Haven't seen the whole thing, only got choppy performance. Max sounds 'on the money', but Sam sounds pretty defeated and yes; bored.
Geez, if the characters lack expression and the friendship bond isn't apparent as it was in bundles in the first game, and if there's not a strong story to glue the whole experience together, I'm afraid there's just going to be 'cardboard', and on its own, cardboard just ain't magical.
That's SAM & MAX's whole selling point: MAX is a deranged hyperactive manic bunny, and SAM is a slightly more sane wise-cracking father-figure that allows MAX free reign to perform his crazy antics. At least, that's what sold me. And MAX's naturally happy-go-lucky warm manic smile.
Mike
www.bruandboegie.com) - the kiffest comic in the world