Banquet Busters

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. Always have gotten much enjoyment out of Woody and Wally Walrus' cartoons and their chemistry together. They have done better cartoons like 'Ski for Two', 'Chew-Chew Baby', 'Smoked Hams' and 'Well Oiled', but 'Banquet Busters' still has so much of what makes their cartoons at their best so worthwhile and on the quality spectrum it leans towards the better end.

Story-wise, it's structurally fairly typical and the basic formula is the kind that has been seen before with Woody, even with a different subject. Andy Panda is rather bland, not having as sharp or zany a personality in the way Woody and Wally do and his chemistry with Woody isn't as inspired or fun, instead feeling a bit ordinary and actually he didn't really need to be there other than a story device.

Woody however is a lot of fun, is wonderfully mischievous and avoids being too obnoxious. Wally is one of those butt of the jokes foils that provides some genuinely funny moments but one also roots for him in some way. His chemistry with Woody is inspired and great fun to see.

As ever, the animation is great. The characters are well drawn, but even better are the rich colours, meticulously detailed backgrounds and smooth backgrounds.

Music is another strength here. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The writing is amusing and chuckle-worthy enough and the gags are well-timed and often hilarious.

Have nothing to complain about the voice acting either.

In conclusion, more colourful and entertaining animated antics with Woody and Wally. 8/10 Bethany Cox