Wacky Races (1968–1969)
10/10
Crazy Racing
25 April 2022
This animated show is an honorable mention of mine and it's one of my favorite shows from Hanna Barbara.

The premise is so simple which is what makes it even more effective a prime example on how simplicity is still the best way to go. But also, this show was a partial inspiration for the "Mario Kart" video game franchise. The show is a sports show as it's simply about racing but here it's all with cartoon characters with cartoon cars.

I really love the amount of creativity with this show, they went full speed on creative freedom from the tracks in each episode their always different as each of them take place in different locations. The Races themselves were cool, though they weren't just flat-out races, but they were dog fights as well as the racers aren't restricted to using dirty tricks and tactics on each other, basically their all doing their best to get ahead but at the same time blow the others butt away.

There are two stars of the show, one which are the cars themselves. It's almost hard to decide on a favorite as all of them are so colorfully unique and daft yet at the same time awesome.

I'll just state three favorites of mine.

Three, the Professor's car, this car you can say predates the vehicles from the "MASK" and even "Transformers" franchises as that car constantly changes into anything you want and need it to be. Like one of those transformations are into a Hot Air Balloon as well as others I don't want to give aways you just have to see them for yourself. Though how the heck this guy could create and for his car to contain so many configurations is anyone's guess, just chalk it up to cartoon logic.

Second favorite car is Dick Dastardly's car which I think is cool looking as it's pretty much just one big rocket which perfectly reflects his pursuit. In a way you can say his car is an evil version of the Batmoble as we see some batwings on it. This car doesn't just go fast but can produce anything you need and want, most notably some dirty tricks, like one of those tricks is a giant steel file and plenty of other things.

My favorite car is the one from the Gruesome Bros, it's awesome as it looks like the kind of car you'd see in the TV show "The Munsters" as it looks like a miniature haunted house. One feature about it that's awesome is the gear shift, whenever they shift the gear, a dragon would come out the window of the little haunted house. How the heck they manage to fit a dragon and a few other creatures in that very tiny house is anyone's guess, but anyway this dragon would breathe out fire to give the car a nitro boost.

The other star of course is Dick Dastardly, this guy is one of my favorite animated villains of all time. He pretty much has the looks of the mustache twirling villain archetype, really like that big hat of his which looks like an old train conductors' hat. His character is pretty much the animated version of Doctor Fate from the film "The Great Race" which was the inspiration for the show.

Just like Doctor Fate, Dick Dastardly was always scheming to get ahead and win. It's just funny how he always is coming up with a bunch of Wille Coyote like schemes to blow the competition away. But like Wille Coyote most of those schemes just flat out fail and it's just hilarious how they fail.

What's even funnier about Dick is that this guy could win as in most of the races he really has a lead on the completion, all he must simply do is maintain his lead. But nope he always stop midpoint in the race just to get a scheme or two into action. You can say this is all from villainous instincts is what prevents him from winning, though can't complain too much as then we'd have no episode if Dick didn't exercise them. Also what's funny and a little sad is sometimes he crosses that finish line but never win let alone places because does one stupid thing or another. Seriously could this guy not go a day refraining from villainy or keep his ego in check.

I even like that sidekick he has Muttley, whom has this infectious laugh (which sounds like my own dad's laugh not kidding). It's always funny just to see him laugh mainly whenever his boss Dick plan goes kaput on him, I can't help but think that's something we feel inside every time a blowhole boss or assistant manager receives a misfortune. But also love it whenever he grumbles which reminds me of the grumbling frustrations Harry from "Home Alone" expresses, makes me wonder if Joe Peshi saw this show. He's loyal (or sort of) to his boss as he does carry out his jobs though he also might be a little smarter than he boss as he does stand in the safe zones when misfortune happens.

The animated classic has plenty of millage for fun and won't leave you in the dust.

Rating: 4 stars.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed