Stage Hoax

. . . far exceeds the original as a contribution to Humanity, this really isn't saying very much. Buzz Buzzard is such an obvious choice to take on the role of Ringo that it merits few bonus points for a casting decision that would be obvious to even a Turner Old Movies host. Wally is far funnier than Andy Di Vine in the part of Stage Driver Buck, and Woody is a hoot to boot as he takes on multiple guises in the forms of Dallas, Lucy and even Mrs. Gate-Wood. By trimming a few redundant, superfluous, unnecessary, boring, gratuitous, dead-end, banal and hack bits from the fluffy padding permeating the original STAGECOACH's marathon 96-minute slog, STAGE HOAX is able to pack a far more effective punch or emotional wallop into its mercifully less than seven minutes. It just goes to show how red-blooded Americans can run circles around homesick Irish pretenders.

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. 'Stage Hoax' to me was a lot of fun and very good as a cartoon, outside of the setting some of the story is a bit typical and it is once Buzz appears that 'Stage Hoax' is particularly colourful and high in entertainment value.

While there are more interesting characters, Woody is an amusing character and never too obnoxious even when intentionally annoying. Wally as the stagecoach driver is similarly fun to watch, even if he has been easier to root for in other Woody/Wally outings, but Buzz takes even more of the laughs and has some of the funniest moments even as the villain of the piece. The chemistry between the three of them is great, Woody works better with Wally but the chemistry with Buzz gets stronger with each cartoon.

As ever, the animation is great. The characters are well drawn, but even better are the rich colours, meticulously detailed backgrounds and smooth backgrounds.

Music is another strength here. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The whole cartoon goes at a snappy pace, especially in the second half, and there are some very well-timed and extremely funny gags, the climactic melee being the highlight, deliciously wild with some hilarious moments.

All in all, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox