Woodpecker from Mars

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. He is a lot of fun here and is never obnoxious or a jerk. While not a pest, he is closer to the manic persona than he is to the toned down one he adopted in enough of his mid-50s-onward cartoons. 'Woodpecker from Mars' generally is one of the best Paul J. Smith-directed Woody Woodpecker cartoons, and one of the best ones of the late 50s.

Its only real let down is, as with most Woody Woodpecker cartoons at this point, the simplistic and rushed-looking animation. Otherwise, 'Woodpecker from Mars' is great and has one of the more imaginative and least predictable concepts/stories of all of Woody's cartoons put together.

Music is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it. The whole cartoon goes at a snappy pace, especially in the second half.

There are some inventive moments here and the humorous elements are timed beautifully and never less than amusing. The supporting characters are fun and Grace Stafford does a fine job as always as Woody.

To conclude, one of not many great late 50s-onwards Woody Woodpecker cartoons. 9/10 Bethany Cox