Looney Tunes Golden Collection on DVD

The GagaMann from Southend, England [Highly rated reviewer] , 04/02/2006

Long before Political correctness ruined cartoons to the point where gun's have to make laser sounds and cigarettes were replaced by lollipops, there was what is well-known as the 'Golden Era', and for good reason too, as this was when you would be able to see animated shorts before the main feature at cinemas, and in the matter of 20 years thousands upon thousands of these cartoons were released from the likes of Disney and MGM. By far the best of these cartoons however, were the Merry Melody/Looney Tunes cartoons from Warner Brothers. The animation is still of a high standard that has rarely been matched over 50 years later, the characters all American icons, and of course, there still by far the funniest cartoons ever produced. Now finally, Looney Tunes are here on DVD, and what a release this is.

In this sexy gold box you get four discs. The first is 'The Best of Bugs Bunny', the main star of the series and a character that went though an amazing evolution with the help of every animator and director that turned him into the character we know of today. The second disc stars two of my personal favorite characters, 'The best of Daffy Duck and Porky Pig'. The other two discs are a collection of 'All-stars' episodes, even though most of them are Daffy, Bugs and Porky anyway, with a few random cartoons starring the rest of the crew in the mix.

One thing that some people will complain about is the selection of toons picked for this collection. All I can say is this: you try picking out 60 cartoons out of the 1000+ produced. With this in mind, it's obvious not everyone's favorites will be in there. Personally, I'm happy that my all time fave 'Duck Amuck' made it, but I'm also a tad disappointed that 'What's Opera, Doc?' didn't make it.

Still, the cartoons on each disc have never looked better. Each has been fully restored to a quality of which hasn't ever been seen on TV or on video. In fact, the only way you could of seen these at this quality before would have been back when they were first released in cinemas, shown before the main feature films. The extras are just as impressive. For starters, you get features on all the main characters, which reveal some interesting facts about their evolution, like how Elmer Fudd started out as a much skinner character called 'Egghead' for example. There are also commentaries, rare pencil tests and other bits and bobs that are also well worth a look if you're an animation buff like me.

Probably my favorite extras are the bonus cartoons which include 'the 1991 short 'Bugs Bunny 51st 1/2 Birthday' (which was actually just as funny as the originals) as well as Warner Brother's first ever cartoon (and also one of the first to have talking characters in it) 'Bosko the Ink-Talk Kid', which although is showing it's age rather badly is still quite a clever mix of animation and live action. There is also a documentary on one of the discs called 'The Lost Toons' which has a look at some rare Warner cartoons such as some of the ones made for the US Army in the World War II. It also shows another early toons of there's starring a fox who looks suspiciously like Mickey Mouse, only instead of dancing and singing he gets totally rat-arsed, and smashes a glass bottle over his horses head. You certianly get plenty for your cash with this baby.

You can really feel the love that has gone into this set. This is quite possibly the best cartoon release I have ever seen on DVD. While this is by no means a 'complete' best-of collection, there's already a second set on it's way, with a further 60 shorts, and even more extras. So if any of your favorites are missing from this set, they are bound to be in the next (or, if they make one, a 3rd set). This is an essential purchase for any animation fan. I better warn you though, once you buy this set, you'll be hooked and want the next. So make sure you can fork out on this addition of animated heaven.

  10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

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Mark from Scotland , 23/07/2004

Pretty much standard fare. Good for keeping the kids quiet on a rainy afternoon!

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Stowmarket, England , 09/04/2004

I thought I was really going to enjoy this disc but found that I didn't really. Prehaps I'm into cartoons like The Simpsons and Anime too much nowdays and these old cartoons show their age. (Though Bugs Bunny and Road Runner still have it.) I was going to send the disc back but decided to check out the bonus material and am really glad I did as this is the best bit of the DVD! I spent all evening watching the fascinating featurettes and a mini programme about old and lost animation.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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andrew clark from Bristol, England , 23/09/2004

This disc was excellent! My boys were enthralled. Plus, of course, it was at last something I could actually sit through with them and enjoy myself, too!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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Mark from Scotland , 23/07/2004

Pretty much standard fare. Good for keeping the kids quiet on a rainy afternoon!

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Manchester, England , 24/07/2005

Just two words make this DVD worth hiring - 'Duck Amuck'. A classic from the WB stable that had a 31-year old in stitches. Just look at Daffy's facial expressions. Disney never did irony like this.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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