'Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story' A Review

Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story is a documentary about the creation, aftermath, and impact of the cult 90's cartoon. The film cuts together old behind the scenes footage of the shows production, found footage, and talking-head interviews. It begins with the show's creator John Kricfalusi, his childhood and background, then extends to the various animators who made up the staff, then the journey to it's airing as a result of Nickelodeon executive Vanessa Coffey, and Kricfalusi eventual implosion and removal from the show. It concludes by addressing Kricfalusi serially preying on underage aspiring animators primarily through testimony of survivor Robyn Byrd.

For fans of the show or for those with even passing memories of it from childhood this is a fascinating, complicated, surprisingly intense watch. Through the lens of Ren & Stimpy of all things art and animation, genius and mental illness, perversity and censorship, and that question of the art and the artist are investigated and perhaps not perfectly settled but Kricfalusi is directly questioned, the legacy of the show is discussed not only by him but all the staff, and Byrd shares her truth. The primary focus is on the show itself but significant time is given to Kricfalusi's behavior and towards the end his crimes.

Imperfect but bold, the film does a great job of looking at a cult hit and it's influence but the individuals and circumstances that made it possible and does not shy away from the darkness.

Currently available for rent on most VOD platforms.

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