Am giving this quite low score, for the show, and this mixed bag of a review with a heavy heart. 'Tiny Toon Adventures' is one of my favourite animated shows, despite how some of my reviews sound, and fondly reminds me at its best of the wacky energy that classic Looney Tunes had, something that 'Animaniacs' and 'Pinky and the Brain' excelled at as well. So many of this show's episodes range between good and outstanding, and even weaker episodes are still not bad and above average.
Despite not disliking it as much as the previous reviewer, "Grandma's Dead" is one of my least favourite 'Tiny Toon Adventures' episodes as well. "Whale's Tales" and "Elephant Issues" are also episodes that didn't quite do it for me. It has its moments but is too bland and predictable and shows why Elmyra didn't always work for me as a character. It also makes the mistake of not feeling like a 'Tiny Toon Adventures' episode, neither did "Take Elmyra Please" but that was actually intended to be a pilot episode of another show apparently. Am not sure what "Grandma's Dead's" excuse was.
"Grandma's Dead" has good things. The animation is vibrantly coloured and beautifully rich in detail, not just the backgrounds but also the expressions and reactions of the characters which are wonderfully loony. The music is dynamic and characterful as always and the theme song has always brought a smile to my face. Something that was the case when a child and still is now.
The voice acting is very good and all do so well with delivering material that is not really worthy of them.
Unfortunately, any amusing moments are too far and between in "Grandma's Dead". By 'Tiny Toon Adventures' standards, this felt pretty bland. There has been far wittier and much wackier writing in other episodes, those aspects are lacking here in an episode that has too few laughs. Too much of the writing is too cute and try hard and occasionally with an unnecessarily disturbing tone.
Elmyra shows that she always fared better as a supporting character, as the lead she came over as fairly dull and obnoxious. Wasn't too fond of her family this time too, it was great to get to know more about her contextually but not much illuminates and the personalities are not interesting or easy to get behind. The story is too thin and bland, with a pace that lacks tightness and wackiness.
Concluding, very average. 5/10.
