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The Movie: Co-created by former "Simpsons" writers Josh Weinstein and Bill Oakley, "Mission Hill" started in 1999 on the WB and completed its run in 2002 on the Cartoon Network, where it was ended despite strong reviews. The series, which deserved major network success, revolves around 24-year-old cartoonist Andy (Wallace Langham), who spends his days selling waterbeds, partying, going to concerts and hanging around his apartment. Things as Andy knows it come to an end when his parents are moving out to Wyoming, and they stick him with their dog and little brother Kevin (Scott Menville), a genius who wears his SAT scores on his shirt and dreams of going to Yale. A lot of the laughs come from Andy's attempts to try and deal with having Kevin around and Kevin's attempts to try and fit in with Andy and roommates Jim (Brian Posehn) and Posey (Vicki Lewis). The series offers a unique, funky style of animation that boasts a bright, neon-ish color palette of blues, greens, yellows and pinks. The hand-drawn animation includes plenty of small details and actually looks quite beautiful in its own way. The scripts are on another level entirely, as the intelligent dialogue, fully-realized characters and clever situations add up to a show that was probably ahead of its time. There's not one clunker in the bunch here, and there's some great, hilarious digs at online gaming ("Andy Joins the PTA") and "The Real World" ("Andy Vs. The Real World", where an MTV exec labels Andy as a "combination of Eddie Vedder and Chuck Barris" and Andy notes that he "may have to bulk up a bit for the competition with 'Road Rules'.") Another highlight is the 2-part "Unemployment", which sees Andy out-of-work and trying to live off benefits. Overall, I thought this was a great series that I'm surprised didn't do better on its network run, especially during its time on the Cartoon Network. Fans of more adult-oriented cartoons (such as "The Critic" - also created by former "Simpsons" writers - to come up with the first slightly similar example I could think of) should definitely give this one a look. 1. 1- 1 3950-01 21 Sep 99 Pilot (or The Douchebag Aspect) 2. 1- 2 3950-03 8 Oct 99 Kevin's Problem (or Porno for Pyro) 3. 1- 3 3950-05 25 Jun 00 Andy and Kevin Make a Friend (or One Bang for Two Brothers) 4. 1- 4 3950-07 2 Jul 00 Kevin vs. the SAT (or Nocturnal Admissions) 5. 1- 5 3950-06 9 Jul 00 Andy Gets a Promotion (or How to Get Head in Business Without Really Trying) 6. 1- 6 3950-08 16 Jul 00 Unemployment (or Brother's Big Boner) (1) 7. 1- 7 3950-09 Unemployment (or Theory of the Leisure Ass) (2) 8. 1- 8 3950-02 Andy Joins the PTA (or Great Sexpectations) 9. 1- 9 3950-04 Andy vs. The Real World (or The Big-Ass Viacom Lawsuit) 10. 1-10 3950-10 Kevin Finds Love (or Hot for Weirdie) 11. 1-11 3950-11 Stories of Hope and Forgiveness (or Day of the Jackass) 12. 1-12 3950-12 Happy Birthday, Kevin (or Happy Birthday, Douchebag) 13. 1-13 3950-13 Planet 9 from Mission Hill (or I Married a Gay Man from Outer Space) The DVD VIDEO: "Mission Hill" is presented by Warner Brothers in the show's original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio. The picture quality is quite good, as the animation remained crisp and detailed throughout. No pixelation or print flaws were spotted, but some slight shimmering was occasionally seen. Colors remained bright and well-saturated, with no smearing or other faults. SOUND: "Mission Hill" is presented in stereo, and the audio offer clear dialogue and no other concerns. EXTRAS: Josh Weinstein and Bill Oakley, as well as other members of the cast and crew offer audio commentary on four episodes. There's also an interactive tour of Mission Hill. Final Thoughts: A cult cartoon that remains sharp and witty throughout, "Mission Hill" will definitely play well to those in college up to their early 30's. Cartoon fans unfamiliar with this short-lived show should certainly pick it up. Recommended. |