Rugrats Season 1
Studio: Klasky Csupo
Publisher: Beyond Entertainment
Format: DVD
Release Date: December 12th, 2013
Price: $19.95 – Available Here
Overview
What lies inside a child’s mind is something that many look at with a sense of wonder, much like the sense of wonder that a child views the world with. The littlest things can become the greatest of journeys. An everyday object can come alive in the mind of a child.
What makes Rugrats such a special cartoon, one that has undoubtedly withstood the test of time, is the way that it conveys the child’s eye. The wild imagination of children which makes up the foundations of this unforgettable Nicktoon and it all began with its phenomenal first season.
Story
A baby’s gotta do, what a baby’s gotta do! That just about sums up the entire Rugrats series in one single phrase. These babies find the greatest wonders in the smallest of things, but no matter what may come their way, the curiosity in their souls moves them. Once more a baby’s gotta do, what a baby’s gotta do.
The first season of Rugrats is undoubtedly the stuff of legend. If you’ve ever tuned in to Nickelodeon no doubt you’ve caught a number of these episodes in syndication at one point or another. With classic adventures for Tommy Pickles and friends forging hours upon hours of cartoon history, the historical significance of Rugrats is immense to say the very least. But underneath all of that is a simple warm heart.
Rugrats much like other cartoons that have aired on Nickelodeon features primarily an ensemble cast. Each member of the cast is just as important to the series alchemy as the last. Whether it be the chemistry between the babies or their silly old parents, the series has a great character dynamic that works in a multitude of situations and combinations, a true showcase of ensemble story-telling at its finest.
The magic of Rugrats is its universality. For a series that is over 20 years old, it hasn’t missed a beat. The imagination of a child is something that can very easily be related to by people of all ages, even today. We all wish we could be free like a child, without a care in the world, free to let our imaginations run wild. Its a bit of escapism for adults, and a lot of fun for kids who aren’t familiar with the classic series.
Rugrats bridges the gap between older audience and younger audiences. Those who grew up with the series will no doubt find great nostalgia in this release, today’s generation of kids will no doubt fall in love with it just like we did back in the day. It is the universal themes of the series that unite generations, the imagination and wit that the series is built upon that make it unforgettable.
Visuals and Audio
As one could expect after more than 20 years, aesthetically and aurally, Rugrats has aged. The artwork is somewhat sloppy compared to today’s more perfected animation styles. Instead it features a hand-drawn art style that hearkens back an oldschool feel that modern cartoons just don’t have anymore. There is a soul to hand-drawn art that is really under-appreciated nowadays. With a primarily pastel colour palette the series has a distinctive look that can only be described as uniquely Rugrats.
The cinematography is actually quite genius here in Rugrats. With the usage of first-person shots puts viewers into the eyes and minds of the babies, giving a sense of immersion that most cartoons struggle to accomplish, all the while Rugrats makes it look easy.
Rugrats soundtrack is a mash up of plucky tunes and some fast paced energetic little numbers that make for an all around great score, capturing the perfect balance and backing the action on screen superbly.
As for the voice acting, this is easily one of the best voice acted cartoons ever on Nickelodeon. The cast captures the child-like wonder of the babies in great fashion, giving life to each and every one of them. It is a great effort all around from all involved.
Extras
As far as bonus features go on this first season collection, Beyond Entertainment haven’t packaged any in. This is a pretty bare-bones release in regards to extra content. It is simply the first season from start to finish, nothing more and nothing less. While this is surely no issue for most, those looking for a little more bang for their buck will be sorely disappointed in the lack of extras. However if you are simply looking for this season and nothing more, you’ll be more than satisfied with the quantity and quality that this release provides.
Overall
Rugrats is an iconic cartoon that many grew up with. Here we stand over 20 years since it originally graced our televisions way back in 1991. The series has aged like a fine wine, it has gotten better with age. In a day where clever story-telling and treating a child audience with a level of intelligence are few and far between, the oldschool style of Rugrats is a godsend.
Whether you’re a nostalgic fan of the series looking to rekindle that love or looking for something for the kids, Rugrats will not disappoint you. It still stands up today as one of the greatest children’s cartoons ever made and easily one of the best Nicktoons ever.
This first season is where the legend of Rugrats began and with a season as good as this it is no surprise that the series became the phenomenal success that it did. I couldn’t recommend Rugrats any more, it is pure brilliance, a genius kids cartoon the likes of which are sadly few and far between in this day and age. They say a baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do, well what you gotta do is pick-up Rugrats season 1 on DVD, it is a classic in every sense of the term. So why not sit down for a spot of fun with the kids? Well the fun begins with Rugrats.
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