Dexter's Laboratory: Chicken Scratch (2001) User Reviews

Amusing

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 28 June 2009]

At the front of the Power Puff Girls movie was a new Dexter's Lab short. Jerry Beck suggested its Oscar worthy, I'm not so sure, but I know that a nomination wouldn't displease me. Its a simple story who's only flaw is that it goes on perhaps a little too long for something so simple.

Basically Dexter wakes up with Chicken Pox and his sister tells him what happens if you scratch yourself. Dexter then spends the rest of the time trying not to scratch.

You know where its going- and you don't care. I didn't. Personally this deserved to be on the big screen if for no other reason then it seemed to play more like a John K (Ren and Stimpy or Ripping Friends) cartoon then a normal Dexter. The close ups of the inflames pox screamed K's work. I actually found myself smiling at some of its dumbness.

Its not high art but I laughed better laughs then at the Powerpuff Girls Movie which followed it.

It's not really that bad, it was just plain weird

[DannyD1997 · 5/10 · 5 May 2019]

Call me shallow, but I for one don't think the revival run of Dexter's Laboratory was that bad. I'll admit that Chris Savino didn't do as great of a job as Genndy Tartakovsky did, and yes, Dexter's Laboratory should've ended after Ego Trip, but does that mean the revival run should earn the same treatment as the 2016 Powerpuff Girls reboot? No. True, they did deliver episodes that are not very good, such as a Third Dad Cartoon or Garage Sale, but I do enjoy a number of episodes from its second run, such as Glove at First Sight, a Boy Named Sue, and Dexter the Barbarian. I know, the new art style isn't as good, but it's really not that bad. The character designs were pretty good, and it's interesting that they were done by Chris Battle, who also designed characters for AAAHH!!! Real Monsters and the Powerpuff Girls. The background designs do look similar to some of Cartoon Network's other shows during the time, such as Time Squad, the Powerpuff Girls, and Samurai Jack. I wouldn't call the new art style awful, because I already have seen cartoons that look way worse, such as the Problem Solverz, Rugrats, Jimmy Neutron, and Peppa Pig. Hell, Mike, Lu and Og especially looks worse than Dexter's Laboratory in its revival run.

But I will admit that Chicken Scratch was probably not the show's best episode. I don't find it bad, I just thought it was just plain weird. Mostly the concept and even the execution. I like how cartoony the animation is done, and I still enjoy Candi Milo's performance as Dexter, even though Christine Cavanaugh did better. But I do think it's plain weird that Dexter randomly had chicken pox, and can't find a cure for it.

It was just a weird episode that was featured as part of the Powerpuff Girls Movie. But even if they did remove some memorable characters, Dexter's Laboratory in its revival run has earned way too much hate, that I think the hate has just became so tiring and annoying.

One aspect that is the most interesting is some of the new crew members, including Aaron Springer, Cindy Morrow, Walt Dorn, and the late Chris Reccardi.

Genndy Tartakovsky was the one who put Chris Savino in charge, not Cartoon Network. Do you really have to hate on Chris Savino's work on Dexter's Laboratory in its entirety? I'm very positive Nick Jennings and Bob Boyle would do a WAY worse job than Savino. But yeah, Chicken Scratch was just plain weird.

As Jay Sherman would say, "It stinks."

[Op_Prime · 9 January 2004]

I once described the series Dexter's Laboratory as "A cartoon for all ages". When it comes to the first two seasons and Ego Trip, I stand by that. But ever since Dexter's Laboratory returned for a third season a while back, I found that I couldn't bear to watch it anymore. Every possible thing went wrong. The new season "boasted" terrible animation, awful writing and Christine Cavanaugh was replaced by Candi Milo (who I think gives a terrible voice for Dexter). Worst of all, Genndy Tartakovsky was not as involved as he used to be and it showed.

So when I heard Genndy was going to be involved with this short, I had high hopes. The verdict? Not really all that good. I didn't care for the animation, nor for the performances from Candi Milo and Allison Moore (Christine Cavanaugh and Kathryn Cressida were better). I do consider this better than much (if not all) of the recent episodes, but it's no where near the quality of the first two seasons or Ego Trip, so I guess that's faint praise at best.

Bottom line: Thumbs down.

Fine piece, certainly not deserving big screen

[DanielJosLeary · 4/10 · 12 August 2002]

The Dexter's Lab toon `Chicken Scratch' was originally produced and intended for broadcast on the television series, but was bumped up to a silver screen showing, preempting the feature length debut of Powerpuff Girls, The (2002). The decision was made by studio powers based on the excellent animation quality and the fact that original series creator Genndy Tartakovsky returned to direct the short piece. This may strike Cartoon Network fans with high expectations but I found that `Chicken Scratch' is a decent Dexter 'toon at best. The film was done with the 2001 seasons' digital character redesigning, which is a mixed bag considering series fans have either appreciated or detested the seemingly over-streamlined, undetailed and restricting new designs. Not concerning this however the animation quality in and of itself is very superbly done. The lack of detail, which has become a bit painful on the televison series, plays well for atmosphere on the movie screen. The movements and forms do play well to the eye, which can often be other cartoons downfall. This cartoon's greatest flaw is the lack of story(whatever that may mean in the context of a cartoon) or at the very least the failed lack of exploring the concept which gives a restrained feeling to the film. It just seems like quickly written series filler. Certainly not deserving of a national showing on 2340 screens. The television series' earlier seasons(and I admit even the current season) have produced fantastic stories, with well written action and climaxes that would have greatly represented Dexter's Lab, its creators and Cartoon Network to moviegoers. But `Chicken Scratch' was what we were given.

A short and simple cartoon that's reminiscent of Rugrats

[Stompgal_87 · 8/10 · 28 August 2013]

I came across this short on my Powerpuff Girls Movie DVD since 'Dexter's Laboratory' was one of my favourite shows on Cartoon Network alongside 'The Powerpuff Girls' and 'Johnny Bravo.' After having watched it, I found it straightforward yet cleverly written and reminiscent of the 'Rugrats' episode 'Chicken Pops' where Chuckie gets chickenpox and passes it on to the other kids.

In this short, Dexter gets chickenpox and Dee Dee tells him how children contract it, thus making Dexter believe he would turn into a chicken if he scratches his spots. Dexter enters his lab to see if he can find a way to cure the chickenpox but he gets the urge to scratch. He eventually gives in and true to Dee Dee's word, he turns into a chicken much to her horror. This reminded me of the end of 'Chicken Pops' where an egg rolls beneath Angelica when she is in the car, she picks it up and believes she is turning into a chicken due to getting chicken pox and thinking she laid the egg.

All in all, this is a short, smart and amusing cartoon that had a straightforward premise. 8/10.

When it comes to bad cartoons, hindsight is 20/20

[ajback · 2/10 · 10 October 2002]

If I'd known just how lousy Chicken Scratch was going to be ahead of time, I would have hit the concession stand or the bathroom before the main film started. With Dexter creator Genndy Tartakovsky almost completely out of the creative loop (due to his work on Samurai Jack), the writing and animation have become weird and unfunny. This short almost looks like something that could have come from the Spumco, in the vein of Ren and Stimpy, and both Candi Milo and Allison Moore sound awful in their respective character voices.

Chicken Scratch will be included on the upcoming Powerpuff Girls Movie DVD. If you've seen it, you know enough to skip over it; if you haven't seen it, spare yourself the discomfort.

(A note on the above credits: Christine Cavanaugh did not do the voice of Dexter. She was replaced by Milo at the beginning of the show's third season.)

It's a short AND an episode!

[ericstevenson · 8/10 · 9 January 2024]

This was a "Dexter's Laboratory" short that was shown in theaters before "The Powerpuff Girls Movie". It was eventually released as part of the latter seasons, which makes perfect sense. I know a ton of people hate this, mostly because it comes off as stupid. It features Dexter getting chickenpox and Deedee telling him that if he scratches them, he will turn into a chicken. He straps himself up to stop himself from scratching, but breaks through it and does in fact turn into a chicken.

The later seasons were definitely forgettable and pale, but this was just good for a short. The animation really does get a bump here. I just find it funny to see Dexter scratching himself and going insane and especially being strong enough to break through those straps. Yes, it's technically stupid, but I do in fact enjoy it. You can still ignore post Season 2 "Dexter's Laboratory" episodes. It's certainly better than most of those episodes. ***