Warner Bros. // 2004 // 100 Minutes // Not Rated
Reviewed by Judge Dennis Prince // December 10th, 2004
Cartoon Network trims your Yuletide tube with a collection of its most notable nitwits, ninnies, and nincompoops that it hopes will sway you to sample some of their ornamental offerings.
Cartoon Network is back again to rustle up some holiday revenues with a new season-oriented disc featuring its list of usual animated suspects. Although it's a good idea to serve up such a thematic collection (as was attempted with the previous Cartoon Network Halloween -- 9 Creepy Cartoon Capers), many such attempts to drizzle out a few offerings from various cartoon series often leave much to be desired. Nicely enough, this new collection, Cartoon Network Christmas -- Yuletide Follies, does a better job than the trick-or-treat misfire that preceded it.
Once again enlisting the services of its most recognizable characters (for better or for worse -- you decide), this new disc is a bit fresher than that decorative dish of carbon-dated ribbon candy that's collecting dust on your entry hall table, and certainly more appetizing than the network's Halloween hack-job. Here's a run-down of each episode you'll find on this relatively pleasing new holiday disc, including a Candy Dish Sweet-O-Meter Rating to help you decide if it's in your interest to stop and nibble:
*Grim and Evil -- "Son of Nergal"
Forget Grim and
forget Evil: they don't appear in this winter-related excursion. Rather,
imbecilic Billy and his cynical best friend Mandy are off to winter camp.
There's a strange boy who has also arrived, who bears a twinge of jealousy with
respect the other kids. This odd little fellow has a tendency to turn the
objects of his scorn into ice statues. Who is this strange child-thing, and
whose offspring might he be?
Candy Dish Sweet-O-Meter Rating:
Somewhat sticky and slightly stale. Not really worth attempting to break a piece
off.
*Ed, Edd, and Eddy -- "Fa La La La Ed"
After
breaching the barrier that prohibits any and all children from entering
Double-D's parent's bedroom, Ed and Eddy discover the treasured family heirloom:
a weighty and decades-old fruitcake. Convinced that Christmas has arrived (even
though it's the middle of July), Ed is overcome with holiday spirit and sets
about to share the joy of the season with the rest of the neighbors. Eddy,
meanwhile, has concocted a plan to wrest piggy-bank riches from the rest of the
cul-de-sac kids. Will Double-D be sucked into Eddy's scheme despite his better
judgment?
Candy Dish Sweet-O-Meter Rating: A fudgy concoction with
a rather runny consistency. Still tasty, though.
*Courage the Cowardly Dog -- "The Nutcracker"
While
rummaging through the flotsam of La Salle's Junkyard, Muriel, Eustus, and
Courage uncover numerous trashy treasures, including a seemingly useless
nutcracker figure. Unbeknownst to our trio from the town of Nowhere, two very
large rats are closing in with despicable designs on the soon-to-be-tasty human
morsels...and their stupid dog. Can Courage and his newfound nutcracker rescue
his human hosts from the poetic posturing of the junkyard rodents? (They're
plotting to the poetic progressions of the Nutcracker Suite.)
Candy
Dish Sweet-O-Meter Rating: A tasty sweet peanut-brittle loaded with nutty
goodness. Yummy.
*Dexter's Laboratory -- "Snowdown"
It's another
winter of discontent for Dexter as he's forced to endure yet another season of
snowball pummeling by his aggravating sister, Dee-Dee. Turning to his Dad for
help, Dexter learns of his father's storied past as the ultimate Snowball
Warrior. Eager to relive his glory days, Dad puts Dexter through a rigorous
training regimen of "scoop-roll-throw-hit-duck." But, who, pray tell,
was the one who dethroned mighty Dad all those years ago?
Candy Dish
Sweet-O-Meter Rating: A well-textured serving of divinity that surely
satisfies.
*The Powerpuff Girls -- "Ice Sore"
An oppressive heat
wave has descended upon Townsville and Professor Utonium is ready to boil.
Meanwhile, his genetically-engineered superhero daughter, Blossom, accidentally
discovers a new super power: ice breath. The professor warns Blossom about the
improper use of this chill-inducing ability while sisters Bubbles and Butter-Cup
sneer in envy. But when the Mayor discovers -- goodness gracious! -- a
great ball of fire headed directly for the sweltering 'burb, it's up to Blossom
to save the day.
Candy Dish Sweet-O-Meter Rating: A rather lumpy
mint conglomeration that barely qualifies as a holiday offering.
*Johnny Bravo -- "A Johnny Bravo Christmas"
The King
of Cool is in a real quagmire: while Mama's preoccupied in achieving that
perfect fa-la-la-la-la feng shui, Johnny realizes he never mailed his and Mama's
Christmas lists to Santa. Fearing he may not receive this year's allotment of
"free stuff," Johnny slicks back his hair and shifts into high gear on
Christmas Eve to make sure Santa will deliver the goods. He finds help along the
way, even to the point of unwittingly enlisting the perpetually-grinning Donny
Osmond.
Candy Dish Sweet-O-Meter Rating: A nice rum-laced egg nog
that compliments some of the better treats in this particular dish of
goodies.
*Cow and Chicken -- "Me an' My Dog"
Cow introduces
the family to her new imaginary dog, Kevin. Naturally, brother Chicken is
jealous. When Kevin runs away, however, Chicken must dredge up a few ounces of
caring to soothe the loss that Cow is suffering.
Candy Dish
Sweet-O-Meter Rating: A lump of fruitcake that languishes, untouched, on the
plate. Avoid it.
*I Am Weasel -- "I.R.'s First Bike"
After the annual
reading of "A Christmas Lie," Weasel and his baboon buddy, I.R., lay
their heads down for a hasty winter nap. Upon awakening, it seems Santa has left
I.R. a bicycle. Weasel's challenge, of course, is to teach the
mentally-deficient baboon how to ride the darned thing.
Candy Dish
Sweet-O-Meter Rating: An unbalanced mix of ingredients makes this
whatever-it-is offering the stuff of indigestion.
*I Am Weasel -- "Dessert Island"
Washed ashore on a
deserted island, I.M. Weasel and I.R. Baboon discover their new home isn't
deserted -- it's dessert-ed. Loose in this newfound Candyland brimming
with chocolate rivers and candy cane shores, I.R. goes on a snacking binge that
would gag Augustus Gloop. Unbeknownst to the spastic snackers, a tribe of savage
gingerbread men is plotting against them.
Candy Dish Sweet-O-Meter
Rating: An unexpectedly tasty tart but one which should be enjoyed in small
bites only.
Each episode presented here is offered in its original 1.33:1 full frame format. Unlike the unsteady Halloween DVD, each short here looks consistently terrific, with high levels of detail free of excessive edge enhancement, and rich, sumptuous colors that look good enough to eat. The extras, however, smack sour like olives in a jelly bean jar. All you'll find here are useless promos for other Cartoon Network DVDs.
Warner Home Video has improved its serving of holiday treats in this new Christmas disc, which is much improved over its trick-or-treat travesty. Nonetheless, it seems a bit more could be offered in regards to special features (production footage of a cartoon or a looping session or a how-to-draw the character feature or something). Still, this release is sure to entertain some of the occupants of your household -- at least long enough to allow you to get your holiday turkey, roast, or ham prepped and stuffed into the oven. Season's Greetings to all!
Review content copyright © 2004 Dennis Prince; Site layout and review format copyright © 1998 - 2008 HipClick Designs LLC
Scales of Justice
Judgment: 85
Perp Profile
Studio: Warner Bros.
Video Formats:
* Full Frame
Audio Formats:
* Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (English)
* Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (Spanish)
Subtitles:
* English
* French
* Spanish
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Release Year: 2004
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distinguishing Marks
* Cartoon Network DVD Promos
Accomplices
* Cartoon Network
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/