Ain't We Got Fun

Fun Tex Avery short about some evil mice that steal a bunch of food and let a cat take the blame, resulting in his mean old owner tossing him out in the snow. Soon the mice have taken over the old man's home and he's begging the cat to help. The title is taken from a song of the same name that was popular in the 1920s. The mice sing it after they've gotten the cat thrown out. This is an enjoyable little cartoon. Not on par with Avery's best work but still it's fun. The animation is great. I love the colors and everything is well-drawn. The music is lively and the aforementioned song is catchy. Love all the little bits with the mice pigging out and giving the old man the business.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

Tex Avery was one of the greatest and most influential animation directors there ever was, with a unique visual and humour style and his best work saw some ahead of its time content. 'Ain't We Got Fun' is not one of his best efforts, it's worth watching, it's well made and it's far from bad, but it is not demonstrative of what made him so great and influential. His work here is competent but it is pretty tame by Avery standards.

'Ain't We Got Fun's' story is predictable and has nothing special and not quite enough to make it all the way through fun and emotionally investable. The cartoon is amusing enough, but there is little hilarious or imaginative.

However, the animation ranges from good to excellent. It's fluid in movement, vibrant in colour and very meticulous in detail. Most of the pace is lively and the content is charming, amusing and well-timed if with not quite enough to go the extra mile.

Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it. The characters are likeable and their personalities work well individually and together. Mel Blanc and Billy Bletcher provide typically expertly vocal contributions.

In conclusion, worth watching but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox