Review: ‘Amazing Screw-On Head’ on DVD

Travis:

Through a collaboration of Dark Horse Comics, the Sci-Fi Channel and Mike Mignola, the creator of the single issue comic book, comes an animated adaptation of The Amazing Screw-On Head (2006). Directed by Chris Prynocki, this short 22-minute animated trip into the bizarre and darkly humorous mind of Mignola (creator of Hellboy) is pure enjoyment.

The story takes place in America during the Civil War, whereas President Abraham Lincoln enlists his trusty super-secret special agent, the Amazing Screw-On Head, to stop Emperor Zombie from succeeding in his plans to unleash an ancient evil to attain world domination. The Amazing Screw-On Head (Paul Giamatti) must battle against Emperor Zombie (David Hyde Pierce), his former protege, his former lover, Patience the Vampire (Molly Shannon), a mini-gun toting monkey, Emperor Zombie’s evil foot soldiers and old lady werewolves and ultimately the “unstoppable” demi-God that Zombie unleashes. Screw-On’s only assistance is his robotic body, his manservant Mr. Groin (Patton Oswalt) and his undead dog, Mr. Dog.

The animation is great, similar to that of the Hellboy animated features. Honestly, I would love to see this as a feature-length production, but I wouldn’t go getting my heart set on it. Corey Burton also deserves some credit for taking on multiple character voices, including President Lincoln, the demi-God and Professor Faust. I’m not sure how readily accessible this DVD is to the average viewer, but I managed to find it through Netflix. The DVD includes a Storyboard Comparison and a featurette called From Comic to Cartoon: Making The Amazing Screw-On Head.

(5 out of 5)

Zac:

The Amazing Screw on Head is a bit of a sad story purely based on that fact that we will never get to see any more of his adventures.   The comedy in the show is brilliant and all together insane at the same time.   It is absurd, outlandish, and completely twisted.   The voice cast is excellent with David Hyde Pierce and Paul Giamatti in the leads of Emperor Zombie and Screw on Head respectively.   The originality and imagination found in this failed pilot is so great it really is sad that this series couldn’t come to fruitation.   Seek this out as a rental at least, but if you are a fan of Mike Mignola’s work in Hellboy you will not be dissapointed.

One tear for screw on head.

(4.5 out of 5)

[rating:5/5]