A Alameda para Bali

Going into this, when i saw that Don Patterson directed this short, my expectations were set pretty high, and ive gotta say I wasn't disappointed a bit. To start off, the animation, atmosphere, and effects here are top notch. The gods voice is genuinely terrifying, and the imagery macabre but in the best way. Animation is also fantastic, with bold colors, great smooth animation, and lovely backgrounds! This one is more focused on the story, build up, and overall execution of the short, not featuring that many gags, though it does know when to break up the dark bits with small displays of humor, like the part after the gods demands where Woody and Buzz are dancing really goofy. Only complaint is the ending, which feels a bit empty. I mean what happened to the woman? Does the god ever set the island ablaze like he said he would? Also, some people might think that this gets a little too dark, especially towards the end. Nonetheless, while the ending is sort of a downer, it doesn't detract much from what is ostensively still a very well made product, with the intent of being seen as high quality. This has honestly become one of my favorite Woody shorts since my first time viewing it! Great work, Don Patterson!

. . . set foot outside the friendly confines of our U. S. Homeland, especially in such Stone Age barbaric regions as Middle Mongolia, Madagascar, Mexico, French Guinea, French Hen, France, Cuba, Colombia and Canada. ALLEY TO BALI echoes this dire warning, showing how there will NOT be any U. S. diplomats to rescue wandering Americans from man-eating plants, voracious volcanoes and hip-swinging hussies. If Americans were like cats, with 13 lives to live, maybe a foolhardy Yank could afford to risk one in Bali, Belize, Botswana or Belgium. However, anyone restricted to their current life would do well not to risk a day in Russia, Rome, Romania or Red China. To quote Dorothy Gale, "There's no place like Home."

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.

Both Woody and Buzz Buzzard come off well here and both are easy to root for in their situation. Woody's personality is toned down from his usual manic one but it does suit the story and it certainly does not make him a jerk. Buzz is a formidable and entertaining partner, but an ally here and not an enemy. The two work well together even though 'Alley to Bali' is a very atypical effort, no wild energy or the like here.

As ever, the animation is great. The characters are well drawn, but even better are the rich colours, meticulously detailed backgrounds and smooth backgrounds. The setting is different, looks great and has an authentic air.

Music is another strength here. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it, there is also an eerie atmosphere that is again well suited. There is one amusing moment with Buzz and the bad breath.

However, 'Alley to Bali' is not the first time that a Woody Woodpecker cartoon has been different from the norm, 'Born to Peck' was atypical and that was a great cartoon, nostalgic, reflective and very moving, that saw a different side to Woody. With that being said, it is a case of different not coming off well.

For a Woody Woodpecker cartoon there is very little that's funny or clever, apart from Buzz and the bad breath. This is Woody at its darkest and strangest and the darkness and disturbing elements were taken too far, and the cartoon does drag.

In conclusion, while a change of pace is admirable 'Alley to Bali' didn't really work. 5/10 Bethany Cox