Love animation to bits. It was a big part of my life as a child, especially Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera and Tom and Jerry (with tastes broadening further getting older with Pixar, Studio Ghibli and some of the more mature animations out there), and still love it to this day as a young adult whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now, with more knowledge of the different animation styles, directors, studios and what work went into them.
Really like to love a vast majority of the Disney shorts, and even the weakest ones were far from terrible. The Figaro and Minnie series is not among my very favourites but all of the cartoons in the series are very pleasant watches and there is a little fondness for them. Minnie is not one of the most interesting characters in animation but she is charming and likeable enough. Have always had a soft spot for Figaro, especially in of course one of Disney's masterpieces 'Pinocchio', he is very cute and funny and his facial expressions and gestures speak volumes and much louder than words.
'Figaro and Frankie' is not one of the best of the series, one of the lesser ones for me. Like the other Figaro and Minnie cartoons it is pleasant, well made and with amusement and charms though.
It is very predictable, with a formula of cat vs bird seen before many times and better (Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes being the biggest examples) and it is not hard to figure out what happens next or how the cartoon ends on a sweet if slightly pat note.
Minnie's role is fairly thankless and under-utilised, she is also not as endearing as she tends to be (her punishment to Figaro was a bit on the cruel side). While Frankie has amusing chemistry with Figaro his bratty personality does grate a little in the early parts of the cartoon, which charms enough but takes a little too long to get going.
The second half fares much better however. There is suspense, the conscience stuff is intriguing and the cartoon at this point is entertaining and even touching. There are nice gags and the chemistry between all the characters is lovely to watch. Faring the best of the characters easily is Figaro, who is adorable, sometimes hilarious and very expressive without trying too hard.
Can't fault the beautifully drawn and detailed as well as vibrant and colourful animation. Or the lush and cleverly orchestrated music score that adds to the action and even enhances it. Vocals are well done.
Overall, pleasant and decent but far from an animation classic or one of the series' best. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Really like to love a vast majority of the Disney shorts, and even the weakest ones were far from terrible. The Figaro and Minnie series is not among my very favourites but all of the cartoons in the series are very pleasant watches and there is a little fondness for them. Minnie is not one of the most interesting characters in animation but she is charming and likeable enough. Have always had a soft spot for Figaro, especially in of course one of Disney's masterpieces 'Pinocchio', he is very cute and funny and his facial expressions and gestures speak volumes and much louder than words.
'Figaro and Frankie' is not one of the best of the series, one of the lesser ones for me. Like the other Figaro and Minnie cartoons it is pleasant, well made and with amusement and charms though.
It is very predictable, with a formula of cat vs bird seen before many times and better (Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes being the biggest examples) and it is not hard to figure out what happens next or how the cartoon ends on a sweet if slightly pat note.
Minnie's role is fairly thankless and under-utilised, she is also not as endearing as she tends to be (her punishment to Figaro was a bit on the cruel side). While Frankie has amusing chemistry with Figaro his bratty personality does grate a little in the early parts of the cartoon, which charms enough but takes a little too long to get going.
The second half fares much better however. There is suspense, the conscience stuff is intriguing and the cartoon at this point is entertaining and even touching. There are nice gags and the chemistry between all the characters is lovely to watch. Faring the best of the characters easily is Figaro, who is adorable, sometimes hilarious and very expressive without trying too hard.
Can't fault the beautifully drawn and detailed as well as vibrant and colourful animation. Or the lush and cleverly orchestrated music score that adds to the action and even enhances it. Vocals are well done.
Overall, pleasant and decent but far from an animation classic or one of the series' best. 7/10 Bethany Cox
