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's fun and is a pest without being too obnoxious, but, like a lot of his later cartoons, compared to his original manic personality he is too toned down and subdued. This undermines the conflict, which is sad because the bandit is actually suitably entertaining and intimidating and the horse comes close to stealing the cartoon.
Paul J. Smith directs here and there are the same strengths and flaws of most of his output (let alone his Woody Woodpecker outings) here in 'Pistol Packin' Woodpecker'. Starting with the strengths, the music is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it. There is some energy, the cartoon starts off well, a couple of parts are amusing and occasionally there are some nice colours.
Voice acting is solid. Grace Stafford continues to prove why she was the best voice actor for the character and the one that understood him the most. Dal McKennon is every bit as impressive in multiple roles.
However, 'Pistol Packin' Woodpecker' is let down by the lack of energy, the conflict not being strong enough, Woody being too subdued and also that it is not very funny. Plus the story is very over-familiar, no surprises here, likewise with Woody's antics.
Just as problematic is the animation quality. Time and budget constraints shows in a lot of the animation, which is very rushed looking in the drawing and detail wise it's on the simplistic and careless side like many of Woody's cartoons from this period continuing through to the 60s.
In conclusion, average fare. 5/10 Bethany Cox
