Slingshot 6 7/8

By this point in his career, Woody had settled into a routine sort of cartoon -- a fight with either Wally Walrus or or the Buzzard, plenty of gags on a somewhat catch-as-catch-can basis. In many ways, the style is reminiscent of MGM's Tom and Jerry cartoons, whence writer for this one, Heck Allen had come and would return.

Not, I hasten to add, that there is anything wrong with that. There is a good deal of character in these cartoons and the characters rarely violate them, but there isn't much depth to them either: Wally is simple and grumpy, the Buzzard is greedy -- here, in Amerindian guise, he craves to win the archery competition against Woody and his slingshot -- and Woody is a destructive little kid. Good identification for his target audience.

Was very fond of Woody Woodpecker and his cartoons as a child. Still get much enjoyment out of them now as a young adult, even if there are more interesting in personality cartoon characters and better overall cartoons.

That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. 'Slingshot 6 7/8' is another Woody Woodpecker/Buzz Buzzard effort, and it's a pretty good one. They've done better, this is not one of their funniest or freshest with a rather typical concept with not much new. While Buzz does work well with Woody, Woody to me works better with Wally who has a stronger personality and the contrast is greater.

However, while there are more interesting characters, Woody is an amusing character and never too obnoxious, while Buzz is a good foil. As said, they do work well together if lacking in inspiration.

As ever, the animation is very good. The characters are well drawn, but even better are the rich colours, meticulously detailed backgrounds and smooth backgrounds.

Music is another strength here. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The gags are amusing and well timed if never quite hilarious, as to be expected from Woody Woodpecker the ending is suitably wild.

In conclusion, good cartoon if typical and not Woody at his funniest. 7/10 Bethany Cox