Customer Reviews

Danger Mouse - The Complete Seasons 1 & 2

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who's behind these nefarious deeds but none other than that prince of pandemonium, Baron Von Greenback? I toad you so. That's not a real bit from the show, but if that sort of humor evinces a wince and a groan, you'll probably like Danger Mouse. For at last on DVD, here are 17 episodes (seasons one and two) of Britain's intrepid rodent, Danger Mouse, and his sidekick hamster, Penfold. This surrealistic serial, for the deprived who haven't seen it, combines one part Monty Python, one part James Bond, one part Dr. Who and many more random bits in an entirely original, animated cartoon that gets it right, using its limited animation budget to design unforgettable characters, with minimalist, cut-out paper backgrounds.

But we must backtrack, because 17 episodes is a misnomer. The first season consisted of eleven long, single episode stories, sometimes shown with another Brit toon, "Bananaman." Launching in the UK in 1981, DM appeared three years later stateside on Nickelodeon. But the second season moved to the cliff-hanger format, with six shows consisting of five five minute segments per show (here called an "episode"). Each segment recaps all the other segments so far, which works well on the show but on the DVD is slightly annoying. Nevertheless, it's a brilliant limited animation move, allowing the producers to reuse bits over and over, and landing the show securely in the long, distinguished line of episodic, cliff-hanger cartoons from Crusader Rabbit and Ruff and Reddy to The King and Odie and the kings of the cliff-hanger (which even showed them falling off a cliff), Rocky and Bullwinkle.

But as the daffy, depraved fans who have seen it know, DM's other great draw is narrator David Jason who, starting off small in season one, really gets going in season two. Once again, this puts DM in a great lineage of limited animation 'toons driven by great narrators, from Gary Owens of "Laugh In" in Roger Ramjet to William Conrad reporting the saga of Moose and Squirrel. The last episode of season two also introduces Count Duckula, who had his own spinoff cartoon on Nick. A bar in New York had a sign urging silence during the Huckleberry Hound Show. What must it be like in a UK pub during Danger Mouse?

Although this cartoon has been available as a DVD set in England for several years, the PAL format is all but unwatchable here in the United States. And up to now all WE'VE had available are some poorly-packaged episodes on VHS ... and honestly, who bothers buying VHS anymore? But at last this beloved cartoon (which ran on Nickelodeon back in the early 1980s) has been given its U.S. DVD release, and I couldn't be happier.

"Danger Mouse" is a British cartoon about the world's greatest secret agent. With the help of his timid hamster assistant, Penfold, Danger Mouse is constantly saving the world from the villainous toad, Baron Silas Greenback, who in turn is assisted by his crow henchman, Stiletto, and his cute but mischievous pet caterpillar, Nero. The humor here is often very British and very dry. Example:

Danger Mouse: "Penfold, do you know how angry I am with that toad?"
Penfold: "No, but if you'll hum a few bars, I'll join in on the second chorus."

Fans who used to watch this cartoon on Nickelodeon may find the voice of Stiletto a bit puzzling. This DVD collection has Stiletto's original Italian accent. Apparently Nickelodeon was concerned that Italian-Americans might be somewhat offended by a "Mafioso" stereotype, so the voice of Stiletto was re-dubbed with a cockney accent for the U.S.

Not much in the way of extras here, just some character files and the unseen pilot episode, which is interesting but not particularly valuable.

I've searched and I've waited for years, and finally my prayers have been answered -- Danger Mouse has hit the U.S. on DVD! As I sat watching, captivated and grinning like an idiot, I simply felt that I needed to do my part to spread the joy of Danger Mouse.

So what makes DM so special? Plenty! Though the episodes are very short which limits the depth of the stories, the show compensates in countless ways. For one, the characters remember their past. For instance, when Agent 57 and Buggles the Pigeon return in later episodes, DM and Penfold mention in adequate detail the last time they saw them. This adds a feeling of continuity to the series and, ironically, makes the characters seem more "real".

Then there's the humor, where the brilliance of the show truly shines through. Ridiculous slapstick at one moment can be followed immediately with a clever (and sometimes subtle) pun or cultural reference in the next. I believe this is why the show appeals to all ages.

The show's greatest strength, however, has to be in the dialog. It's nothing short of brilliant. If you have a "punny" sense of humor, then every episode will give you something to laugh about. The characters (especially Penfold and Colonel K) also tend to take things out of context and respond in hilarious though completely understandable ways. It may take a moment to realize just how Penfold interpreted the statement to which he's responding, leading to a little "ah ha!" experience followed by a fit of laughter.

I simply cannot praise this show enough. It has stuck with me in my memory and in my vocabulary for over 15 years. To me, that's a testament to this brilliant and unforgettable cartoon.

Of all the shows I loved as a kid, DangerMouse is probably holds the dearest place in my heart. Like all great kids shows, there is plenty for adults to enjoy. The show never insults your intelligence or panders as so many so-called cartoons of today do.

If you've already seen DangerMouse, you don't need a sales pitch from me. If you haven't, BUY THIS NOW!

Oh, and in case anyone is reading this wondering what episodes are available on the 2 discs, here they are:

Disc 1:
Rogue Robots
Who Stole the Bagpipes?
Trouble With Ghosts
The Chicken Run
The Martian Misfit
The Dream Machine
Lord of the Bungle
Die Laughing
The World of Machines
Ice Station Camel
The Plague of Pyramids
The Mystery of the Lost Chord - The pilot episode. This features very different voices for DM & Penfold. This is essentially the same exact episode as Who Stole The Bagpipes, except that the dialogue and ending are different, there is no narration and the episode is about 5 minutes longer than the redone version.

Disc 2:
Custard
Close Encounters of the Absurd Kind
The Duel
The Day of the Suds
The Bad Luck Eye of the Little Yellow God
The Four Tasks of Danger Mouse

What can be said about Danger Mouse? That it is my favorite cartoon of the 80s? Yes, that's true. That it is brilliantly funny yet family friendly? Yes that's true as well. That it is one part James Bond, three parts British (think Monty Python and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), and one part insanity? Spot on, once again. As far as I'm concerned Cosgrove came out of nowhere in the 80s to deliver me a knockout punch. A children's series that actually relies on good writing has always been a rarity. But a children's series with humor that has even more appeal to me as an adult is nearly unique. Danger Mouse has that touch of glorious satire that can insult every inch of you while making you laugh uproariously. The show also has a wonderful sense of the random. One of my favorite dialogues in the series (in the episode Custard)has Penfold (Danger Mouse's head hamster) discussing bicycle clips and he suddenly compares them to toothbrushes. This wonderful display of non sequitur is a prime example of what to expect from this series. Hilarious absurd. Magnificently silly. In short, what can be said of Danger Mouse is best said by the first line of his own insanely addicting theme song.

He's the greatest!

Now that DM's finally getting a dvd release. I couldn't be happier. All I can say to A&E is "MORE!!!" Why if they don't continue the releases (as well as release DM's wonderful spinoff Count Duckula), I shall do what all good secret agents do ... PANIC!!!!!!

DANGER MOUSE! I loved this series! I'm so happy Danger Mouse has finally received a US DVD release! The series was hilarious and action-packed, with Danger Mouse fighting it out with his arch-nemesis Greenback. The show had a huge amount of creativity, as well as absolutely strange, absurd, yet memorable characters. David Jason provides the voice of the main star himself, as well as Count Duckula. I must say, he is pure genius! Danger Mouse also introduced Count Duckula, however, he was a villain in this series! Let's hope for a Count Duckula US release as well, as like Danger Mouse it was also very funny and inventive. However, I am more than satisfied with this Danger Mouse set. This is one just plain brilliant cartoon.

My husband is a MEGA Danger Mouse fan and was thrilled to know that it was finally on DVD...so I gave it to him for his birthday. He has had a great time laughing and enjoying his old favorite cartoon and has made our daughter a fan of it as well! Awesome!! A thinking-man's cartoon!!! We look forward to complelting the collection with more of the show on DVD!!

Ah yes, who could ever forget the wonderfully madcap adventures of the greatest secret agent in the world? I certainly can't, because as a child of the 80's I remember with fondness this wonderful British import that featured every afternoon on Nickelodeon when I grew up. Although I was but a wee tike when I watched this cartoon series, the announcement that the show was coming to DVD was music to my ears. It has been years since I've seen the series, but with the show coming out on DVD, I long to watch the series now that I am an adult, in order to fully appreciate the elements of satire, wit, whimsy and madcap lunacy each episode brings.

This is a show that you can easily watch with your kids, and even enjoy as an adult as well, it may have come out during the 80's, but it has an overall appeal that is simply timeless.

Every bit as clever as you remember! And seriously, for the price, how could you pass it up?

Quick, what is the greatest program ever to be shown on Nickelodeon, and if your answer has "Sponge" or "Pants" in the title you fail badly, the answer is DANGER MOUSE and he's on DVD! One of the best cartoons ever, my childhood hero, and even after going off the air so long ago it still feels fresh and fun, I watched everyday when I was 4 and would probably still keep watching it had it not vanished like it did. While the drawings do show their age with washed out colors at times it doesn't diminish my love for the program. Keep in mind one thing folks these episodes are pulled from the British versions first of all, the second season is broken up into five seperate parts, not two like we had, this will mean alot more recapping in between the show. Also the second season has a slightly shorter intro. Next off Stiletto has an itallian voice and accent not the cockney british one he got saddled with over here. Funny how even those many years ago we could be that anal retenive so not to offend anyone. At least by finally buying these DVD's him saying "Baroni" all the time finally made some sense.

As far as special features go, it's a slim package. No commentaries, no tributes or anything. We get a lost pilot epsiode which is very similar to the "Who stole the bagpipes" episode. In it Danger Mouse has a much more "british" sounding voice and Penfold sounds Irish. DM is also a lot more like James Bond too with his mannerisms. Greenback (named Greenteeth) also has a few more lines and other then that it's the same from the reular run episode. The only other special feature is a know the characters segment. By the way no remastering or retuning of the music....GOOD! they are just how I remember them.

A prime example of a good show for kids, little violense clean humor and imagination. Lets get some more of those old Nick shows out there too okay, a good list to pick from would be Hey Dude, Salute Your Shorts and yes, You Can't Do That On Television (At the very least in that shows case, complete unedited epsiodes and only the episodes with Christine of course, who watched after she left, anyway....).

I will be on my hands and knees praying that we get all of the other seasons on DVD, and at only $20 or so a pop, you can't beat that price. Heres hoping that Danger Mouse will save me from lousy programming again!