The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius: Confusion Fusion

Created by John A. Davis and Steve Oedekerk (writer for The Nutty Professor, Bruce Almighty and the Thumb shorts) this spin-off Nickelodeon series from the Oscar-nominated 2001 film includes nine episodes featuring the scientifically minded child prodigy James Isaac Neutron. In the double-length opener “When Pants Attack,” Jimmy creates true smarty pants (that fold and put themselves away), only to find himself and his friends in sartorial trouble when the gadgets malfunction. In “Normal Boy” Jimmy--tired of being a genius--sets his Brain-Drain 8000 device to “drool monkey” to try out life as a dimwit, only the timing is bad since there's a meteor headed directly toward Retroville. Jimmy's wish for a little brother buddy is fleetingly granted when he creates a prototype that--alas--turns into a rival in “Brobot,” while Jimmy's attempt to young-up his grandma (guest voice Phyllis Diller) to end her ailment complaints backfires in “Grandma Baby.” Other episodes include "Jimmy on Ice," “Birth of a Salesman,” “The Big Pinch,” “Time is Money,” and “Battle of the Bands.” Filled with witty dialogue and spiffy computer animation, the DVD version includes three behind-the-scenes spots and the pilot episode “Runaway Rocketboy.” Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams)