“The Cuphead Show” Review

The+Cuphead+Show+Review

“The Cuphead Show” dropped on Netflix on Feb. 18 with plans for a second season coming out by the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023. The show is based on the popular video game, “Cuphead” which harkens back to the golden age of animation. 

It’s a breath of fresh air from the story driven series of the past decade. While that might be a turn off to some, I found enjoyment from the quirky characters, fluid animation and swinging music.

Being that it’s an adaptation of a popular video game, there are going to be changes for the show to work. Fortunately, like a previous Netflix adaptation “Arcane,” it changes parts from the game while still staying true to the original source material.

It tells the story of Cuphead and his brother Mugman as they go on outrageous misadventures while trying to save Cuphead’s soul from the Devil. 

The animation is the biggest highlight of the series and what people know about the game. As it does harken back to golden age animation, it takes on a rubber hose aesthetic through the characters movement and facial expressions. There are even subtle references to older cartoons from the Fleischer Studio’s “Swing You Sinners” to Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” While they use the good qualities of golden age cartoon, the creators of both the game and Netflix series left out the problematic aspects like racial stereotypes and sexual innuendos.

The characters are charming and have a better dynamic in the show than in the game. One of the major problems that comes with adaptations is finding a way to flesh out characters that don’t really have a personality, and that’s where the show shines. Cuphead is a naïve goofball that loves to have fun even if he gets in trouble; while on the opposite end, Mugman shows a bit of common sense and tries to help his brother out when he does something stupid. They are cared for by Elder Kettle, who is a grouchy old man, but deep down loves the two and always wants them to do the right thing. The villains Devil, King Dice, Ribby, and Croaks all have distinct characteristics. Devil’s explosive mannerisms, King Dice’s Cab Calloway-like movement and speech, and Ribby and Croaks Three Stooges dynamic are some examples.

One character I would like to point out is Ms. Chalice. She doesn’t appear until the last episode, and I want to keep things spoiler-free, but she seems like a character that will have a bigger impact in later seasons.

The music was very lively, and the use of jazz within the entire show adds to what the show is trying to emulate. There are a couple of songs added to the mix that are catchy and will make you want to sing along. 

If I would have to point out one issue to the show, it would be that it’s very short. Honestly it doesn’t hurt the quality of the show, but I know it may turn off many that want a longer, more story-driven type of series.

Overall, “The Cuphead Show” is a fun and quirky animated series that takes us back to a time when you didn’t need to have complex characters or big stakes to make a good cartoon.