Will admit to not being a sports fanatic, while active in walking (or at least the amount that my back allows) football and rugby don't really do it for me. Animation though has often done cartoons and episodes of animated shows based around some kind of sport, and there are some great ones out there of most sport activities. Where there is energy, the humour is funny and when they capture the spirit of the sport in question, though they are things not always seen.
"Sports Shorts" is another segment-structured 'Tiny Toon Adventures' episode, something that 'Tiny Toon Adventures' did frequently and mostly very well though some episodes were uneven. It is not the first sports-oriented 'Tiny Toon Adventures' episode and the others were better and fresher. "Sports Shorts" is certainly not bad at all, it's just not that inspired and one segment (of two, "Minister Golf" and "The Undersea World of Fifi") is a good deal better than the other.
"Minister Golf" being the better one of the two. It is a lot funnier, has a livelier and wackier pace and Plucky is much more compelling as a lead character. Plucky is on great form here in a situation that suits his Daffy Duck-like personality to a tee, a situation that has more energy and easy to relate to. It also is a lot closer to the sports theme.
Did enjoy the wraparound story, it is a slight one but what is said and shown about the sports activities was interesting and educates.
"The Undersea World of Fifi" is pleasant enough. Fifi is very likeable and the segment starts off very well, cute and amusing. Plus underwater looks lovely. Once Elmyra starts spoiling things though, what should have been funnier and more energetic was instead pretty predictable and silly with the material regarding Elmyra and the sea monkey being on the repetitious side. It also doesn't see Elmyra in a good light, who comes over as annoying, and the story did feel like it could easily have been done in half the running time.
Regarding the individual elements, the animation is colourful and beautifully detailed, such as underwater in "The Undersea World of Fifi" while "Minister Golf" was the cleverest in terms of expressions (Plucky's being big and bold) and how the characters reacted to things and each other. The music is characterful and infectious, the theme tune stays in the head all day without being a grating ear-worm. The writing is mostly great, as is the energy. The voice cast contain some of the best and deservedly prolific people in the business, all on top form. Joe Alaskey is perfect as Plucky and there is a great vocal rapport in the wraparound story.
Overall, inconsistent but not bad at all. 6/10.
