Ed, Edd n Eddy's Big Picture Show

If certain theatrical films, like "the Lion King", "Finding Nemo", and "Kung Fu Panda", can be very successful and memorable in characterization and storytelling, then TV movies can be like that, too. And "Ed, Edd n Eddy's Big Picture Show" is one superb example.

Basically, the movie centers on the Eds searching for Eddy's brother after Eddy's latest scam backfires big time. (Only the Eds fans know exactly why the scam flops out - sort of.) And all the kids of the Cul-De-Sac have to track them down to avenge for themselves before those troublemakers can reach their destination. Aside from maniac animation and ultimate level of humor, there's one thing that hasn't been overlooked throughout the whole film: heart.

The story of "Ed, Edd n Eddy's Picture Show" has been split into many parts: the Eds, Kevin and Nazz, Jonny and Plank, Sarah and Jimmy (later merged with the Kanker Sisters and Wilbur), and Rolf and Wilbur. But unlike "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa", there's a sufficient amount of story for each set of characters - not too much nor too little. It's all because of the superb sense of direction of the movie. Even the film is almost well-structured, too. (The beginning is a perfect example!) And it seems that the creative artists of "Ed, Edd n Eddy" had managed to take the TV movie to "the place it has to be" big time.

So if you are looking for TV movies with superb comedy and heart, like "Escape from Cluster Prime" and "Rugrats: All Growed Up", then "Ed, Edd n Eddy's Big Picture Show" is one best example to see.

The trademark humor of the Ed Edd and Eddy series is their incredibly elastic body parts, over-portrayal over-exaggerated simple ideas, and the ability to turn the most innocuous objects into sophisticated machines, and this film continues off of it. Basically the story revolves around the Eds trying to escape the wrath of the cul de sac kids after their latest scam unintentionally goes awry, leaving Kevin, Nazz, Rolfe, Johnny horribly mutilated. During this whole pursuit, each of the cul de sac kids run into humorous situations similar to the TV series and through these situations they really get a chance to learn about each other and the strength of their friendship. The film was well made; each character had a decent amount of development, there are happy and sad times for the Eds and the end of the movie is unlike anything you have ever seen in the TV series. This is highly recommended for all fans of Ed Edd Eddy.

Sometime after "Ed, Edd, n Eddy" came out in 1999, I immediately became a big fan of the show. I loved how all the characters had their own unique personality, the great story lines, and the hilarious humor that each episode had. And now in 2009, the movie entitled "Ed, Edd, n Eddy's Big Picture Show" comes out and it is bigger and funnier than any of the episodes that the series had to offer.

The story of the movie is about another scam that the Eds have come up with making a turn for the worse and now all of the kids of the Cul-De-Sac want to get revenge for what happened to them. The Eds come up with a solution that the only place that they will be safe at is where Eddy's brothers lives, so then they begin a journey to get there before the kids catch up with them.

Aside from the humor and great story, the movie also offers some good references from the show that really brings back the memories from the old episodes of the series. The animation and character development was pretty good as always and some scenes, such as action sequence during the beginning, were very well written and directed.

As for the ending, I won't spoil it for anyone but I will say this: it is an ending that the fans will very love. And although this movie marks the end of the series, it was great living the memories again.

Rating: **** out of ****

P.S. Stick around after the movie ends because there is an extra scene after the credits.

My thoughts here come with a backstory: I was not a *huge* fan of EEnE as a child. In fact, Eddy probably ranked among my least favorite characters in any show, for being a greedy punk and getting his friends in trouble. That said, I looked back on the show with the same vague nostalgia I had for most Cartoon Network shows of its era.

In high school, I found out this movie existed and decided to watch it online. It led me to rewatch, and rethink, the entire series. The Big Picture Show finds the bigger story rooted in an episodic slapstick comedy and runs with it. While funny, it hits more emotional beats than you'd expect for a show like this- and ones that other series finales can only dream of. It recontextualizes Eddy's character throughout previous seasons in a very sympathetic, tragic light, and let me appreciate many of the other characters beyond the often one-note role they played in episodes. It's been 7 years since I watched this film, and there are still scenes from it I think about sometimes. If you haven't watched the Big Picture Show, I can't recommend it enough. It's one thing to be nostalgic; it's another to make you rethink nostalgia.

The best Swansong that this series could have asked for. Seriously, Ed, Edd and Eddy is one of those Cartoons that were emblematic of my childhood and anyone with fond memories of it as a child should which this picture even if they have outgrown the show.

Taking us outside the infamous cul-de-sac, if the show had been a bit more relevant in 2009 it could so have been a theatrical feature. There is an artistic competence here that one doesn't really expect (or need) in these movies. The opening sequence with the title cards.... rarely do I begin a movie with such a distinct sense of dread. I mean it.

The landscapes and backgrounds give a powerful sense of grandness on this Odyssey to safety that tests friendships just when the stakes are highest. I suppose the stakes aren't that much higher than getting beat up, but it's a bunch of pre-teens away from home, anything could happen.

All the things that annoyed me a little about the show are addressed. They made this for the fans and it's perfect for what it is.