Welcome back for another edition of A Second Look with Jeff Stockton! In this segment I will take a "second look" at a past LRF release with a fresh set of eyes.
This season sees Steve Martin return for the first time in 20 seasons, which made it seem like a good opportunity to take a "second look" at his only other LRF appearance - Bravo/Samurai.
Bravo/Samurai is an adaptation of two separate - and very tonally different - Cartoon Network animated series, Johnny Bravo and Samurai Jack. The film was the final solo writing credit from writer Jack Ryder in Season 9 before a LONG hiatus from the LRF world. When the film was released I had some definite issues with it. It felt like more of a Johnny Bravo film with Samurai Jack along for the ride and it struck me that there was no need or real good reason to combine the two characters for one film - although the casting for the two leading men was quite good.
Looking at the film now, and I think time has been fairly kind to the film. The humor and action work well together, as do stars Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tee. The supporting casting, including Martin don't always land their parts, but everyone is talented enough to get by. I still don't think it needed to include Johnny Bravo AND Samurai Jack. Samurai Jack has a rich enough history and is a strong enough character to work on his own. Jack's script does lack in character development though. If you aren't familiar with the characters already, you'll be lost in this one. While the film's issues are pretty glaring, I still found myself having a lot more fun with it this time around.
Original Grade: D
New Grade: C
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