Code Monkeys – A Comedy of 8-Bit Proportions:
Season One (Shout! Factory DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: B- Episodes: B
Code Monkeys is a pixel art based animated
series on the G4 Network and truly
takes gaming to a whole new level. The creator
of Code Monkeys, Adam de la Pena,
who also brought such odd creations to the world such as Adult Swim’s Minoriteam (cancelled), truly 1-ups
himself this time around with an all new and creative series that spins video
games’ 8-Bit past in a whole new light…or is it dark?
The
8-Bit, pixel based series Code Monkeys
follows a team of misfit video game programmers in the 1980’s as they get
themselves into (but rarely out of) a slue of odd and vulgar situations. The series is thick with violence, nudity
(8-Bit mind you), toilet humor, video game references, and an overflowing
degree of nerdom that should make any old school gamer or 20 sided die owner
quiver with anticipation.
The cast
of Code Monkeys is not easy to
explain and even harder to understand.
There is Dave the company’s self proclaimed ‘best programmer’ that also
seems to also be the biggest instigator of bad situations, Dave’s best fried
Jerry who worries enough for the entire company, Black Steve the companies
violent yet lovable token black guy, Mary and Claire the girls of the office
who have more than enough evidence to sue the pants off the boys (if they ever
had any on), Mr. Larrity the Texas boss man who is as crazy as they come,
Larrity’s dimwit son Dean, Clarence the singing homosexual, Benny Lee the
company’s adopted Korean child who tests all the games while being paid in
pixie stix and cigarettes, and finally Todd.
Todd is
probably the best character on the series, due to his undying creepy factor,
coupled with his odd, yet misplaced sense of narcissism. Todd wears a Viking helmet, is often nude,
loves nacho cheese, says the future is RPGs when no one even knows what an RPG
is, and seems to be in constant battle with everyone in the office. Todd is voiced by Dana Snyder who also voices
Master Shake on Aqua Teen Hunger Force for Adult Swim; as well as many other
series on Adult Swim. Todd is the icing
on the cake for an already great series.
Another
interesting aspect of the series is the constant bombardment of ‘inside jokes’
from every angle. Not only does the
viewer get the outlandish comedy from the characters on screen, but also (in a Colbert Report’s ‘The Word’ type way) tongue-in-cheek jokes are being projected at
the top and bottom of the screen that are essentially giving commentary on the
ridiculous events that are happening front and center. A truly genius way to give the series that
extra edge.
The
series is wacky, random, insane, vulgar, and everything in between. Once the viewer gets over the fact that the
series is completely 8-Bit based art and is not going to change, the series
becomes much more fun and hilarious. Code Monkeys is meant for the
generation of gamers who spent most of their youth blowing in their Nintendo
system to partake in classics like Mario, Zelda, Spy Hunter, Megaman,
Castlevania, and many more. The
combination of classic gaming with anomalous humor makes for a twisted and
surreal experience that no one will soon forget. Any series that can combine Nintendo and
Hitler jokes gets my vote.
Code Monkeys’ technical features are 8-Bit
heaven. The pixilated animation of the
series is presented in a 1.33 X 1 full screen that is bright and colorful with
a great crisp image; but the series is essentially a simplistic 8-Bit video
game, so a solid picture presentation should be expected. The sound is more than adequate in its Dolby
Digital 2.0 Stereo track that helps the audience think back to a simpler time
with its use of classic video game noises and simplistic sound effects that are
intertwined throughout dialogue heavy series.
The
extras on this 2-Disc set are nonchalant and easily reflect the already surreal
vibe of the series. Extras include a Look Behind the Scenes of Code Monkeys, Code
Monkeys Daily Pranks, Original ‘Barfight’ and ‘Crosswalk’ Game Commercials,
Gaming Tips from G4’s CHEAT!, Original GameAvision Games, and Downloadable
Wallpapers and Posters. The behind
the scenes featurette is basically a casual romp through the Code Monkeys animation headquarters, a
setting that feels closer to the actual series than most could imagine, but
plays off as fun, friendly, informative, and quite humorous. The Daily
Pranks segments are short Code
Monkeys clips that were shown on G4 to promote the series and act as a
hilarious taste of what the series has in store for all who dare to watch. The other features are nice but not as
rewatchable or entertaining as the two aforementioned extras; though the
downloadable games, poster, and wallpapers are quite fun as well.
In the
end, Code Monkeys is a creative and
original series for a new gaming generation who has not forgotten the
past. The series made this reviewer
laugh from beginning to end with its use of classic gaming references and
intellectually crude humor. Select start
and continue for this series.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
