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. Actually appreciate it even more through young adults eyes, due to having more knowledge of it, various animation styles, studios, directors and how it all works.
Have a lot of appreciation for Bob Clampett, with an animation and humour style that was very easy to recognise. He made a lot of good to wonderful cartoons, though some early efforts did betray someone still finding his feet. 'Wacky Blackout', one of the cartoons made when transitioning into and finding his distinctive phase and style, is pretty decent and definitely worth seeing. Having said that, it doesn't see Clampett at his finest and nowhere near being one of his classics, for this particular period of Clampett's career and considering the title it could and should have been more wacky.
'Wacky Blackout' is quite thin in terms of story and the structure is basically an excuse to string the gags along. The gags are amusing enough but lack wit and could have done with more wackiness and imagination. While most of the characters are fun enough, others are not particularly interesting in personality.
However, enough of the characters are fun, even if there is no discernible lead.
The cartoon has a lot of amusing moments, some variety and there is a good deal of liveliness. It doesn't feel heavy-handed and didn't feel reminiscent of propaganda, as a product of its time 'Wacky Blackout' is very interesting.
Animation is very good, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. Even better is the outstanding music from the master Carl Stalling, it is lovely on the ears, lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.
Voice acting is terrific, with Mel Blanc particularly again showing a remarkable and unmatched ability to give individuality to multiple characters.
In conclusion, decent but not Clampett at his best. 7/10 Bethany Cox
