While not one of my favourite cartoon characters, Barney Bear was a very funny and likable character where his sluggishness was a huge part of his charm. He was also interesting for being modelled on both his creator Rudolf Ising (who also was his first voice actor until 1941) and the mannerisms of Wallace Beery.
His debut cartoon 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' is a great one. The story is predictable in a way, especially if you are familiar with the very familiar concept (having been done a lot in animation) well before seeing 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep'. It is though executed very well, one does feel sorry for Barney and anybody who's been through his situation will empathise. It also excels in establishing Barney's personality and it was no surprise that he went on to have his own series shortly after. A good deal of them are very enjoyable but the quality didn't stay consistent. 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' is among the better ones.
The animation is colourful and beautifully drawn with fluid movements and meticulous attention to detail. The amount of detail given to Barney's character design was incredibly and it was a shame that it became simplified later on and lost its special uniqueness. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, even enhancing the impact of actions and gestures. The pre-existing music of the likes of Brahms and Mendelssohn is inserted cleverly.
It's a beautifully timed and very funny cartoon too, while showing sympathy for the situation particularly at the end.
Barney is easy to like and one is with him every step of the way in his frustration of wanting a peaceful hibernation. Ising does a great job voicing Barney.
Overall, Barney's debut cartoon does him justice. 9/10 Bethany Cox
His debut cartoon 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' is a great one. The story is predictable in a way, especially if you are familiar with the very familiar concept (having been done a lot in animation) well before seeing 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep'. It is though executed very well, one does feel sorry for Barney and anybody who's been through his situation will empathise. It also excels in establishing Barney's personality and it was no surprise that he went on to have his own series shortly after. A good deal of them are very enjoyable but the quality didn't stay consistent. 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' is among the better ones.
The animation is colourful and beautifully drawn with fluid movements and meticulous attention to detail. The amount of detail given to Barney's character design was incredibly and it was a shame that it became simplified later on and lost its special uniqueness. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, even enhancing the impact of actions and gestures. The pre-existing music of the likes of Brahms and Mendelssohn is inserted cleverly.
It's a beautifully timed and very funny cartoon too, while showing sympathy for the situation particularly at the end.
Barney is easy to like and one is with him every step of the way in his frustration of wanting a peaceful hibernation. Ising does a great job voicing Barney.
Overall, Barney's debut cartoon does him justice. 9/10 Bethany Cox