Animaniacs (2020)

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 20, 2020
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 7 out of 32
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User Reviews

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  1. Grendizer
    Nov 21, 2020
    10
    Same feel as the old show, just as I remembered it. It's not only nostalgia, the new show is solid, witty and as hilarious as we knew it. My fear it will be shallow due to political correctness, the cancer of our times, was misplaced. It has enough to keep me laughing multiple times. Thanks for bringing it back. 2020 isn't that bad after all
  2. bericson
    Nov 21, 2020
    10
    The writers have noticeably placed a lot of effort to drive storylines and gags that will not only appeal to longtime fans of the original series, but spark interest in new generations of fans. Special props to everyone involved in the new production.
  3. DiArts
    Nov 22, 2020
    6
    Stories about main trio don't have serious drama or logic, just crazy sketches and catchy songs (and politics). These episodes were cool mixed with other stories, but other stories and characters are missing in the reboot.

    Only Pinky and the Brain returned. And their episodes are as great as always with original plans, smart and dumb jokes, even drama. Maybe they need more timing for    Stories about main trio don't have serious drama or logic, just crazy sketches and catchy songs (and politics). These episodes were cool mixed with other stories, but other stories and characters are missing in the reboot.

    Only Pinky and the Brain returned. And their episodes are as great as always with original plans, smart and dumb jokes, even drama. Maybe they need more timing for more complex stories.

    Hope to see other old and new characters and their storylines in next season.    … Expand
  4. Skeletor71
    Nov 23, 2020
    8
    I give it 2 points less, because it's missing Mindy & Buttons and Hello Nurse. But other than that it's pretty much spot on what it was in the 90's. I was pleasantly surprised.
  5. Retrospective
    Nov 22, 2020
    8
    Retrospective
    shortreveiw
    I never watched the original animaniacs (Beside for the countries of the world memes) but I do feel that it is a very funny, zany, and sometimes gross, continuation of its original series. I feel it still is able, despite its obvious marketing to the warner bros. Properties, to be a family friendly show that is funny to many demographics. Pros: -Funny and    Retrospective
    shortreveiw

    I never watched the original animaniacs (Beside for the countries of the world memes) but I do feel that it is a very funny, zany, and sometimes gross, continuation of its original series. I feel it still is able, despite its obvious marketing to the warner bros. Properties, to be a family friendly show that is funny to many demographics.

    Pros:
    -Funny and zany
    -Well animated
    -manages to make fun of itself and its related properties.

    Cons:
    -Political topics become very heavy in some parts
    -Can have longer moments of less interesting humor    … Expand
  6. AriesFinestOne
    Nov 23, 2020
    10
    Felt like visiting an old friend! I noticed some critics giving very biased bad reviews which is sad.
    This revival gives us something we really need in 2020... A laugh, A smile, Etc.
  7. WaywardDestiny
    Nov 27, 2020
    4
    Being too focused on being a reboot didn't hit the right spot for me. The art of nuance and subtlety is missing from the show, but when the Warners decide to do zany, they do it well. The 2D art is well-welcomed and the background music is pleasant. The musical numbers are very hit or miss and I'd say is not a strong part of the show. Pinky and the Brain having a stronger role than theBeing too focused on being a reboot didn't hit the right spot for me. The art of nuance and subtlety is missing from the show, but when the Warners decide to do zany, they do it well. The 2D art is well-welcomed and the background music is pleasant. The musical numbers are very hit or miss and I'd say is not a strong part of the show. Pinky and the Brain having a stronger role than the previous series was a pleasant surprise. Being written in 2018 made the jokes already feel dated. This may be a product of our generation, but the celebrity, pop-culture references were mediocre. After finishing it, I only want to watch the previous series.… Expand
  8. THoward
    Dec 3, 2020
    9
    It does a lot right and a couple things wrong. A lot of the right is in the quick comedy and the delivery of most jokes. They do a great job creating the wacky vibe of the original show. I personally found the political humor to be alright, most of the jokes including Trump were mostly directed at how he acts, and they did that with pretty much every president before. Even though this isIt does a lot right and a couple things wrong. A lot of the right is in the quick comedy and the delivery of most jokes. They do a great job creating the wacky vibe of the original show. I personally found the political humor to be alright, most of the jokes including Trump were mostly directed at how he acts, and they did that with pretty much every president before. Even though this is true, there's a much more obvious presence in that kind of comedy. It can become a bit much but otherwise it is alright. Another thing kind of jarring is the amount of jokes on how it is a reboot. Even though I understand that the first episode would be about this, and that the Animaniacs often did meta humor, it can be a bit much. I found there being less of the original cast fine sense I personally didn't care for characters other than the Warner siblings and Pinky & the Brain, they usually had the best humor. It isn't a perfect score right now, but if they do more episodes and if people give them a chance then I believe it will be on par with the original Animaniacs series.… Expand
  9. dagakkle
    Nov 22, 2020
    2
    Very repetitive. Woeful lack of the original content and characters. Makes jokes about how bad and tired its own writing is; no creativity in storylines and tries to be current even though it was written in 2018. Some animation and jokes do hit, but it's rare. Not all bad, just mostly bad.
  10. Aither
    Nov 27, 2020
    0
    Uninspiring when compared to the original. The new Animaniacs is set out to be political propaganda which is just unintentionally not funny. Would not recommend this season to anyone.
  11. viroodiem
    Nov 21, 2020
    2
    Such an utter dissapointment.

    It was bad enough it was being distributed by a platform now owned by the #EvilestCorporationOnEarth it comes off as something very often inappropriate for its target demographic. The show takes its original formula but veers off into propagandizing. Sure the original would feature things like sexual inuendo, and satirize things like pop culture and    Such an utter dissapointment.

    It was bad enough it was being distributed by a platform now owned by the #EvilestCorporationOnEarth it comes off as something very often inappropriate for its target demographic.

    The show takes its original formula but veers off into propagandizing. Sure the original would feature things like sexual inuendo, and satirize things like pop culture and politics, but this iteration focuses less on talking about subjects like science and history and more about revering pop culture and inappropriate social engineering.

    For an example in the theme song there is normalization of "preferred pronouns" but to compare it to a similar topic from its time frame how many "gays in the military" riffs were in the original? Its not simply a matter of an evolving cultural shift. Its not on the same level. This goes WAY beyond what is appropriate for young teen target demographic.

    Instead of veiled sexual innuendos you get floppy man nipples and pubic hair. Instead of cute recaps of historical events you get politicized alternative history. Instead of quick political cutaways you get entire segments lampooning the POTUS which in all fairness is basically a cartoon and deserves to be mocked. It has retired Its simply taking way too much of the wrong things and not enough of the things that made the original so great.

    Looking beyond the politicization, the first thing that is absolutely unavoidable (yet it is understandable) is the dramatic changes in the casts voices. They sound either like its someone doing an off impression of the characters or its the original voice actors doing so without their false teeth in. Granted voices age and theres nothing that can be done about that, but it does create a disconnect and immediately flags that something is not quite right.

    The jokes are almost on par with the original. Definitely a clear step below but that might get better with a second season of writing and getting into a good groove.

    A wide host of characters were not brought back which is very disappointing for a variety of reasons. Sure you didn't need to bring back dated reference characters that are no longer really pop culture relevant like say Steven Seagull, but there is no logical reason to not include characters like the goodfeathers, Slappy squirrel, and the much ballyhooed Hello Nurse. If this were true to the original they would have kept these characters in in spite of "cultural sensitivities" as that is one of the things that made the original great and edgy for what it was.

    The music was also a pretty big let down. Again the voices have deteriorated is one tangible factor but what is far more relevant is that the songs are not as catchy and the lyrics not anywhere near as intelligently written.

    So what you are left with is a show that is just a shadow of its former glory. Like taking a huge breakfast platter on Saturday morning and replacing it with a 22 year old bowl of lukewarm oatmeal.

    Its not going to appeal to kids of this generation. Its going to be seen as something old and stodgy that parents are forcing on kids. Adults will either be hit or miss with it and realistically 30+ year olds should not even be involved in the equation. Yes my self included. Its not a kids show. Its not an adult revival of a kids show, its a mess and trying too hard while refusing to do the things that made people love the original.

    Seriously cannot recommend this at all. Probably better to wait for the Tiny Toons reboot to hopefully get an actual decent reboot along these lines.    … Expand
  12. CineFurioso
    Nov 21, 2020
    3
    90's animaniacs sang about geography, history and made cheeky puns with pop culture references. Written for children. 20's Animaniacs its a cashgrab with "progressive" propaganda that features fox news. Not written for children.
    They even omitted hello nurse because the showrunner deemed her "problematic" because of her looks. Despite the actual character was about more than just her    90's animaniacs sang about geography, history and made cheeky puns with pop culture references. Written for children. 20's Animaniacs its a cashgrab with "progressive" propaganda that features fox news. Not written for children.
    They even omitted hello nurse because the showrunner deemed her "problematic" because of her looks. Despite the actual character was about more than just her looks, and even had a really nice song about it.

    In short, this show it's for progressive man children.    … Expand
  13. Noire_Vala
    Nov 22, 2020
    0
    Honestly it’s political dribble, idk if they are just trying to brain wash children or appeal to the millennials. I’m a transgender and I’m getting so tired of politics everywhere. You don’t appeal to me you just annoy me. My friends have been asking me why I’ve been watching anime instead of all the shows I use to watch and shows like this are the reason, everything from America is justHonestly it’s political dribble, idk if they are just trying to brain wash children or appeal to the millennials. I’m a transgender and I’m getting so tired of politics everywhere. You don’t appeal to me you just annoy me. My friends have been asking me why I’ve been watching anime instead of all the shows I use to watch and shows like this are the reason, everything from America is just political **** now a day. Pinky and the Brain kept its charm but that’s the only thing. I find myself rooting for the people they are tormenting. They also got rid of so many of the other mini shows in animaniacs that made it good. Honestly they say it themselves in the first episode, they are a shameless cash grab. So at least they are honest… Expand
  14. AndreGrl
    Oct 29, 2021
    6
    Not as good as the original, multiple cut characters, nowhere as clever or wacky, and Jokes I've seen elsewhere.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Consequence
    Reviewed by: Ryan Larson
    Dec 2, 2020
    75
    This reboot of the Animaniacs is still a ton of fun. While it stumbles at times and doesn’t quite capture the magic of the original, there is enough wit to remind fans of the heyday of Saturday morning cartoons.
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  2. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Nov 20, 2020
    80
    If there’s anything we need right now is something reliable to make us laugh. And Animaniacs fills that bill, just about as well as it did in the go-go ’90s.
    Read full review
  3. Collider
    Reviewed by: Gregory Lawrence
    Nov 20, 2020
    42
    2020 Animaniacs is obsessed with itself being a 2020 reboot of a 1990s cartoon, and furthermore, it hates itself for being one.
    Read full review
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