The Amazing Screw-On Head

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...

"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 was not so excited to watch The Amazing Screw-On Head because I was visiting a friend from out of town and he insisted that I sit at the computer and watch this online rather than other things we were planning to do. But I was fascinated by it. The animation, firstly, seemed like it would not draw me in, however it is perfect for the noncomformist comic tone of the cartoon. There are so many pitch-black shades of definition in the images and at times, it's as if over two thirds of the screen consists of shadows. The creatures are watered- down Gothic with a coating of the physical presence of sci-fi and anime-loving, computer- savvy quasi-Goth-dressing teenagers. The colors are never bright or positive, always swampy, antiquated, and moody. Mike Mignola's visual style is carried through motion by director Chris Prynoski, who creates a grungy little onslaught.

It begins as if it were a serious cartoon, violence preparing to break out, but then there is a hilarious German accent, played very incidentally. The show progresses into a very offbeat farce with a witty, creative sense of humor that grows elementally out of the material.

The material is founded by terrific comic book concept, a robotic head that screws onto compatible bodies who works as a secret agent serving under Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and fighting battles that lead to points in history in completely different ways than how the nation believes. America having two histories is not something so far-fetched, and it latently satirizes the self-secrecy of this country's history.

It's very troubling to think that network heads (no pun intended) didn't find this pilot worthy of a series, because there are many less intelligent and imaginative cartoon shows that have been turned into successful series, and that actually may be the reason why this show was turned down. However, in a sense, it may not be so bad that The Amazing Screw-On Head never grew beyond this twenty-two-minute passage. Perhaps the impact of such ideas that seem so fresh coming straight out of left field is greater and will stay as great rather than becoming old hat after awhile as the creators scramble to concoct more premises and build on the show's substance. The animation, like with many cartoon shows, might have scaled up the ladder to smooth, state-of-the-art, computer-assisted animation, and with a style like Mike Mignola's, it must be preserved in the grungy sketchiness that is present forever in this maintained little cartoon.

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

MTV showed potential with "Liquid Television" a few years ago (But never realized that potential). David Lynch proved that weirdness could survive at least one season with "Twin Peaks" and now finally animation AND storyline that truly raises the bar. Sure HBO had Spawn and it was edgy but this is the cream.... I would love to see more episodes of course (Mignolia is the new Kirby). What would be really nice is to see this on the big screen, Say before "Hellboy II", Sci-Fi could use this as a great advertising vehicle.

One can only hope that this will lead the vanguard for more interesting projects in animation. I can only dream of a world where "Flaming Carrot" and "The Sandman" are animated fare. Something like "The Invisibles" ,"Preacher" or even the easily contemporary "Transmetropolitan" with Spider Jerusalem tapping away at his powerbook and creating havoc.Sorry, I strayed far....This Mignolia work is amazing and until I can get cable in the alternate universe this will whet my fanboy appetite.