Kim Possible: The Secret Files (2003)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written by
Directed by Chris Bailey & Steve Loter
Starring the Voices of Christy Carlson Romano, Will Friedle, Nancy Cartwright

Features:

• Never-before-seen episode
  
• Villains files/game
  
• Music video
  

Released by: Disney DVD
Region: 1
Rating: NR, safe for all ages
Anamorphic: N/A; episodes appear in their original 1.33:1 format.

My Advice: Get it, but sulk until they give us a more complete release

Kim Possible is fast becoming an American phenomenon, but unless you've been lucky enough to catch the episodes on TV, then you might be wondering what all the furor is about. Relating the cases of a teenage adventurer-for-hire (Romano), her erstwhile normal kid friend Ron (Friedle), and Ron's naked mole rat pet Rufus (Cartwright), this show is funny, fresh, and clever--all the things you assume an American-made cartoon won't be. There are four episodes in all, including the premiere episode and a never-before-seen episode, "Partners." The episodes have Kim and crew fighting killer robots, genetically-modified stuffed animal clones, and worst of all: the snide comments of a high school rival cheerleader.

The audio and video are good: the colors are bright and crisp, with no aliasing or other problems. The characters are very well-voiced, eschewing some of the usual cartoon clichés, especially on the parts of Kim's parents, who are voiced as people, not cardboard cutouts of parental units. The sound effects and music never take center stage, and serve as the supporting elements they are.

The features list includes a music video, "Say the Word" performed by Christy Carlson Romano, who is the voice of Kim Possible. The video itself is so-so, but if you like popular, Top 40 music, then you'll enjoy this song, and it's a decent enough extra. The series' first episode is presented here as a special feature. As much as I loved this show and am thrilled with the chance to collect it on DVD, I have a couple of minor quibbles. The "game" for the villain files is annoying at best. At worst, it's just rather lame. Viewers have to guess which portraits will unlock each file, which is less a real game than a trial and error session. A better game would have been asking trivia questions or something. In addition, why not present the series premiere episode, and then three more in order? Why give us only this taste of honey, which is worse than none at all? The Bad Guys game just points out how many villains we have not yet gotten to see on disc.

In short, if you like Kim Possible or just like clever, entertaining animated shows, then check this one out--at least until a more comprehensive DVD release comes our way. The enormous popularity of this show should show the producers that people really do want animation (even American animation) on DVD, and we want complete seasons, not just their idea of a "best of." But until then, this is the best we have, and it'll just have to be good enough. After all, how can you not love a disc that brings you such important lines as "You don't deserve to be kissed by a naked mole rat"?