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.
That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. This is going to be a reiteration of a lot of my reviews for the later Woody Woodpecker cartoons, but mainly because the later Paul J. Smith-directed cartoons have pretty much the same strengths and faults. 'Shutter Bug' is a better cartoon than the previous two Woody Woodpecker cartoons directed by Sid Marcus, both lacklustre at best, but it's still a long way from great.
Regarding Woody, he evoked a mixed response from me. One can relate to his situation here, with the portrayal of the publicity photographer being not too far off from what publicity photographers are often described and portrayed as being like (meaning very annoying that it's hard not to resort to drastic measures). However, compared to his original manic personality he's just too subdued and his material is too obvious and safe, one misses the manic energy and the risk taking. The photographer is appropriately annoying but is not very funny or particularly memorable.
Generally, the timing could have been sharper and the humour is primarily let down by that it is derivative of better and fresher humour in other Woody Woodpecker cartoons and also the lack of wit and consistent energy. Plus the story is very over-familiar, very few surprises here, and the cartoon could have done with more variety.
Just as problematic is the animation quality. Time and budget constraints shows in a lot of the animation, which is very rushed looking in the drawing and detail wise it's on the simplistic and careless side like many of Woody's cartoons from this period continuing through to the 60s.
'Shutter Bug' certainly has its strengths. It starts promisingly in a way that sets up the cartoon well and makes one relate to Woody's situation straight away, and the ending was a nice different surprise. the music is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it. There is some energy and a few amusing moments (particularly with the grizzly bear and the ending), as well as some nice colours.
Voice acting is solid. Grace Stafford continues to prove why she was the best voice actor for the character and the one that understood him the most.
On the whole, worth watching but more a one time watch than one you watch repeatedly. 5/10 Bethany Cox
