DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output is interesting but inconsistent. They did numerous theatrical series with several different lead characters, while some were well worth watching (i.e. prime-Pink Panther especially) there were others that also didn't click. For all of them, it was essential for the lead characters to work to have their series work, whether they did or not made or broke the series. The Ant and the Aardvark turned out to be one of the studio's better and more popular series, because they were strong characters.
For me, 'Odd Ant Out' is a very enjoyable Ant and the Aardvark cartoon that is in the better half of the series that just falls short of greatness. A lot of great things, if a couple of short-comings at the same time. It does feel more a battle of the two aardvarks cartoon rather than the ant and the aardvark one, the ant does not have an awful lot to do in 'Odd Ant Out' and more a plot device sort of character. All the best material comes from the two aardvarks.
'Odd Ant Out' has a lot to recommend, am going to start this review off with the good things. The finesse continues to improve in the drawing, but the rich colours, beautifully abstract backgrounds and the Aardvark's expressions and reactions continue to make, and make more of, an impact. The music is never scored with a heavy hand, its light touch being a striking asset here and throughout the series, it never loses the energy (the energy throughout the cartoon is constant too which is great) and its jazzy nature evokes a lot of nostalgia. The main theme accompanying the opening title sequence is memorable and doesn't grate, even when watching all seventeen cartoons in a row.
As to be expected, the (blue) aardvark is a typically compelling character with a personality that while never complex never bores or annoys and great comic timing that shines in both the physical and verbal humour (plenty of both in the cartoon and in the series). The green aardvark proves himself to be one of the series' best supporting characters, a very effective match for both and his chemistry with the aardvark is a highlight. John Byner does a typically terrific job with the voices.
The gags are not the most original, being ones that could easily have been at home in the Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote series and the sucking objects through the nose gag that appears frequently throughout the series is a little repetitive. But there are many gags and they are a lot of fun, most of it coming from the battling between the aardvarks. The dialogue is even better though, the "this is all your fault stupid" line is laugh out loud.
For all those good things, although with the character of the other aardvark there is an attempt to inject a little more story it's very predictable and basic.
How the cartoon ends is not much of a surprise and a little on the rushed side.
Summing up, very enjoyable. 8/10
