The premise for 'Gold Struck', while not innovative for animation overall, did sound intriguing and for the second half of the Hoot Kloot series, which was when it started to feel like the series was running out of gas, it was the most different. Seeing as none of the rest of the cartoons from the series' second half had a ghost town, spooks and even a vampire (yes you saw right) and instead followed a similar formula to earlier cartoons with not much variety.
'Gold Struck' is not a great cartoon or perfect, but it is not just one of the better cartoons of the second half of the Hoot Kloot series it is also in the better half of the whole series. It may not do anything new, but it is at least different for the Hoot Kloot cartoons and is fun and interesting. You would not think looking at the title that spooks, a ghost town and a vampire would not feature in the story. It is a big improvement too over the mediocre 'Giddy Up Woe' too.
A lot of good things can be seen here. A good deal of the animation is good for the second half of the series (although other Hoot Kloot cartoons did better in this aspect), the colours are very easy on the eyes and the abstract backgrounds are not too simplistic. The music has a lot of characterful energy and has a very Western action-y vibe. Bob Holt excels as Hoot Kloot and Fester, he clearly has fun with the former's abrasiveness and have always found his Walter Brennan-like voice for Fester inspired and a good example at the series' poking fun of genre conventions. Hoot Kloot is amusingly crusty and his abrasiveness doesn't get overbearing. Fester is also great fun and contrasts very well with Hoot Kloot.
Really enjoyed the character of the vampire, a creepy but amusing adversary. The ghost town is suitably desolate and spooky and the spookiness is creepy without ever being nightmare inducing and even nostalgic. There are a number of amusing gags, though there is nothing unconventional about them, and the wordplay is thankfully back to the sharp wit of the best Hoot Kloot cartoons.
Having said all of that, the story is very predictable and is a bit dull to begin with. It's when the vampire appears when the cartoon comes to life. Personally found the robber character unnecessary and neither menacing or funny, just there with little done with him.
Like other Hoot Kloot cartoons, the character animation does lack finesse and smoothness at times (though it is better than what came after).
In conclusion, decent. 6/10.
'Gold Struck' is not a great cartoon or perfect, but it is not just one of the better cartoons of the second half of the Hoot Kloot series it is also in the better half of the whole series. It may not do anything new, but it is at least different for the Hoot Kloot cartoons and is fun and interesting. You would not think looking at the title that spooks, a ghost town and a vampire would not feature in the story. It is a big improvement too over the mediocre 'Giddy Up Woe' too.
A lot of good things can be seen here. A good deal of the animation is good for the second half of the series (although other Hoot Kloot cartoons did better in this aspect), the colours are very easy on the eyes and the abstract backgrounds are not too simplistic. The music has a lot of characterful energy and has a very Western action-y vibe. Bob Holt excels as Hoot Kloot and Fester, he clearly has fun with the former's abrasiveness and have always found his Walter Brennan-like voice for Fester inspired and a good example at the series' poking fun of genre conventions. Hoot Kloot is amusingly crusty and his abrasiveness doesn't get overbearing. Fester is also great fun and contrasts very well with Hoot Kloot.
Really enjoyed the character of the vampire, a creepy but amusing adversary. The ghost town is suitably desolate and spooky and the spookiness is creepy without ever being nightmare inducing and even nostalgic. There are a number of amusing gags, though there is nothing unconventional about them, and the wordplay is thankfully back to the sharp wit of the best Hoot Kloot cartoons.
Having said all of that, the story is very predictable and is a bit dull to begin with. It's when the vampire appears when the cartoon comes to life. Personally found the robber character unnecessary and neither menacing or funny, just there with little done with him.
Like other Hoot Kloot cartoons, the character animation does lack finesse and smoothness at times (though it is better than what came after).
In conclusion, decent. 6/10.