Review

Defined as absurd and violent by its creator, David Lynch's animated cartoon series Dumbland comes to DVD with the subtlety of a head wound. Originally offered as a series only available on DavidLynch.com, Dumbland has finally been given the deluxe packaging treatment that all of Lynch's more experimental titles have received. Starring a cast of crudely drawn characters, the star of which is a loud-mouthed, agitated, beer swilling buffoon named Randy, the cartoon lurches through 8 episodes of shockingly violent and oftentimes funny absurdity. Singing and dancing ants, bullish mother-in-laws, squealing wives, farting cowboys and neighbors with sticks stuck in their mouths, it is Lynch’s version of a Saturday morning cartoon. Launched as an experiment as Lynch toyed and tinkered with the ability of flash animation, Dumbland is not typical Lynch fare. Rather, it is an intentionally childish and pointless expression. It is the ultimate 180 degree turn from the “known” Lynch of film. This is not a negative opinion of the DVD; instead, it acts as the centerpiece of an obscenely interesting (albeit brief) tangent of a brilliant career. While not a necessity, it is a must have for any true Lynch fan.

 -- Brian Sokel