Wonderland

Despite Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and his cartoons being popular and well received at the time, they have been vastly overshadowed over time by succeeding animation characters. It is a shame as, while not cartoon masterpieces, they are fascinating for anybody wanting to see what very old animation looked like.

'Wonderland' to me is one of the better Oswald cartoons overall, and by far one of the best of the batch from 1931 alongside 'The Farmer', 'Country School', 'The Bandmaster', 'Radio Rhythm' and 'The Hunter'. This is saying a lot seeing as most of the 1931 Oswald cartoons from personal opinion were average or less, the pretty weak 'Northwoods' faring weakest. None are must-avoids however.

Maybe 'Wonderland' takes a little while to get going, it's once Oswald is up the beanstalk when the action picks up significantly, and figuring out how everything will be solved and ended is not a surprise.

However, the animation is good, and some of the most imaginative of any Oswald cartoon. It is smooth and detailed with Oswald's movements, gestures and expressions still very much natural. Drawings are fine and there is little if any choppiness or incompleteness.

Even better is the music, so catchy and has such an infectious energy that toe tapping and singing along is likely to happen. All the gags are very amusing and often more so than that, boasting some imaginative moments when up the beanstalk.

The pacing is lively and synchronisation is good. Oswald is an endearing protagonist and the supporting characters are fun presences.

Overall, not quite a wonder but very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox