The Amazing Screw-On Head

This was the best show I've seen all summer. I didn't really know what to expect, and then managed to sit in some peace and quiet and watch it.

Wow.

A perfect 1/2 hour of television, no matter what the medium. The story moved, the look was unique, the dialogue, the framing, the voices... were all perfect. TV has come a long, long way....I sure hope this becomes a series.

Kudos to Mike Mignola, Dark Horse, the team that did this gem, and sci-fi channel.

Now...give us ...MORE :)

This is the story of the Amazing Screw-On Head, a robot that works for Abraham Lincoln and the United States of America circa 1862. He is capable of attaching himself (a head) into various robotic bodies, some humanoid and others far more powerful. He is called to service when his arch-nemesis, Emperor Zombie, has decided to unleash the power of a demi-god.

This short, roughly 24 minutes, cartoon was a pitch for a series for the SyFy network. For reasons unknown to me, it was not picked up and all that exists today is this one episode. Like another series that never took off, "Heat Vision and Jack", I think this was a great mistake on SyFy's part.

Besides a nice limb-beating scene, the cartoon had original and quirky characters with a unique artwork style. Then you add Abraham Lincoln. I think one could compare the style of this roughly to "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" or "The Venture Brothers", both of which were or are quite successful. Compared to the other original crud SyFy pumps out, this would have likely gathered them a respectable audience.

There isn't much point in watching this cartoon with no others to go with it (the story is really minimal), but if you can get your hands on a copy, maybe give it a try. You'll see what might have been...

I absolutely love this show! I love the humor and the detail that was put into each character. Emperor Zombie is now one of my all time favorite animated villains, not just for his witty remarks, but he is so excellently drawn! Abraham Lincoln is also an awesome character, along with Mr. Groin, Patience, and Amazing Screw-On Head himself.

This show surprised me. I half expected it to be some odd show that I wouldn't like, but, boy, was I wrong. The show is odd, to be truthful, but it is hilarious! The story and the characters are easy to get into and understand.

This is now one of my all time favorite animated shows! The pilot on July 27th on the SciFi channel was phenomenal. I can't wait for the rest of the series.

"The Amazing Screw-On Head" is NOT a cartoon for everyone. It's not intended for kids or normal folks. However, if you fit into that third category, weirdos that like weird stuff (like me), then this is right up your alley! This is a cartoon that was based on a one-shot comic book from Dark Horse Comics--and the hope was that the Sci-Fi Channel would like this pilot and okay the production of an entire series. Well, not surprisingly, it was NOT picked up--mostly because it made shows like "The Oblongs" and "Archer" seem downright normal!!

The film is a mission performed by Screw-On Head for President Lincoln. As for Screw-On Head, he is exactly that--a robotic head (voiced by Paul Giamatti) who can be screwed onto a variety of robotic bodies and goes on spy missions to save America. In this case, the President wants him to stop Emperor Zombie (David Hyde Pierce) from unleashing his latest evil plan--to release a demi-god from his hibernation inside a turnip. Why? Because the creature will conquer the world and Zombie is thrilled to follow up as his new sycophant. Can Screw-On Head possibly stop an undead man-servant and his new demi-god monster friend?!

As you can tell in my description, this is NOT for everyone's taste! This is a very dark, gothy and funny film--particularly the wonderful dialog from Emperor Zombie!! Well worth seeing but, sadly, something I assume you'll never see more of in the future.

By the way, if you get the DVD (available through Netflix), be sure to watch the excellent and informative making of featurette included on the disc.

I would see anything that was animated seeing as I am a big fan of the genre. I absolutely loved The Amazing Screw-On Head. The animation style is very detailed and because I haven't seen anything like it I'd also go as far to say it's unique. The story affectionately reminds one of the comic book style, and it goes at a cracking pace. The sound effects are always in place and never take away from The Amazing Screw-On Head's atmosphere. The humour is very off-beat and done in a hilariously witty way, helped by the snappy pacing. And there is a lot of it that you are in danger of missing something. The characters are wonderful right down to the inspired names, the monsters are instantly lovable, Screw-On Head is a hero one can identify with wholly and the villains are appropriately sinister without falling into stereotype land. The vocal characterisations are also spot on, Paul Giamatti and David Hyde Pierce have seldom disappointed and they certainly don't here with Pierce especially relishing his role.

Overall, a very aptly named animated short film...The Amazing Screw-On Head really is amazing. 10/10 Bethany Cox