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.
After a scene-stealing debut in the Andy Panda cartoon 'Knock Knock', 'Woody Woodpecker' is his first cartoon as a leading character. While there may be cartoon characters with slightly more interesting personalities, Woody is still at his best incredibly funny, never obnoxious and very lovable, summing him up in one word it would be wonderfully nuts. His personality traits are still evolving and while a few are different others are unmistakably recognisable.
For just the first lead Woody Woodpecker cartoon, but his second overall, the animation is great. Woody is much more appealingly designed even though still evolving, while the colours are rich and vibrant and the backgrounds meticulous in their detail.
Love the music too. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The writing is suitably witty and raises a number of chuckles, while the never less than amusing and beautifully timed sight gags are even more impressive.
Highlight is definitely the "Everybody Thinks I'm Crazy" number, in animation, music and voice work, it is quite the comic masterpiece. The totem pole and struggling to say psychiatrist parts are fun too.
'Woody Woodpecker's' voice acting is strong, while there was more familiarity with the later voice actors the cartoon is evidence that Mel Blanc should have voiced Woody in more cartoons, being a near-unparalleled master at being manic and sharp as a razor that has always suited Woody down pat and he was one of Woody's better voice actors to bring that out.
Overall, a Woody Woodpecker classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
