action packed, and there are a couple of scares in there along the way. The writing is enthralling, the performances are good, and did I mention the car? Go watch now!

Darkwing Duck (1991–1992)

Still the best!!!!

[31 May 2005]

I loved this show as a kid, and along with 'Animaniacs', it is the only one that I have been able to go back to and re-watch with genuine delight.

A spin off/ follow up to 'Ducktales', Darkwing Duck follows the adventures of a Batman-esk crime fighter, his sidekick, Launchpad (of 'Ducktales' fame), and adopted daughter Gosalyn. With their help, Darkwing battles crime in the city of St Canard, striking fear into the hearts of villains (he hopes) as 'the terror that flaps in the night'. It is a lot darker than Ducktales, however, and plays like its writers were following the Ducktales audience and evolving as they got older. In season three especially, there were some very dark story lines for a Disney cartoon, and more than one episode was banned after its initial airing!

As the cartoon was largely based on Batman, so too are many of the villains based on comic book characters (The Liquidator= Hydroman, etc) and so this cartoon is enjoyable on even more levels if you are a comic fan. Though you don't have to be.

The cast was amazing, with Jim Cummings heading it up as the voice of Darkwing Duck/ Drake Mallard. His fantastically over the top delivery of Darkwing's catchphrase "I am the terror that flaps in the night!" has gone down in cartoon history. He was given great support by Terence McGovern and Christine Cavanaugh as Launchpad and Gosalyn, and the supporting cast of villains included the likes of Tim Curry and Dan Castellaneta (from 'The Simpsons'). The characters they created were interesting and memorable.

This show was cancelled after just 91 episodes: it could have gone on so much further! A DVD release is definitely in order here!!

If you missed it first time round (where were you?), then I would definitely advise you to look it up, and if you didn't miss it last time, then why haven't you looked it up already?!

One of the best TV toons Disney has ever created! Why is nothing they do now this good?

Animaniacs (1993–1998)

Faboo!!!

[5 December 2004]

Animaniacs was THE cartoon of the 90s!! It was ace. The writing and animation were brilliant, and the voice acting was in a league of it's own.

Unlike Warner Brother's contemporaries, Tiny Toons and Taz-mania (which I also loved), Animaniacs would always show at least three different franchises an episode, meaning there was always something for everyone. The humour was very sophisticated for a cartoon, and as a result it could entertain kids and adults alike.

The main franchise revolved around the Warner Brothers and their sister (The Warner Siblings, then), Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. Locked in the studio water tower for 60 years for being too crazy, they break out and proceed to drive just about everyone they meet around the bend. It was great. However, if they didn't appeal (as if) or you fancied a change, there were many other equally wonderful characters with their own adventures, including Slappy the Squirrel, Rita and Runt, Buttons and Mindy and Pinky and the Brain (who got their own spin off), to name but a few.

If, for some reason you disagree, or managed to survive the 90s without ever seeing an episode, I suggest you seek this show out! I guarantee you you won't regret it. It is, to quote the show, 'Faboo!!'

Pinky and the Brain (1995–1998)

Great Fun!!Brill!!

[3 December 2004]

A spin off from the wonderful 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain' was one of the funniest and best cartoons of the 90s.

The show followed the exploits of two laboratory mice on a mission to take over the world. The Brain was a super-intelligent megalomaniac, and was assisted by Pinky, an idiot. Each night, The Brain would come up with a highly elaborate plan to overthrow the worlds leaders and assume control, but was always foiled at the last minute and sent back to the drawing board.

Even though the plot was the same every episode, 'Pinky and the Brain' managed to be consistently fresh and funny. The great writing was backed up by superb voice performances, particularly by Rob Paulson (Pinky) and Maurice LaMarche (Brain). The humour works on enough levels to appeal to kids and grown-ups alike, and if you've never seen an episode of this, I suggest you seek it out!