Review: Adult cartoons ‘Sausage Party’ and ‘Exploding Kittens,’ one charming, one (purposely) not

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As a lifelong animation enthusiast and someone who grew up with Saturday morning cartoons, I’m always excited to discover new shows that bring fresh ideas and unique perspectives to the table. “Exploding Kittens,” Netflix’s latest foray into animated storytelling, is a charming and unexpected delight that manages to balance humor, heart, and a healthy dose of irreverence.

“Television programs designed for adults originally started out with a lighter tone. Shows like ‘The Flintstones,’ an Stone Age adaptation of ‘The Honeymooners,’ tackled themes of work and marriage and attracted both children and adults. ‘Popeye the Sailor’ featured rough male characters fighting over women, but it remained suitable for kids. However, as our culture continues to evolve and challenge norms, the term ‘adult’ has taken on a new meaning, now synonymous with sex, violence, and profanity.”

Two new cartoons not designed for children arrive this week.

In the bustling atmosphere of a supermarket, I came across the 2016 film “Sausage Party,” an unconventional take on animated films by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jonah Hill. Instead of toys coming to life, this time around it was anthropomorphic groceries creating chaos. With its crass humor, graphic language, and adult situations, it bore a striking resemblance to “Toy Story,” but with a raunchy twist. The messages it conveyed were nothing more than a satirical imitation of sentiment.

When the foods discover that the world beyond the checkout line is not the paradise their mythology promised but rather leads to being consumed, they rebel. In a shocking turn of events, the foods kill their human controllers and celebrate with an orgy. If one can use the term “pansexual” for a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and processed goods, then this is what transpires on the screen. The film concludes by revealing that they are merely cartoon characters.

In the new Amazon Prime Video series “Sausage Party: Foodtopia,” premiering Thursday, the sequel to the original film steps away from its metaphorical and metaphysical themes. Instead, it presents a post-apocalyptic story where food has taken over, eradicating most of humanity. Characters including Frank (Seth Rogen), a hot dog; Barry, a deformed hot dog (Michael Cera); Frank’s girlfriend Brenda, a hot dog bun (Kristen Wiig); and Sammy, a bagel voiced by Edward Norton, return to rebuild society. The story shifts from the market setting to the larger shopping center that houses it.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the undeniable truth that even we humans are susceptible to weaknesses such as greed, ego, jealousy, discord, and mob mentality when it comes to certain situations. In this captivating narrative, Frank and Brenda, brilliantly portrayed by Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur respectively, valiantly attempt to guide us through the maze of temptation. Yet, the allure of power and control, symbolized by an orangutan named Julius (Sam Richardson), can prove too irresistible for some. This tale draws inspiration from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” interwoven with elements reminiscent of “Apocalypse Now” and “Lord of the Flies.”

The comedy is rich in visual and verbal wit, featuring puns and humorous takes on pop culture. For instance, there’s a spoof of Megan Thee Stallion; a character resembling Werner Herzog chronicling Brenda’s story; and a police squad comprised of Chris Baloney, Kishka Hargitay, and Iced Tea – it’s lighthearted, with the sharpness of wit comparable to classic 1930s Hollywood parodies.

The series teeters on the thin divide between being absurdly simple-minded and brilliantly clever, occasionally veering towards one side before shifting to the other. Its creation isn’t haphazard; there’s significant effort put into producing this animated content. However, parts of the script feel as if they originated from a brainstorming session filled with laughter. On one hand, this production stands out by exploring socialism as an alternative or even viable solution, a rarity among both animated and non-animated media. On the other hand, its primary storyline revolves around controlling a creature through its anus.

I do have one question. Why does the food have teeth?

Tom Ellis voices Godcat, left, and Sasheer Zamata voices Devilcat, right, in Netflix’s “Exploding Kittens.”
(Netflix)

In the freshly released Netflix animation “Exploding Kittens,” a large derriere serves as a characteristic element of the gateway linking Earth to Hell. Co-developed by comic artist Matthew Inman and Shane Kosakowski, the show draws inspiration from the renowned card game of the same name created by Inman and Elan Lee. The game’s upcoming adaptation, titled “Exploding Kittens: Good vs Evil,” is based on this series, where no kittens meet their demise through explosion – but other things do instead.

As a cinephile, I’ve come across this lesson numerous times: anything can be transformed into exploitable intellectual property. Yet, there’s something endearing about “Exploding Kittens,” which sets it apart from other productions like “Sausage Party.” It’s heartening to see that the minds behind shows like “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” and even “King of the Hill” are involved. These creators, including Greg Daniels and Mike Judge, have a unique ability to blend sweetness and sourness in their work.

As a movie lover, I’d describe it this way: In a similar vein to “Paradise Lost” and “The Good Place,” this tale explores the realms of heaven, hell, and Earth. The corporation-like deity, portrayed by Tom Ellis (Lucifer from “Lucifer”), finds himself in hot water after a night of drunkenness results in an accidental heavenly conflagration. As punishment, he’s assigned to live amongst humans on Earth, disguised as a cat. Retaining some godlike abilities, he embarks on this journey to learn and grow. Similarly, Sasheer Zamata portrays Beelzebub, the rebellious daughter of Satan, who is sent up from hell to sharpen her wicked skills on Earth – also in feline form.

It seems to me that the true intent here is to incorporate the “kittens” topic. And let’s face it, cats can be quite amusing.

In simpler terms, Abbie (Suzy Nakamura), the mother, transitioned from being a Navy SEAL to working in animal control, yearning for excitement and inadvertently summoning God to mend her family. God appears reluctantly, finding their situation distasteful according to Ellis’ portrayal. Marv (Mark Proksch), the cheerful father, works at a large retail store and enjoys tabletop games as a hobby, referencing the original material. Greta (Ally Maki), their science-gifted daughter, is seeking knowledge, while Travis (Kenny Yates) craves internet recognition. Despite being decent individuals, they have drifted apart.

There are numerous allusions to culture throughout this text, often used in a derogatory way. Examples include open-mic nights, Ted Cruz, “Ellen,” the supposed impurities in Chick-fil-A food, residing in Arizona, SeaWorld, and the perceived agony of folding fitted sheets in hell.

In this story, there’s violence and disturbing elements due to the supernatural aspects and cats, but it doesn’t reach the extreme levels of “Sausage Party” (and there’s no explicit content). The main themes are family and friendship, which shine through the chaos. Despite the initial disgust, we find ourselves rooting for the underdogs – even the gods in their feline forms. As the story progresses, our emotions shift from competition to cooperation, and lost love is rediscovered. It’s a heartfelt tale that may be suitable for kids, depending on their sensitivity.

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2024-07-18 19:25