Bunny: Bugs Bunny's 51 1/2 Anniversary Spectacular

Warner Bros. reopened their theatrical shorts department shortly before this cartoon was released, and the new blood (very new; not a single Golden Age animator is credited) does a pretty good job of it. The gags are mostly comments on the filmmakers, plus demonstrations of the shortcomings of filmmaking equipment. The rest is well-timed slapstick, but it doesn't feel like those wacky, hilarious characters are back again. They're funny in a different way. The DVD commentary on this (on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: get it now!) by either Stan Freberg or Greg Ford, mentions that the animators tried to bring back those classic arguments the stars had; they were trying to override the advertisements and merchandise that broadcast the fact that the characters always had bright smiles at all times and were close friends, a bunch often referred to as "Bugs Bunny and Friends." That betrays the Looney Tunes cast. The animators tried. "Blooper Bunny" is a fictitious behind-the-scenes look at the eventful everyday life of our beloved characters, focusing on the making of the "Bugs Bunny 51st and 1/2 Anniversary Spectacular." The "Spectacular" is only about a minute long, but it seems to have a negative effect on the funny cartoon that is "Blooper Bunny." It seems to unnerve the audience and alienate the characters, not in spite of - but because - the Looney Tunes characters are flashing their most winning smiles. It made me, personally, feel like they were the fake characters from the earlier "Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers," because they almost seemed to have an eerie air about them. It was a bad beginning and climax to an otherwise funny cartoon. But I still think the world is going to miss Mike Maltese. Seriously. "Blooper Bunny" is a fine effort by an inexperienced crew, and keeping that factor in mind I believe this cartoon to be a worthy addition to the Looney Tunes library. But I don't think that unless Chuck Jones Film Productions can keep the classic-style stuff coming without its late founder (Chuck Jones, obviously) that we will never witness the Golden Age cartoons' like again. Stephen Fossati shows great promise. He's been taught amazingly by the master. Let's hope he can go on without his mentor's supervision. Or the Looney Tunes are done. Finished. And I know we're all hoping that doesn't happen.