Tom And Jerry Tales: Volume Four DVD Credits:

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Tom And Jerry Tales: Volume Four DVD Release Date: 10th March 2008

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Tom And Jerry Tales: Volume Four DVD Review:

What I love about Tom and Jerry is what Itchy and Scratchy exemplify: sadistic, constantly warring animal critters who are more violent than a Tarantino film. The newest incarnation of the tomcat and rodent is a mere shadow of their belligerent counterparts. The music is not reminiscent at all of the old Saturday morning Warner Brother cartoons. Its way too gaggy, playing off every single cue. But what surprised me most sound-wise, were the sounds Tom and Jerry made. What I use to love about watching their cartoons were how they played like a silent movie. In the newest version, Tom and Jerry constantly yell, grunt, laugh, and whine. Jerry’s voice is very whimpy, but not as annoying as Spike’s talking. Yet, despite the break with tradition, a few episodes (both old school and newer style) are great fun.

Volume 4 of Tom and Jerry Tales includes twelve episodes. These twelve episodes are broken down into groups of three, each themed.

Part 1’s theme is foreign settings and includes the episodes “Zent out of Shape”, “I Dream of Meanie”, and “Which Witch”. “Zent out of Shape” is supposedly set in a Chinese Buddhist temple, but contains Spike as a Japanese Godzilla monster. “I Dream of Meanie” alludes to Aladdin all the way from its setting to the music. “Which Witch” features a character similar to Witch Hazel, who has had many incarnations in various animated cartoons.

Part 2’s theme is superpowers/superhumans and includes the episodes “More Powers To You”, “Catch Me Though You Can’t”, and “Power Tom”. “More Powers To You” is homage to The Fantastic Four, featuring superheroes with the fire, stretch, and strength power. Even Spike is dressed similar to Dr. Doom. In “catch Me Though You Can’t”, a mad scientist accidentally gives Jerry super-speed. What’s the point in that, Tom could never catch him anyhow. “Power Tom” is the first real “old-school” episode, with the original Tom and Jerry dynamic alive and well. There is also a reference to Batman with a pole leading down to a superlair.

Part 3’s theme is pets and includes the episodes “Don’t Bring Your Pet To School Day”, “The Cat Whisperer”, and “Cat Show Catastrophe”. This segment is the first to truly bring back the ultra-violence, desired by fans that grew up with Tom and Jerry. “Don’t Bring Your Pet To School Day” really ups the ante when it comes to showing the violent aftermath of Tom and Jerry’s attacks. “Cat Show Catastrophe” features Tuffy/Nibbles, the baby mouse. In “The Cat Whisperer”, Tom’s master sets him up with a trainer to subdue his outlandish behavior. But, of course, Jerry just has to get in the way of Tom’s training.

Part 4’s theme is animals and includes the episodes “Adventures in Penguin Settings”, “Cat of Prey”, and “Jungle Love”. “Adventures in Penguin Sittings” features what is described as “a very dangerous penguin…considered cute and very hungry.” This could be a reference to Quakers, a much more cute and vicious (towards Tom) Quakers. “Cat of Prey” is set in a Sea World-esque amusement park where Jerry tag teams with a patriotic eagle. “Jungle Love” also features an adorable animal, a rhino that behaves very much like a puppy.

Though the old Tom and Jerry could probably beat up their twenty-first century counterparts, this new version has some merit. The variety in locales and music presented is much wider than previous series. Also, the show has followed tradition by never revealing humans above the neck. It’s difficult to combine both old and new sensibilities. But what really make the few episodes on Volume 4 stand out are their cuteness, quirkiness, and good ol’ fashion slapstick brutality.

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Tom And Jerry Tales: Volume Four DVD review written by: Lyz Reblin