How many times in my reviews have I mentioned I love animation? Too many to count, I suppose. I’m always on the lookout for something new, something old (something borrowed, something blue even…) in the world of animation. I often tune in to the various networks devoted to cartoons (or the more politically correct… animated shorts) and am usually unimpressed by what I see. While there are several new shows that are well-written enough to keep my attention past a first episode, for the most part, the new stuff is drivel. Last year, thanks to the fine folks at A&E Home Video, I had the chance to check out a new… or rather… old animated series. And, as with the case with a lot of A&E releases, it was a show that I hadn’t heard of before. It is called “Danger Mouse” and from what I understand, he was quite popular in the early 1980’s British television.

Originally created back in 1981 by Cosgrove Hall Productions, the company responsible for “The Wind and the Willows” and “Count Duckula”, “Danger Mouse” is a surprisingly hilarious send-up of all of the old James Bond and Sherlock Holmes films. DM (as he is known), is a super secret agent who is called upon to save the world whenever evil rears its ugly head. He shares his home and adventures with his sidekick, Penfold (a neurotic hamster if there ever was one), who gets most of the best lines of the show.

When I popped in the first disc of the release of the 1st and 2nd seasons last year, I was almost turned off of the show because the animation in the title sequence was extremely rudimentary. But, being that I believe in giving a fair chance to anything new (er… old) I opted to keep watching. Within the first few minutes I was shocked to find the banter to be extremely sharp and witty. The animation continued with its rather crude look, but there were a huge amount of pop culture references (for the time), most of which were quite funny. The series is definitely kid friendly, but like most of the better Warner Brothers cartoons, a lot of the humor comes from the dialogue. Kids will enjoy the cutesy animation and gizmos, but adults with a love for pop culture will laugh their butts off. And just as I though there were enough jokes to go around, I was surprised to see a direct nod to the film “Alien” and the “Dr. Who” franchise.

A&E has since released DVD sets featuring the 3rd & 4th, the 5th & 6th and are now finishing off with the final episodes. These 21 episodes finish of the run of the series. Like the previous releases, the quality of the transfer is fair, and while there are a lot of blemishes, none of the episodes are in any way difficult to watch. There are also as many culture references in these episodes that there were previously. Included in the final set is an episode of "Count Duckula", who originally appeared as a villain in several episodes of "Danger Mouse." Duckula went on to have his own popular series. There are also some variations on the "Danger Mouse" as well as a karaoke version of the song. (The kids loved this last one.)

Now that I have access to the entire run of “Danger Mouse”, I can see why it was such a popular series. At one point you could actually find “Danger Mouse” mugs, hats, and all sorts of memorabilia. I may just have to keep my eyes peeled at the next flea market (or Ebay)!!

Episodes:
Dangermouse on the Orient Express
The Ultra Secret Secret
Duckula Meets Frankenstoat
Where There's a Well There's a Way
All Fall Down
Turn of the Tide
Gremlin Alert
Cor! What a Picture!
I Spy with My Little Eye…
Bigfoot Falls
The Statue of Liberty Caper
Penfold Transformed
A Dune with a View
Don Coyote and Sancho Penfold
Crumhorn Strikes Back!
Ants, Trees and… Whoops-A-Daisy
There's a Penfold in My Suit
Rhyme and Punishment
Pillow Fright!
Heavy Duty
The Intergalactic 147

Extras: "Town Hall Terrors" episode of 'Count Duckula', Alternative Danger Mouse Theme Song Options, Danger Mouse Theme Song Karaoke, Character Descriptions
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound
Studio: A&E Home Entertainment
Release Date: 9/26/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Danger Mouse: The Final Seasons a B-.