A Waif's Welcome

Van Beuren cartoons are extremely variable, especially in the number of gags and whether the absurdist humour shines through enough (sometimes it does, other times it doesn't), but are strangely interesting. Although they are often poorly animated with barely existent stories and less than compelling lead characters, they are also often outstandingly scored, there can be some fun support characters and some are well-timed and amusing.

The "Rainbow Parade" cartoons are a mixed bag. A few are decent, some are average and quite a number are below average and even pretty weak. Luckily, 'A Waif's Welcome' is one of the best, alongside the likes of 'Sunshine Makers' and 'Neptune Nonsense'. Not perfect or great, but worthwhile and a pleasant watch with a lot to like.

A lot of strengths in 'A Waif's Welcome'. The best being the pretty great animation, one of the best looking of the "Rainbow Parade" series, having more refinement in the drawing than usually seen, and one of the best looking Felix the Cat cartoons. Compared to the animation in the Cubby the Bear, most of the (human) Tom and Jerry and other cartoons of Van Beuren, their production values came on a long way when switching to colour. The background detail is meticulous and even better are the ravishing colours that pop out at you.

Just as good is the music score, it is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. The synchronisation is sharp and neat.

Wasn't bored at all watching 'A Waif's Welcome', with the climactic moments being good fun, there is zesty charm, some great energy when it gets going and also some creative moments that one doesn't see an awful lot with Van Beuren and certainly not with the "Rainbow Parade" series. The lead characters are cute and amusing. Generally despite how the concept sounds, 'A Waif's Welcome' manages to be one of the least saccharine "Rainbow Parade" cartoons.

Actually, there is not a lot wrong with 'A Waif's Welcome'. It is at its weakest in the story, it is over-familiar with not an awful lot new brought to the table. The ending can be seen from quite some distance away.

Occasionally, it gets a little too sugary and over-cute, one of the series' biggest frequent problems, and the beginning is a little slow.

To conclude, decent. 7/10 Bethany Cox