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 is 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 (of two) discs 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 the DVD set featuring the 3rd and 4th seasons, and are now following it up with the 5th & 6th. So far this release has had the most episodes with a total of 37. Like the first release, 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.

Since being properly introduced to “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:
The Long Lost Crown Affair
By George, It's a Dragon
Tiptoe Through the Penfolds
Project Moon
The Next Ice Age Begins at Midnight
The Aliens are Coming
Remote Controlled Chaos
The Man from Gadget
Tampering with Time Tickles
Nero Power
Once Upon a Timeslip
Viva Danger Mouse
Play it Again Wulfgang
"Hear Hear"
Multiplication Fable
The Spy Who Stayed in with a Cold
It's All White, White Wonder
The Hickory Dickory Dock Dilemma
What a 3 Point Turn-Up for the Book
Quark! Quark!
Alping is Snow Easy Matter
Aaagghg!! Spiders!
One of Our Stately Homes is Missing
Afternoon Off with the Fangboner
Beware of Mexicans Delivering Milk
Catastrophe
The Good, the Bad and the Motionless
Statues
The Clock Strikes Back
EE-Tea!
Bandits, Beans and Ballyhoo
Have You Fled from Any Good Books Lately?
Tut, Tut, It's Not Pharoah
"Lost, Found and Spellbound"
Penfold BF
Mechanised Mayhem
Journey to the Earth's Cor!

Starring (the voices of): David Jason, Terry Scott, Edward Kelsey, Brian Trueman
Extras: "One Stormy Night" Episode of Count Duckula, Danger Mouse Theme Song Karaoke, Character Descriptions
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: A&E
Release Date:
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Danger Mouse: Season 5 & 6 a B.