At times, it's almost desperate in its desire to shock, and mistaking insanity for wit. At other times, it's clever and twisted in ways that could become addictive for the right audience, preferably one at least partially intoxicated.
The pace and the violence are ceaseless, and Meloni gives a heroically debased performance, shooting and maiming and punching and running while growling bleak sentiments from the side of his mouth.
Actors are supposed to take chances, and this is a guy who's willing and able. More power to him, even if Happy! overloads on shock value the way Hallmark annually overdoses on sappy holiday cheer.
... if you're up for venturing down a dark path where the only one seemingly capable of the titular emotion is someone's imaginary friend, it still might make you smile.
In essence, the series is a live-action cartoon that also happens to feature an animated character, thus paring down the sense of creative wonder on display.
The power of the metaphor doesn't quite come through. Instead it's just a jumble of ghastly villains and bloody skirmishes that all feel cribbed from grittier, better stories.
The interplay between Meloni and Oswalt is surprisingly delightful for a relationship created entirely in post-production, and the show is careful to never overplay the Happy card.
