Review: Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 (of 2017) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz (2016) – straight-to-video
Running time:  81 minutes (1 hour, 21 minutes)
PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS:  Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITERS:  Spike Brandt, Paul Dini, and Sam Register
EDITOR:  Dave Courter
COMPOSER: Michael Tavera
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Digital eMation, Inc.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE and FAMILY/MUSIC

Starring:  (voices)  Grey Griffin, Jason Alexander, Amy Pemberton, Joe Alaskey, Michael Gough, Rob Paulsen, Todd Stashwick, Frances Conroy, Laraine Newman, Stephen Root, Kath Soucie, Andrea Martin, James Monroe Iglehart, Spike Brandt, and Jye Frasca

Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is a 2016 direct-to-video animated film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry.  Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it is a sequel to Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz, a 2011 animated direct-to-video film.

Both these films take inspiration and source material from the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz, and places Tom and Jerry (who began as MGM cartoon characters) alongside Dorothy, Toto, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the rest of the characters from that beloved classic film.  Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is also the first sequel in the Tom and Jerry direct-to-video film series.  [Back to Oz is also the final work of noted animation voice actor Joe Alaskey who died of cancer on February 3, 2016, and this film is dedicated to his memory.]

Back to Oz opens on the Gale farm.  Dorothy Gale (Grey Griffin), Auntie Em (Frances Conroy), Uncle Henry (Stephen Root), Toto, the three farm hands, and Tom and Jerry are still cleaning up the damage caused by the twister that wrecked the farm in the first film.  The Gales are on the verge of losing the farm because of a lawsuit brought by neighbor, Lucius Bibb (Jason Alexander).  Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, and the three farmhands immediately set out to find jobs that can help them get money to pay off the damages Bibb is claiming they brought on his property (a prized watermelon patch).

Dorothy is left behind because the adults consider her too young to work.  While cleaning up, Dorothy, Toto, and Tom and Jerry are attacked by flying monkeys, which had once served the Wicked Witch of West.  During the attack, Dorothy's companions from the Land of Oz:  Scarecrow (Michael J. Gough), Tin Man (Rob Paulsen), and the no-longer-cowardly Lion (Todd Stashwick) arrive to inform her that Oz is under attack again.  This time, Ruggedo the Nome King (Jason Alexander) is taking over the Emerald City, so Dorothy is once again off to see the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Joe Alaskey) in a bid to save Oz.

Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is not as good as its predecessor, Tom and Jerry & the Wizard of Oz.  However, a return to the Oz that was created by filmmakers, cast, and crew of MGM's 1939 The Wizard of Oz, even a cartoon version of it, is welcomed – at least by me and some others.  There are apparently a lot of us, or at least enough to create a sequel to the first Tom and Jerry Oz.

Honestly, that is the explanation for whatever success this film, Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz, has – its connection to a truly classic American film, one of the best movies of all time.  I won't be fake and deny it.  I hope Tom and Jerry go back to that Oz, again.

6 of 10
B

Friday, March 31, 2017


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest" is Good Jonny Quest

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 41 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest (2014) – straight-to-video
Running time:  73 minutes (1 hour, 13 minutes)
PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS:  Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITERS:  James Krieg and Heath Corson; from a story by James Krieg
EDITOR:  Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER: Michael Tavera
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Yearim Productions Co., LTD

ANIMATION/FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE and FAMILY

Starring:  (voices) Reese Hartwig, Arnie Pantoja, James Hong, Eric Bauza, Michael Hanks, Tia Carrere, and Tim Matheson, Joe Alaskey, Spike Brandt, Grey Griffin, Jess Harnell, Richard McGonagle, and Jonny Rees

Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest is a 2015 direct-to-video animated film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry.  Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Spy Quest is a crossover film that teams Tom and Jerry with the characters from the mid-1960s animated series, “Jonny Quest.”

Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, “Jonny Quest” was an animated science fiction adventure television series that was originally broadcast on ABC in prime time.  Created and designed by Doug Wildey, the series lasted one season (1964-1965) for a total of 26 episodes.  “Jonny Quest” focused on Jonathan “Jonny” Quest, an 11-year-old boy who accompanies his genius scientist father on extraordinary adventures.

Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest opens on a beach in “sunny South Florida.”  Tom and Jerry are having a relaxing day at the beach, which means they are harassing each other.  Then, the duo encounters Jonny Quest (Reese Hartwig) and his best pal, Hadji (Arnie Pantoja), accompanied by their canine companion, Bandit, of course.  It seems that a trio of cyborg cats are trying to kidnap the trio, until Tom inadvertently saves them.

Jonny and Hadji take their new friends, Tom and Jerry, to Quest Key, the location of their home and also of Quest Labs.  Tom and Jerry are introduced to Jonny's father, Dr. Benton Quest (Eric Bauza), and Jonny's bodyguard, Race Bannon (Michael Hanks).  Why does Jonny need a bodyguard?  Dr. Quest is a world-renowned genius scientist and inventor, and bad people try to kidnap Jonny to use him as leverage to force Dr. Quest to give them his inventions.

In fact, longtime Quest family nemesis, Dr. Zin (James Hong), wants Dr. Quest's latest invention, the “Q Sphere,” a device that will solve the world's energy problems.  After Zin kidnaps Dr. Quest and Race, Tom and Jerry join Jonny, Hadji, and Bandit on a trip to “Zin Automated Battle Island,” on a rescue mission, where an evil cat army and powerful robots await them.

Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest can be described as “The Adventures of Jonny Quest” with Tom and Jerry as, at best, supporting characters, or, in actuality, guest stars.  That is not a bad thing.  James Krieg and Heath Corson have written a Jonny Quest story that recalls the classic, original 1960s series, while maintaining the general wackiness that is Tom and Jerry.

Yeah, the appearance of Jonny Quest recurring character, Jezebel Jade (Tia Carrere), seems obligatory, but the appearance of the bumbling Tom and Jerry adversaries, Tin, Pan, and Alley, balances that.  Corson and especially Krieg seem to know what made classic Hanna-Barbera animated series successful and also have a knack for reviving those elements that made them classics.

Kudos to the art direction.  Quest Key, the Quest Lab interiors, and the island location of Dr. Zin's base of operations, including its interiors, recall Hanna-Barbera's animated science fiction adventure television series of the 1960s and 1970s.

Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone, the producing and directing team behind the Tom and Jerry direct-to-DVD films, always seem to have a way to keep this series going.  Just when I think that it is time to stop, they produce an entry that leaves me awaiting the next.  And with Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest, they also made a good Jonny Quest direct-to-DVD film.

8 of 10
A

Friday, October 23, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: "Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon" Needs More Tom and Jerry

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 10 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon (2014) – straight-to-video
Running time:  57 minutes
PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS:  Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITER:  Brian Swenlin
EDITOR:  Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER: Michael Tavera
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Yearim Productions Co. Ltd.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY and FAMILY/MUSICAL

Starring:  (voices) Kelly Stables, Vicki Lewis, Jim Cummings, Laraine Newman, Gregg Ellis, Jess Harnell, Richard McGonagle, Wayne Knight, and Dee Bradley Baker

Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon is a 2014 direct-to-video animated film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry.  Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, The Lost Dragon finds Tom and Jerry living with a young witch, as the trio tries to protect a young dragon.

Once upon a time, Drizelda the witch (Vicki Lewis) threatened a small hamlet that is the home of a group of blue elves.  Her evil plan is stopped by the wizard, Kaldorf the Great (Jim Cummings).  Years later, Drizelda's niece, Athena (Kelly Stables), operates Athena's Home for Unwanted Animals on the edge of the hamlet.  Tom and Jerry, two of the animals living with her, find a dragon's egg that soon hatches.  Suddenly, Tom is “mama” to a baby dragon that Athena names, Puffy (Kelly Stables).  However, Drizelda is determined to steal Puffy as part of her new diabolical plan.

Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon blends elements of the Lord of the Rings film and of Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.  Sometimes, it is hard to tell where the Tolkien ends and the Disney begins.  The crocodile from Walt Disney's Peter Pan, or one that really looks like it, also appears as one of Athena's “unwanted animals.”  The Lost Dragon's animation even looks like a Disney house-style.

Beyond that, there is nothing noteworthy about Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon.  It has a few cute songs, and a few of the characters are mildly amusing.  The villain, Drizelda, is half-menancing, and her henchman, a trio of cats:  Tin, Pan, and Alley, steal a few scenes and provide some comic relief.

Surprisingly, for so average a Tom and Jerry cartoon, Tom and Jerry are actually pretty good in this movie.  Their antics seem natural and fluid, whereas much of this movie seems stiff.  I think Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon needs more Tom and Jerry.

5 of 10
C+

Tuesday, February 17, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: "Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure" Goes to Disneyland

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 73 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure (2013) – straight-to-video
Running time:  57 minutes
PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS:  Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITER:  Paul Dini
EDITOR:  Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER: Michael Tavera
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Yearim Productions Co. Ltd.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY and ADVENTURE/FAMILY/MUSICAL

Starring:  (voices) Jacob Bertrand, Grey DeLisle, Garrison Keillor, Paul Reubens, Tom Wilson, Kath Soucie, Joe Alaskey, John DiMaggio, Phil LaMarr, and Richard McGonagle

Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure is a 2013 animated direct-to-video film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry.  Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this film offers a Tom and Jerry spin on the fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk.  In Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure, the cat and mouse duo help a boy try to save his family’s theme park.

Once upon a time, Joe Bradley opened Storybook Town, a fairy tale-inspired theme park.  “Where dreams come true if you believe” became Bradley’s motto for the park.  He shared his dream with his wife, Violet (Grey DeLisle), and eventually with their son, Jack (Jacob Bertrand).  After Joe died, however, Storybook Town fell on hard times.

Now, Tom and Jerry are the last animals living in Storybook Town, but they are faithful servants of Jack.  The boy and his mother are desperate to save the park from the machinations of Mr. Bigley (Tom Wilson), a greedy billionaire and owner of Bigley’s Super Strip Malls.  Bigley wants to demolish Storybook Town and turn the property into a strip mall (what else?).

Jack believes some mysterious magical beans will help him save the park, but all they do is take him and Tom and Jerry to Fairyland.  There, the trio discovers that its denizens are also under the boot of a greedy bully, a giant named Mr. Ginormous (Tom Wilson).  Can Tom and Jerry stop their feuding long enough to join Jack in his bid to help the people of Fairyland and to maybe save Storybook Town?

Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure starts off a bit melancholy, with its themes of death, decay, and poverty.  Plus, the story’s allusions to Walt Disney and Disneyland are a little off-putting – to me, at least.  Is this an homage or sly dig?  However, once the story gains a clear sense of purpose and the heroes have a goal (or goals), the movie becomes a bright adventure that radiates with hope.

As for as the production values, the animation is on par with recent Tom and Jerry films, but the art direction is not special.  The character animation on Mr. Ginormous is the standout in this movie.

A number of Tom and Jerry’s fellow MGM animated characters make their usual appearances:  Droopy Dog (Joe Alaskey), Barney Bear (Richard McGonagle), Screwy Squirrel (Paul Reubens), Spyke and Tyke (Phil LaMarr), etc.  I must say that these are not the best versions of the characters, and they have been put to better use in other Tom and Jerry flicks.  The classic MGM sexpot character, “Red,” appears in this movie as Red Fairy (Grey DeLisle), but she is a tepid version of her red-hot self, but still manages to be a little risqué.  Radio legend and spoken word artist, Garrison Keillor, gives voice to the character, Farmer O’Dell.  I can’t say that his performance does anything particularly special for this film, but Keillor’s presence does strike an odd note.

Strangely, the thing that really appeals to me is this film’s sense of hope and perseverance.  In Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure, there is the sparkle of magic to go with the movie’s spark of hope.  I found myself really believing in miracles, and for me, that makes what could have been an average movie a little special.

6 of 10
B

Tuesday, October 29, 2013


The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Cartoon Network Announces 2013-2014 Season

Cartoon Network Gets In Front of the Upfront

#1 Boys Network Breaks Tradition and Takes The Show on The Road To Over 15 Cities

New and Returning Hit Series to Highlight the 2013-2014 Season Following Cartoon Network’s Most-Watched Year Ever

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Armed with record-setting ratings success as the only top kids’ network to achieve across-the-board growth in 2012 and its most-watched year in Prime in its 20-year history, Cartoon Network is jumping ahead of the customary Kids Upfront season and taking its show on the road with the CARTOON NETWORKING ROAD TOUR. With more than a dozen new productions and multiple returning hit series now slated for the 2013 and early 2014 season, Cartoon Network brought its road-show presentation directly to key clients and promotional partners at their respective home bases the week of January 21 and will continue into March.

Network, ad sales, marketing and programming executives will travel to more than 15 key cities across the country to visit clients and promotional partners. Along with its presentation, the network also plans to “take over” the building at each of its visits with custom activations that will include the distribution of unique branded premiums to employees.

“As viewers continue to interact with the Cartoon Network brand and content across a variety of screens, our advertising partners look to us for more innovative and engaging opportunities that provide greater reach for their messages,” said Donna Speciale, president of Turner Entertainment and Young Adults Ad Sales. “This year, we are breaking away from a traditional upfront presentation to engage with advertisers in a series of conversations that will focus on the development of ideas that leverage our brand strength to meet the goals of our partners. As our success and momentum continue to grow across all screens, we believe it’s an ideal time for advertisers to reassess their investments and strategically increase their media budgets with Cartoon Network.”

Cartoon Network will announce an impressive line-up of new original and acquired programming that began last Thursday, Jan. 24, with the premiere of Incredible Crew, a half-hour live-action sketch comedy show from entertainer Nick Cannon. Additionally, Cartoon Network Studios will produce three new original animated comedy series—Steven Universe, Uncle Grandpa and Clarence—each developed from its vibrant and prolific shorts program. Also from Cartoon Network Studios, two new original animated specials based on the #1 network series hits Adventure Time and Regular Show, plus a brand new, redesigned and re-imagined CG-animated special starring three of Cartoon Network’s earliest stars, The Powerpuff Girls—which also includes an original song performed by Beatles legend Ringo Starr—will premiere later this year.

Partnering with powerhouse producers, Cartoon Network will introduce two new action-adventure half-hour series based on popular heroes from DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! and Beware The Batman; a new animated series from LEGO, Legends of Chima; a new animated musical-comedy series, Grojband, from FremantleMedia Ltd.; an all-new series iteration of the world’s most famous cat-and-mouse duo, The Tom and Jerry Show, produced by Warner Bros. Animation; a new season of the hit animated Total Drama “reality” series from CAKE Distribution, Total Drama All Stars; and also from LEGO, three quarterly installment specials of The Yoda Chronicles, a new CG-animated foray into the “Original Saga” world of Star Wars.

“Building upon the success we achieved last year, we have secured even more new programming plus all-new episodes of current hit series that continue to define the global brand vision for Cartoon Network,” said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer, Turner Broadcasting’s Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media (AYAKM). “With our network branding and content strategy in place and working, we couldn’t see any reason to wait to share it with our partners. So we’re taking our message directly to them to help set the stage for optimum growth into the 2013-14 season.”

Among the network’s returning series, the Monday night line-up (7-9 p.m.) of original animated comedies that has ranked #1 on all television throughout 2012 among boys will return this year with all-new seasons, including the pop-culture phenomenon Adventure Time, the Primetime Emmy® Award-winning Regular Show, and additional new episodes of the Web-originated sensation Annoying Orange. Also returning with new seasons/episodes are Cartoon Network’s exclusive animated hit comedies The Amazing World of Gumball, The Looney Tunes Show, MAD, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Inc. and Johnny Test.

On the action-adventure front, dramatic new seasons of key hit series have been slated, including the action-comedy series DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk, based on the critically-acclaimed feature film, How to Train Your Dragon; and Ben 10 Omniverse, from the global franchise powerhouse Ben 10.

In addition, Cartoon Network announced that its successful and innovative shorts program will continue at Cartoon Network Studios, producing a new slate of original shorts in 2013 via its dedicated production unit.

“Our unique approach to animation development has paid off in the form of many successful returning series, each with a giant fan base behind them,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer for Cartoon Network. “These new animated series forge diverse, new ground, and stem from our Cartoon Network Studios pipeline, which continues to cultivate the most talented minds working in TV animation today.”

Further details of Cartoon Network’s programming announcements include the following:

CARTOON NETWORK NEW SERIES
•Incredible Crew: Incredible Crew, is a live-action, half-hour, sketch comedy series from producer and entertainer Nick Cannon. Every episode of this high-energy, fast-paced show delivers hilarious comedy bits, outrageous hidden camera pranks, original music videos and commercial parodies all with a distinct attitude—a contemporary blend of internet sensibility mixed with kid imagination. Incredible Crew showcases six up-and-coming young comedy stars featured in diverse roles in every genre Shauna Case (American Horror Story), Shameik Moore (Joyful Noise), Tristan Pasterick, Chanelle Peloso (Level Up), Jeremy Shada (Adventure Time) and Brandon Soo Hoo (Enders Game, Tropic Thunder). Nick Cannon serves as executive producer of Incredible Crew along with Michael Goldman and Scott Tomlinson. The series is produced by Cartoon Network Studios in association with NCredible Entertainment.

•Steven Universe: Slated to debut in 2013, Steven Universe is a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of Steven, the youngest member of a team of magical Guardians of the Universe. The animated series was conceived as part of the shorts development initiative at Cartoon Network Studios, and is created by Emmy® and Annie Award-nominated writer and storyboard artist Rebecca Sugar (Adventure Time). Sugar is Cartoon Network’s first solo female show creator.

•Uncle Grandpa: Also slated for 2013, Uncle Grandpa is based upon the Emmy®-nominated short of the same name and follows the exploits of Uncle Grandpa—everyone in the world's “magical” uncle and grandpa. Created and executive produced by Pete Browngardt (creator of Cartoon Network’s Emmy®, Annie and Annecy Cristal Award-winning Secret Mountain Fort Awesome), Uncle Grandpa was conceived as part of the shorts development program at Cartoon Network Studios.

•Clarence: From creator Skyler Page, Clarence is a new original animated series about an optimistic boy who wants to do everything. Because everything is amazing! Clarence was conceived as part of the shorts development program at Cartoon Network Studios.

•Teen Titans Go!: Featuring the return of Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg in all-new, comedic adventures, Teen Titans Go! will premiere in April 2013. Character-driven comedy is the order of the day as this new take on the superhero series focuses on the funny business that happens between saving the world and living together as teenagers without adult supervision. The series stars the principal voice cast from the original Teen Titans, and is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.

•Beware the Batman: A cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise, Beware the Batman incorporates Batman’s core characters with a rogue gallery of new villains not previously seen in animated form. Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City’s criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a “Batman show.” Featuring cutting-edge CGI visuals, Beware the Batman, based on characters from DC Comics, is coming to Cartoon Network’s DC Nation block in Summer 2013.

•Legends of Chima: In the mystical land of CHIMA, Laval the Lion and Cragger the Crocodile are the best of friends. An innocent escapade results in Cragger getting his first experience with the CHI, a powerful and sacred resource important to the delicate balance of CHIMA. The CHI gives awesome power to the user but needs to be managed carefully and certainly not by young adventurous animals. From LEGO, creator of Cartoon Network’s powerhouse action-adventure series Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, Legends of Chima will premiere in Summer 2013.

•Grojband: 12-year-old Corey is the front man for a rockin’ garage band. There’s just one problem: Corey’s lyrics stink. He just can’t think of anything cool to write about, until…he finds his sister’s diary that’s full of “teen angst and junk” and decides to use each diary entry as inspiration for crowd pleasing, heart stopping, foot stomping hit songs. Grojband is distributed by FremantleMedia Ltd. and produced by Fresh TV, creator of the hit animated reality franchise Total Drama Island.

•The Tom and Jerry Show: The iconic cat and mouse rivals are back in The Tom and Jerry Show, a fresh take on the classic series. Preserving the look, characters and sensibility of the original, the all-new series shines a brightly colored, high-definition lens on the madcap slapstick and never-ending battle that has made Tom and Jerry two of the most beloved characters of all time. The Tom and Jerry Show is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.

•Total Drama All Stars: Total Drama is back, but this time the team at Fresh TV have assembled the best loved and most hated contestants from seasons past to compete - Heroes vs. Villains style! Total Drama Island is produced by Fresh TV and distributed by CAKE Distribution.

SPECIALS AND MOVIES
•Adventure Time Special: Highly-regarded comedic actors Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Donald Glover (Community) will be featured in a special episode of Cartoon Network’s hit animated series Adventure Time. The episode, “Bad Little Boy,” is slated to premiere February 18 as part of the series’ fifth and current season. Reprising his role as Prince Gumball from season three’s much-loved gender switch episode “Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake,” Neil Patrick Harris will join Donald Glover, as Marshall Lee, the musical male counterpart to fan favorite Marceline the Vampire Queen in this second installment of the Fionna and Cake (derived from Finn and Jake) saga. In this special episode, the princesses are sick and tired of Ice King’s crazy Fionna and Cake stories, so Marceline stops by the Ice Kingdom to show him how it’s done.

•Regular Show Special: Regular Show, Cartoon Network's Emmy® Award-winning animated comedy featuring best friends Mordecai, a six-foot-tall blue jay and Rigby, a hyperactive raccoon, is slated for a 30-minute Thanksgiving special, Regular Show style. Mordecai and Rigby accidentally ruin Thanksgiving and must find a way to save it before their families arrive for dinner. The gang pulls together to help make it the best Thanksgiving ever! Regular Show, currently in its' fourth season, has become an instant hit continually ranking #1 in its time period among all key boy demos across all of television according to Nielsen Media Research.

•The Powerpuff Girls Special: “Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice…plus a dash of mysterious Chemical X” were the essential ingredients that created Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup—also known as The Powerpuff Girls. This groundbreaking and Emmy®-winning series, created by Craig McCracken, ran on Cartoon Network from 1998-2005 and will soar again as a brand-new, redesigned and re-imagined CG special coming in 2013 where the trio of pint-sized super heroines will be called upon to rescue not just the city of Townsville, but the USA and the world! Featuring an original song “I Wish I Was A Powerpuff Girl” performed by Beatles legend Ringo Starr, who also portrays Townsville’s most famous flamboyant mathematician, “Fibonacci Sequins,” this all-new original special comes from a powerhouse creative team featuring animation talent from around the globe including acclaimed director Dave Smith and award-winning art director Kevin Dart and is produced by Cartoon Network Studios in association with UK’s Passion Pictures. The special also features the original voice cast reprising their iconic roles and will premiere later this year.

•The Yoda Chronicles: LEGO Star Wars returns in epic style with THE YODA CHRONICLES, a thrilling, funny and action-packed new LEGO Star Wars story told in three animated TV specials! Set in the “Prequel” Star Wars timeline, THE YODA CHRONICLES stars the one and only Yoda—the Jedi Master who has seen it all, done it all, and taught generations of Jedi Knights—in an all-new adventure. With the help of a fresh class of Padawans, Yoda leads the Jedi in a desperate fight to stop Darth Sidious and his minions from creating a new super-weapon that could crush the Republic and win the war for the forces of Evil.

RETURNING SERIES/SPECIALS
•Adventure Time
•Regular Show
•Annoying Orange
•MAD
•The Amazing World of Gumball
•The Looney Tunes Show
•Ben 10 Omniverse
•Dreamworks Dragons: Riders of Berk
•Scooby-Doo! Mystery Inc.
•Johnny Test
•Pokémon Black & White: Adventures in Unova
•Beyblade Metal Fury
•Almost Naked Animals
•Scaredy Squirrel

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Review: Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 96 (of 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux


Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse (2012) – straight-to-video
Running time: 58 minutes
PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS: Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITERS: Earl Kress and Michael F. Ryan; from a story by Earl Kress
EDITOR: Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER: Michael Tavera
SONGS: Michael Tavera, Scott Bradley, Spike Brandt, Alan Burnett, and Michael F. Ryan
ANIMATION STUDIO: Yearim Productions Co. Ltd.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY/FAMILY/MUSICAL

Starring: (voices) Jamie Bamber, Charles Shaughnessy, John Michael Higgins, Grey DeLisle, Joe Alaskey, John DiMaggio, Clive Revill, Phil LaMarr, Richard McGonagle, Greg Ellis, and Jess Harnell

Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse is a 2012 animated direct-to-video film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this film basically takes Tom and Jerry and places them in a cartoon version of the 1938 Warner Bros. film, The Adventures of Robin Hood, which starred Errol Flynn as Robin Hood. The cartoon Robin Hood in Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse is essentially a caricature of Flynn’s Robin Hood.

Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse is set in a time similar to the High Middle Ages. Prince John (John Michael Higgins) rules England while his brother, King Richard the Lionheart (Clive Revill), is out of the country fighting in the Crusades. Living in Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood (Jamie Bamber) and his Merry Men rob the rich of their coin and treasure and give that loot to the poor.

The Sheriff of Nottingham (Charles Shaughnessy) is determined to capture Robin Hood and tells his boss, Prince John, that he believes that Robin has a spy in the castle. The Sheriff sends his cat-at-arms, Thomas Cat, to capture the spy. Tom catches Jerry Mouse attempting to contact Maid Marian (Grey DeLisle), who is secretly romancing Robin. Thus, cat and mouse begin their small, private war. When the scope of Prince John’s schemes are revealed, however, enemies may have to become friends in order to save both the throne and England.

I didn’t expect much of Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse, but it turned out to be rather entertaining. The art direction for the animation is just a little on the high side of the work that appears in direct-to-DVD productions from Warner Bros. Animation. A faux-musical, the movie’s songs are good. Actually, the songs are surprisingly good, a little better than I would expect of a straight-to-video cartoon.

By the time, Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse ended, I would have enjoyed a little more, so I’ll recommend it to those who have seen other Tom and Jerry DVD movies.

6 of 10
B

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Review: "Tom and Jerry & the Wizard of Oz" is a Twister of Fun

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 80 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz (2011) – straight-to-video
Running time: 59 minutes
DIRECTORS: Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITER: Gene Grillo (based upon characters created by L. Frank Baum and William Hanna and Joseph Barbera)
PRODUCERS: Sam Register (executive) and Spike Brandt (supervising) and Tony Cervone (supervising)
EDITORS: Kyle Stafford and Damon P. Yoches
ANIMATION STUDIO: Yearim Productions Co. Ltd.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY/
ADVENTURE/FAMILY

Starring: (voices) Grey DeLisle, Joe Alaskey, Michael Gough, Rob Paulsen, Todd Stashwick, Frances Conroy, Laraine Newman, Stephen Root, and Kath Soucie

Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz is a 2011 animated direct-to-video film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz basically takes the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz, and rewrites the movie so that Tom and Jerry (who began as MGM cartoon characters) are right along side Dorothy, Toto, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the rest of the characters from the beloved film.

Life is simple on the Gale farm. High-strung Dorothy (Grey DeLisle) lives with her Auntie Em (Frances Conroy) and Uncle Henry (Stephen Root), three farm hands, and her cute dog, Toto. Tom and Jerry are not only helpers on the farm, but they are also Dorothy’s companions. When Toto gets in trouble, Dorothy gets a little panicky, so Auntie Em asks Tom and Jerry to keep an eye on her.

Later, a terrible tornado transports Dorothy and Toto to the Land of Oz where they go on an adventure to the Emerald City. Tom and Jerry were also transported to Oz. Reminded of their promise to watch over Dorothy, Tom, Jerry, and the plucky Tuffy the Munchkin Mouse (Kath Soucie) race to protect Dorothy from The Wicked Witch of the West (Laraine Newman), who, of course, wants Dorothy’s ruby slippers.

Because of its repeated showings on television beginning in 1956, The Wizard of Oz is one of the most famous movies ever made. I frequently include it in my lists of the 10 best films ever made, so you might think that I would consider Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz practically sacrilegious. I don’t. This animated film is simply like a side story to the original film, except in this case, the original film has been transformed into animation.

Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz is funny, and the scenes with Tom and Jerry range from comical to surreal, and the surreal elements make this little movie really fit with the original. The animation is quite good, and the backgrounds, sets, and colors are even better; this is just a pretty film for start to finish.

The voice performances are excellent, especially Laraine Newman as the Wicked Witch of the West. Newman deftly channels Margaret Hamilton, who voiced the Witch in the 1939 film. In fact, the other actors who give voice to the cartoon versions of the original film’s characters come close to sounding like the actors who played them. Tuffy, a character from the original Tom and Jerry cartoon shorts, always annoyed me, but here, as Tuffy the Munchkin Mouse, he is delightful.

If you like Tom and Jerry or want a good animated movie for young viewers, you will not go wrong with Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz.

7 of 10
A-

Thursday, October 06, 2011

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Review: "Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes" and a Good Time is Had

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 82 (of 2010) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010) – Video
Running time: 50 minutes
DIRECTORS: Spike Brandt and Jeff Siergey
ANIMATION DIRECTOR: Kirk Tingblad
WRITER: Earl Kress (based upon the characters created by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna)
PRODUCER: Bobbie Page
EDITOR: Robert S. Birchard

ANIMATION/COMEDY/ACTION/MYSTERY

Starring: (voices) Jeff Bergman, Grey DeLisle, Greg Ellis, Jess Harnell, Phil LaMarr, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, Kath Soucie, and Michael York

Tom, a house cat, and Jerry, the brown house mouse he chases, have been cartoon stars for 70 years. In addition to appearing in over a hundred cartoon shorts and numerous television shows, Tom and Jerry have also starred in a series of straight-to-video movies, beginning with Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring in 2001. Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes is the sixth in the series, and like the others, is a traditional, hand-drawn (or 2D) animated film. Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes finds Tom as the assistant or companion to a beautiful dancer and Jerry as an assistant to literature’s most famous detective.

In London, a trio of bat-winged cats is stealing the city’s most precious and famous jewels. Sherlock Holmes (Michael York) and Dr. Watson (John Rhys-Davies) are on the case, with a little help from Holmes’ mouse, Jerry. Meanwhile, a beautiful club singer named Red (Grey DeLisle) and her cat, Tom, seek Holmes’ help. Red believes that she will be framed for the jewel thefts, and she needs the famous detective to prove that she is innocent. How is Red involved? Is Professor Moriarty (Malcolm McDowell), Holmes’ nemesis, involved, and if he is, how? Classic MGM cartoon characters Droopy, Butch, and Spike and his son, Tyke, join the fun.

Once again, Warner Bros. Animation delivers a high-quality, straight-to-video movie, and frankly, I was shocked by how much I liked Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes. The character animation is good, and the characters move pretty well, well enough to make the action scenes, some of which are high-flying or fast-moving, look good. The character designs are also surprisingly good, and the drawing style is reminiscent of late 1980s and early 1990s Disney television animation like Duck Tales.

Here, the people who worked on this movie certainly acted as if they were working on something just as important as a big budget, theatrical animated feature. The background art: the exteriors of building, cityscapes, a graveyard, the countryside and the interiors of houses, a church, and various businesses are not only good-looking, but also convincingly visualize this movie’s idealized Victorian era, London setting.

The most important thing, however, is whether Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes is any good, and I’m happy to say that it is indeed good in terms of quality and fun to watch. The story deftly combines Tom and Jerry’s usual antics of beating the crap out of each other with a cartoon, mystery caper full of chases and narrow escapes. These aren’t the best versions of Holmes, Watson, and Moriarty, but they will do. The appearance of classic MGM cartoon characters looking fresh, new, and lively is a bonus. Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes will please both old Tom and Jerry fans and young viewers who enjoy animated films.

7 of 10
B+

Monday, October 04, 2010

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