How Did This Get Made? Cool World (HDTGM Matinee)
Jan 20, 2026
In this wild exploration of a bizarre animated world, a cop played by Brad Pitt is tasked with preventing a cartoon seduction involving Kim Basinger's character. The hosts dissect the film's odd rules about doodles and noids while reminiscing about its chaotic production. They delve into Ralph Bakshi’s unique adult animation style and draw comparisons to Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Mixed recommendations come as they praise its visuals but warn of narrative confusion, all while pondering serious themes like creator authorship and mental breakdowns.
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Episode notes
Adult Animation Aesthetic
- Cool World intentionally targets adult animation territory, not kids, tapping into 70s/80s erotically charged alt-comics aesthetics.
- That tonal choice explains its lurid visuals and R-rated origin despite a PG-13 finish.
Competing Premises Cause Confusion
- The film's structure feels fractured: two competing premises (creator trapped in creation vs. noir detective) never cohere.
- That mismatch leaves characters redundant and the stakes unclear.
Kim Basinger's On-Set Changes
- Paul relays lore that Kim Basinger pushed to soften her character to make the film more child-friendly during shooting.
- That on-set change likely deepened tonal inconsistencies between animation and live-action scenes.
