(Blooper) Bunny!

Warner Bros. reopened their theatrical shorts department shortly before this cartoon was released, and the new blood (very new; not a single Golden Age animator is credited) does a pretty good job of it. The gags are mostly comments on the filmmakers, plus demonstrations of the shortcomings of filmmaking equipment. The rest is well-timed slapstick, but it doesn't feel like those wacky, hilarious characters are back again. They're funny in a different way. The DVD commentary on this (on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: get it now!) by either Stan Freberg or Greg Ford, mentions that the animators tried to bring back those classic arguments the stars had; they were trying to override the advertisements and merchandise that broadcast the fact that the characters always had bright smiles at all times and were close friends, a bunch often referred to as "Bugs Bunny and Friends." That betrays the Looney Tunes cast. The animators tried. "Blooper Bunny" is a fictitious behind-the-scenes look at the eventful everyday life of our beloved characters, focusing on the making of the "Bugs Bunny 51st and 1/2 Anniversary Spectacular." The "Spectacular" is only about a minute long, but it seems to have a negative effect on the funny cartoon that is "Blooper Bunny." It seems to unnerve the audience and alienate the characters, not in spite of - but because - the Looney Tunes characters are flashing their most winning smiles. It made me, personally, feel like they were the fake characters from the earlier "Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers," because they almost seemed to have an eerie air about them. It was a bad beginning and climax to an otherwise funny cartoon. But I still think the world is going to miss Mike Maltese. Seriously. "Blooper Bunny" is a fine effort by an inexperienced crew, and keeping that factor in mind I believe this cartoon to be a worthy addition to the Looney Tunes library. But I don't think that unless Chuck Jones Film Productions can keep the classic-style stuff coming without its late founder (Chuck Jones, obviously) that we will never witness the Golden Age cartoons' like again. Stephen Fossati shows great promise. He's been taught amazingly by the master. Let's hope he can go on without his mentor's supervision. Or the Looney Tunes are done. Finished. And I know we're all hoping that doesn't happen.

Cartoon mockumentary about the behind-the-scenes of a Bugs Bunny retrospective special with Daffy, Elmer, and Yosemite Sam causing problems. It's mostly made up of blooper clips, a few of which are actually funny. Points for creativity, particularly since the post-classic era Looney Tunes shorts were all-too-often pointless exercises in nostalgia copying old gags instead of coming up with new material. At least they were trying here. I've made no secret in my other reviews of modern Looney Tunes cartoons that they almost all suck. The degree to which they suck certainly varies but I've yet to see one that I watch and go "yeah, that deserves to be talked about in the same breath as the classics." This one doesn't hold up to the greats either but it doesn't completely suck so that's something. There's no doubt this was made by people who love the characters and wanted to bring them to a new generation. The animation is quite nice and I have no problems with the music or Jeff Bergman's voice work. As far as newer Looney Tunes goes, you can't do better than this. Which is kind of sad if you think about it too long.

After giving the go ahead for this film, Warner Bros. squelched it. Apparently in reaction to Daffy's comment that "Warner Bros. doesn't have single creative bone in it's body". This "short" was never shown theatrically. Only after Cartoon Network found it languishing in the library was it finally given the exposure it deserves.

This has got to be one of the best Bugs Bunny shorts to come out in the last few years. Everyone knows that the funniest part of any movie is the bloopers, and Warner Bros. brings it out all the way with this "gag reel" of Bugs, Daffy, Elmer and Yosemite Sam messing up their lines and cues while filming a tribute to Bugs Bunny's 51 & 1/2 birthday. It's only further proof that humor is all about timing, and the best stuff comes out when you don't expect it.

While not without it's flaws, this short is still one of the most entertaining Looney Tunes shorts in recent years. I've resigned myself to the fact that the golden age of Looney Tunes is long in the past and it'll never get as good as it was back then again in the future. But I still enjoyed this cartoon that plays out like a blooper reel taking place on Bugs Bunny's fifty first and a half birthday special. Even if the Looney Tune's gang acted a tad off-kilter. This cartoon can be found as an extra on disk 1 of the 'Looney Tunes Golden Collection' and has optional commentary.

My Grade: C+