HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY is a feature documentary exploring the rise and fall of one of the most influential animated series in the history of television. It's the story of a group of talented and dedicated artists whose incredible work brought to life two of the most beloved characters of all time - Ren and Stimpy. It's also a cautionary tale of artistic genius gone awry. The controversial creator of the groundbreaking show, John Kricfalusi, both caused and experienced trauma tha... (Full plot summary below)
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HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY is a feature documentary exploring the rise and fall of one of the most influential animated series in the history of television. It's the story of a group of talented and dedicated artists whose incredible work brought to life two of the most beloved characters of all time - Ren and Stimpy. It's also a cautionary tale of artistic genius gone awry. The controversial creator of the groundbreaking show, John Kricfalusi, both caused and experienced trauma that deeply affected his work and relationships. Through archival footage, show artwork and interviews with the artists, actors and executives behind the show, co-directors Ron Cicero and Kimo Easterwood artfully illuminate the joy, beauty and lasting impact of Ren and Stimpy, as well as the dual sides of the show's creator, a man who is both a brilliant animator and storyteller as well as a deeply flawed person.
Leave your thoughts about Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story.
| Film ThreatAlan NgIn the end, the story of the show Ren & Stimpy is a fascinating one, especially for fans and anyone who wants to push boundaries in Hollywood. It also doesn’t make a hero out of John Kricfalusi, who still desires admiration and sympathy. |
| VarietyDennis HarveyA very entertaining recap that grows more disturbing as it wades into the dysfunctional behavior that doomed the show. |
| The A.V. ClubA.A. DowdWhen the movie does turn to the predatory behavior, it mostly feels like an aside; one gets the distinct impression that the filmmakers had to scramble to insert some uncomfortable new material into their otherwise completed documentary. |
| The Hollywood ReporterDan FienbergI spent the first hour of Happy Happy Joy Joy guiltily feeling like I needed a rewatch of Ren & Stimpy — it's an important series and there's no pretending otherwise — and the next 35 minutes feeling dirty about the whole thing and the last 10 minutes getting actively angry about how the entire story had been framed and reduced to "difficult genius" cliches. |
| TheWrapWilliam BibbianiFor documentary fans, it’s a haphazardly paced and awkwardly structured film that struggles to organically incorporate each facet of the tragic “Ren & Stimpy” story, ultimately giving too short a shrift to the greatest tragedy of all. |
