DVD Corner

Jonny Quest: The Complete Original Series Blu-ray Review

The original series of “Jonny Quest” gets the Blu-ray treatment.

For the first time on Blu-ray, Warner Archive has released a complete collection of all 26 episodes from the 1964 Hanna-Barbera action-adventure animated series “Jonny Quest.” The series revolves around a team comprised of Dr. Benton Quest (a renowned Government scientist and father to Jonny and Hadji), Race Bannon (a special agent that doubles as Jonny’s bodyguard and tutor), Bandit the bulldog, Hadji (Benton’s intelligent adopted son from East India who is skilled in Judo and magic) and the titular young hero who is clever, skilled in Judo, curious, and eager to live life to the fullest. Throughout the series, viewers can expect to see plots involving a deadly laser and missing ships, a mummy and a stolen Anubis statue, native warriors, phony gold, a treasure hunter, a nerve gas factory, a robot spider spy, a Bannon impostor and a rare plant, airplanes, pirates, a submarine base, Pygmy warriors, lizards, a pterodactyl, a ray gun, smugglers, foreign agents, poachers, an invisible energy monster, slave labor, missiles and a missile base,.a thief, disguised villains, kidnappings, terrorists, and a sea creature.

Inspired by the James Bond franchise (from what I have heard), “Jonny Quest” is an unusual Hanna-Barbera series. For one, the series actually aired on prime time television. Two, it feels like a much more adult oriented series as there’s adventure, creatures, suspense, danger, judo, gadgets, fiendish villains, weapons, creepy moments, and, yes, even death. Now, that’s not to say that it won’t have appeal for children. After all, the series does have a comedic relief dog character in Bandit, two kid heroes with Jonny and Hadji, and the aforementioned list of elements that will appeal to almost any kid seeking globe-trotting adventure and excitement that takes place everywhere from Egypt to Japan.

In terms of the actual episodes, they feel very much like good old fashioned serial adventures. In many ways, the series feels like a precursor to Indiana Jones (there’s even archaeology elements). Aside from groan worthy racial stereotypes, each and every episode has something noteworthy. My personal favorites include “Pirates From Below” (which is a sort of home invasion tale), “The Invisible Monster” (which feels like an ode to “Forbidden Planet”), and “The Creature From The Black Lagoon” esque “The Sea Haunt Creature.” Admittedly, I may be biased by the episodes that feel like throwbacks to classic films.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it look? Fans will be in heaven with these bright and colorful transfers. Hopefully we will get more animated series on Blu from Warner Archive as they’re doing such a fantastic job with the animated titles.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? From the music to the dialogue, this is a rockin’ 2.0 track.

Extras:
* P.F. Flyer shoe ad.
* “Jonny Quest Files: Fun Facts And Trivia”- The episode “Double Danger” plays with pop-up trivia.
* “Jonny Quest: Adventures In Animation”- A 15 minute featurette that contains clips, character discussions, talks about the show’s history, and interviews with the likes of Brad Bird.
* “Jonny Quest Video Handbook”- A 17 minute narrated video extra that revolves around the characters, vehicles, allies and foes.

July 15, 2019 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Animated Series, animation, Hanna-Barbera, Jonny Quest, Jonny Quest: The Complete Original Series Blu-ray Review, Warner Archive