Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal
Adult Swim | Release Date: October 8, 2019
8.6
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 49 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
42
Mixed:
3
Negative:
4
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
Consw50Oct 11, 2019
The show is a truly beautiful piece of art that show the power of loss, friendship and all life’s basic needs to survive and is further proof that actions can speak louder then words
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
ckgamerSep 17, 2022
this score is for the season 2 finale otherwise its 9 the season 2 finale was terrible and rushed and had some weird moments I regret watching this show how they managed to ruin it with just one episode.. terrible and out of context go watchthis score is for the season 2 finale otherwise its 9 the season 2 finale was terrible and rushed and had some weird moments I regret watching this show how they managed to ruin it with just one episode.. terrible and out of context go watch something else ...… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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2
OlivierPielAug 16, 2022
Someone confused primitive with primal unfortunately. The very sobre Franco-Japanese style of animation (it seems half of the drawings were made by French) is completely wasted on an inane plot. Samurai Jack was so playful, tongue in cheekSomeone confused primitive with primal unfortunately. The very sobre Franco-Japanese style of animation (it seems half of the drawings were made by French) is completely wasted on an inane plot. Samurai Jack was so playful, tongue in cheek and didn't take itself half as seriously as this arrogant drivel.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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4
kuehnauSep 19, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was aware of Primal, but I didn't start watching it until after the last episode of season two. I thought it was an intresting concept, but I also felt as though the concept ran away from the writers far too fast.

We start off in what appears to be an ancient domain, only to be shown that there's also demons, monsters, witches, dinosaurs, zombies and more. The series has a few plot hooks that feel rushed and I personally believe that's because they wasted time with what I'd consider "filler" episodes that don't really add to the other all story in any sort of meaningful way.
Unfortunately, they didn't manage to stick their landing with the end. Spear ends up fighting an unstoppable paranormal force and ends up being badly burned as a result. As he lays dying on his bed, Mira has sex with him. The series ends with Mira and their child riding one of Fang's children.

I understand what they were trying to go with this, I really do. But for me personally, the ending is far too real. The time spent in Primal is a real one, it's deadly and focuses on survival. All you keep doing is walking and hope that sometimes you'll find moments of happiness in between before you die. Genndy Tartakovsky talks about the lashback from the crappy ending of Samurai Jack. The hero spends their life trying to save the past and the future, only to have the love of his life ripped away at the end. How is that any different from Primal?

Let me tell you something, I don't need a constant reminder of how much life sucks, how difficult it is. I already know that, what I need is an escape from reality.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
RisaxSep 18, 2022
Started watching the series because I just wanted a dumb show about a cave man and a T-Rex fighting a bunch of prehistoric monsters, but I got so much more.

Primal is a beautifully animated series with little to no dialogue aside from primalStarted watching the series because I just wanted a dumb show about a cave man and a T-Rex fighting a bunch of prehistoric monsters, but I got so much more.

Primal is a beautifully animated series with little to no dialogue aside from primal screaming, and the occasional bits of dialogue an English speaking audience won't understand. Yet the story is still perfectly conveyed through expressions and actions and it managed to have me on the edge of my seat or on the verge of tears on more than one occasion.

I highly recommend it! There's only some small flaws, such as wounds not carrying over from shot to shot. Or Fang's size fluctuating. But it honestly doesn't take me out of the story or the action.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
huraka13Nov 20, 2020
Una de las mejores y más emotivas series que he visto nunca. Cada capitulo es mejor que el anterior. Nunca un personaje me ha transmitido más con tan poco. Un 10
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
brockcheeseNov 30, 2020
This show is mindblowingly good. Utilizing great animation along with a lack of dialogue to tell a story that shows the depth of storytelling expected from a Tartakovsky product.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
ScienceAdvisorJan 26, 2022
Started off well, but the second half is full of magic and story elements that destroy the world building having established this was set in or around the Precambrian era. At one point I really though they were just going to add in aliensStarted off well, but the second half is full of magic and story elements that destroy the world building having established this was set in or around the Precambrian era. At one point I really though they were just going to add in aliens and mechs, and cannot be sure they did not.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
ComandanteCobraApr 10, 2022
Good and alternative.
Fast paced, episodial cartoon, for mature viewers, that follow everiday strug to surival of a "peculiar" pack in an anacronistic (and with fantasy elements here and there) prehistoric era. There are almost no dialogues,Good and alternative.
Fast paced, episodial cartoon, for mature viewers, that follow everiday strug to surival of a "peculiar" pack in an anacronistic (and with fantasy elements here and there) prehistoric era. There are almost no dialogues, just music, some roars....and lots of gore. Some episodes are better than other but it s a joy for the eyes and for the heart. I'll waith for season 2 for sure.
It remind me of Apocalypto movie in some way… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
NobodyYouKnowOct 23, 2022
It's remarkable how much emotion Tartakovsky (GT hereafter) is able to convey with virtually no words. "Primal" is a fitting title for this show because it plays to fundamental emotions like fear, love, and rage. GT has created a remarkablyIt's remarkable how much emotion Tartakovsky (GT hereafter) is able to convey with virtually no words. "Primal" is a fitting title for this show because it plays to fundamental emotions like fear, love, and rage. GT has created a remarkably memorable character in Spear (the nameless Neanderthal protagonist). He's a veritable juggernaut who has learned how to survive in a very inhospitable world. He's such a likable character that you can't help but root for him even when he's being, uh, "unreasonable".

The show plays fast and loose with time, which should be evident from the get-go since humans arrived on the scene millions of years after dinosaurs. But this becomes especially apparent when we see some things that didn't exist till just a few hundred years ago. That said, you'll enjoy it more if you just go with it -- it's a cartoon after all. And it's this playing with time that makes for some very interesting scenarios which truly test the mettle of Spear and his "pet" dinosaur Fang. Some of the events that occur are pure fantasy, i.e., they don't even try to be realistic, but, again, it's a cartoon, so just sit back and enjoy the craziness. It's a wild, engaging ride.

I just finished season 2, and I was surprised by how emotional I got. GT really knows how to tug at those primal emotions. This show is absolutely worth the relatively small time investment. Check it out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Jonath1984May 12, 2021
Tartakovsky animation are always top class in story telling this is no different. Each episode will have you by the edge of your seat and the bond of the characters to each other makes it all the better highly recommended. The first episodeTartakovsky animation are always top class in story telling this is no different. Each episode will have you by the edge of your seat and the bond of the characters to each other makes it all the better highly recommended. The first episode will hook you, by the 3rd you'll love it… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
eded9999Dec 25, 2021
Very unique show for being a catoon, very cautivating.
Not all episodes are that good, tho.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
SuperShroomsOct 23, 2020
Incredible cartoon. Full of action and emotion. Beautiful scenery, music, art style, atmosphere. Everything is perfect. This is one of the best cartoons I have ever seen.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
TrainspottingAug 23, 2022
I decided to watch this probably like many people did because they like Samurai Jack and of course the guy who did that did Primal.

First of all the animation that everyone is going nuts over in their reviews is so '90s and simplistic.I decided to watch this probably like many people did because they like Samurai Jack and of course the guy who did that did Primal.

First of all the animation that everyone is going nuts over in their reviews is so '90s and simplistic. People must look at shows like Arcane, Love and Death and Robots or Invincible, which are a lot better animation. Since the series is hand-drawn, you can tell that it reuses a ton of drawings from scene to scene.

People also say what a fantastic story Primal has. First of all Primal has no dialogue to help explain or move the plot along which a lot of people see as a huge positive, but I do not.

There are only 4 plot elements in the series

Run Fight Eat and Sleep

So for instance, 1 episode is basically Run Fight Eat Run Run Sleep and then every episode after that is just a variation on these elements.

Oh well, I have stopped watching this series and will not pick it up in season 2.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
cicbaMay 3, 2020
A genuine animation masterpiece, if you watched Samurai Jack before you will notice the same Tartakovskyesque facial expressions and movement animations that give it that special flare.
The action is amazing, truly a experience of a show.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
VahlApr 12, 2021
cArToOnS aRe fOr kIdS... This series is one if not the best western animated series that I have ever seen. I say western cause, you know... Anime exists. As someone who grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Avatar,cArToOnS aRe fOr kIdS... This series is one if not the best western animated series that I have ever seen. I say western cause, you know... Anime exists. As someone who grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Avatar, Teen Titans, and Samurai Jack (this series is by the same director as Samurai Jack) I was blown away by the quality and level of storytelling, even without dialogue. An absolute masterclass on western animation!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
PreeshApr 10, 2021
This series stands as a testament to the power of art direction and sound design. The direction and pacing allow for a connection with the characters despite having no "real" dialogue between our protagonists. The back drop is interesting andThis series stands as a testament to the power of art direction and sound design. The direction and pacing allow for a connection with the characters despite having no "real" dialogue between our protagonists. The back drop is interesting and dramatic and everything plays together with a resonance on par with 'Wal-E'. If you've got HBOMAX you should absolutely check this one out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
foundfootageAug 29, 2022
This is the best show I've seen in a long time. The visuals, the music and the ability to weave emotionally rich moments in the midst of carnage is impressive.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
KnightPowerOct 16, 2022
The animation and the sound are so well done that it transmits the emotion without the need for words.
It describes the essence of the human being, and the difference of the cultural clashes of the civilization and the primitive era (which weThe animation and the sound are so well done that it transmits the emotion without the need for words.
It describes the essence of the human being, and the difference of the cultural clashes of the civilization and the primitive era (which we call barbarian)
The philosophical thought is similar to the book of Robert E.Howard : Conan of Cimmeria.
It is necessary to know the Nordic mythology to better understand the end.

In short :
Brutal, heartbreaking, tender and warm.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
GoodGamePlusSep 17, 2022
Find my review on Letterboxd and Twitter @BB_Reviews1 ---------------------
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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