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A Knight to Remember/Gummis Just Want To Have Fun
Reviewed: 07/24/2011
But The Humans Always Ruin Everything. As Usual.
So we are moving on to two more shorts today and other than the caption; I have no witty retort here. Let's rant on shall we....?
A Knight to Remember is written and story edited by Rich Fogel and Mark Seidenburg. Gummis Just Want to Have Fun is written by Terrie Collins and story edited by Rich Fogel and Mark Seidenburg. The animation is done by TMS.
A Knight to Remember: We begin this one at Gummi Glen as Cubbi wants to sound the alarm and inside here comes Cubbi who still hasn't learned to lose the wooden bucket on his head. Sunni screams badly and lands in Zummi arms. Everyone runs in a panic as Cubbi is on the table and then jumps down and bashes an innocent helmet on a suit of armor. And people are surprised when I think Cubbi is so cool. Everyone soon realizes that Cubbi is cosplaying being a Gummi knight again and Sunni blows him off since he's no knight. Cubbi points out the obvious continuity error Sunni had pulled (He was called one at the end of Up, Up & Away); but Grammi points out that knights don't cause trouble because they are helpful as she gives Cubbi the bucket and wants him to find some stink weed. Cubbi is not amused at these fetch quest; but decides to do one anyway.
Scene changer ensues as we head into the forest as Cubbi walks with his bucket and slashes some bushes with the WOODEN SWORD OF PINPRICKS. He calls this all a waste of time. Am I the only one who likes fetch quests? If only because they are quite easy and sometime pay off more handsomely than fighting and violence? Cubbi hits rock and then pulls away the weeds to reveal a tombstone and a statue of a Great Gummi known as Sir Gallant. Cubbi stands with honor hoping to be honored as a knight someday. I should note that the tombstone IS in the shape of a cross. A very complex cross; but still a cross. Then someone (I'm guessing Michael Rye; although that would imply that he's Sir Gowain) talks and a ghost comes out in broad daylight. See; this is why Her Chance to Dream got barred in some syndies: Talking to the dead; although Her Chance To Dream took it nearly over the edge to the point of making love with the dead. Cubbi is scared and he runs....like the wind...an easterly wind this time as Gallant states that a Gummi knight has returned to save his spirit. Cubbi goes into the tunnels and slides by himself and then re-enters through the living room and does the ultra-cool bowling spot on the Gummi Bears. Minus Grammi and Gusto of course. Everyone protests this outrage as Cubbi sees the ghost from his angle and runs into the kitchen panicking.
Grammi is cooking and Cubbi finds some international objects and throws them as the ghost of Gallant. Then Cubbi runs out into the hallway and into his bedroom as Grammi can only shake her head. Huh? The ghost was RIGHT IN FRONT of her for her to see. What's that no sell there madam? Anyhow; Cubbi is hiding in his room shivering like a Scooby Doo. I know this is 1988; but I thought we watch Disney to get away from Hanna Barbera; not be reminded of it? Cubbi pops up as the door knocks and all the babyfaces come in as Cubbi feels relieved somewhat. Gruffi wants an explanation and Cubbi explains that he saw a ghost and Gruffi blows it off as usual and Grammi tells Cubbi to tell no more bad stories as the babyfaces leave. Cubbi wonders why they didn't see him and the ghost floats behind him explaining that he can only be seen by a Gummi knight. Cubbi stammers a bit as Gallant calls him out on it and Cubbi stands down and at attention. Gallant explains that he was on a quest to find the Doomsday Clock which could have the power to destroy the world. It was built by an evil wizard as we see in the flashback as the clock destroys itself. Gallant failed in his quest to destroy the clock though and has been doomed as a ghost ever since. Cubbi gets in front of him and cuts a promo that he's going to finish the job Gallant started and Gallant is thrilled.
So we scene change to outside the forest as Cubbi and Gallant walk; but Cubbi wants to know how to find the doomsday clock. So Gallant shows off his Gummi compass which is gold and has a red bear on it. The red bear face glows brighter when they are close; but they must pass test #1: Pass through Dreadful Gorge which we see in all of it's glory on the scene changer. Cubbi is giddy and tries to run in; but Gallant grabs him and grabs a pebble, floats over and drops it in the middle and the whole gorge crumbles completely into the abyss below. Riiiiiggghhhtttt. Cubbi needs to learn about patience according to Gallant. Sadly; the writers need to learn about plausibility. There is only so much disbelief you can suspend guys. So we get to the other side and head to the next scene changer and Cubbi now has to climb slabs of stone on top of spikes. Gallant orders Cubbi to climb of course. Hey; Baloo and Kit did this in Plunder and Lightning Part 3; so Cubbi shouldn't have too much trouble. Cubbi brings out his vial of roided juice; but Gallant steals it from him because he should never use his juice to do shortcuts. Cubbi needs to be taught to rely on himself as Cubbi climbs up the mountain the hard way. Isn't it ironic that Gallant is doing absolutely nothing of note since while Cubbi is cursing this whole adventure and being a knight stuff not being so fun?! Methinks Gallant might just well be the Gummi Bear version of Sir Tuxford. And floating in the air lying down just adds more evidence to my theory.
Cubbi finally struggles over the edge and gets to the top as he slowly walks forward. Gallant proclaims that they are close to the Doomsday Clock; but then notices Cubbi's back shirt is loose and gives Cubbi a sewing needle since Cubbi needs to learn the difference between a vagabond and a knight. HAHA! Cubbi's reaction to that is funny because knights don't sew. So Cubbi improvises by threading the needle through the back of the shirt to reattach the red cloth. Well played Sir Cubbi; well played. Scene changer on a plain as Gallant shows a glowing red bulb on the compass which indicates the Doomsday Clock is close at hand. Cubbi looks around and sees no Doomsday Clock as Cubbi is pissed off and he springs a trap door and drops about 500 feet underground. Gallant floats down with him and the door opens to reveal a lot of treasure and the Doomsday Clock near the back of the room. Gallant gives Cubbi the OUT OF NOWHERE blue magic wrench and tells Cubbi to dismantle the gears himself. Cubbi isn't so sure; but decides to run in and finish the quest anyway. Sadly; he gets cut off by a friar wearing green goblin accusing Cubbi of stealing his treasure. Cubbi tries to reason with him that he's only trying to destroy the clock; but no dice. Cubbi brings out the juice; but the goblin smacks it away from Cubbi and the vial breaks. So now we have roided gold coins. Wonder how much they are worth now?
Anyhow; Cubbi chases goblin and tackles Cubbi down allowing the CHEST OF DEMONS to bounce right into the Doomsday Clock and that somehow starts the clock. What?! That makes no sense whatsoever. Cubbi's “Now look what you have done” is downright hilarious; albeit for a different reason. We see the hands at about five minutes to noon as Gallant proclaims that if it strikes noon; they are doomed. Well; at least it's apporos here since it is a DOOMSDAY clock. Cubbi still gets to dismantle the clock as Gallant grabs a sword (a minor logic break note: The reason that I haven't called the logic of the ghost going through objects and acting like a human to Cubbi at this point is because only a Gummi knight can see him and thus the logic of them exchanging wrenches and grabbing Cubbi makes sense in the context of the logic. Grabbing the sword actually is the first logic break of the episode in this context) and chases the green goblin out of the episode (I think.). I see the goblin has the Goofy scream down somewhat too. I'm guessing it's Hal Smith; but don't hold me to it.
Cubbi climbs a conveniently placed and opens the door to the back of the Doomsday Clock hoping that this works as he sees about 2 dozens gears; give or take six. Cubbi climbs the gears proclaiming that this will not be easy as we waste time for that for a while before returning in the treasure as Gallant reappears with the sword as the goblin is throwing international object at it and Gallant no sells all of course. Gallant blows him off because the world will be destroyed as we head back as Cubbi climbs a stripper like pole and notices the golden gears right in front of him. Real subtle Disney as Cubbi tries to use the wrench; but the needle comes undone and it attaches itself in between the gears that forces Cubbi backwards. You know you are screwed as a Gummi Knight when THAT happens. We get a far shot of the treasure room rumbling as the goblin finally figures this all out. We return to Cubbi on a pole as he now wishes he listened to Sir Gallant on sewing; but that gives him the Krackpotkin plan he needed as he takes the sewing needle and puts it in between the golden gears. That's enough to stop the gears as Cubbi cuts a promo and then the gears all spring out and Cubbi is forced to bail down the clock and out of it as Cubbi hides and the clock explodes which somehow none of the shrapnel hits Cubbi at all. Nice to see Cubbi was in the right place, right time to hide eh? Logic break #2 for the episode as Gallant proclaims that Cubbi stopped the Doomsday Clock and the goblin pops up and acts like a poor man's Uncle Scrooge. Needs a lot of work on how to shower the gold coins I see.
We then return to the grave site as Gallant and Cubbi shake hands and thank each other. Gallant gives Cubbi his compass as a keepsake and Gallant disappears into the tombstone proclaiming that he can now rest in peace. Cubbi is giddy and wants to tell the others about this. We head to the living room on a sky shot as Cubbi tells his story about saving the world and Gruffi and Sunni naturally blow him off for causing enough trouble today. Gruffi then notices the compass and asks where he got it and Cubbi no sells because Gruffi won't believe him anyway. We get a shot of the compass as it glows and Gallant sezs his catchphrase which I cannot spell anyway and that ends the short at 10:32. Another fun Cubbi short in a series of them; but I would have thought Gruffi would have more confidence in him. Whatever. **** (80%).
Gummis Just Want To Have Fun: We begin this one with a fall shot of Gummi Glen and then into the kitchen as Grammi is doing laundry and cannot believe that there is so much to do this time around. Grammi has to do it even if it is a dirty job as Cubbi runs in and throws his cap into the pile like a basketball. Grammi blows him off for leaving mud on the floor (despite not seeing any) and Cubbi groans about he wants to have fun. Grammi wishes she was having fun as Cubbi leaves and we segue into a scene changer as Grammi mops the floor. She rubs her back and she is in the perfect position near the door for Tummi to bop her with it and she face plants onto the floor. Grammi blows off Tummi as Tummi doesn't look where he is going of course as he's in a hurry and slips on the water floor and dumps his ass into the bucket as the model ship land onto the floor. Grammi laments Tummi on not having any fun and Tummi gives her the round around before showing a red mitten he wants mended. HA! Grammi grabs the mitten and doesn't sound amused at all as she storms off stage left. Tummi wonders if it was something he said. Ummm; yes it was Tummi.
Scene changer as we head to the bunch of trees as Grammi has her basket of laundry hanging as she blows off everyone for having to do this and that. She's getting mightly tired of this and then a rainbow shows up and then I become depressed as we have another plot line involving a leprechaun. He does some tricks with his staff and plays the flute. Well; that's an improvement from the other episodes already; so I'll give them that at least. Grammi hears it and proclaims that this is the first time she heard that melody since she was a cub. So we play hard to get for a while as Grammi dives into the bushes; but she cannot grab than damn leprechaun. Then she notices the white cloth flapping and does a tackle on it and she grabs the rascal known as Nogum (Hal Smith). Nogum pops from the cloth as Grammi hasn't seen him since she was knee high to the water sprite. They are clearly friends as they exchange pleasure thoughts and such.
Grammi and Nogum walk away as we scene change and Zummi and Gruffi are surprised to see him as Nogum once bounced Gruffi on his knee. Now there's something we needed to see on videotape. Sadly it won't happen as Gruffi does his trademark pose because he wasn't a babe. Of course not Gruffi; you were a baby and you still act like one sometimes. AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! POW! OUCH! Ummmm.... And then Nogum grabs Gruffi and bounces him on his knee. HAHA! Finally; a leprechaun that pleases me that has nothing to do with Hornswaggle. And then he gets his ass kicked and dumped with a wussy bump on his ass as the Gummis all laugh at his expense. Cubbi is surprised that Grammi had a friend and Nogum proclaims that they were once called the Impossible Pair. Geez; I wonder why? Gruffi calls their adventures; mis-adventures and sadly; no pasta in the kisser ensues from it. BOO HISS! Grammi misses the good old days; and Nogum decides to grab her arm and leave to catch up with old times right where they left off. Ooookkkkaaayyyy.
So we head into the hallway as Tummi walks to the door and opens it asking if Grammi had mended his mitten; but eats pillow. HAHA! We then see Nogum and Grammi playing throw the pillow. Trust me; it's pretty obvious what that involves that it explains itself quite well without my help. They skate out into the hallway as Grammi is chasing Nogum and we head to the book room as Zummi and Sunni are putting books back on the shelf. The skaters skate in as Zummi pleads for them to stay back; but Nogum create a pile of books and Grammi crashes into them as the feathers fly and Gruffi comes in and blows Grammi off for the mess. Grammi proclaims that she doesn't give a damn as we head to the dining room as the Gummi Bears all have their knife and forks ready for supper time. Zummi is not amused with breakfast being so late as Cubbi deduces that she's playing with Nogum as Tummi hates that accusation; but then admits that she didn't mend his mitten yet. Sunni wishes that she would act her age again. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Projection much there Sunni dear? I'm hoping that Grammi would dump another bucket of Gummi sherbert on Sunni's pinhead again; but it won't happen as the Impossible Pair live up to their name and Grammi squirts paste and misses by a mile. Gruffi clears his throat to annoy me; but Nogum sees that this is getting a little too over the top and decides to leave for some fresh air. I see he was the clear-headed one of the group.
Gruffi is on Grammi's case and wants Nogum thrown out; but Grammi thinks that is a dumb idea because she's friends with Nogum. She does have a point there Gruffi. And she hasn't had fun in years as Gruffi blows her off and proclaims that Grammi is making a fool of herself. BWHAHAHAHAHAHA! Projection much there Gruffi? Gruffi proclaims that Nogum goes; or Gruffi goes and sadly for Grammi; everyone takes Gruffi's side on this one thus making it impossible to jettison Gruffi for being a jerkass. Grammi decides to pick Nogum goes and she squirts paste right into Gruffi's kisser. HAHA! Good for her; should have done it when he called her adventures; mis-adventures though. So we see Nogum sitting in front of a log sulking as Grammi finds him and sits down next to him. Nogum feels bad for causing a lot of trouble; but Grammi assures him that it's her friends that don't want them to have any fun. So Nogum throws colored leaves on her and then they tumble down the hill together in a cute spot. So we scene change through the fall colors as Grammi and Nogum hold hands and sing a Teddy Ruxpin song. See; this is why so many fans of the old Disney have such myopia: They claim this new Disney stuff doesn't happen in the old Disney and yet here's a perfect example of it happening it here. It's one thing to claim that it was done better in the old Disney than in the new Disney; that's valid in some respects; but it's insulting to the new fans of Disney to claim that these things never happen in the old Disney when they do. It only assures that the new fans will ignore the old stuff without giving it a chance to breathe.
Anyway; this song gets Grammi all muddy like a dipped ice cream cone and they both end up into the river and splash each other's kissers. Heh. Grammi and Nogum all walk out and Grammi notices that they are near Drekmore now as Nogum relates a story about sneaking in and grabbing some fruit from the ogre tree. So we have done four episodes out of five involving Dukie in some way. Grammi proclaims that she hasn't done this in years as Nogum grabs her hand and wants to do it again as Grammi likes this idea as they dance towards Drekmore to end the segment seven minutes in on the dot.
After the commercial break; we return to the kitchen as there are dirty dishes everywhere as Cubbi calls it a mess. Zummi checks a BARREL OF LAUGHS and the Gummi Berry juice is almost gone. Gruffi enters with only a towel around his naughty parts proclaiming that there is no soap left as Sunni checks the piles of clothes and realizes that Grammi does a lot for them. Tummi claims that it's her job and Gruffi proclaims that she has abandoned all her responsibilities. Gee; how incredibly sexist of you Gruffi; that's Huey Duck's gimmick, dammit! Sunni then asks what they do for her and Gruffi stammers like an idiot. When the diva is questioning everyone's altruism you know they are selfish little bastards. Cubbi admits that they don't even say thank you and Zummi wants to inform her how much they love her work and everyone walks out looking for Grammi. Gruffi on the other hand walks in the opposite direction since he needs to dress up first. Well; at least he's not acting like Gunther in Kickin' Genes. More rapping, less nudity with him sezs I.
So we head to the Ogre Tree as Grammi and Nogum are on a ledge as they notice that the ORGE WOLF OF DOOM is still guarding the tree too. Grammi bounces into the tree easily as Nogum turns his cane into a pole and tries to vault; but he bounces on his ass and the noise wakes up the monster wolf for a moment before he dozes back to sleep again. Grammi slowly goes to the branch where the strawberry apple fruit of doom is telling Nogum to be more careful; but the fruit slips from her hands and it drops and bonks the monster wolf on the noggin waking him up for real. Projection much there Grammi? Grammi has the fruit as the wolf bites and jumps and keeps missing as Grammi and Nogum hang on for dear life. We scene change back to the fall colors as the babyfaces cannot find Grammi for some reason. Cubbi wonders if Grammi is all right and Tummi's reassurance isn't very amusing in Gruffi's ears at least. Zummi blows Gruffi off claiming that Grammi can take care of herself as we cut back to Grammi and Nogum hanging on the tree branch and Grammi screams for help. The tree branch snaps and Gad grabs it and consoles with Zook on yummy berry bush. They eat berries as Nogum drops on his ass and gets caught by the ogres as they want his pot of gold. Damn; I knew the plotline would involve the leprechaun getting caught somehow as they drop the branch of berries and Grammi pops from them proclaiming that she has to do something. If that involves keeping Nogum from ruining this short; then that is A-OK with a cherry on top from me.
So we see Grammi find the OUT OF NOWHERE rope as she ties it to two rocks. Yeah; we all know where this is going as she whistle while Gad and Zook play tug of war with Nogum's arms. Thankfully; only Zook is dumb enough to fall for it as he falls into the abyss below right into the teeth of the monster wolf as he shreds Zook off-screen. Whatever as Grammi uncorks her vial of roided juice and drinks it. IT'S BUTT BOUNCING TIME~! What? No DOING sound? That's very sloppy sound guys. Oh wait; she sprays the juice in Gad's face and that is enough to drop Nogum down onto the ground as Gad bails. Lame-o! Nogum grabs his cane and turns it into the wooden SLEDGEHAMMER OF PLOT. Yeah; I really needed that one Nogum. NOT! Gad gets his feet pounded in such a wussy manner; and despite that he still sells it and runs off. So yes folks; The Ripping Friends do NOT have a monopoly on that spot as Grammi and Nogum laugh their asses off. Gad's bad selling; or John K claiming that Disney would never do that spot? Does it really matter at this point?
Grammi proclaims that she hasn't had this much fun in years as Nogum creates a rainbow and offers her a chance to get away from it all. Grammi loves to; but the wind whips and it gets cold as Grammi grabs the mitten and realizes that she didn't mend it. This finish was lifted for the Her Chance to Dream finish I should note and I loved the TaleSpin one a lot better since if Rebecca didn't do that; she would probably have died unlike Grammi who probably could have joined Nogum for a while with little harm done. Maybe teach Gruffi how to be a real man too. However; Grammi realizes how important she is to the Gummi Bears and no sells the offer of course. Since there was no real consequence of Grammi leaving; I don't really care what her decision was. Unlike Her Chance To Dream where Rebecca not staying with William was the ONLY booking decision Libby Hinson could make and keep the series running. So Nogum accepts her decision without a second thought and disappears into the rainbow as Grammi waves goodbye for now. Now why would always be censored in Plunder and Lightning; but not here. I guess it was suicide themes after all and not an audio mistake.
Anyhow; we return to the living room AFTER HAPPY HOUR (after dark) as the babyfaces walk in as Sunni believes Grammi is gone for good. They walk forward and there is Grammi sitting in a love seat knitting as everyone is in SHOCK. Sunni and Cubbi run in and they embrace Grammi as Grammi gives Tummi the mitten mended good as new. Tummi tries it on and thanks Grammi for that. Grammi stands up to get ready for dinner; but Zummi stops her and wants her to relax since the babyfaces will be making dinner tonight. Grammi is surprised as the babyface all go to the kitchen. Gruffi gets some parting words about things getting back to normal as Grammi agrees with him. Gruffi leaves as Grammi watches the fireplace and hums a tune to end the short at 10:31. Perfectly Acceptable Cartooning thanks to the fact that the writers kept the focus on Grammi having fun; rather than Nogum himself. *** ½ (70%).
THE REVIEW LINE
A better set of shorts this time around as A Knight To Remember was another fun Cubbi short as he continues his upward descent of being a Gummi Knight. A few logic breaks did mar the experience a bit and the power of suggestion of setting up the winding of the Doomsday Clock was dumb. Plus; Sir Gallant was a bit of a jerk and the goblin wasn't anything special. Cubbi of course carried the episode on his back kicking and screaming like he usually does; along with the good animation and I did like his way of destroying the Doomsday Clock with the needle that was set up nicely when he ripped his shirt up earlier. I also liked the fact that the rule of “Cubbi can only see Gallant” work out to reduce the usual logic breaks with ghosts since it made the going through objects/handing object logic break that destroyed Ghost Of A Chance in Rescue Rangers. So we got a fun episode here.
Gummis Just Want To Have Fun my just be the best DTVA episode involving a leprechaun and it was pulled off by actually driving the focus on Grammi having fun with Nogum instead of Nogum hogging the spotlight for his sake. While the episode didn't have the pathos as Her Chance To Dream mainly because Grammi's decision wasn't a life or death decision in the context of the scene; it was effective enough as a fun episode and the resolution was the correct booking decision; although I would have liked it more if Gruffi didn't act like a jerkass throughout it all. So we have a middle of the episode which is a lot more than I could for when it comes to leprechaun plot devices. So; I'm a happy ranter today. Next up is There's No Place Like Home and Color Me Gummi on my list of shorts which will end my first week with Gummi Bears. YAY! So......
Thumbs up for A Knight To Remember and thumbs in the middle for Gummis Just Want To Have Fun and I'll see you all next time.