REVIEW: ‘The Venture Bros.’ is Adult Swim at its best
Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment / Provided by press rep with permission.
As the years tick by, there are some truths that never fade. One of them, as it relates to animated television, is that The Venture Bros. was Adult Swim’s best foot forward. This remarkable series, encompassing 82 episodes, changed animation forever and amassed a dedicated fan base of cult-like admirers. There’s good reason for this admiration: The laughs were smart and witty; the stories were thrilling and evil; the characters were finely drawn and expertly created. Everything was a wonderfully odd combination of high-stakes adventure and hilarious comedy.
The Venture Bros. lives on in the collective memory of many Adult Swimmers.
Now the community of devotees can take home The Venture Bros.: The Complete Series, available digitally and on DVD. All 82 episodes, spread across seven seasons, are included, plus bonus material that serves as a nice complement to the series, which was created by Christopher McCulloch (also the voice of Hank) and Doc Hammer (also the voice of Dr. Mrs. The Monarch). The talents of James Urbaniak, Michael Sinterniklaas, Patrick Warburton and Paul Boocock are present and accounted for on these many discs.
So, what makes The Venture Bros. the best of the best? Perhaps it’s the dedication to being a simultaneous homage and something original. Few shows strike the right balance between nostalgia trip and trailblazer of new ground, but the Venture family achieves that balance. The exploits of this adventure-seeking group are reminiscent of older TV shows and comic books, but there’s a decided devotion to jokes and storylines that speak to 21st century culture. The tongue-in-cheek humor is wonderfully realized, but the wink-winks at the audience are kept to a minimum. This is not a trip down memory lane; it’s more of a push toward the future, while still holding on to the greatness of the past.
The voice talents are legendarily spot-on, especially from Warburton, perhaps one of the best vocalists of all time. Is there anyone else with a more recognizable voice? McCulloch and Hammer, too, are fine crafters of plot and characterization, achieving thrilling episode arcs that always produce chuckles and well-earned furrowed brows from all the bizarre goings-on.
This Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment release is meant for the uber-fan, but it’s priced as such that even newbies can dip their toe in and see if the Ventures are worth a spin. Short answer: Yes, they are.
One can imagine that The Venture Bros. and its legacy will live on for many, many years, and although this series is now “complete,” the memories and past episodes will always be there for repeat and binge viewing. Yes, dedicated fans wanted more from the series, thinking perhaps it could run as long as Aqua Teen Hunger Force and other similarly humorous shows, but sometimes series outstay their welcome. Not so with Venture, which left the scene at the right time, never growing old or out of touch.
(This just in: There’s a new Venture Bros. original movie hitting in July. It’s called Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart.)
Cheers to The Venture Bros.!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Venture Bros.: The Complete Series is now available digitally and on DVD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. Click here for more information.
