Hare Force

An old lady places her dog Sylvester comfortably in front of a roaring fire for the night. She finds Bugs Bunny frozen at her doorstep. She pushes Sylvester out and puts Bugs in his place. He is not happy with Bugs taking up his bed. He sets out to kill off the competition and Bugs retaliates. Both try to drive the other out.

This starts off fine, but it doesn't reveal how Bugs came to the front door. It could set that up more. It's all going fine for the most part, but I don't like the ending. There is a need to justify that ending and it's not there. This short is not quite there in the writing.

This time, Bugs Bunny is stuck outside in the dead of winter, until a kindly old woman lets him into her house. The only thing is, her dog Sylvester doesn't like anyone getting his spot in front of the fireplace, and proceeds to try and get Bugs out of the house. Pure mayhem between Bugs and Sylvester ensues, and I didn't predict that ending.

Considering that the dog is named Sylvester, it's probably a preview of how the famous cat with that name would do everything possible to eat Tweety but always get his comeuppances. Maybe.

Overall, not the greatest cartoon, but still OK.

On a cold snowy Winter night, an elderly woman takes in a cold Bugs Bunny who is dying on her doorstep. Her dog Sylvester doesn't like this one bit and tosses him out, of course you know that this means war and they take turns throwing each other outside. This cartoon is pretty good although Bugs seems to be off somehow from the version we all know and love. The dog made a pretty fun, if simple, foil for the rascally rabbit though. Not among the top wrung of the Bugs shorts, but fun none the less. This animated short can be found on Disk 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 set.

My Grade: B

In 'Hare Force,' Bugs Bunny is brought in on a cold winter night, where he must share the warm fire with a dog named Sylvester. Of course, Sylvester gets jealous and the two battle it out. 'Hare Force' certainly has some funny bits, but nothing spectacular. Over all, the film seems to drag a bit, pretty unusual for a Bugs Bunny short.

Bugs Bunny has always been one of animation's best, funniest, most interesting and most iconic characters. While Chuck Jones perhaps had the larger amount of masterpieces, Fritz Freleng was still responsible for some thoroughly enjoyable to great cartoons.

While both Bugs and Freleng have done better cartoons than 'Hare Force', there is still a huge amount to enjoy and love. My only real complaint in fact is the character design of Bugs, it has been said that Bugs does look off and personally have to agree, the design is a bit scrappy and the movement has been smoother since.

That aside, the animation is fine. The colours are vibrant, the backgrounds very meticulous in detail and the drawing fluid and very smooth.

Carl Stalling never disappoints and one of my favourite composers in cartoon history, 'Hare Force' does nothing to change that perception. Anybody expecting luscious orchestration, characterful rhythms, clever use of instrumentation and sounds and the ability to elevate gags to a greater level rather than just adding to it will find all of those aplenty.

Dialogue is high and delicious in freshness and wit, and the gags are beautifully animated, high in energy and with not a single misfire. Bugs, despite the design, doesn't disappoint in personality and humour, and Sylvester is a very amusing foil and interacts wonderfully with Bugs, even if Bugs is the funnier and more interesting character.

Voice acting is terrific all round, especially from Mel Blanc.

Overall, great, thoroughly enjoyable cartoon if not among the best from either Bugs or Freleng. 9/10 Bethany Cox