Even the worst the Ant and the Aardvark cartoons didn't belong anywhere near the worst of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' very interesting but also somewhat frustratingly uneven output, in what was one of the studio's better and deservedly most popular theatrical series alongside prime-Pink Panther and The Inspector (even they in retrospect were completely consistent either). Some Ant and the Aardvark cartoons are better than others but all are worth a look at least once.
'Science Friction' is not one of the series' best. That does not mean in any way that it is a bad cartoon, it's not. Actually think it is still a pretty good one, better than the present rating here, but there was room for improvement. The premise was actually one of the series' more intriguing ones, 'Science Friction' though could have done even more with it and up to this point of the series, it is one of the weakest. That's not even meant in a bad way, just that the best outings are very good to great.
Like 'Ants in the Pantry', also from 1970, there is actually not an awful lot wrong with 'Science Friction'. A lot is done well and everything is present and correct. At the same time it did feel like something was missing. Despite the welcome presence of the zoologist, proving himself to be another worthy supporting/secondary character, it just needed a little more freshness and spark.
While most of the animation was a long way from bad, the opposite of that in fact, the drawing again could have had more finesse and looked less rushed-looking, my opinion in this regard of course.
However, the rich and varied use of colour helped make the abstract backgrounds more interesting as did the simple but never cheap-looking designs for the ant and the aardvark and the expressions and reactions for the aardvark. The music as ever is superb, from the opening note of the very memorable main theme it really puts you in a good mood. It works perfectly with the action but also would work well on its own.
The Ant and the Aardvark cartoons never failed to be funny, despite being nothing special on a story level and feeling it lacked freshness 'Science Friction' still delivered on the humour. Although the Ant and the Aardvark series always excelled in the physical and verbal comedy, it's the latter that has always shone more. There is one frequent kind of gag that can get a bit on the repetitious side but it has seldom been to unfunny effect and there have always been attempts to vary it. Two lines are especially great, both coming from the aardvark, "well this is what you call, sneaking for a snack" and "and he almost ruined my whole body!". Two great examples of a witticism and how to break the fourth wall.
While the ant is an always amusing character and the zoologist is worthy support, it is the aardvark, partly because he has the best lines, that steals the cartoon. Love the chemistry, as well as John Byner's ever terrific and very versatile voice acting.
Concluding, not bad by any stretch, the opposite, but could have been even better. 7/10
