This episode is amazing! It's definitely my favorite one so far
[9.4/10] What a hoot this is! Mxy is such a fun addition to a show like this. Gilbert Godfried plays the character with such a joie de vivre (and occasional frustration) and truly brings Mxy to life. He’s a not-so-secret weapon here, bringing the perfect over-the-top delivery and tone to Mxy that makes the guy feel of a much goofier world than the one Supes normally inhabits.
But having the little imp from the fifth dimension also gives S:TAS an excuse to go full Looney Tunes. All of Mxy’s cartoony gags are super enjoyable, from the randomness of his wandering around trying to find “Magurk”, to his penchant for turning Superman’s friends and family into barnyard animals, to him popping in from the other side of mirrors and popping out his limbs one step at a time. There’s a cartooniness to his whole vibe, and the vaguely Daffy Duck & Elmer Fudd vibe to the proceedings that’s supremely delightful.
Also, facing a mischievous being from another dimension with magical, reality-warping powers is a great excuse to see Clark have to use his head and not just his powers to win the day. There’s such joy in seeing him find all kinds of stinker-y ways to trick Mxy into saying his own name backwards, each more clever than the last.
I also like the time we get to spend with just Mxy (and his girlfriend), still angry over being bested by Supes. There’s a great comic energy to the way Mxy plans and plans and works and works for months and months, only to be topped by Superman in five seconds. It’s a great setup and punchline, with lots of silly bits along the way. Granted, Mxy’s girlfriend being a pinup feels a little indulgently attuned to writer Paul Dini’s kinks, but she still gets to be a fun part of the comic routines (and provides an excuse for the animators to come up with some neat, 50s-inspired designs).
Superman and Mxy’s final confrontation is just as fun, with the warhead chase turned skywriting being another clever ploy from the Man of Steel. I’ll admit, I remember the solution here from childhood, so it’s hard to rate the level of comic surprise, but I still enjoyed it, especially Mxy’s sheepish reaction to being beaten and slowly evaporating.
It ends on a nice note too. Lois chomping down on a carrot only to say out loud, “Why am I eating this?” is a big laugh after her equine escapade. And Mxy enjoying time with his girlfriend only to turn his anti-shrine to Superman into a clanging monkey ends his part of the episode on a nicely silly note while still hinting at more hijinx to come.
Overall, this one is pure entertainment from start to finish. One of the show’s best and silliest outings.
Shout by AnthonyBlockedParent2022-01-19T09:14:51Z
Never realised I needed Gilbert Gottfried as Mr. Mxyzptlk written by Paul Dini in my life but I should have. (Even if the joke doesn't work as well in animation)