Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal is one of the best cartoons out there today. With an amazing story through the first season, I for one can't wait to see where the journey takes us in the second.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided us with a free copy of this Blu-ray/DVD that we reviewed in this blog post. The opinions we share are our own.
“A caveman at the dawn of evolution and a dinosaur on the brink of extinction are bonded by tragedy. This unlikely friendship becomes the only hope of survival in a violent, primordial world.”
This 10-episode series is a fast watch, but an amazing one. In the first episode, Spear and Fang are brought together by the death of each of their families, and through mutual respect and shared loss, they embark on an incredible journey that takes them across the harsh and brutal prehistoric landscape facing all kinds of unknowns. Genndy Tartakovsky may be a familiar name to those who frequently watch Cartoon Network, but for those who don’t, like myself, shows such as Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and Samurai Jack paint a picture of the type of style and design the show will have.
What this show is able to achieve in these 20-22 minute, 10 -episode series is impressive by itself, but the fact that there is no dialogue is simply mind-boggling. Through this shared tragedy that both Spear and Fang share, the audience immediately is sympathetic and cares about these characters. What the show is able to do brilliantly is show this bond grow between them through action instead of words. In a way, the show anthropomorphizes both Fang and Spear, because even though Spear is technically a man, his primal and ape-like nature at times really does make him seem more beast than man. Their emotions are always clear through their facial expressions and interactions with each other, the quivering pupils telling a lot of what each character may be feeling at that exact moment. The absolute best thing about this show is the camaraderie between the two. Primal has really tapped in to something fascinating, relying on this bond alone to propel the story forward.
Unlike some of his earlier work that is geared more toward a younger audience, Primal targets adults. It’s brutal, bloody, super-violent, and most of all, glorious. As an adult, it’s everything I would want to see in a cartoon. I mean, who wouldn’t want a Tyrannosaurus Rex as a friend? As the show gets started, we follow the pair through the unknown wilderness, facing a lot of physical threats such as other prehistoric creatures. As the show progresses, however, some of those threats become a lot more intimidating, and a lot stranger. This keeps the show engaging and fresh, ensuring that not every episode is just Spear and Fang slicing through a lot of enemies, although for me that’s always a highlight.
Here’s an episode breakdown:
- Spear and Fang – Tragedy forces a caveman and a dinosaur to rely upon each other for their survival.
- River of Snakes – Man and beast are challenged to find a way to exist together.
- A Cold Death – In the harshness of the primordial winter, a herd of woolly mammoths hunts for the murderers of one of their own.
- Terror Under the Blood Moon – The horrors of the red night challenge Spear and Fang for their very survival.
- Rage of the Ape-Man – An oasis of peace only leads to a brutal attack from a vicious tribe of apelike men.
- Scent of Prey – Spear struggles to nurse Fang back to health and escape the scavengers of the primordial world.
- Plague of Madness – A relentless dinosaur infected with a terrifying disease pursues Spear and Fang.
- Coven of the Damned – A tribe of mysterious, primitive women seeks to further their coven by using dark magic on Spear and Fang.
- The Night Feeder – A horrific unseen terror stalks the night as well as our heroes, Spear and Fang.
- Slave of the Scorpion – Spear and Fang are confronted by a far more developed human than they’ve ever encountered before.
Video
Primal is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.39:1. This transfer is exceptional. The animation is clear and detailed, with drawn lines very defined. The show is always taking us to amazing new locations, each one as different as the next, and the colors of these areas come through brilliantly in High Definition. Tartakovsky’s style is evident here, and the work done by the animation studio La Cachette is superb.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. This track sounds great, utilizing everything it can to ensure an immersive experience. Surrounds are used very well, with the roars of prehistoric beasts echoing throughout your system like you’re in the middle of it all. The music by Tyler Bates and Joanne Higginbottom is exceptional, providing a very visceral and tribal feel most of the time, something that accompanies the series very well.
Special Features
This set comes with a slipcover and digital code, and features one extra on the disc.
- Behind the Scenes: Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal
Primal is the best damn cartoon I’ve seen in a long time. Through the exploration of this dangerous and strange world, as well as the relationship between Spear and Fang, we’re taken on a journey that is unpredictable, emotional, and downright fun as hell to watch. Even if you’re not big into cartoons, Primal is one to grab. You won’t regret it.
