Al's Brain

louietheweaselfaceddogboy · Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:31 am

Is this attraction very kid-friendly, or is this more like Al's imagining of "The Weird Al Show" the way it was meant to be?

Anyone know any credits to it? Director? Writers? Boom-mic operator?

Harvey The Wonder Hamster in it? I think there was an owl in the production photos - he got a name?

How many seats in the theater would you guess?

Does it look as though the ride is there to stay until next summer or no?

Any other memorabilia to buy there? Does the gift shop have a clever name?

Any cool queue/pre-ride things?

Are there any in-jokes us Al fans would get? Use of weasels? 27, anyone?

Spill the beans, please! I don't like talking to myself. Hello?

Post by **TMBJon** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:44 am

louietheweaselfaceddogboy @ July 10, 2009 12:31 am wrote: Is this attraction very kid-friendly, or is this more like Al's imagining of "The Weird Al Show" the way it was meant to be?

I would actually say it was somewhat in between, leaning closer to The Weird Al Show side of things. There were a few moments that I thought it was deep into that territory, and there were other moments that were mildly suggestive. If I had any complaint about the movie, it was that it reminded me of The Weird Al Show in terms of how kid-friendly it was, but it's a family event at a County Fair so what do you expect?

Anyone know any credits to it? Director? Writers? Boom-mic operator?

No credits on screen, though I do know that Al wrote and directed the project and that Jim did the score for most of the film (other than the song Al wrote).

Harvey The Wonder Hamster in it? I think there was an owl in the production photos - he got a name?

No Harvey, but yes there is Billy the Brain and that owl which did have a name but I didn't catch it. I don't want to give too much away about the content of the movie, so I'll just say the owl is the cartoon version of another minor character.

How many seats in the theater would you guess?

I read somewhere 500, but I would say far less than that tonight. It seemed like they went through the entire crowd of 500 that were in attendance in about three or four total showings, one after the other.

Does it look as though the ride is there to stay until next summer or no?

It's in a temporary tent while they finish the real pavilion, so I guess that means it's coming back next year?

Any other memorabilia to buy there? Does the gift shop have a clever name?

A huge Al's Brain merch store right outside the exit with all the things posted to weirdal.com. I don't believe there was a clever name, but I could be wrong.

Any cool queue/pre-ride things?

Well the room of brain factoids which also shows the two short movies first is kind of a pre-ride thing because you're basically just waiting for the previous movie to show up. It will be nice to be in the air conditioning for a while after all day at the park. But outside that room, nope, just a line.

Are there any in-jokes us Al fans would get? Use of weasels? 27, anyone?

I don't think I caught anything like that, but it went by pretty fast. I'm sure there must have been some, but if so they would've be very, very subtle (for people who watch it many times over).

Great questions, all. Feel free to ask more and I will try to answer them. I don't want to get into the specific details of the plot any more than I already have because I feel like that would be like me revealing jokes in new Al songs before you've had a chance to hear them the way they are presented by Al. I recommend going to check it out if you can. If you really want to know, I'd be glad to tell you more over PM or on Facebook or whatever.

Post by **amzo39** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:55 am

TMBJon @ July 10, 2009 01:44 am wrote: so I'll just say the owl is the cartoon version of another minor character.

Like Jareth the Goblin King?

Sorry, I had to say that.

That sounds really awesome, I can't wait to see it.

Post by **algonacchick** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Thanks for the awesome review and pics. Hehe, I don't know if you saw my tweet last night after you said you were holding Al's iphone, but I asked why you didn't take a picture with it. I was joking, but you realy did take a picture with it! That is so awesome! Glad you had a good time, Jon.

Post by **albinodwarf27** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:48 pm

Thanks for sharing your experience - it was fun to see all the pics on twitter last night!

Post by **weird_el** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:16 pm

A fine review. Thanks for sharing.

I do love the group pic in all the 3-D glasses.

I saw a 3-D movie yesterday (actually 4-D), but even with the glasses I still can't see the effect.

Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:38 pm

TMBJon @ July 10, 2009 06:46 am wrote: Then finally Al came out.

Man, the guy was mobbed! He was clearly trying to leave with Suzanne and Nina but he is just too nice. He kept stopping to sign autographs and pose for pictures and talk with people.

Ah yes, I see what you mean.

Post by **Big Spoon** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:41 pm

Thanks for the review and pics, Jon!

Post by **algonacchick** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:14 pm

Orthography Enthusiast @ July 10, 2009 11:38 am wrote: Ah yes, I see what you mean.

I agree. He was mobbed, yet still smiling. aww!

Al's Homeboy · Post by **Al's Homeboy** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:29 pm

Wow what a crowd! Awesome review Jon! You didn't by any chance get a number while you were holding his phone did you?!