Dark Minions

Article first posted as Amazon Originals Dark Minions Review on TheTVKing.

Amazon made a ballsy move by releasing one of their new pilots, Dark Minions, in an unfinished state. Intended to be stop-motion animation, only a handful of scenes are complete, with the rest presented as sketches and sound effects.

I do not know the costs associated with stop motion, so don't know if that was the reason for the incomplete look, but I got the gist of the program decently enough. The story is easy to follow, the characters are relatable and likeable, and the voice work is cartoonish enough to mostly overcome the lack of visual product.

Still, I do think Dark Minions would have benefited by being complete. It's hard to imagine some of the bigger scenes in their current form, and the look is not at all impressive. If the series was able to wow us with what it wants to do, I think that would have helped. At the end of the day, though, I hope that this presentation doesn't hurt its chances of being picked up.

Of all the Amazon comedy pilots, Dark Minions is the most family-friendly. Sure, there is an evil empire with a planet-destroying weapon. But the blustery leader is goofy and amusing. I can't recall, though I could be wrong, any cursing, and a couple of pot jokes, while not ideal viewing for children, might just go over their heads. Content-wise, it's the tamest of the releases.

Which doesn't mean that it's not enjoyable. Mel (John Ross Bowie, The Big Bang Theory) and Andy (Kevin Sussman, also The Big Bang Theory) are slackers, more or less, who go to work for the galactic conquerors because they need a paycheck. They are the lesser storm troopers, working deep within the bowels of the starship, with no power or influence over policy. Thus, they are harmless, and their sweet dispositions make us forgive their choice in jobs, which at least one of them has a good reason for taking.

While on assignment to a planet, they meet Carly (Jamie Denbo, Terriers) and Lance (Andrew Daly, Eastbound & Down), rebels who would like to overthrow their overlords. Mel and Andy manage to pass themselves off as antique dealers, rather than soldiers, and a bond forms between the foursome.

Which is why when Drebnor (Clancy Brown, SpongeBob SquarePants) decides to blow up their world, Mel and Andy risk life, limb, and employment to save their new friends. They succeed, and Carly, believing them to be prisoners, rather than liars, drags Lance along to save them.

I think there are the makings here for a sweet, heroic story. Carly will be mad when she learns she has been fooled, of course, but the genuine earnestness of the lead characters should be enough for them to eventually earn her forgiveness. Plus, they will likely end up helping her, so this could be a bumbling comedy about good guys trying to take down the bad ones. I see potential here.

I also found the "Pilot" quite amusing and charming. Most of the players here are everymen, people we can get behind and root for in every setting, even space, which provides a rich tapestry of trouble to get into and strange environments to visit. They screw up, thankfully, because it provides laughs, but rebound from doing so, too, without much harm done. One can enjoy the blunders when one knows there won't be any serious, dire consequences, which there won't be with Dark Minion's light tone. Side characters, such as Drebnor's blubbering assistant, Feldenbaum (Richard Kind, Luck), and the radio man, DJ Wormhole (Phil LaMarr, Futurama), help round out the world.

Overall, I wish I could have seen a completed project, but Dark Minions should have broad enough appeal to find an audience. Dark Minions is available now on Amazon.com.

"Grinches Be Crazy" on Happy Endings

     ABC's Happy Endings celebrates Christmas in a fashion true to itself in "Grinches Be Crazy." Jane (Eliza Coupe) accidentally gives housekeeper Gita (Jamie Denbo, Suburgatory, Terriers) her and Brad's (Damon Wayans Jr.) Christmas vacation money, rather than the intended tip. Jane tries to steal it back, but feels guilty as Gita proclaims her an angel. Max (Adam Pally) agrees to play Santa for Penny (Casey Wilson), and discovers some true benefits to the persona. Dave (Zachary Knighton) cashes in all of the coupons Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) gifted him over the years, including one for a kiss.

     Jane is a true type-A personality, and because of that, she can be a little cold sometimes. But viewers get to see what Brad sees in "Grinches By Crazy," in that Jane does the right thing in the end. Yes, she goes to great lengths to steal poor Gita's gift back, which leads the police to try to arrest Max and Brad for the crime, the latter hilariously, because of race stereotypes. This is OK, and really funny, because the arresting officer (Gary Anthony Williams, Boston Legal, The Boondocks) is also black. But Jane also cannot disappoint anyone, so she lets Gita take the trip. It's to Brad's credit and maturity that he doesn't get upset with Jane, recognizing that she only makes a mistake, and does her best to make up for it.

     Max's turn as Santa is pretty hilarious, too. It is well documented that Max does not like kids, but sometimes can relate to them, under the right circumstances. Of course, he does relate to them in "Grinches By Crazy," touched by a moving story from a child. But the true greatness of the subplot comes when he, just by being in costume, saves Penny from a mugging, then the two cluelessly ignore the mugger hitting someone else right behind them. Bonus points for Alex falling into the donation bin in the background of another scene featuring Max.

     The chemistry between Alex and Dave is palpable. Alex runs a little crazy, and Dave is neurotic, so it's realistic that they didn't work out. But they must also have great sex, and affection for each other, because they can't seem to stay apart. They've tried, but they also keep being drawn back together, which means they probably have a little growing to do, but will eventually get a happy ending with each other. How can they not, after that higly charged kiss?

     In "Grinches Be Crazy," Dave and Alex bond as Alex goes to great lengths to fulfill her coupons. They are goofy ideas that she never expects to have to do, especially not all at once. But give the girl credit for throwing herself into the tasks whole heartedly. The thing about Alex is that commits. This is reflected in Cuthbert's acting. The actress is the least funny member of the ensemble, but it's clear that she tries really hard, so she remains likable and sympathetic.

    Happy Endings is a series that deserves to be watched, and it's not out of line to consider it this decade's Friends, given the consistent talent and success it is currently enjoying. It will return in January to ABC.

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Terriers yet another quirky crime show?

    FX has television's newest crime show, Terriers, though I'm sure it won't hold that 'new' status for long. Why are crime dramas the most common type of series on television? Sure, I get the draw of a few of them. Bones, for one, has a very eclectic cast played by extremely talented actors, so I watch it. Plus there is personal development and arcs that last through multiple episodes. FX has delivered two unique shows that can barely be called crime shows: Damages and Justified. I am fans of both of those as well. But with the huge overpopulation of the CSI and Law & Order franchises, as well as the failure of most crime investigation shows to break a procedural mold, I am by and large against them. USA is the one network that strikes a delicate balance, winning and losing in almost equal parts.

     I can't tell from the pilot which side of the coin that Terriers lands on. On one hand, there was one case that was solved in the hour. On the other, there is a very interesting character in Hank Dolworth, a recovering alcoholic pining over his ex-wife. He is played by Donal Logue (Life). I have seen Logue before, but certainly never with this much depth. It is a role of a lifetime for him. He is a former cop who now goes around with his best friend Britt (Michael Raymond-James, True Blood) and, while sometimes getting in the way of the cops, finding things that are lost. Or at least, that's how they're described in the pilot. I liked Raymond-James better in his last series. He plays the dumb sidekick here, but not as well as plenty of other actors have played it.

     The only other notable star is Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break) as Dolworth's former partner, Detective Mark Gustafson, who is still on the force. Dolworth's lawyer, Maggie (Jamie Denbo), is okay, and might possibly have potential. Both Britt's girlfriend Katie (Laura Allen, Dirt) and Dolworth's ex-wife, Gretchen (Kimberly Quinn) don't really add anything new to the mix. The question is, will these side characters become important, or will the entire series be about Dolworth? And if it is, can television support another single character-driven procedural? I'm thinking not.

     I'll give the show another chance, given the excellent network it airs on, but at this point, I'm not optimistic. If you'd like to check out Terriers, it's on FX Wednesdays at 10pm, and the pilot will surely rerun this weekend.


Article first published as TV Review: Terriers Yet Another Quirky crime Show? on Blogcritics.