Samurai Jack

[Vin]

One word: WOW!

I just absolutely loved the show. On top of that, we get not one, not two, but 3, THREE, Justice League promos. Cartoon Network is doing a fabulous job creating high-quality animation.

What did you guys think?

[Calhoun07]

I think the movie is great, and I cant' wait for the TV series. Tho there is an anime influence in this show, much of the animation reminds me of good cartoons I grew up on. And even the talking dogs are kinda cool, tho I didn't like them at first.

[The Mad Hatter]

Holey moley.

It seems that the creators took the stylization and camera work from Dexter and PPG and went absolutely nuts with it. The result was the most original thing I've seen in years, animation or otherwise... not to mention that the music was first class as well. As far as a purely visceral aural and visual experience, it was a work of near genius.

I'm hooked.

And promos with animation from Justice League!!

Recent problems aside, I still say thank God for Cartoon Network.

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

This show sounds so GOOD! 'sob' Darn lack of C. Network...oh well....most likely the premiere will be the first DVD or video out for Jack...so I have a chance of catching the first eppy...

[Jack]

My favorite part was the talking dogs, I also liked the "Talking Dog Says" billboard from PPG and big dog from "Two Stupid Dogs" put into it.... I really liked the show, and I'll watch the series for sure!



Jack:D

[The Mad Hatter]

Let me add that, now that I've seen the show, there's a darn good reason CN is hyping this thing to death. :)

[Vin]

Yeah, and it looks like Cartoon Network will hype JL as well. Man, was SJ so freaking cool. I can't for Justice League to premiere to. It's going to rule!

[Vin]

BTW, like them or not, I don't think the talking dogs will appear more in the series. Then again, I could be wrong.

[Dante Bunny]

An army of robot bugs fixing to attack Jack. It was breathtaking! This scene is almost like those samurai/ ninja movies I seen. Like American Ninja movies, and other movies that had a samurai warrior finishing off an enemy, cover with blood at the end of the battle. Instead of blood they come up with motor oil all over Jack!

Another animation victory for Genndy!!!!


If you miss the movie premeire, or you went to the theather and watch Omosis Jones, that is a cool movie but I can't get a chance untill the video, watch it again, tomorrow night at 7:00/6:00 central.


Also on the 24th, check out the last year's Big Pick Winner, The Grim and Evil Show. Ha ha ha!

[Matthew Hunter]

I LIKED "Samurai Jack"! I don't think I had ever seen anything like it before. I think it is the most original cartoon series that's come up in a very, very long time. The closest thing I could compare it to would be a cross between "Star Wars" and the "Zelda" video games. It has humor, but it is a serious cartoon, mostly. The backgrounds are amazing, perhaps the best part of the show. It is certainly an improvement over "Dexter" or "Powerpuff Girls". Amazingly creative, but kept simple, it's not like those anime cartoons that are so over-the-top bizarre you can't understand them. The animation is limited, but not ugly, it's well stylized. The characters and voices are excellent. "Aku" is cool looking, he is actually a villain to be taken seriously, something CN's shows have not done well before.They're usually either tame and goofy looking ("Red Guy" the devil on "Cow and Chicken and "I Am Weasel") or Mandark from "Dexter", or they try to be funny when they don't need to be (Mojo Jojo, Fuzzy Lumpkins, or the effeminate "Him" on Powerpuff Girls.) This guy "Aku" is actually someone we're not supposed to like. Rob Paulsen, the voice of Pinky the mouse, appeared in this premiere episode as a talking dog. The dogs were a nice touch, even a cameo from the sheepdog on "Two Stupid Dogs"! At first I thought they were going to ruin the whole thing, but they didn't at all. Very good show, in my opinion, I believe it has some major staying power. The documentary after the show was an interesting look at the creators...and they even flat-out stated that this show can be enjoyed by ADULTS as well as kids. Hey, if they do them this well, Cartoon-Cartoons have a place on CN....as long as they quit making the bad ones! (Tell them to make lambchops out of "Sheep"!)
-Matthew

[Joe Tully]

I doubt that the dogs will appear regularly too, Vince. From the Tartakovsky-hosted promos, it sounds like they are trying to do something different with each episode. We might see them appear occasionally though. Maybe there will be a follow up episode later on.

Also...I'd like to point out that there are Samurai Jack-response threads on at least 3 of these boards: here, at Termite Terrace, and one at General Topics. I dunno if one of the higher-ups would want to merge them, that might just cause some confusion...if not, you guys might want to go to the other boards to see what folks are talking about.

[Jack]

I'll mention this here too. I just want to ask if I missed something...

If the dogs were being forced into labor, then who was supervising them? You have to have SOMEONE to keep watch over the slaves, making sure they don't run away. I never saw anyone but the dogs, and AKU's robot things took a long time to get there. So couldn't the dogs have just run away? By the time anyone found out, they would be long gone, unless I missed something (I had to run out of the room for a couple minutes, so I could have missed something.)

The dogs are nomads, so it's very possible they will all cross paths again.


Jack:confused:

[Calhoun07]

All I am going to add for now is that I have a reason again to turn on CN reguarlly!

[Dante Bunny]

Aku (voiced by Mako) is Japanise word for evil, He was human while he want to overthrow the earth and change it into a depress pool for all mankind, but his plan backfire, thanks to Jack's dad he trap Aku in a dark prison of his. With dark spirits and robots, his plans are more Dr. Robotnik and Garlic Jr. like. Like Robotnik, he creates robots to destroy Jack, and like Garlic Jr. he been prisoned in a dark seal that which he created and had rise from his prision by a help of some weird eclipse, and make a world more pittiful.

Robots and dark spirits make a villian insane:)

[Jowy Blight]

I was amazed how good this show was. I mean the music, VAs, and backgrounds were wonderful. Damn, this gives me a whole new respect for CN. I for one, can't wait for monday.

[Sharklady]

I was so impressed by Samurai Jack that I watched *both* showings of the pilot (the scarcity of commercials probably helped.)

Some of the background artwork was the the best I've seen in animation since Lightyear's 'Snowqueen'; simple, elegant, yet dramatic. Definitely appropriate for a Japanese-influenced story.
Kudos also, for that strikingly understated soundtrack- sometimes the most attention-getting sounds are the quieter ones, or even the silences. And I thought there was *just* the right volume of visual jokes in the mix. My personal favorites were the Mack Truck bulldog being used as a helmet ornament, the canines expressing their approval for Jack's plan, and of course the 'Talking Dog' advertisement. (I think I caught one other PPG ref; when Jack 'defeated' Aku in the cave, Aku emitted the same kind of groan that Mojo does after a pounding. PPG fans have also noted Jack's similarity to a certain straight-lined Professor.)

All in all, a *very* promising start for the series. I fully intend to give this another look.

Well done, CN!

[Sveven Dvorking]

I had no reason to watch the Samurai Jack movie. They showed me the whole thing in their promos and ads.:rolleyes:

[The Mad Hatter]

I had no reason to watch the Samurai Jack movie. They showed me the whole thing in their promos and ads.


No, they didn't.

Though I doubt this statement will get you to give it a try... ah well, your loss. :)

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

Sigh, you were Lucky, Sven....I did not even get to watch one commercial with footage from the movie...

[SSJ3Gokan]

the VA that did Samurai Jack( and a few others) was Phil LaMar from Mad TV.

[DR. BELCH]

Jack:
If the dogs were being forced into labor, then who was supervising them? You have to have SOMEONE to keep watch over the slaves, making sure they don't run away. I never saw anyone but the dogs, and AKU's robot things took a long time to get there. So couldn't the dogs have just run away?
Well, it's rather like when elephants are babies, they are tied to stakes by their masters, which they can't break. As they grow up and become stronger, they are able to break their ropes, but they believe they can't because as babies they didn't have the strength. Same principle here--psychology. If they think Aku's a godlike being who sees all and knows all, they won't dare try to cross him, or he will crush them. They could run, but they don't--because they're scared.
Motor oil or blood, it was impressive seeing Jack drenched in bug goo--I actually winced because I could imagine how it'd feel in alll those open sores on his body.
Watch for a "Talking Dog Says" billboard in the background of one scene...maybe Mojo or Him finally won and obliterated Townsville. I wonder what the dogs would think if they turned up three large-headed girl skeletons in the rubble...? ( :eek: Morbid thought, begone.)
In short, this one bears rewatching.

[Craig Marinaro]

Just watched the premiere for the second time this morning, and still couldn't get over it. Not much else to say, aside from adding my accolades to everyone else's.

The first half-hour was especially gorgeously done, with the beautiful Japanese watercolor-inspired backgrounds, and the majority of the scenes being done with little to no dialogue, letting the images and the soundtrack do the talking. One of the most daring things I've ever seen tried in TV animation, and one of the most effective. Breathtaking.

The bits taking part in the series' present were remarkable, too, though. The fights were terrific, that screen-split gimmick worked surprisingly well. The animation really lends to the atmosphere--the scene with Jack talking to the dogs for the first time had to be a good five minutes long, and the whole time it was done in a dim green lighting. And the effect this simple technique has is more than a lot of animated shows can do with dozens of bright colors zooming all of the screen.

Both the storytelling and the animation style are of the highest calibre. I'll be among those watching Monday!

-C
Being saved from summer TV blues early this year! Yippee!

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Sveven Dvorking
I had no reason to watch the Samurai Jack movie. They showed me the whole thing in their promos and ads.:rolleyes:

Just how is you get away with this cross posting? I thought this was against the rules? Oh, well. I don't suppose you were trying to be a "board hog?" just kidding.

[Vin]

As I reported in the news, Samurai Jack will be getting a new timeslot Sept. 24th. It will be airing at 9:00 PM, instead of 8:00 PM. Why? I don't know, but I don't think ratings have anything to do with it.

[Bird Boy]

I watched this show the other night..unfortunantly I wasn't able to finish (stuff to do around the house), but I thought it was a great show. Animation was new (sorta like anime...yet not so)....I really liked it. I hope to catch it in the future..

BTW- I saw the ep they aired at 8pm on Monday

Bad thing now about it moving to 9pm? I have homework!! Maybe I'll be able to record it..

-BB

[Singin' Stray Cat]

Not much I can say about Samurai Jack that hasn't already been said, but I love the animation style and the music (both background and the intro). If CN ever releases a Samurai Jack soundtrack, I'm gonna be first in line to buy it! :D

[Vin]

Originally posted by Singin' Stray Cat
Not much I can say about Samurai Jack that hasn't already been said, but I love the animation style and the music (both background and the intro). If CN ever releases a Samurai Jack soundtrack, I'm gonna be first in line to buy it! :D

Me too! The music is awesome!

[PeppeRaskell1]

I just finished watching the "Samurai Jack" movie (Episodes I, II, and III), and was awestruck by everything I saw and heard: the music, the action scenes, etc. I even took in the in-jokes:

Big Dog (from "2 Stupid Dogs") at the excavation site

That strange-looking horse creature (looks like Ookla the Mok's mount from "Thundarr the Barbarian"--That old show must have been one of Mr. Tartakovsky's influences)

As Jack and the dogs are on the way to the excavation site, they pass a few dinosaur-like creatures with saddles (or something like that) on their backs
(Spoofing a scene from the restored "Star Wars: A New Hope"--Did anybody catch that one?)

I also liked--No, ENJOYED--"Episode V" where Jack battled the robot insects.
The climactic battle between Jack and the robot wasps and ticks reminded me of the battle scene in the "Origin of Dr. Viper" episode of the old "SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron."

"Episode V" is "Episode I" on my Top-Ten Favorite episodes list.

:eek:

BTW, how can I insert an image of Samurai Jack, a PPG, or a character of my own creation onto my message?

[DR. BELCH]

I had some at one point from http://www.mysmilies.com , but I can't find them now. http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/otn/confused/ne_nau.gif Simply adorable...although there aren't any of Him, Mojo Jojo, or Fuzzy Lumpkin. Pity.

[The Mad Hatter]

Oh my lord yes, I'd pay good money for a Samauri Jack soundtrack album.

[Danielle]

In all truthfullness, the only episode of Samurai Jack I've seen is the first one. And part of the one with those weird little blue alien dudes. That's all I need, though, to judge how good this show is. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate SJ a 9.99999.

[PeppeRaskell1]

Originally posted by Vince
As I reported in the news, Samurai Jack will be getting a new timeslot Sept. 24th. It will be airing at 9:00 PM, instead of 8:00 PM. Why? I don't know, but I don't think ratings have anything to do with it.

I don't think it's got anything to do with ratings, either. Call this a hunch, but I think it's got more to do with either "Monday Night Football" (namely, something else to watch besides Jon Stewart's commentating--Say, is he still commentator on "MNF?") accommodating the "SpongeBob SquarePants" crowd forced to choose between Jack and Bob (even Rob Lowe shouldn't have to make such a choice!) or what sort of dramatic battles Jack will be fighting in the future ("November Sweeps" are just a month down the 'pike, dont'cha know)!

Which hunch do you want to subscribe to?

;)

[Joe Tully]

namely, something else to watch besides Jon Stewart's commentating--Say, is he still commentator on "MNF?"

Heh. I think that you mean Dennis Miller. And yes, he's still commentating.

[PeppeRaskell1]

Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
Oh my lord yes, I'd pay good money for a Samauri Jack soundtrack album.

Here's a little something that might whet your appetite. While netsurfing for some PPG websites, I stumbled across James L. Venable's website (venablemusic.com), which features bios, his musical credits, and a few short mp3 samplings of his work, including the PPG theme and the "World Montage" and "Goodbye to Fight" music from "Samurai Jack."

Save a place on the waiting line for me!:D :D

BTW, I played the "World Montage Intro" mp3 on my Windows Media Player, and it was absolutely beautiful! Must be heard to be believed!

[Killtacular]

If Jon Stewart commentated football games, it would propel MNF into a ratings frenzy.

"And now, we go to our halftime correspondent, Steve Carrell. How's the locker room talk?"

*cut to Steve Carrell, dressed like a schoolgirl, dancing for the football players and taking his clothes off slowly*

[Singin' Stray Cat]

If Jon Stewart commentated football games, I'd have a reason to start watching sports. :D

[Vin]

Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
Oh my lord yes, I'd pay good money for a Samauri Jack soundtrack album.

I NEED the soundtrack. The music is so beautiful!