CinemaSerf

Starting with an abridged catch-up from series one, this is an action-packed and really quite irreverent drama that introduces us to “Turbo Granny”. Half granny but mostly half cat, she accompanies four childhood friends as they investigate a mystery that might just result in a volcanic eruption and the escape of a deadly serpent that’s been kept at bay by an annual sacrifice from a group of maniacal, mud-bathing pensioners. Meantime, “Momo” and “Okarun” have to combine their efforts to try and help “Jiri” who seems to be under some sort of spell that gets worse as they descend into a pit of ancient houses that lie beneath the surface and contain many mysteries… We have three episodes here so don’t go expecting anything definitive or any solutions, but along the way here we have some fun characterisations and loads of colourful and vivid animation with the granny delivering some earthy dialogue as the gang go from frying pan to fire. Given they must have planned a cinema release here, you’d think they could have tightened up the editing and make the story look a little more seamless but at least there isn’t an actual roller between them. The techno style of soundtrack also works effectively to keep the pace working and there’s just about enough of a self-contained story to make it worth a watch if you’re not going to follow through with the rest of the season.