The Pink Panther to me is one of animation's most iconic characters. DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output was very hit and miss, or at least post-1970 it was, especially the later theatrical series. With hits such as Pink Panther and the Ant and the Aardvark, and duds such as Crazylegs Crane. For me, The Pink Panther on the whole was the studio's best theatrical series, though The Inspector and Ant and the Aardvark ones come close. It did become very variable from the mid-70s onwards, but the 60s-early 70s output contained some of the studio's best work.
1966's Pink Panther cartoons were mostly solid standard, though expectedly some were stronger than others. 'The Genie with the Light Pink Fur', helped by that it has one of the most inspired and imaginative scenarios of the early Pink Panther cartoons, is one of the best of that year for the series and doesn't waste the setting at all. Maybe not quite one of my favourite Pink Panther cartoons, though it very nearly was, but there is so much that is so good overall about the series that is present here.
It is also one of his most inventive in a scenario that this reviewer doesn't think has been done in a Pink Panther cartoon. Well certainly not before 'The Genie with the Light Pink Fur' that is.
The first half is a little better than the second half in terms of humour, but that is not a problem as 'The Genie with the Light Pink Fur' maintains its imagination and sense of fun throughout right to the end.
First and foremost, the gags, a numerous amount too, are very well timed and clever, not to mention very funny. You also feel Pink's frustration and you do feel sorry for him. The animation is clean and elegantly shaded, no obvious starkness, scrappiness or flatness. The music does nothing to dull the story or gags, it is still jazzy and you still remember it. The theme tune is very catchy and one of those that will not irritate you no matter how many times you hear it.
Pink is fun, cool and instantly likable, in this cartoon as said already you are sympathetic towards his predicament. In conclusion, imaginative and funny, with a great unique (for Pink Panther) idea and packed with clever gags.
A winner, and one of the better 1966 Pink Panther outings. 9/10.
1966's Pink Panther cartoons were mostly solid standard, though expectedly some were stronger than others. 'The Genie with the Light Pink Fur', helped by that it has one of the most inspired and imaginative scenarios of the early Pink Panther cartoons, is one of the best of that year for the series and doesn't waste the setting at all. Maybe not quite one of my favourite Pink Panther cartoons, though it very nearly was, but there is so much that is so good overall about the series that is present here.
It is also one of his most inventive in a scenario that this reviewer doesn't think has been done in a Pink Panther cartoon. Well certainly not before 'The Genie with the Light Pink Fur' that is.
The first half is a little better than the second half in terms of humour, but that is not a problem as 'The Genie with the Light Pink Fur' maintains its imagination and sense of fun throughout right to the end.
First and foremost, the gags, a numerous amount too, are very well timed and clever, not to mention very funny. You also feel Pink's frustration and you do feel sorry for him. The animation is clean and elegantly shaded, no obvious starkness, scrappiness or flatness. The music does nothing to dull the story or gags, it is still jazzy and you still remember it. The theme tune is very catchy and one of those that will not irritate you no matter how many times you hear it.
Pink is fun, cool and instantly likable, in this cartoon as said already you are sympathetic towards his predicament. In conclusion, imaginative and funny, with a great unique (for Pink Panther) idea and packed with clever gags.
A winner, and one of the better 1966 Pink Panther outings. 9/10.
