Tales from the Far Side (1994)

To me, this movie is perfection.

Nice effects though.

Let's be realistic.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Gary Larson's single-panel cartoon series "The Far Side" ran for fifteen years, offering surreal, twisted takes on our world. Right before it ended, CBS aired "Tales from the Far Side", featuring a number of the characters from the series doing various and sundry things. Quite an enjoyable special. I'd say that my favorite part was the bugs watching "The Fly" in the airplane, but I also liked the zombie camp.I understand that there was a sequel in 1997, but I've never seen it. I guess that until I do, I'll be content with this special. Worth seeing. Since the series ended, Larson has apparently done a lot of environmental stuff.Three-legged race indeed!

"Tales from the Far Side" is an animated cartoon that runs for slightly under half an hour and was written by Gary Larson and directed by Marv Newland. It is from 1994, so had its 20th anniversary already 2 years ago. I personally felt there were some okay snippets in this collection of short films, but overall, it was just really more absurd than funny or interesting. I would say that this little film here is pretty much on par with the sequel that followed a couple years later. Ultimately, I found both extremely forgettable and nowhere near what I would have hoped for based on the rating they got. I guess it must have been fairly successful as otherwise they would not have greenlit a sequel. I myself give it a thumbs down. Not recommended.

I am a HUGE fan of Gary Larson, but I've got to admit, this one creeped me out. I only watched it once, on its original airing, but I remember walking away from it thinking "I'm not sure I really liked that."Something about the translation from printed page to animation didn't quite work. It took on more of an air of a horror flick as opposed to the strip's sense of on-the-edge humor.In some ways, it's kind of like a creepier, less funny version of the Simpsons "Treehouse Of Horror" episodes. Another way to look at it: an animated "Tales From The Crypt."Worth a look if you can find it, but expect more "ewww" than "ha-ha."

WARNING: CONTAINS SLIGHT SPOILERS!! I first saw this cartoon in grade 6, taped off of the TV. (The teacher had to explain the "Deep in the Heart of Texas" joke.) I thought it was so funny, that being the Far Side fan that I was, I had him record it onto another VHS. I now have my own copy. The quality wasn't the best (It was recorded on an EP tape from another EP tape) and an episode of Bill Nye was also taped, but it's still a gas!!If you like the Far Side, then you should love this twisted collection of cartoons. One of the funniest is a very brief sketch called "The Bacon Bunch" (Brady Bunch in pig form.) Also includes "Dead Ranch" (A campsite for zombies.)The only problem is IT'S RARE! IT'S VERY RARE!!!!! I think there's a version put on video, but you probably won't find it. But if you can, buy it!!!There's also a cable special called "Tales From the Far Side II," which I haven't seen. It isn't even on this website! Try to see that too.Bottom line, see it if you can. This should have been a regular TV show. It probably would have done well.