Today’s home video releases include some new classics from the 1990s renaissance in Warner Bros. cartoons. In addition to volumes of the ever-popular Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain, toon fans can pick up season one of Cartoon Network’s The Boondocks and a compilation of the shorts nominated for the 2005 Academy Awards.
Introduced in 1993, Animaniacs is the acclaimed Steve Spielberg-produced series featuring an ensemble cast of wacky characters including appearing Wakko, Yakko, Dot Warner, Pinky, The Brain, Rita, Runt, Bobby, Pesto and Squit. Directed by Rich Arons and Peter Bonerz and featuring a top-notch voice cast (Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille, John Mariano, Chick Vennera and Nancy Cartwright, to name a few), the five-disc set includes 25 episodes and an extra feature titled Animaniacs Live!, in which comic Maurice LaMarche hosts an in-studio-style interview via satellite with Animaniac friends. The set carries a suggest retail price of $44.98.
From Animaniacs, Pinky and The Brain went on to get their own series, aptly titled Pinky and The Brain, which chronicled the further adventures of a genetically engineered mouse who continually attempts to take over the world will the help of his insane cohort. All 22 episodes from the first season are now available in a four-disc set that also includes the featurette Pinky and the Brain: The Start of All Things Wacky, featuring series voice actors Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche, and voice director Andrea Romano. The Warner Home Video releases also lists for $44.98.
The Boondocks, [adult swim]’s critically acclaimed and controversial animated series based on cartoonist Aaron McGruder’s politically charged comic strip, makes its way to retail today with all 15 episodes from the 2005-2006 debut season available uncut and uncensored on three discs. The set includes audio and video commentaries by McGruder, audio commentaries by fan-favorite character Uncle Ruckus, behind-the-scenes peeks, deleted scenes, animatics, unaired [adult swim] TV promos and printable storyboards. Released by Sony, the title is available for $49.95.
Magnolia Home Entertainment today released The 2005 Academy Award Short Films Collection, which includes three of the nominated animated entries. Available on one disc are Sharon Colman’s Badgered, Anthony Lucas’ The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello and John Canemaker’s Oscar-winning The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation. Missing from the compilation, likely due to rights issues, are Andrew Jimenez and Mark Andrews’ One Man Band from Pixar Animation Studios and Shane Acker’s 9, which is being developed as a feature by producer Tim Burton. The release also includes a couple of the live-action contenders and lists for $29.98.
Also available today is Shadow Star Narutaru DVD Collection, a four-disc set with 13 episodes of the anime series based on the best-selling manga of the same name. The Central Park media release lists for $ 49.95 and includes storyboards, director’s commentary, an art gallery and interviews with the English-language voice actors.
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