The Cuphead Show! has created something more than the sum of its parts. It continues Netflix’s trend of superb video game adaptations by creating an animated world so intricate and alive that it will make any animation fan swoon while remaining fun and relatable for any age. Just put on an episode and try not to smile.
There’s an abundance of talent and passion involved in the creation of The Cuphead Show, but ultimately it doesn’t innovate on its inspirations. Instead, it ends up being a homage where the sole novelty comes from seeing these videogame characters recreated in 1930s-era shorts.
The rubber hose animation of the ‘30s is a striking and novel skin to stretch over a traditional run-and-gun video game, but as a series of bite-sized stories, The Cuphead Show can’t help but come up short.
I've never played the game and never understood what was great about it.
The series is beautifully drawn, but otherwise only mediocre.
No obligation to see it.
It's got a lot of passion. It looks quite a bit like 1940s animation which is what the show's goal was. It's got some humor. Problem is that's all it does. If you like Cuphead, this show is for you but prepare to be a little disappointed. It's impressive but I was expecting a little more.