Way back in the pre-pandemic days of 2017, the video game industry was introduced to a game that became a cultural phenomenon. Even if you weren’t playing games yourself, you couldn’t escape the conversation about the endearing animation and rage inducing style of Cuphead. Fast forward to five years later and streaming giant Netflix decided it might be fun to turn that idea – like almost everything else these days – into a TV series. And just like it is with almost every video game adaptation, The Cuphead Show left me with a lot of mixed feelings.
The series essentially follows our two heroes, Cuphead and Mugman, as they go on their wacky adventures, trying to escape the devil who is trying to harvest the soul of Cuphead, to disastrous results. It is very much a Tom and Jerry, cat and mouse game throughout the series between them. But what makes this series, and the game, stand out, was the use and tribute to the old animation works of early Walt Disney and Max Fleischer (even down to the famous dancing skeletons). In this world of CGI and digital animation, it feels like a breath of fresh air seeing this kind of cartoon stylings again. (It’s strange how the old school ways seem to be more attractive nowadays. Or maybe that’s just me being nostalgic.)
Neither Here Nor There
Now, I have to admit, prior to this, I had never played the game (but have now, angering me in every step of the way), but had a sense of it by watching playthroughs and streams. In a way, that has put a set of expectations upon the series. With the face of cartoons changing from what they used to be in my childhood, I had thought that The Cuphead Show would follow the formula of shows that came before it: Adventure Time, Cupcake & Dino, and Rick & Morty, amongst others. Completely out there, larger than life, with jokes for both the young ones and the young at heart. That was a mistake.
I went into this expecting craziness and insanity, but was left, disappointed. I kept thinking that the show seems confused. It wasn’t tame enough for children and yet, it wasn’t crazy enough for adults either. I was genuinely let down by that. And that was my problem. Much like a lot of reviews and opinions these days, I based my thoughts on my own expectations instead of starting off with a blank slate and seeing the show for what it is. In this fast-paced world with instant gratification, I feel we that we tend to forget that practice of approaching films and TV shows with no baggage and no presumptions. Once that happened, this adaptation became a lot more enjoyable, even heartwarming at times.
Letting Go to the Adventure
Throughout the 12 episode season, I was treated to bite size episodes of pure fun and quips, each one providing humour and life lessons in equal measures. I know that sounds odd, but they really did. Morals such as staying true to yourself, the importance of family, and doing the right thing. They are the kind of parables that exists in many a children’s cartoon, but in The Cuphead Show, these issues are raised in clever and subtle ways.
Let’s face it, with giant vegetables, fighting frogs, and the devil, morals would be the last thing you would think of. But there were some surprisingly sweet moments. And not only that, the episodes are so jammed pack full of humour, zaniness, and music, that the whole season will just fly past you.
To Game or Not to Game?
The big question that always gets asked with adaptations like this, is whether or not you need to play the game to enjoy the show. The answer is not at all. For avid fans of the game, there are tons of references that you’re bound to enjoy, and for newcomers, you can still enjoy the show for what it is. There isn’t some deep story that is steeped in a long, rich history, across a series of video games. This is a show about two beings with kitchenware as heads, who live with an old kettle. Not much braining required beyond that.
Is this groundbreaking TV and a must watch? Absolutely not. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. Think of it this way. The day is over, you’ve just come home and want to unwind. You want to watch something mindless and entertaining. Perhaps over a meal. This is the show for you. The Cuphead Show will be there to keep you company. It will inject some much needed colour and quirky positivity into your life. And God knows we could all use a little more of that.
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