Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Based on the bestselling book series, this outrageous comedy tells the story of George and Harold, two overly imaginative pranksters who hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s an enthusiastic, yet dimwitted, superhero named Captain Underpants.
Captain Underpants is a surprisingly energetic and self-aware adaptation that captures the anarchic spirit of Dav Pilkey's books with genuine affection. The plot is agreeably zany and moves at a brisk pace, leaning into meta-humor and fourth-wall breaks that feel faithful rather than forced. Voice performances are solid across the board, with Ed Helms bringing enthusiastic charm to the title role. Visually it's lively and inventive, occasionally shifting art styles to mimic the books' sock-puppet and flip-book aesthetic, which is a neat touch. However, it doesn't push far enough into truly distinctive territory — it's fun and above-average for its genre without being exceptional. The ending wraps up too neatly and rushes the resolution of its villain subplot, leaving it feeling a bit undercooked compared to the setup's promise.