[8.8/10] I’m a sucker, but I loved this episode. The design of the creature just tugged at my heartstrings and never let go. The big eyes, the bulbous cartoon body, the silly expressions, the flowers sprouting from his noggin, his bare(?) bottom, his goofy little ears and big derpy smile. I just love it all. He is cuddly enough to be cute but bizarre enough to not feel too calculatedly so. In short, he’s the perfectly imperfect little (big) buddy.
Pairing him with Jack works for the contrast between them. Jack is solemn, disciplined, and deliberate. The Creature is loud, goofy, and clumsy. So the creature following Jack around, cramping his style, and disrupting his plans, makes for a great comic tug-of-war.
But it works on an emotional level too. There’s a sense in this episode of the Creature as Jack’s pet, or maybe even as his toddler. As someone who owns a large, fluffy cat who often gets in the way and wants attention and affection, this one probably hits me a little harder than some. (Though I am neither as skilled nor as sanguine as Jack). “Jack and the Creature” captures that vibe of loving something and appreciating its innocent sweetness while at the same time being annoyed at how it guileless interferes with your daily doings and grand plans.
The animation for the pair is a delight. Jack maintains his smooth, sharp movements, while the creature is a bundle of joyous energy. His bouncy gait and wiggly gestures mark him as distinct from Jack and help sell their dynamic from a pure physical standpoint.
That dynamic comes through in demeanor as well. There’s something really heartening and relatable about the emotional trajectory ehre. Jack starts out not wanting the Creature to follow him so as not to disrupt his routine. Then, he comes to appreciate and maybe even love the little guy and his earnest sweetness. Then he rues the day he met the Creature after it inadvertently thwarts his ability to retrieve some kind of time crystal. Finally, they reconcile after the Creature helps Jack out of a jam and is delighted to be welcomed into the fold by his traveling companion.
Is that simple? Sure. But I’d argue it’s also elemental, capture something instinctive about how we relate to simple creatures who mean well but don’t know well enough yet. Jack’s reluctance, acceptance,frustration, and embrace of the creature become instantly relatable that way.
There’s further great design work on the 1950s greaser robots. Their theme song is a banger, and the creative attacks and looks of each one of them makes this a fun skirmish even apart from its end. Seeing the Creature save the day by hulking out is a cool way to end the proceedings, and the finale, with Jack and the Creature exalting out into the sunset, is downright beautiful.
Overall, if like me, you are a sucker for the look, vibe, and antics of the Creature, this episode is a boatload of fun. If you find his shtick grating, I can see how this would be a tough episode. But for me, this was an endearing highlight. I don’t expect the Creature to stick around, but it’s still fun to see them together for an episode.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-03-13T05:19:30Z
[8.8/10] I’m a sucker, but I loved this episode. The design of the creature just tugged at my heartstrings and never let go. The big eyes, the bulbous cartoon body, the silly expressions, the flowers sprouting from his noggin, his bare(?) bottom, his goofy little ears and big derpy smile. I just love it all. He is cuddly enough to be cute but bizarre enough to not feel too calculatedly so. In short, he’s the perfectly imperfect little (big) buddy.
Pairing him with Jack works for the contrast between them. Jack is solemn, disciplined, and deliberate. The Creature is loud, goofy, and clumsy. So the creature following Jack around, cramping his style, and disrupting his plans, makes for a great comic tug-of-war.
But it works on an emotional level too. There’s a sense in this episode of the Creature as Jack’s pet, or maybe even as his toddler. As someone who owns a large, fluffy cat who often gets in the way and wants attention and affection, this one probably hits me a little harder than some. (Though I am neither as skilled nor as sanguine as Jack). “Jack and the Creature” captures that vibe of loving something and appreciating its innocent sweetness while at the same time being annoyed at how it guileless interferes with your daily doings and grand plans.
The animation for the pair is a delight. Jack maintains his smooth, sharp movements, while the creature is a bundle of joyous energy. His bouncy gait and wiggly gestures mark him as distinct from Jack and help sell their dynamic from a pure physical standpoint.
That dynamic comes through in demeanor as well. There’s something really heartening and relatable about the emotional trajectory ehre. Jack starts out not wanting the Creature to follow him so as not to disrupt his routine. Then, he comes to appreciate and maybe even love the little guy and his earnest sweetness. Then he rues the day he met the Creature after it inadvertently thwarts his ability to retrieve some kind of time crystal. Finally, they reconcile after the Creature helps Jack out of a jam and is delighted to be welcomed into the fold by his traveling companion.
Is that simple? Sure. But I’d argue it’s also elemental, capture something instinctive about how we relate to simple creatures who mean well but don’t know well enough yet. Jack’s reluctance, acceptance,frustration, and embrace of the creature become instantly relatable that way.
There’s further great design work on the 1950s greaser robots. Their theme song is a banger, and the creative attacks and looks of each one of them makes this a fun skirmish even apart from its end. Seeing the Creature save the day by hulking out is a cool way to end the proceedings, and the finale, with Jack and the Creature exalting out into the sunset, is downright beautiful.
Overall, if like me, you are a sucker for the look, vibe, and antics of the Creature, this episode is a boatload of fun. If you find his shtick grating, I can see how this would be a tough episode. But for me, this was an endearing highlight. I don’t expect the Creature to stick around, but it’s still fun to see them together for an episode.