In the modern TV space, it has become increasingly difficult to tell a new animated show from the one sitting next to it. With current industry wisdom firmly focused on what is generally appealing and likely to succeed, it’s easy to forget that when American animation got its start in the 1930s, every studio around seemed determined to innovate. Whether it was Betty Boop or Mickey Mouse, this era of ‘rubberhose’ animation was a golden age for the industry, and no modern cartoon shows this better than Netflix and Studio MDHR’s The Cuphead Show.
Based in the world of the hit video game Cuphead, this bright and poppy adaptation hits at the heart of what made its predecessors great. Its wacky cast of characters is full of charm, its comedy is refreshingly basic in its approach, and its old school flair is undeniably fun.
From the first moments of the catchy opening tune, it’s clear that The Cuphead Show had a lot of heart put into it. Cuphead and his brother Mugman are endearing as central protagonists, just old enough to feel smart while maintaining a childlike innocence that lets them get into trouble. Their adventures around the aptly named Inkwell Isle are a joy to watch, especially when they come face to face with their archnemesis, the goofy but no-less-intimidating Devil.
All-ages comedy is the name of the game here, with plenty of physical humor and exaggerated character performances to make the kids smile. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is just for kids. The villain in question here is literally the Devil and he does try to steal Cuphead’s soul on multiple occasions, so it may be worth watching a few episodes before showing it to young children.
Character designs among the cast are unique and memorable to match their appropriately zany voices, and every move they make has a bounce to it that lets them feel more alive than they otherwise would. This is especially true during scenes which utilize handmade 3D backgrounds, a trick pioneered by the cartoons this show so clearly takes inspiration from.
As a setting, Inkwell Isle is varied and brimming with potential for fun scenarios, and the characters that inhabit it only accentuate this. Mugman, Porkrind, and the Devil in particular strike a great balance between over-the-top antics and down-to-earth humor. This is only helped by a quality selection of voice actors, using a variety of goofy accents and styles to really sell the old-timey feel. Wayne Brady’s King Dice, Luke Millington’s Devil, and Tru Valentino’s Cuphead are particular standouts in this department.
In most respects, The Cuphead Show’s use of golden era sensibilities works to its benefit, but there are a few areas in which it goes a bit too far. For example, the overall plot structure is mostly episodic, mimicking the cartoon shorts of old with self-contained stories that can be viewed in any order. When done right, this can be to a show’s benefit, providing more approachable and streamlined entertainment while still telling a good story (such as with shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Gravity Falls). But in the case of The Cuphead Show, I feel that there wasn’t enough done to keep the viewer engaged. Very few episodes felt like they had real, lasting implications for the world or characters, and without that, it’s difficult to consider these anything more than a collection of shorts. There are small pieces of continuity here or there, such as with Ms. Challice in the final episode, but I can’t help but wish for even the smallest hint of character progression and ongoing stakes beyond that. It’s no coincidence that the two-part episode involving Cuphead’s soul is easily my favorite part of the season, and even a pinch more of this would aid my enjoyment immensely.
There are also occasional hiccups in quality from episode to episode. At times, a scene’s comedy might feel out of step, or one of the occasional musical numbers may not sound quite right. The greatness of the first episode is followed by the mediocrity of the second and then an enjoyable third, frequently bouncing between levels of quality. It isn’t a consistent problem and every episode is at least somewhat enjoyable, but the blips on the radar were just frequent enough to hinder the experience somewhat.
Verdict
In its purest form, The Cuphead Show is a love letter to classic cartoons that knows how to maximize the appeal of its inspirations. Its animation is expressive and full of personality, solidly adapting the world of Cuphead to an animated comedy. The trouble Cuphead and Mugman get into is always goofy and enjoyable to watch, and it’s clear that a lot of care went into making this the best experience it could be. No matter how it may stumble at times, there’s a charm here that I can’t help but appreciate. We just don’t get cartoons like this anymore, and with The Cuphead Show, we get to see their grand return with both the good and the bad, but even with its issues, the wallop it packs hits just the right spot.
Love this👏🏼