(Pannen) Bunny!

This was a very, very edgy cartoon that should have been more widely seen that it was. Apparently, shortly after it was made, some kill-joys at Time-Warner decided it was too edgy and harmed the bland reputation they've created for their characters in recent years. Yet back in the early 90s, somehow, the writers and animators at Warner Brothers were given a lot of leeway to create a modern version of Bugs Bunny. It begins with a sappy '51st and 1/2 birthday' celebration, but the cartoon then became a parody of the 'making of,...." video where the cartoon characters let down their hair (hare) and you see who they REALLY are! This was a great idea and I loved seeing the characters acting edgy and funny instead of the insipid SPACE JAM-type Warner cartoon characters. For very little kids, this cartoon isn't too appropriate, but for older kids and teens, they'll probably think it's great when they bleep out comments made by jealous Daffy Duck!! About the only thing that doesn't work is the section where they show fake take after take of the same dancing number--it really got repetitive and a bit annoying! But, this cartoon is a great way to both celebrate the past and keep the edginess that made Bugs, Daffy and the rest popular.

Cartoon mockumentary about the behind-the-scenes of a Bugs Bunny retrospective special with Daffy, Elmer, and Yosemite Sam causing problems. It's mostly made up of blooper clips, a few of which are actually funny. Points for creativity, particularly since the post-classic era Looney Tunes shorts were all-too-often pointless exercises in nostalgia copying old gags instead of coming up with new material. At least they were trying here. I've made no secret in my other reviews of modern Looney Tunes cartoons that they almost all suck. The degree to which they suck certainly varies but I've yet to see one that I watch and go "yeah, that deserves to be talked about in the same breath as the classics." This one doesn't hold up to the greats either but it doesn't completely suck so that's something. There's no doubt this was made by people who love the characters and wanted to bring them to a new generation. The animation is quite nice and I have no problems with the music or Jeff Bergman's voice work. As far as newer Looney Tunes goes, you can't do better than this. Which is kind of sad if you think about it too long.

After giving the go ahead for this film, Warner Bros. squelched it. Apparently in reaction to Daffy's comment that "Warner Bros. doesn't have single creative bone in it's body". This "short" was never shown theatrically. Only after Cartoon Network found it languishing in the library was it finally given the exposure it deserves.

Warner Bros. reopened their theatrical shorts department shortly before this cartoon was released, and the new blood (very new; not a single Golden Age animator is credited) does a pretty good job of it. The gags are mostly comments on the filmmakers, plus demonstrations of the shortcomings of filmmaking equipment. The rest is well-timed slapstick, but it doesn't feel like those wacky, hilarious characters are back again. They're funny in a different way. The DVD commentary on this (on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: get it now!) by either Stan Freberg or Greg Ford, mentions that the animators tried to bring back those classic arguments the stars had; they were trying to override the advertisements and merchandise that broadcast the fact that the characters always had bright smiles at all times and were close friends, a bunch often referred to as "Bugs Bunny and Friends." That betrays the Looney Tunes cast. The animators tried. "Blooper Bunny" is a fictitious behind-the-scenes look at the eventful everyday life of our beloved characters, focusing on the making of the "Bugs Bunny 51st and 1/2 Anniversary Spectacular." The "Spectacular" is only about a minute long, but it seems to have a negative effect on the funny cartoon that is "Blooper Bunny." It seems to unnerve the audience and alienate the characters, not in spite of - but because - the Looney Tunes characters are flashing their most winning smiles. It made me, personally, feel like they were the fake characters from the earlier "Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers," because they almost seemed to have an eerie air about them. It was a bad beginning and climax to an otherwise funny cartoon. But I still think the world is going to miss Mike Maltese. Seriously. "Blooper Bunny" is a fine effort by an inexperienced crew, and keeping that factor in mind I believe this cartoon to be a worthy addition to the Looney Tunes library. But I don't think that unless Chuck Jones Film Productions can keep the classic-style stuff coming without its late founder (Chuck Jones, obviously) that we will never witness the Golden Age cartoons' like again. Stephen Fossati shows great promise. He's been taught amazingly by the master. Let's hope he can go on without his mentor's supervision. Or the Looney Tunes are done. Finished. And I know we're all hoping that doesn't happen.

I love Looney Tunes, and I love all four characters featured here, so this seemed like a winner. And it was. Not only are Bugs, Daffy, Elmer and Yosemite Sam all great, but when it comes to the voice work Jeff Bergman manages to be both dynamic and stick to the characters' characteristics very well. The animation is absolutely great, very lively and colourful, and the music has a lot of energy and doesn't get annoying no matter how many times we hear the main theme. The outtakes are hugely funny, not just in the fresh writing but also in the sight gags. While I loved the business with the cane, the Eh What's Up Doc to uproarious laughter and Daffy stepping on a floorboard and it hits him, it was the outtake where Elmer's gun goes off and it's real ammunition narrowly missing Bugs and hitting Daffy that really amused me. All in all, a hugely funny cartoon. 10/10 Bethany Cox