Another great set of adventures on DVD from Cartoon Network and some so-so adventures as well. These Adventure Time mini-collections are becoming as common as finding SpongeBob Squarepants on Nickelodeon at any given time, any given day. Is that a bad thing? Well, if you’re not interested in owning the seasons, which can be expensive, especially for parents on a budget, then these mini-collections, which are themed, might be the perfect solution. And like I said before, they are abundant.
This time around, the latest mini-collection is called Adventure Time: The Enchiridion, which focuses on our heroes quite a bit, though departs here and there for some impactful stories. The first episode is titled The Enchiridion, which starts the collection off on the right foot. Pulling from the first season, fifth episode of Adventure Time, Jake and Finn have to find the ultimate, and rare, hero’s handbook called The Enchiridion, which will define their heroism. The adventure, in true AT fashion, spans the duo fighting an ogre (who eats Jake), going up against a death-like magician and Finn having to decide whether to step on an ant or not. Yeah, you get a lot of adventure in one fantastic episode.
As the mini-collection continues, you also get some very impactful, endearing and emotional episodes. One such episode is called Betty (season 5, episode 48), which continues the pre-life of the Ice King as Simon. When a ritual changes the Ice King back to Simon, who begins to die due to his 1,000 year old age, he wants to go back in time to tell his long-lost love, Betty, how much he loves her. What he doesn’t expect is Betty coming back with him and helping him to survive while trying to find a proper cure for his age longevity. Anything about the Ice King and his past usually means a well-written episode that is enormously thoughtful. I love this type of episode because it really brings out the valuable and talented writing that often gets overlooked in Adventure Time — it’s more than just a show about random things.
Betty is my favorite episode of the bunch.
Other episodes worth mentioning in this collection are as follows:
Root Beer Guy – As episodes go in Adventure Time, this one is weird, but entertaining. In true noir style, Root Beer Guy takes it upon himself to solve the mystery of Princess Bubblegum’s disappearance, which may or may not be the result of Jake and Finn’s adventuring. Going against the grain, and his wife’s wishes, RBG (ha!) works the mystery, with narrative driven voice over included, to bring some resolve to the mystery of PB’s absence. A fantastic episode that widens the universe of Adventure Time. It’s entertaining, though there is a little bit of assumed adult content. Just a little.
Billy’s Bucket List – Love me some Billy. Finn finds Billy’s bucket list and is determined to complete his wishes as a ‘thank you’ for his warrior/heroic services. This episode is a bit weird, though endearing in a way to the story of Billy. Not the fastest, but one of the more emotionally invested episodes I have seen in the AT family.
Web Weirdos – Love this episode. Jake, Finn and two flies are trapped in a giant spider web and have to figure out a way out. The solution? They have to help a grumpy male spider reconcile with his female spider spouse. Bobcat Goldthwait and Susie Essman voice the spiders and the entirety of the episode is hilarious. It is truthfully one of the simpler stories of the bunch, but it’s quite good — especially the flies.
Gut Grinder – It starts slow, but it really picks up. Jake and Finn run into several towns where the town folks think Jake is the ‘gut grinder’, a beast that steals and eats gold. Jake starts doubting himself, so Finn helps him by tracking down the gut grinder. Much like typical Adventure Time episodes, very disturbing, but adventurous and entertaining.
Overall, the sixteen episodes included with Adventure Time: The Enchiridion’s DVD are just a nice variety of good fun, and sometimes an emotional rollercoaster ride. It’s one of the stronger mini-collection releases from the good folks at Cartoon Network and one that should be strongly considered if you’re looking for good, yet cheap Adventure Time fun. Good stuff.
No special features, sadly.