Prolific animation genius Genndy Tartakovsky has earned the trust of audiences hungry for something transcendent in their consumption of the medium. During the course of creating the final outing of Samurai Jack, Tartakovsky found that the episodes that both he and the fans responded to the strongest were those that featured little-to-no dialogue. With his newest series Primal, the creator doubles down on this approach by creating an entire series free of traditional dialogue. Through the lens of two characters linked by tragedy, a man and a dinosaur, we get an expansive tale of real emotional depth and nail-biting survival in a fantastical version of the prehistoric age. By leaning on the art of visual storytelling, the series achieves a level of artistry rarely seen on the small screen. Exposition may not be delivered in the typical way, but throughout this debut season you will know these characters inside and out.
The unlikely pairing of a caveman (Spear) and a Tyrannosaurus (Fang) is one that is born out of shared trauma. The show takes an unsparing approach to the cruelties of the world that is backed by copious moments of brutal bloodshed. The inaugural episode establishes what each of these characters have lost, and the pain they feel is kept as a through line throughout this entire season. The pairing is not one that comes easy for the two. It takes quite a bit of trial and error to forge a trust; throughout this season they must figure out each other’s strengths and weaknesses, learn how to share food, find shelter, and just generally survive in a world where danger is lurking around every corner. This show is not some complete downer affair, though, as these same situations provide moments of great levity much of the time. These do not feel like elements out of sync with the show, but rather an essential part of allowing this bond to feel earned.
Primal begins the series mostly grounded in a realistic version of the elements these characters would have faced at this time. Tartakovsky uses actual known creatures such as other various dinosaurs and mammoths to affect the journey in numerous ways, but as the season progresses the scope expands much more. After delivering an enthralling depiction of what the world could have been like at this time, the creative team weaves more into the fantastical with inventive creatures – still based somewhat within the realm of reality – and other situations that open the world up greatly. Even so, the series never forgets that it is a tale about survival, and most of the creatures are shown with the knowledge that they have lived a life just as fraught with peril as the two we follow. Tartakovsky has a fascinating ability to connect audiences with the essential tenets of nature and the way in which that is enough to drive a narrative. Just living can be a visceral enough experience that you do not need manufactured drama at every turn.
It is pretty amazing to consider how quickly you forget that you are watching a show without dialogue. Without the crutch of that expository avenue, Tartakovsky and the rest of the creative team have to drill down on the details to make this story reach its full potential. With a career as consistently great as his, it is difficult to say if this is visually best work, but it definitely ranks among the top animation presented on traditional American television in some time. It is not only the animation style and detailed characteristics, but the way in which the direction is so integral to showcasing the narrative. If this story was not telegraphed as impeccably as it is, there is no way it would reach the emotional depths that it does episode after episode. Tartakovsky continues to push for more innovation in storytelling, and Primal is an excellent example of what the medium can achieve with the right resources behind it. This is a call for studios to support burgeoning storytellers that want to bring something unique into the world. It is what we all need.
Video Quality
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: The Complete First Season comes to Blu-Ray with a stunning transfer that showcases this beautiful artistry in a truly wonderful way. Colors are deep and bold throughout the season with some excellent nuance from episode to episode due to the varied landscape from the lush forests to the bright whites of the blizzard. The series really knows how to utilize various hues when approaching a new setting on the journey. This is an immaculately clear presentation free of any dirt or debris, which is to be expected from a brand new series. Fine lines and details are crisp and maintained well without any bleeding. There does not appear to be any issues with banding. Primal establishes its rich visual style and sharp presentation for this inaugural season, which looks great on Blu-Ray.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with an appropriately lively DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio lossless soundtrack. With no proper dialogue throughout the show, you have to supplement the experience with perfectly executed environmental sounds and a bombastic score. Every effect is crisp and clear in the presentation with grunts and roars in the center speaker and other sounds that subtly creep into surrounds to fully immerse you in the environment. Music is incredibly immersive with the fierce score from Tyler Bates and Joanne Higginbottom proving to be the life blood of the show. Sound effects from creatures and other kinetic moments provide a nice punch in the low end that is appreciated. The show employs a good use of environmental effects that are directionally accurate within the mix. All in all, this is a fantastic audio presentation that suits the show well.
Special Features
- Behind the Scenes – Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: A ten-minute featurette in which the creative team discusses the inspiration for creating a show without typical dialogue, the pacing of the story, the raw nature of the music, the sound effects, the vocal performances, the animation and more. There is some really interesting behind-the-scenes footage of how the show is created.
Final Thoughts
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal is a visceral experience that tells a very emotionally rich story through atypical means. While there is no traditional dialogue, the visuals allow this story to flourish and tackle the foundational elements of life. The animation on display is some of the most awe-inspiring that television has ever offered on American television. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray that features a lovely A/V presentation and a fun supplemental feature. If you are a fan of animation as a medium of storytelling, this show should serve you very well. Highly Recommended
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: The Complete First Season is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
