Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... Reviewed!

Before I jump in, I have to give a thanks to WB for supplying a copy of this show for the review. My opinions are my own.

Dexter's Laboratory takes me back in time. I remember when it premiered on Cartoon Network under the "What a Cartoon!" line-up... along with Powerpuff Girls and Cow & Chicken. There may have been another show but I can't recall. Dexter's Laboratory was interesting. How interesting? Well... let's dive into the complete series and find out. Wait wait wait, before we jump in, I can't speak on interesting... without speaking on the case. I like the way they wrapped it with a cover that looks like Dexter... allowing you to see the case through his glasses. Slide it up just right, and you can see his sister sneaking through his lab. Okay, now let's... proceed!

 Story: When it comes to the story of Dexter's Lab(oratory), it revolves around... Dexter (duh of the day), who's basically Einstein in a third graders body trying to keep his lab a secret (though his sister always finds a way in).

His genius doesn't eliminate the fact that he's still a little boy, and it shows throughout the various scenarios he finds himself in on a daily basis. Speaking of his sister, Dee Dee, is definitely given the role of a complete airhead, but... she's a lot more free spirited and enjoy's childhood a lot more than Dexter. She flexes her brain power at times. He give's me the vibe of a cranky old man to a degree, with the voice of a villain. It's part of his charm though, especially when taking on different challenges that are caused by his own creations most of the time. Outside of the lab, you get to see more of those reactions and remarks, and his human side shows. One prime example is the episode when the babysitter comes over to watch him and Dee Dee. He clearly likes her, but there's an obvious age difference.

He's still Dexter, so he used his skills in a few ways in this episode when he became jealous of her boyfriend. One tactic worked out to a degree to get her and her boyfriend to temporarily split, but... he's still a small kid. So when he went to comfort the babysitter, she said "If only you were 10 years older". He did what Dexter would do, made that a reality... but he didn't take into account that his face would be covered in acne. Another example is when he was sitting on the couch watching Action Hank, he was in full kid-mode. He even hid when the antagonist appeared.

Anyway, you get 3 mini episodes packed into each episode (for the most part), and they're quite the easy watch with the comedic charm. One of the downsides to the mini episodes is the desire to see more of a particular mini episode, but... the variety is cool.  Speaking of variety, you will see scenarios like Dee Dee being transformed into Dexter's mom, a T-Rex/Pet Dog (aka Jurassic Pooch), episodes involving super heroes, etc. The episodes involving the heroes, definitely changes up the pace... it gives you a break from Dexter and Dee Dee. While reviewing the show, something dawned on me. Dexter's a little boy taking on grown men like Santa and even the freaking Janitor who throws forks at him, and literally gets into a fist fight. The janitor would totally be under the jail if that were reality, but looking at the show back then... I didn't think much of it. Crazy.

Before I speak on one of my favorite features in the show, I have to say that Mandark is the perfect villain for Dexter but I don't really care for the episodes he appears in for the most part. He's necessary though, afterall... he's the official antagonist, but... there were other go to episodes that I'd much rather watch (is all), like... Dial M for Monkey. Monkey is a bad ass super hero that Dexter believes is just a typical monkey he was unable to successfully experiment on. He has super speed, super strength, telekenisis, heat vision, telepathy, he can fly, use his mouth as a sonic ray, etc. Outside of Dee Dee and Dexter, he's one of my faves, along with Valhallen, and a few of the other Justice Friends. You will see the "Dial M for Monkey" segments tucked in here and there.

The show is well rounded with a unique premise, diverse characters, I love the superhero elements, the humor (some of which is rated PG), and the relatable themes, plus Mandark provides story progression so that there aren't just random scenarios by way of the mini episodes. On top of the episodes, Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... also includes the Ego Trip movie.  Not to give it away, but... "Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip" is a movie that aired back on December 10, 1999. Do you remember those times? It's crazy, because it seems like it's a different world from today's time.

Anyway, the story follows Dexter as he discovers how he saved... the future, so it certainly involves time travel. He will be taking on Mandark, and there will be different Dexter's he comes in contact with. There's the young adult version of Dexter being treated like crap by his boss, Mandark. The middle-aged Dexter who is dealing with Mandark in his own way, as well as grandpa Dexter. They went hard with this film, but... I don't want to spoil it for you but it has humor, suspense, etc.

 Visuals: Visually speaking, the art style of Dexter's Lab is... on the wonky side. Their shapes are very exaggerated. Dexter is bite sized, while Dee Dee is elongated and you can see the bold lines and vibrant colors throughout the Dexterverse. The characters are easily recognizable as well, making Dexter's Lab one of the more eye catching shows from the "What a Cartoon!" lineup. You definitely get classic toon + anime look here.

The character's aren't the only vibrant things you see on the screen, the environment's fit the theme and don't fall flat. The movie's quality is enhanced, so you will see improved visuals without the art style being compromised. You get a cinematic feel from the movie, the different Dexter's stand out... along with the environments in their future setting.

 Audio: Sound wise... the show and movie are delivered in standard Dolby Digital, but... you will get enhanced audio in the film. It's more detailed and the audio effects are more immersive.

 Price: Pricewise... you can get Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series + Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip for $69.99. Solid price, no complaints... I like what they did with the box art, but (but but but... yes there is a but) I would've totally included a Dexter's Lab poster with all main and reoccuring characters. If fans are buying this... adding a poster is how you make this a steal. Speaking of steal, you can get it here for... $49.96!

Overall, Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... serves as a delightful trip down memory lane, reminding us of a different era in animation while still maintaining its charm and humor for modern audiences. It's a solid show that doesn't feel outdated.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Rick and Morty: The Complete Seventh Season... Reviewed!

Shout out to Warner Bros for providing a copy of this show for review. My opinions are my own!

Rick and Morty: The Complete Seventh Season is here... serving up all types of adventure that's out of this world, but is it worth the money? Let's jump in and find out.

Story: Season 7 revolves around Rick for the most part. You will see it unfold with various episodes, and he even goes to therapy (we're getting deeper). Episode 1 kicks off with the family sitting at the dinner table complaining about Mr. Poopy overstaying his welcome.

How Poopy Got His Poop Back... is a nice start to the season. Rick and... the boys are challenged with doing an intervention for Mr. Poopy, but as you'd safely assume with this show... it doesn't exactly go as planned (but it's packed with fun). This episode is a trip, it features Hugh Jackman, and it wraps up with vibes that remind me of the end of... Boyz In The Hood. The references don't stop there (you already know).

Let the credits roll though... let the credits roll, there's a nice addition at the end of this episode. If you pay attention to the episode, you will get the connection.

Episode 2 is a twist on the relationship between Rick & Jerry... literally. I didn't see this coming. Rick & Jerry get closer than ever (not exactly Captain Planet close, but... almost). Not sure which episode I like more...  between episodes 1 or 2, but the season is off to a great start.

Episode 3 is action-packed and is almost similar to Invasion of the Body Snatcher (vs... invasion of President body snatcher). You'll see what I mean. I would've dialed up the final battle between both sides a bit more, but I'm not mad at it because it unfolded in a comedic way.

Episode 4 is the theme you see on the cover art, just make sure you don't watch it on spaghetti night. My daughter saw the box and asked me what it was... and it's indeed spaghetti, but she isn't old enough to know how it's made in this episode. Now that's... Amorte! The way this episode was rounded out... it ended in a strategic way. It was cool to see how a certain simulation played out, and then they brought you back into the realm of Rick & Morty to wrap things up. Let the credits roll.

Episode 5 gets you back in the game with Rick taking on Rick Prime, but... I'll leave this one alone. It's a kickass episode, but I'd rather you watch it yourself to get the scope. By the way, Rise of the Numericons: The Movie is... sweet, and features Ice-T (as the father of Ice-T) who is better known as... Water-T. It's basically letters vs numbers, and if it wasn't heavy on the ridiculousness I'd be tempted to let my daughter see this episode (you gotta see it). Let the credits roll! Episodes 5 & 8 are my faves.

Episode 6 is quite comical, it's full of clips presented by an Observer and objections on top of objections... challenged by solid points that... also get objections. I thought this episode was clever. There were other episodes in this category, but I thought this was more clever than action-packed. If you think I'm wrong, I'll object to that!

Overall, you get the idea, lots of action, explosions, movie references, comedy, more explosions, a Pokeball, commendable trash talk, plenty of booze + a dash of uncertainty. You can't go wrong with season 7, the episodes keep the good times rolling for the most part (and the story progresses forward in a meaningful way). There is a twist that you won't see coming, but you'll appreciate it for the most part. You might find yourself binge-watching with ease.

Visuals: Visually speaking, the art style remains tried and true to what we're accustomed. Certain episodes give you not-so-familiar art styles, like Rise of the Numericons: The Movie (although this is technically a return from season 2, "Get Schwifty") & Fear No Mort (the ghoulish spirits), but they fit right in.

Audio: Audio in season 7 is what you'd expect, nice and clean, and enjoyable explosions. For the most part I found myself trying to follow what was going on and what was being said... but I appreciate the sound effects. Rick and Morty: Season 7 features DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 & Dolby Audio.

Price + Extras: You can get Rick and Morty: The Complete Seventh Season in a Steelbook for $34.99, Blu-ray for $24.99, and on DVD for $19.99.

Extras:

• 10 Inside the Episode featurettes
• Directing Unmortricken
• The Characters of Season 7
• Inside Season 7

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price + Extras 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever... Reviewed!

Story: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a film about Greg Heffley's holiday adventure involving him and his best friend Rowley doing a bad bad thing and fearing that this will bring Christmas crashing down on him as others get closer and closer to the truth of finding out who the actual culprits were who damaged a snow plowing truck. This set off a crazy chain of events as Greg went on a mission to cover up what he did and still walk away with a win on Christmas. What's the win? Well, it's a new game system, unless he's exposed for being naughty. This film is rated PG, so basically if you're familiar with the franchise and you let your children watch Home Alone films, you might not find an issue with this installment either.

Visuals: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is visually appealing, and I enjoyed the animated action from beginning to end. They took the traditional diary of a wimpy kid art style and maintained it in 3D without making the characters look weird. You're going to see various angles in this 4K Ultra HD film, from the worm's eye view looking up at the top of the basement stairs, to the bird's eye view of Rowley looking down at Greg wondering what the heck he was doing outside of his window. There were some pretty cool angles mixed in during this adventure.

Audio: Audio-wise, this film features Dolby Atmos in 5.1... so crank up the surround sound to a tolerable level to immerse yourself and enjoy this family-focused Christmas comedy. The sound is clean, and they deliver the music and sound effects at the right times to boost the immersive experience. Revealing Alfrendo is a great example. There was background music, but it amps up a bit for effect.

Price: Pricewise, you aren't paying a thing for this film outside of your Disney Plus subscription. That includes this movie + other shows and movies, so that's a win-win.

Overall, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good holiday adventure. It's a heartwarming film that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied. So, grab a bowl of popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and get ready for a fun-filled ride!

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

Sophima | Guest Contributor

                          + BLU 

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Rick And Morty: The Complete Seasons 1 - 6... Reviewed!

Shout out to WB for providing a copy of this product for review. My opinions are my own.

We've been here and done that when it comes to Rick & Morty Seasons 1 to 6, so this will be more of an article giving you access to previous reviews... while discussing what's available in this bundle + price.

Rick and Morty is an adult animated sci-fi sitcom that follows the adventures of an eccentric and alcoholic scientist named... Rick Sanchez and his kind yet gullible grandson Morty. The duo travels to different dimensions and planets, getting into all sorts of situations along the way. The show often explores themes of existentialism, family, and the consequences of scientific advancement.

The writing sends the story in various directions from episode to episode, but the storyline does progress... and growth can be seen in each character to an extent. Below you will find links to the review of all 6 seasons.

Rick and Morty Seasons 1 - 4... Reviewed! | Season 5... Reviewed! | Season 6... Reviewed!

This 6 Blu-ray disc set comes with all 61 episodes, audio commentary, deleted scenes, "Inside the Episode" segments, numerous featurettes, animatic sketches, copious special features + more (that include a limited-time Rick and Morty poster).

When it comes to price, this bundle comes in at $129.99 SRP ($119.99 in Canada) for Blu-Ray & $114.99 SRP ($99.99 in Canada) for DVD. Of course, you can get the hook-up for much less, here!

I don't have a problem with the price, it comes with all the bonus material the team has cooked up over the years, but... I do have a problem with one thing. What's up with the poster?! You can't possibly go from the kickass poster from the Seasons 1 - 4 bundle to one of Mr. Frundles. I get it, I understand that maybe some people may get a kick out of it because of what it represents, but... no. It only shows his face in the corner, it could have shown something a bit more visually appealing or... give us a sticker of the fold that showcases his face. A sticker would've been a win in my opinion.

That's my only objection. If it were me, I would have maybe surrounded the family with Mr. Frundles in whatever scenario they'd prefer to do. I probably would have even made a Mr. Frundles picture frame and had the family in the picture, that would've made great use of the space, but I'm not a part of the team.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price + Extras 5 (The other extras save this from losing a point for the poster.)

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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