The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons.
None of the previous Bosko cartoons were great, most of them being hit and miss, but they were interesting and mostly quite decent. The fifth Bosko cartoons 'The Booze Hangs High' is the weakest of the five so far. By all means it is a long way from awful and is watchable, but is more a very average one-time watch that is forgettable after a few days, for Bosko at this time this is somewhat of a disappointment.
Certainly there are good things about 'The Booze Hangs High'. The animation is not bad at all. Not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music is 'The Booze Hangs High's' highlight component, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy.
Some parts are fun and intriguing, including the imaginative ways of playing instruments. Bosko is never going to be one of my favourite cartoon characters, or among the all-time greats, but he has more personality this time round and it's more endearing than before which compared to the previous four cartoons is saying a good deal where he had not found his stride. The supporting characters are okay enough, and the sound is not too static.
However, 'The Booze Hangs High's' story is paper thin and has some pedestrian stretches. The humour, with some potty humour and some really bizarre elements like the getting drunk scene, is too far and between and is not that funny.
Generally, the cartoon is not that imaginative outside of the ways of how the instruments are used. Pacing is pretty dull.
Overall, alright cartoon but without the desire to see it again in a hurry. 5/10 Bethany Cox
