Porky and Daffy in the William Tell Overture

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna and Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now through young adult eyes, thanks to broader knowledge and taste and more interest in animation styles and various studios and directors.

As indicated, Looney Tunes is a big example of all this primarily in the prime era (so 40s and 50s). Have always loved the energy, colour, animation, music, hilarious dialogue and gags, iconic characters and their interactions and the peerless voice work of Mel Blanc. Another admirable thing about the Looney Tunes cartoons is how well pre-existing music is incorporated, especially classical with some of the best use of Rossini and Wagner to name a few there's been.

'Porky and Daffy in the William Tell Overture' will never be a favourite of mine, despite its heavy featuring of classical music and that one of my favourite animation characters Daffy Duck is one of the main characters. It's far from a bad cartoon, it just doesn't give the same feeling evoked when watching prime-era Looney Tunes.

The animation is bright and colourful, with backgrounds that have a lot of detail and character animation that doesn't look ugly. The music is full of character and verve, Rossini's 'William Tell Overture' (one of the all time great overtures) is ingeniously used.

Energy is definitely here and so are the very amusing moments and witty character interaction. How Porky and Daffy battle so enthusiastically is fun to watch. Daffy is on top manic form and shows how charismatic a character he is.

Having said that, 'Porky and Daffy in the William Tell Overture' did feel too short and once it got going, after an intro that goes on a little too long, it felt a little rushed and over-stuffed.

While it is wild enough, the material had room to be even more wild and more breathing space and fresher material (parts do tread familiar ground). Porky is a bit on the bland side, not because the playing straight supporting character is done necessarily badly (it is a role that is very well suited to him) but because he doesn't have as much to do as Daffy and what he has is less inspired. Jeff Bergman does a decent job, but he's no Mel Blanc whose versatility and individuality shone through more.

Overall, not bad at all, pretty decent actually, with some very good things but with not enough to blow me away. 6/10 Bethany Cox