Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna and Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now through young adult eyes, thanks to broader knowledge and taste and more interest in animation styles and various studios and directors.
Instead of featuring the work of just one director (Chuck Jones primarily in the 80s shorts and specials), there is a much more varied selection here, with cartoons also from Bob Clampett, Robert McKimson, Frank Tashlin and Harmon and Ising, all responsible for some great work in their careers, though Harmon and Ising are more variable and not as consistent as particularly Clampett and Jones. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are two of my favourite characters in animation and ever and Mel Blanc was one of the greatest voice actors ever.
'Bugs vs. Daffy: Battle of the Music Video Stars' is not the best representation of any of them. It is not bad at all though, if slightly too slight and episodic in story, with it basically a series of cartoons that fits a theme. It cannot be denied that a lot of nostalgia is evoked and the whole concept is handled well. A few moments of corny dialogue and some of the editing is a little choppy. Most problematic is the sound, which can be intrusive in how it's mixed and some of the effects and music are not well balanced and don't fit.
A lot of great things here. The animation has brightness and colour, fluidity and beautiful and meticulous background detail and with some inventive moments. If more in the featured cartoons edited in than in the additional scenes. The music is lively enough and doesn't sound too cheap in the additional scenes, while being outstanding in orchestration and how it adds to and enhances the action in the featured cartoons.
Bugs and Daffy are always worth watching, and that's an understatement, being widely considered classic characters in animation and ever more than justifiably. Mel Blanc shows a mastery of bringing individuality to multiple characters that few others managed, a previous review mentioned him being the heart and soul of every cartoon and have to concur completely. The dialogue is sharp and witty and the gags are fast paced, beautifully timed and animated and very funny. Most of the characters are not wasted, Bugs and Daffy are on top form.
The classic era cartoons featured are colourful and are amusing to hilarious, with great dialogue and gags and iconic characters not wasted at all, they fit with the theme too, and like to love most of them. Though too many of them are on the too short side and a few are introduced and rounded off in a slightly jarring way.
Overall, fun and decent but could have been better and deserved better quality. 6/10 Bethany Cox
