THE VENTURE BROS.: RADIANT IS THE BLOOD OF THE BABOON HEART (2023)
Label: WBHE
Rating: R
Duration: 83 Minutes 33 Seconds
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1)
Director: Jackson Publick
Cast: James Urbaniak, Patrick Warburton, Michael Sinterniklaas, Chris McCulloch, Nina Arianda, Clancy Brown, John Hodgman, Hal Lublin, Jane Lynch, Charles Parnell, Jay Pharoah, Steven Rattazzi, JK Simmons, Dana Snyder
When The Venture Bros. was unceremoniously canceled after season seven fans were crestfallen, it seemed the show would never get a proper finale, then comes along this direct-to-video animated film to do it up properly - yay! As some one who has not yet finished the original series I will say this series finale probably plays better if you're caught up with the series through the end of season seven, but even still I had no trouble loving this series capper. There are several narratives at play here, some of which are direct carry-over from season seven, with the over arching theme appropriately being saying goodbye and moving on - such as Hank Venture's quest to find his long-estranged mother;
Monarch’s ongoing obsession with arching Dr. Venture (anf the true nature of their relationship); plenty of bits that address the over bloated and lazy superhero cycle that's rampant these days; Ven-Tech launching a new tech-line called the H.E.L.P.eR. Pod meant to save the company but with the potential to bankrupt it, plenty of the Guild of Calamitous Intent content, fan-fave Brock Sampson and the OSI, plus some new characters and surprises by way of Mantilla and yet another new collective of villains (A.R.C.H.), and more series call-backs, in-jokes, and deep-fan cameos than you could shake a stick it.
There's a lot going on here in this 84-minute animated movie, it's densely layered and still manages to pack in all the adventure/superhero nostalgia, emotion, and humor that I have loved about the series, only now it's triple fold concentrated into a singular swan song, making it even more potent funny and oddball than usual. Like I said, I have not even finished the original series yet, so I am not getting all the deep-cuts here, but I still had a blast, and I would expect any fan of the series would share my enthusiasm if not more so.
Audio/Video: The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart (2013) in 1080p HD widescreen (1.78:1), the animation style is true to the TV series with bold colors and deep saturation, it looks great in HD, it's sharp and precise, a far superior experience compared to the DVD edition of the complete series I am currently working my way through.
Audio comes by way of English DTS-HD MW 5.1 with optional English subtitles, it;s a solid track with clean dialogue and effects, the score sounds great, and the action moments are impactful.
Extras include a feature-length Audio Commentary by co-creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, plus a second track that's actually Jackson and Doc Answer Fan Questions written in by fans. Need more of Publick and Hammer? You're in luck, we get the 50-min Hodgman and Friends (Featurette), which is a fun fake daytime talk show featuring humorist John Hodgman who sits and chats with Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer covering a series-wide variety of questions, and of course Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart, as well as answering more fan-submitted questions in addition tot he full rules for the cow-spotting game, and how much of season eight they completed before pulling the plug.
The single-disc release arrives in chintzy eco-case with a single sided sleeve of artwork, as well as a slipcover, and a fold-up poster inside, both featuring the same artwork as the wrap. Inside there's a redemption code for a digital copy of the film.
I'm hoping we eventually get a complete series + film Blu-ray collection, I was a bit bummed that the recently releases season 1-7 collection was DVD only. It could happen, every season it seems Rick & Morty get an updated complete series Blu-ray edition, and I am holding out hope that this awesome animated action-adventure series gets the proper HD treatment, it's such an attractive show, it deserves it!
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by co-creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer
- Jackson and Doc Answer Fan Questions (Audio Commentary)
- Hodgman and Friends (Featurette) - John Hodgman digs deep with Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer to learn more about the making of Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart and untold tales about their series. (50:26)
Screenshots from the WBHE Blu-ray:
