Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
The Looney Tunes Show – Season One, Volume 2 collects four episodes of the new Cartoon Network series on a single DVD. Normally I would complain about the relative lack of content – the disc’s total running time is only 89 minutes – but this reboot of the classic series is such a kick, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from checking it out. The first season began airing in May of 2011 and has yet to conclude, with the last of its 26 episodes due to air in early 2012. Season One, Volume 1 is, of course, already available and contains the first four episodes.
The concept for the series is simple: Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are roommates. They live together in a suburb populated by all the classic Looney Tunes characters, including Sylvester and Tweety, Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, and the Tasmanian Devil. It’s a real kick seeing Bugs and Daffy bicker like Felix and Oscar from The Odd Couple.
The storylines are inventive and unpredictable. In “Monster Talent,” the first episode on the disc, Bugs unwittingly becomes a local celebrity after filming a commercial for Speedy Gonzales’ new line of frozen pizzas. Yes, it’s definitely a different take on the classic Looney Tunes, one that has apparently ruffled the feathers of some purists in fact. But these episodes are consistently clever.
Each episode also features a Merrie Melodies short, with classic characters singing new songs. Rounding out the variety format, each episode also includes a Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote short. The latter are computer animated, with a very different look courtesy of producers Crew972 (as opposed to the main features which are produced by Warner Bros. Animation). In spite of their modern appearance, the Road Runner shorts are similar in content to their predecessors.
With only four episodes and no bonus material, The Looney Tunes Show – Season One, Volume 2 is a pretty skimpy DVD offering. But this show is such a clever reinvention of the beloved Looney Tunes characters, it really deserves a look. While entirely appropriate for youngsters, this animated sitcom will crack up viewers of all ages.
