Search - Ren & Stimpy - The Lost Episodes on DVD

Oh sweet God...Ren & Stimpy the way they were always meant t

N. Durham | Philadelphia, PA | 08/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A couple years back, John K. attempted to resurrect Ren & Stimpy for Spike TV. And it worked, albeit pretty briefly. This collection of "Lost" episodes features six episodes where Ren & Stimpy get revamped with all the grossness, nudity, and insane antics that the show was always meant to have, and even though at times it can get to be too much for it's own good, this DVD set is a must own for those who fondly remember this gruesome twosome. In these episodes, Ren & Stimpy go to a beach filled with voluptuous young girls who like to get naked, try to help out a homeless widow (an homage to the Three Stooges), get in over their heads with an insane fire chief, and look to move out of the bum's mouth that they've been living in. Stimpy is also pregnant with Ren's love child (the results of which are hysterical, to me anyway, others may find it to be way too much), and Ren goes to a shrink to reveal the origin of his violent ways. There's interviews and introductions aplenty with John K. and a few others, which are more than worth the price of admission alone. All in all, the Lost Episodes of Ren & Stimpy will certainly be a mixed bag for many, but for those who have always wanted to see the duo in the gross out way that they were always meant to be seen, consider this a must own."

Pretty Disappointing

Aiken Drum | Woodinville, WA United States | 11/06/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"While there are a few worthwhile moments on these discs (mostly in Ren Seeks Help), in general they're uninspired and tedious. The writing is bland and shallow and focuses too much on being able to do the stuff they weren't allowed to do before. It's great to be uncensored and unfettered, but when all you do is take advantage of the opportunity, it's easy to forget to deliver actual entertainment, too. There's also a tendency to draw things out much longer than necessary, almost like the artists wanted to show off their work, dwelling on certain shots and motions for inexplicably long periods. I would get bored in the middle of scenes, waiting for them to get to the (inevitable and obvious) punchlines.

Other than John's voicing of Ren, and Ralph Bakshi's cameo, the voice acting is uneven and monotonous. The animation lipsync is pretty erratic as well, sometimes bang on, sometimes boggling bad, like they changed the joke afterwards and didn't feel like re-animating.

Remarkably, the reason why I give this two stars (instead of the minimum of one) is the extra material with John talking about the show and various bits of animation industry trivia. He's actually quite entertaining and made it worth the bother to have watched these discs. Frankly, I'd rather have spent the whole time listening to him than watching the lost episodes.

Really, other than Ren Seeks Help, these episodes are some pretty weak tea, and that's being kind. I boggle at some of the 5-star reviews and look at them suspiciously. I have a very hard time believing that anyone who doesn't work for the publisher would give these discs the best possible grade. Sorry, I find that unlikely. I think somebody's stuffing the ballot box."

Adult Party Cartoon is amazing

Alex Pasco | Portland, OR | 07/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Adult Party Cartoon is amazing, plain and simple.

So many people complain about the direction that Spumco went with the new Ren and Stimpy cartoons, and to some extent I can understand why. But come on, art evolves and I guarantee you that just as many people would be hollering if John and the gang had just kept on doing what they were doing in 1991. But they didn't, and that's awesome.

Spumco has always been in the business of reinventing amazing cartoons.. right from the get-go. The original Ren & Stimpy = Brilliant. The Yogi/Jetsons cartoons = brilliant, and Adult Party Cartoon is also brilliant. Will it make you uncomfortable? YES! Is some of the art disgusting and disturbing? Yes! And you know what? That's the nature of art. Art challenges and entertains and tittilates and disgusts and disturbs, and that's why it's so important to our society. There's nothing I love more than a complicated piece of work that makes me think, reflect and laugh -- and these do all that in spades. Some of them are absolutely kill-you-in-the-face-dead-on-FUNNY (Altruists, Naked Beach Frenzy), and some of them are sad, awful/beautiful pieces about the nature of psyche (Ren Seeks Help.) I don't really know how to classify Firedogs 2, but Ralph Bakshi is one heck of a guy.

Ultimately, it's up to you -- but I think these are brilliant and I tell you what, a single frame from nearly any Spumco cartoon makes me laugh more than the entire running time of an entire episode of Family Guy (funny show, worst art ever.)

Great job, Spumco!

POSTSCRIPT: the packaging is brilliant, a work of art, fantastic. I wish that much care and attention went into all cartoon dvd packaging. Heck, all packaging."

It Is Sick, Disturbing and Perverted, but Still Amazing

GameraRocks | Gillsville, GA USA | 01/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ren and Stimpy have come a long way from their days on Nickelodeon. If you are not into adult humor then I would fully recommend that you stay away from this series. If you are sick, disturbed and perverted, then you have found your cartoon source. These episodes are not, and I repeat not!!, recommend for children. These episodes have the cast swearing and women's nipples are flying around everywhere! I've said it before and I will say it again, this is not for children at all!

The special features are fairly interesting, but get old over time and there isn't much variety. What I do like is the introduction to the DVD by Weird Al and John K. John K does a great job on each episode introduction that he also does. He tells the inspiration and people behind the stories. Almost every other extra wasn't that interesting, they all have more interviews from the crew but they just aren't that interesting. It is mainly just giggling and not saying anything important or nothing new that John K. hasn't already said. Pencil and art tests are also included, but nothing interesting once again, just black and white versions of the episodes that were already seen in full color.

The episodes themselves are joke after joke, leaving little for story and more about fitting as many jokes in as possible, John K. even admitted to doing this. Even with that said, there is a story to each episode and this series is still funny! Even though it is all mostly adult humor, it is still very funny. But do not come into watching this series expecting it to be like the first series, because it is completely different.
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