Have been a fan of Looney Tunes all my life, the peak period being between the early 40s up to the mid-50s where one saw classic characters, great animation and music, very clever and hilarious writing and Mel Blanc always on top form. Their 60s output saw a lapse in quality though, while budgets were noticeably lower, the gags were too few and repetitive and what appealed before became cheap, annoying or out of character.
While Elmer Fudd is not my favourite Looney Tunes character, he endears and amuses despite being dim-witted and easily outwitted and have always liked him with Bugs Bunny particularly. There was interest in seeing Elmer as a lead character carrying a cartoon, when he is usually a supporting character or co-lead. Serving as the foil for especially Bugs and Daffy Duck, both of whom he worked timelessly with despite them being them generally being more interesting and funnier. 'Ant Pasted' is not him at his best, but one does see Elmer's appeal here and personality and humour-wise it is classic Elmer.
Do also agree that the ants could have had slightly stronger personalities to convince entirely as adversaries and also don't think their voices quite fitted their character designs.
'Ant Pasted' is slightly on the formulaic side story-wise, the outcome is not that much of a surprise.
Elmer though is on very good form, actually working surprisingly well as a character usually in support carrying the cartoon. He is as endearing and amusing as ever while never losing what made him as good a character as he is. Arthur Q- Bryan does a typically great job voicing him, and to me he is the best voice for Elmer and the only one to properly work. The animation is fluid and beautifully drawn and coloured, while Carl Stalling shows as to why he is one of the best in the "composing music for animation" job at the time. Have always loved his energetic rhythms, beautiful orchestration and ability to enhance the action (more than adding to it).
The Elmer vs ants war antics are fairly familiar but are very funny and have tension without resorting too much to repetition. The story still has a good deal of energy and always compels, despite the lack of surprises. Bryan is great, though Blanc is rather unrecognisable here and not in the best of ways.
Overall, very enjoyable. 8/10
