Porky's Last Stand

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

'Porky's Last Stand' may not quite be one of Bob Clampett's masterpieces (or at least to me), and both Porky and Daffy, together and individually, have also featured in superior cartoons that are funnier and more consistently inventive. Although the story is slight and predictable and the cartoon is the kind that is always very amusing and beautifully executed but never quite hits the hilarious spot, 'Porky's Last Stand' is very enjoyable nonetheless.

Showcasing very well why they became to be, and still are, so popular and why they collaborated so frequently, Porky and Daffy are a classic collaboration and work so well together. Porky is amusing and endearing, doing a great job playing it straight. Daffy though is the funnier and more interesting in personality character, he is in full manic energy mode and is hilarious. The support are also effective.

Mel Blanc is outstanding as always. He shows an unequalled versatility and ability to bring an individual personality to every one of his multiple characters in a vast majority of his work, there is no wonder why he was in such high demand as a voice actor.

The animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. Some of the visuals are wonderfully outrageous in pure Clampett style. The story may be predictable, but it's beautifully paced with never a dull moment and strongly structured.

Clampett's unmistakable humour and style is all over in a way that's suitably outrageous, especially in the second half. The dialogue and sight gags are beautifully timed, witty and very amusing if not quite as fresh as those in other Porky and Daffy cartoons.

Ever the master, Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.

Overall, very enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox