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LARRYBOY: THE CARTOON ADVENTURES
The Angry Eyebrows
Review by Michael Jacobson
Creators:
Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby
Stereo
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Studio: Big Idea
Features: See Review
Length: 31 Minutes
Release Date: March 19, 2002
“Archie!
I've been cheesed!”
“Don't
worry, Larryboy…use the radar controlled spatula on your utility belt!”
“Wow…I
never thought I'd need a radar controlled spatula…”
Larry
the Cucumber has lost dimension!
No,
that's not an assessment of his character…merely a note that Larry, the
computer-generated co-star of Big Idea's VeggieTales series has taken on a
traditionally animated form for his latest home video adventure.
Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures pits Larry's superhero alter-ego
Larryboy against a new villain with a dastardly plan that threatens all of
Bumblyburg!
That
villain is Awful Alvin, who, along with his trusty (?) sidekick Lampy, has
unleashed a terrible plague upon the good citizens of Bumblyburg…the Awful
Eyebrows. What do they do?
Simple. Anyone caught
holding on to their anger gets a pair of these diabolically bushy brows attached
to their face, making sure their anger holds on to them as well!
When
even Larry's loyal friends at the Daily Bumble, including Junior Asparagus and
editor-in-chief Bob the Tomato succumb to the Angry Eyebrows, he knows only a
true hero can save the day. “I AM
that hero!” he proclaims…and with the aid of his trusty butler Archibald in
the Larry Cave, Larryboy is off to save the day!
This
hand-drawn animated film maintains a lot of the humor and morality of the
VeggieTales series…we learn in this episode, of course, that God doesn't
want us to hold on to our anger, and why…but I think it lacks a bit of the
charm. There's just something
about those 3D vegetables that captured my heart!
That being said, Larryboy might be a disc that smaller children
will enjoy more. It's fast,
funny, and colorful, and there's not much danger of any jokes going over their
young heads.
As
long as VeggieTales continues to produce their computer animated programs, I see
no harm in an occasional traditionally animated Larryboy offering.
After all, in a world of uncertainties, isn't it nice to know we have a
hero with suction cups for ears to protect us?
BONUS:
Also included is the cartoon short “Fly By Might”.
Video
****
All
the VeggieTales DVD offerings have been pillars of quality in the video transfer
department, and the flat drawing style of Larryboy doesn't make it an
exception. Animation and DVD go
well together, and this bright, colorful offering is a smashing looking disc
from start to finish, with a clean print and no grain, softness or compression
to mar the way.
Audio
****
I
have to consider Larryboy's 5.1 audio track to be even an improvement
over previous VeggieTales offerings, if only because the story is more
action-oriented and provides more chances for the rear stage and subwoofer to
come into play! This is also a very
LOUD and DYNAMIC soundtrack…I had to crank my system down a few notches when
it started, but that didn't spoil the listening experience, which is
well-balance, features smooth crossovers, and carries bass and treble equally
well. A superb track!
Features
***1/2
Most
of the disc's features are aimed at the little ones…there are a pair of
games, including a trivia one based on the episode (play it more than once, the
questions don't always repeat), and a lid-swapping game, where you can pick
your character and put someone else's head on him…cute.
There are numerous trailers for other Big Idea productions and offerings,
plus galleries of artwork, storyboards and animation progressions with director
commentary, that features both characters and backgrounds.
A learn-to-draw segment shows you how to draw Larryboy, regular Larry and
Awful Alvin. There is a guide to
the heroes and villains of Bumblyburg, plus a Larry-oke version of the theme
song. Rounding out is Phil
Vischer's take on Larry's new 2-D form, and some extras for your DVD ROM.
Summary: