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Reviews
Royal Crackers (2023)
One of the best adult animated shows in recent years.
I consider myself a bit of a critic - especially when it comes to adult animation - and I can confidently say that Royal Crackers is genuinely a well made series. The characters actually have personalities and real motivations. Not everything is a fart or penis joke. And the plot isn't constantly racing to the next punchline. It gets surreal in the best ways but it's also isn't afraid of being a bit serious when needed.
Ive done nothing but sing Royal Cracker's praises to everyone I know. But today I just so happened to look it up on IMDb and I was a bit surprised by the rating. I honestly can't think of anything inherently "wrong" with this show. I feel it's actually an original animated series in a sea of halfhearted family guy clones.
Royal Crackers deserves higher praise and I hope it gets a second season.
Teenage Euthanasia (2021)
Completely void of soul or any relatability
Teenage Euthanasia is about a family that lives in a futuristic suburbia. This could've be a great setup for an adult swim series, but this one really falls flat.
I find it very difficult to even get through an episode. But I forced myself to watch 2 eps.
The music is good. The aesthetic is fine. The most crucial area in which Teenage Euthanasia fails is the writing.
Instead of having the characters do or say anything the audience can relate to, I feel like the writers are constantly asking, "What's the most ridiculous thing this character could say?" Or "What's the most random thing that could happen in this moment?" When you do this, nothing your characters do or say will ever come off as funny or shocking.
A show that used this type of humor in a smart way was China, Illinois. Even if you're going for "surreal", the characters still have to say or do things the audience can relate to.
In China, IL, If the school were to explode and the main characters were to die, I would be shocked. Thats because parts of China, IL are grounded in reality.
In Teenage Euthanasia, if the house were to explode and every character die, and I wouldn't bat an eye. It would mean nothing.
This show is a constant barrage of senseless nonsense that doesn't amount to anything. Grandma drives a crazy car. Ok. Grandma killed a kid for no reason. Oh no. Mom took a handful of pills. Wow.
But if Lois from Family guy took a handful of pills, it would matter. Even though Family Guy gets really wacky sometimes, we still care about Lois.
But I don't think any show is "doomed". And I always have hope that a series can turn it around if they know what to improve on. And I hope this show can do just that, because it does have some glimmers of potential.
Keanu (2016)
Wasn't 1/2 as funny as their show.
I adore Key and Peele. I think they're brilliant. Nearly every skit from their series is a masterclass in comedy. I also loved Get Out, Us, and Nope. Jordon is a fabulous writer/director.
Now, I hate to say it, but Keanu was pretty rough. Any of their skits has more comedic depth than this entire film. It seems maybe they didn't have full control, or they didn't have the same writers that worked on the show.
But I will say that Keanu's plot is decent. In a time of need, Jordon's character finds a kitten on his doorstep and gets attached to it. They essentially lose the kitten and must go on a crazy adventure to get it back. It's a solid setup for a buddy adventure that could've paid off. But did it? Nah.
The comedy just wasn't there. I don't think I laughed once the the entire movie. You know that unfunny scene you've seen in comedies where the main character has to act like a criminal to fool the real criminals? And they come up with ridiculous names that no one would ever believe? While wearing the most basic suburban clothes? That happens in this movie. And you know the scene when the mob boss says, "Who are you? I don't recognize you." And then the main character comes up with a ridiculous lie out of nowhere. Tension "builds". Then the mob boss says, "Well, why didn't you say so!" That literally happens. But somehow it's even less funny in this movie.
I could go on. I wanted to love this movie like I've loved their other work. But it was disappointing. I hope they will get back together and make the comedy they deserve.
If you're a big Key and Peele fan, maybe just skip this one.
Kakegurui: The Logical Woman (2019)
The ending made it filler to the plot. What was point?
The previous episode set up the Tower of Doors gamble and this was the conclusion.
But this ending meant absolutely nothing to the plot. Everything went right back to the way it was on episode 8.
Thus, these 2 episodes were basically filler. 2 whole episodes of padding in a short 12 episode season. What a waste.
We did learn a bit about the President and Sayaka's backstory - (which wasn't really all that interesting) and that they really like each other. That's it.
Yumeko has 0 motivation behind this gamble. She gets nothing if she wins and she has to quit gambling if she loses. Why would she ever agree to this... ?
Sayaka lost, but she didn't die and she is still the President's secretary. So... WHAT WAS THE POINT?
Lastly, what was really disappointing was that there were teasings at some real character development for Sayaka. It seemed like the the President/the tower were pushing Sayaka to change because she is too logical. But she was logical throughout the whole tower and so it caused her to lose. But guess what? It didn't matter. The President likes that she's logical.
SO WHAT WAS THE POINT?????????
Apple & Onion (2016)
Amazing
I love this show. It's hilarious and so likable in every way.
Summer Camp Island (2016)
Brilliant
I really wasn't sure what to expect when I dove in, but I I came up loving this precious show. Most of the characters are quite likable and the whole aesthetic is just so darn cute. The show is very fresh. I've watched and rewatched many of the episodes and it has to yet to get old. SCI is original in its content and delivery. The show explores some topics that I don't think I've ever seen in a "kids" program.
I can't recommend this wonderfully adorable show more. =)