This is the first cartoon featuring Marvin the Martian and his sidekick, K-9. Marvin has become even more popular today than he was when Warner Bros. was making those fabulous shorts in the 40's and 50's., much like Taz (although why the adoration for that simple character is beyond my comprehension - but that is a comment for another section). Marvin is trying to blow up the Earth and of course Bugs tries to stop him, because everyone he knows is there. This is a great cartoon, not my favorite with the Martian, but a very good beginning for him. Of note is that Mel Blanc would change the voice for him in subsequent cartoons, and the later interpretation is an improvement, but the one he has in this one takes nothing away from it.
21 Reviews
Introducing Marvin
movieman_kev24 November 2004
In this notable short we first see Marvin the Martian when Bugs Bunny lured by NASA with a cargo load of carrots, gets into a rocket ship destined for the moon. Once there it's up to Bugs to foil Marvin's mission to destroy Earth. This is yet another classic Looney Tunes short. Perhaps my judgment is shewed as I like the Marvin character and his alien-dog side-kick. However all the jokes worked for me, even if there were a few less of them than usual. I would definitely put this one up there with the best Bugs Bunny-based looney Tunes shorts. This cartoon is on Disk 3 of the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1" It also has an optional commentary
My Grade: A-
My Grade: A-
"I got a wife and kids -- millions of kids!"
utgard1421 August 2016
Classic Bugs Bunny cartoon from the team of Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese. This one is the first appearance of Marvin the Martian. Bugs is launched into space and becomes the first rabbit on the moon. Quickly following his historic accomplishment, another spaceship lands on the moon. Out steps Marvin the Martian and his dog K-9. Marvin intends to blow up Earth with a "Uranium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator" but Bugs has other ideas. It's a fresh and very funny short that gave us terrific characters in Marvin and K-9. Marvin's voice here is a little different as Mel Blanc hadn't perfected it yet. Aside from that minor distraction, this is a perfect cartoon. A real classic with great animation, writing, music, and voice work.
Millions of children...that's a rabbit, alright!
lee_eisenberg21 December 2006
In practically any classic Bugs Bunny short, you're guaranteed to laugh yourself silly. "Haredevil Hare" is no exception, as Bugs gets sent to the moon and has to stop Marvin the Martian - who was at this time anonymous - from blowing up the earth ("Everybody I know lives there!"). One thing that I noticed was that Marvin had a dog, whom he sent after Bugs. I wonder why that dog didn't appear in more cartoons; he had a neat conversation with Bugs here.
All in all, Bugs is his usual self here: perfect timing (notice how he walks away from Marvin after initially learning of Marvin's plan), mispronouncing words ("That's a nice-lookin' weepin' (weapon) ya got there."), and not going down without a fight. I definitely recommend it.
There's a nice earth out tonight. Ha!
All in all, Bugs is his usual self here: perfect timing (notice how he walks away from Marvin after initially learning of Marvin's plan), mispronouncing words ("That's a nice-lookin' weepin' (weapon) ya got there."), and not going down without a fight. I definitely recommend it.
There's a nice earth out tonight. Ha!
"After all, it's his business if he wants to blow up the Earth."
slymusic27 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Haredevil Hare" is a great Bugs Bunny cartoon directed by Charles M. "Chuck" Jones. Scientists volunteer Bugs to be a passenger on the first rocket to the moon, where he meets the chief expert of interplanetary destruction: Marvin Martian.
Here are my favorite sequences from "Haredevil Hare" (DO NOT read any further until after you have actually seen this cartoon). Bugs twitches humorously when he first lands on the moon. He tries to contact Earth on his walkie-talkie, but the only response he receives is a harmonizing commercial for Crumbly Crunchies; he then pulls a familiar word-switcheroo gag on Marvin Martian's dog to get him to hand over a stick of dynamite (or, as Marvin so humorously calls it, the Uranium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator). As the rocket flies into frame, Bugs is hilarious as he screams in the window. I also love Carl Stalling's distorted musical accompaniment for Marvin's walk.
Marvin Martian's voice in "Haredevil Hare" is funny, but not quite the hilarious high-pitched nasal voice that would later become his trademark. He certainly looks mean enough with his expressive eyes masking his deep black mouthless face.
Here are my favorite sequences from "Haredevil Hare" (DO NOT read any further until after you have actually seen this cartoon). Bugs twitches humorously when he first lands on the moon. He tries to contact Earth on his walkie-talkie, but the only response he receives is a harmonizing commercial for Crumbly Crunchies; he then pulls a familiar word-switcheroo gag on Marvin Martian's dog to get him to hand over a stick of dynamite (or, as Marvin so humorously calls it, the Uranium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator). As the rocket flies into frame, Bugs is hilarious as he screams in the window. I also love Carl Stalling's distorted musical accompaniment for Marvin's walk.
Marvin Martian's voice in "Haredevil Hare" is funny, but not quite the hilarious high-pitched nasal voice that would later become his trademark. He certainly looks mean enough with his expressive eyes masking his deep black mouthless face.
One giant leap for Rabbitkind!
CuriosityKilledShawn23 October 2004
Bugs Bunny 'volunteers' somewhat reluctantly (kicking and screaming) to be the first earthling blasted into space. He perks up however when they fill the rocket to the brim with carrots.
After a bone-crushing spell of g-force he lands a little too roughly on the moon and decides to go for a little sight-seeing. On his journey he meets Marvin the Martian (who sounds a little bit different than usual) and his usual plans to blow up the earth for some insane reason.
As usual, hijinks and endless outsmarting follow, all to wonderful effect. It's in this type of anarchy and imagination that Bugs and the rest of the Looney Tunes prove how ingenious they really are.
After a bone-crushing spell of g-force he lands a little too roughly on the moon and decides to go for a little sight-seeing. On his journey he meets Marvin the Martian (who sounds a little bit different than usual) and his usual plans to blow up the earth for some insane reason.
As usual, hijinks and endless outsmarting follow, all to wonderful effect. It's in this type of anarchy and imagination that Bugs and the rest of the Looney Tunes prove how ingenious they really are.
Marvin the Martian
boblipton20 July 2002
The first and best of the Marvin the Martian cartoons. Although not quite the version he reached in later cartoons -- his voice is not quite as reedy and outer space does not look like it was designed by bad Bauhaus architects -- the joke are sharper in this one than they would be later. Dig the Chuck Jones tennis sneakers!
Ladies and gentlemen, Looney Tunes introduces... Marvin the Martian!
TheLittleSongbird9 June 2010
This is the Looney Tunes cartoon to introduce Marvin the Martian, who I personally feel is an underrated Looney Tunes character. It isn't the best cartoon he has starred in, I slightly prefer Hare-Way to the Stars, but Haredevil Hare is one of his better cartoons. It was also delightful to see Bugs again, a genuine favourite of mine- I love Bugs because of his unique personality, the fact that he is somewhat arrogant and crafty really adds to his character. Mel Blanc is a little subdued compared to other Looney Tunes cartoons, where he literally lets rip, but he is still terrific as always. That's not all, the animation is wonderful, particularly the stunning galactic backgrounds, and the music is a delight. Add some interesting sight gags and some very funny dialogue, and you have a simply great cartoon. Overall, just terrific. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Bugs Meets Marvin The Martian
ccthemovieman-13 February 2007
"Scientists Set To Launch First Rocket To Moon," screams the newspaper headlines. "Heroic Rabbit Volunteers As First Passenger," reads another.
The next scene shows Bugs being literally dragged by a couple of big men, and yelling, "I don't want to go; I'm too young to fly! Stop. I've got a wife and kids. Millions of kids. Help! I don't want to be a hero. You ain't getting me in that flying cigar!" (So much for "heroic.")
When they load the rocket with carrots, Bugs quickly changes his mind....and off he goes! He crash-lands on Mars, is soon joined by Marvin the Martian (who isn't named that yet being this is is first time on screen) who attempts to blow up Earth). The Martian is joined by his "helper" K -9. Bugs, of course, tries to stop Earth from being destroyed.
This is very silly and designed strictly for tiny tots but still is interesting enough for adults to watch.
The next scene shows Bugs being literally dragged by a couple of big men, and yelling, "I don't want to go; I'm too young to fly! Stop. I've got a wife and kids. Millions of kids. Help! I don't want to be a hero. You ain't getting me in that flying cigar!" (So much for "heroic.")
When they load the rocket with carrots, Bugs quickly changes his mind....and off he goes! He crash-lands on Mars, is soon joined by Marvin the Martian (who isn't named that yet being this is is first time on screen) who attempts to blow up Earth). The Martian is joined by his "helper" K -9. Bugs, of course, tries to stop Earth from being destroyed.
This is very silly and designed strictly for tiny tots but still is interesting enough for adults to watch.
The first appearance by Marvin
planktonrules1 June 2014
In "Haredevil Hare" Bugs Bunny is the less than willing first rabbit shot into space. However, he's tricked and soon is sent hurtling towards the moon. There he soon meets Marvin the Martian (he's not called Marvin and looks and sounds a bit different in this, his first appearance). Unfortunately, Marvin is intent on blowing up the Earth and it's up to Bugs to stop him. But Marvin has help in the form of a green space dog. Can Bugs save the day?
Like the rest of the Bugs cartoons of the era, this one has exquisite animation and is quite entertaining. While I have never adored the Marvin character as much as many, it is enjoyable and worth seeing.
Like the rest of the Bugs cartoons of the era, this one has exquisite animation and is quite entertaining. While I have never adored the Marvin character as much as many, it is enjoyable and worth seeing.
Haredevil Hare was our introduction to Marvin the Martian
tavm8 January 2008
While Bugs is initially reluctant to go on a rocket to the moon, the carrots that are dropped inside makes him change his mind. After he lands there, a Martian ship also stops there. A funny-looking little man in a Roman soldier outfit comes out and speaks in a funny voice (though it's different than the eventual voice we know him from). This guy, who we eventually know as Marvin the Martian, nonchalantly tells Bugs, after he asks what he's doing with his space modulator, that he plans to blow up the earth. It takes awhile before the rabbit stops him so Marvin then sends his dog after him. Bugs outsmarts the dog by changing one word in their exchange that makes the dog give his explosive back to Bugs. There's a chase and...Oh, just watch the short. Nice introduction of a space series that also incorporated Daffy Duck and Porky Pig in another Marvin the Martian cartoon called Duck Dodgers... Highly amusing throughout.
A leisurely pace and a desolate atmosphere plus the introduction of a new star make Haredevil Hare a true original
phantom_tollbooth18 August 2008
Chuck Jones's 'Haredevil Hare' is a brilliant and fascinating cartoon for several reasons. The first thing you'll notice when watching it is its comparatively leisurely pace. Several minutes are taken up with Bugs being sent into space against his will and then succumbing to an alarming breakdown that manifests itself in a series of involuntary, jerky movements. The desolate, lonely atmosphere Jones creates is unforgettable and it is one of the reasons I found this cartoon so eerie when I was a child. The climax, which leaves Bugs in an extremely uncertain situation (and is not unlike the ending of another Jones' masterpiece, 'Duck Dodgers in the 24th ½ Century'), also left me reeling when I was a kid. It remains one of my favourite finales of a Warner cartoon.
Of course, in examining all of these elements we've ignored the most significant feature of 'Haredevil Hare', namely the first appearance of Marvin the Martian. A comparatively underused but extremely popular character, Marvin is a wonderfully strange creation in his Roman helmet, skirt and sneakers. As is often the case with classic cartoon characters, Marvin is a little off in his first appearance. His eyes are a little bigger than normal and his beautifully bizarre voice has not yet been fully developed. Here he sounds more like Droopy with a cold! His intention to blow up the Earth, however, is firmly in place from the get-go. His appearance shatters the eerie sense of isolation that characterises the first half of the cartoon but the pace remains fairly slow as Bugs treats Marvin like nothing more than a naughty schoolboy. Also given his first outing (and also slightly off-model) is Marvin's green dog and his appearance triggers off the worst section of 'Haredevil Hare' in which Bugs lapses into some very standard heckling which sits at odds with the more unusual content. The Martian dog is also given a stereotypical idiot voice which weakens his character considerably. His later appearances as an austere silent creature were much more effective since he had a dignity of which to be robbed, unlike in this short. Thankfully, the battle between Bugs and the dog is short lived and gives way to the brilliant punchline.
'Haredevil Hare' is a superb and highly unusual cartoon which spawned yet another star in Marvin the Martian. Beautifully downbeat and full of unexpected gags (the radio communication that lapses into an advertising jingle makes me laugh out loud every time), 'Haredevil Hare' is a must see oddity and yet another masterpiece in the Chuck Jones canon
Of course, in examining all of these elements we've ignored the most significant feature of 'Haredevil Hare', namely the first appearance of Marvin the Martian. A comparatively underused but extremely popular character, Marvin is a wonderfully strange creation in his Roman helmet, skirt and sneakers. As is often the case with classic cartoon characters, Marvin is a little off in his first appearance. His eyes are a little bigger than normal and his beautifully bizarre voice has not yet been fully developed. Here he sounds more like Droopy with a cold! His intention to blow up the Earth, however, is firmly in place from the get-go. His appearance shatters the eerie sense of isolation that characterises the first half of the cartoon but the pace remains fairly slow as Bugs treats Marvin like nothing more than a naughty schoolboy. Also given his first outing (and also slightly off-model) is Marvin's green dog and his appearance triggers off the worst section of 'Haredevil Hare' in which Bugs lapses into some very standard heckling which sits at odds with the more unusual content. The Martian dog is also given a stereotypical idiot voice which weakens his character considerably. His later appearances as an austere silent creature were much more effective since he had a dignity of which to be robbed, unlike in this short. Thankfully, the battle between Bugs and the dog is short lived and gives way to the brilliant punchline.
'Haredevil Hare' is a superb and highly unusual cartoon which spawned yet another star in Marvin the Martian. Beautifully downbeat and full of unexpected gags (the radio communication that lapses into an advertising jingle makes me laugh out loud every time), 'Haredevil Hare' is a must see oddity and yet another masterpiece in the Chuck Jones canon
Bugs is a reluctant astronaut until he sees the carrots...
Doylenf25 March 2009
This is a highly amusing Bugs Bunny romp from Chuck Jones. This time the bunny is a reluctant astronaut who wants nothing to do with the spaceship to Mars, only changing his mind at the last minute when he spots the carrots being loaded.
Turns out he's not alone when he lands there. Seems that Marvin the Martian has also landed and is intent on blowing up the earth. When Bug realizes the Martian's sinister intentions--and has some amusing conversations with Marvin and his henchman--a silly looking dog--he goes into action to prevent the catastrophe.
Crisply drawn, with Bugs Bunny benefiting from Mel Blanc's colorful vocal assistance, it's a very amusing spin on all the Buck Rogers type of stuff audiences were lapping up in the late '40s and well into the '50s.
Timely and terrific.
Turns out he's not alone when he lands there. Seems that Marvin the Martian has also landed and is intent on blowing up the earth. When Bug realizes the Martian's sinister intentions--and has some amusing conversations with Marvin and his henchman--a silly looking dog--he goes into action to prevent the catastrophe.
Crisply drawn, with Bugs Bunny benefiting from Mel Blanc's colorful vocal assistance, it's a very amusing spin on all the Buck Rogers type of stuff audiences were lapping up in the late '40s and well into the '50s.
Timely and terrific.
From scientist to anti-terrorist fighter
Horst_In_Translation15 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Haredevil Hare" is a 7.5-minute Warner Bros cartoon from 1948, so this means this wasn't political anymore as World War II was over. Instead, people's minds were on the exploration of space and this includes Maltese, Jones and Blanc as well. Bugs is shot up to the moon and he finds dangerous creatures very quickly when he runs into Marvin the Martian, his dog and their plan to blow up the Earth. So Bugs, even if he says initially he does not want to be a hero manages to prevent the catastrophe, even if he is allegedly safe on the moon. He probably cared more about the millions of carrots that would get destroyed and not about the human (and rabbit) lives. I thought this cartoon lacked real moments of greatness and would not count it among the best Looney Tunes. Interesting for its historic context, but the story is forgettable. Not recommended.
Introducing Marvin!!!
PeachHamBeach8 September 2003
Here we meet for the first time, that lovable mouthless Martian, Marvin, only back then, he was known as Commander X2. He also has a green eared dog named K9 who assists him. In this first of many attempts to "blow up the earth" with the "Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulatoah", X2 is thwarted by heroic Bugs, who didn't want to go to the moon in the first place, but oh, aren't we glad he did???!!!
Dazzling effects!
JohnHowardReid20 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
CAST: Bugs Bunny, Marvin the Martian and his dog "reserve".
Director: CHARLES M. JONES. Story: Michael Maltese. Animation: Ben Washam, Lloyd Vaughan, Ken Harris, Phil Monroe. Lay-outs: Robert Gribbroek. Backgrounds: Peter Alvarado. Effects animation: A. C. Gamer. Voice characterizations: Mel Blanc. Music director: Carl Stalling. Color by Technicolor. Producer: Edward Selzer. Copyright 20 December 1947 by The Vitaphone Corp. A Warner Bros "Looney Tunes" Bugs Bunny Special cartoon. U.S. release: 24 July 1948. 7 minutes.
COMMENT: This clever Bugs Bunny entry marks the first of five appearances of the little Martian - a character far more memorable than his short filmography might suggest.
Mel Blanc hasn't quite got the voice right, but otherwise this is a must-see debut for all connoisseurs of Warner Bros cartoon-land.
Aside from a too-extended sequence in which Bugs seems to take forever to straighten himself out after a bumpy moon landing, the pace is fast, the effects often dazzling
Director: CHARLES M. JONES. Story: Michael Maltese. Animation: Ben Washam, Lloyd Vaughan, Ken Harris, Phil Monroe. Lay-outs: Robert Gribbroek. Backgrounds: Peter Alvarado. Effects animation: A. C. Gamer. Voice characterizations: Mel Blanc. Music director: Carl Stalling. Color by Technicolor. Producer: Edward Selzer. Copyright 20 December 1947 by The Vitaphone Corp. A Warner Bros "Looney Tunes" Bugs Bunny Special cartoon. U.S. release: 24 July 1948. 7 minutes.
COMMENT: This clever Bugs Bunny entry marks the first of five appearances of the little Martian - a character far more memorable than his short filmography might suggest.
Mel Blanc hasn't quite got the voice right, but otherwise this is a must-see debut for all connoisseurs of Warner Bros cartoon-land.
Aside from a too-extended sequence in which Bugs seems to take forever to straighten himself out after a bumpy moon landing, the pace is fast, the effects often dazzling
An introduction to Marvin the Martian
Tweekums15 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is the cartoon that introduced one of my favourite Loony Tunes characters; Marvin the Martian, although we don't learn his name just yet.
Bugs Bunny is lured into a rocket which will take him to the moon. Once there he expects to be alone but is soon joined by a strange creature from Mars who has gone there in order to destroy the Earth using his "Uranium Pu-36 Explosive Space Modulator". When Bugs takes his device Marvin summons his strange green dog-like creature to retrieve it. After a bit of word play the dog lets Bugs keep the device but he returns it to Marvin... only to detonate it before it can be used against the Earth.
This was a fun cartoon, Marvin is brilliantly designed; dressed almost like a Roman centurion he has a black sphere for a head which has two large eyes but no other visible features. Voiced by Mel Blanc, he is much calmer than other Loony Tunes characters, even when he is very angry he doesn't raise his voice. I thought he was a great character when I watched these cartoons as a child and still think he is funny when watching as an adult.
Bugs Bunny is lured into a rocket which will take him to the moon. Once there he expects to be alone but is soon joined by a strange creature from Mars who has gone there in order to destroy the Earth using his "Uranium Pu-36 Explosive Space Modulator". When Bugs takes his device Marvin summons his strange green dog-like creature to retrieve it. After a bit of word play the dog lets Bugs keep the device but he returns it to Marvin... only to detonate it before it can be used against the Earth.
This was a fun cartoon, Marvin is brilliantly designed; dressed almost like a Roman centurion he has a black sphere for a head which has two large eyes but no other visible features. Voiced by Mel Blanc, he is much calmer than other Loony Tunes characters, even when he is very angry he doesn't raise his voice. I thought he was a great character when I watched these cartoons as a child and still think he is funny when watching as an adult.
Warner Bros. anticipates the CONCUSSION concussion . . .
oscaralbert24 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . that would shake Hollywood to its knees nearly 70 years later with HAREDEVIL HARE. In this Looney Tunes animated short, Bugs Bunny thinks that he's the first visitor to the moon. Bugs is therefore meant to represent White Tinseltown (which always has been reflective of the U.S. demographic majority, as in "majority rules," a principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, but NOT widely accepted on certain other continents). This sector treasures its Institutional Memory of Begats (as in, "Chaplin Begat Fields Begat Skelton Begat Candy Begat Sandler). But a few seconds after Bugs' rocket ship makes its hard landing, Marvin Martian RETURNS to the moon. Marvin is Black, representing the Smith Clan and other Urban Power Proponents. Marvin Matter-of-Factly informs Bugs that he's destroying Earth, just as it took one simple tweet from Jada to Purge half of America's Academy Experts. Bugs tries to minimize Jada's damage by redirecting her weapon to the moon, which is half blown away. Of course, Sony's attack on American Core Values and the NFL (our national religion) with CONCUSSION was the sneakiest assault on the U.S. since Japan blew up Pearl Harbor to kick off World War Two, which is why NO ONE from the CONCUSSION cast--White, Black, or Yellow--could possibly have been nominated for an Oscar by ANY True Blue American. However, thanks to Jada, the next Minority Spear in America's side will get ALL the Oscar nominations, from her hand-picked panel of traitors (such as the "I hate America!" pastor of Obama's Chicago church). Thanks to Jada, all future Oscars also must be approved by Japan, as Warner warned us with HAREDEVIL HARE.
Marvin the Martian's debut...
Mightyzebra11 August 2008
...Except he would not be called that for a few years!
Anyhow, this is one good cartoon! This cartoon is very impressive; it has a space rocket and a trip to the moon featured more than ten years before these things existed! If you watch the cartoon you will see what I mean. The only way you can tell that this cartoon was made before the famous trip made by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin etc is because at the beginning there is a newspaper saying "Scientists Sent To Launch First Rocket To Moon" at the beginning of the episode. As well as all this good stuff about the cartoon, we have a good performance from Bugs Bunny, the first appearance of Marvin (who has an unfamiliar voice here), the first appearance of K-9 (who in ways is better than Marvin here), good plotting and good animation.
As I have mentioned before, a newspaper saying, "Scientists Sent To Launch First Rocket To Moon" to start off the cartoon. We then come to see the "eager" volunteer. Bugs Bunny is being dragged along by three men, crying out that he does not want to do this mission. Eager? Not likely! However, when he sees carrots being piled into the big spaceship, Bugs changes his mind and runs ahead to have some carrots. He is in for a surprise, especially when he lands on the moon...
I recommend this to anyone who likes Bugs Bunny, anyone who likes Marvin (and who would not mind his voice being different) and old WB cartoons. Enjoy "Haredevil Hare"! :-)
Anyhow, this is one good cartoon! This cartoon is very impressive; it has a space rocket and a trip to the moon featured more than ten years before these things existed! If you watch the cartoon you will see what I mean. The only way you can tell that this cartoon was made before the famous trip made by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin etc is because at the beginning there is a newspaper saying "Scientists Sent To Launch First Rocket To Moon" at the beginning of the episode. As well as all this good stuff about the cartoon, we have a good performance from Bugs Bunny, the first appearance of Marvin (who has an unfamiliar voice here), the first appearance of K-9 (who in ways is better than Marvin here), good plotting and good animation.
As I have mentioned before, a newspaper saying, "Scientists Sent To Launch First Rocket To Moon" to start off the cartoon. We then come to see the "eager" volunteer. Bugs Bunny is being dragged along by three men, crying out that he does not want to do this mission. Eager? Not likely! However, when he sees carrots being piled into the big spaceship, Bugs changes his mind and runs ahead to have some carrots. He is in for a surprise, especially when he lands on the moon...
I recommend this to anyone who likes Bugs Bunny, anyone who likes Marvin (and who would not mind his voice being different) and old WB cartoons. Enjoy "Haredevil Hare"! :-)
Bugs
Michael_Elliott4 April 2009
Haredevil Hare (1948)
*** (out of 4)
Earth is about to send someone to outer space for the first time so why shouldn't it be Bugs Bunny? Once the rabbit lands on the moon he is soon to meet a man from Mars known as Marvin the Martian. I know millions of people really love this short but I've never found it to live up to its reputation. This is certainly a good entry in the long-running Bugs series but I wouldn't go as far as to call it one of his best. What does work here is a strong performance by Bugs who manages to get several laughs, which include his hilarious reason for finally agreeing to travel to the moon. The space dog is another plus as he gets several laughs but I'm still not totally sold on Marvin. He would certainly get better in future shorts but his first appearance is rather hit and miss. He's entertaining visually but his voice has often turned me off.
*** (out of 4)
Earth is about to send someone to outer space for the first time so why shouldn't it be Bugs Bunny? Once the rabbit lands on the moon he is soon to meet a man from Mars known as Marvin the Martian. I know millions of people really love this short but I've never found it to live up to its reputation. This is certainly a good entry in the long-running Bugs series but I wouldn't go as far as to call it one of his best. What does work here is a strong performance by Bugs who manages to get several laughs, which include his hilarious reason for finally agreeing to travel to the moon. The space dog is another plus as he gets several laughs but I'm still not totally sold on Marvin. He would certainly get better in future shorts but his first appearance is rather hit and miss. He's entertaining visually but his voice has often turned me off.
Lacking imagination
bob the moo4 January 2004
When the first mission to the moon is announced, Bugs Bunny volunteers to `man' the rocket and be the first to set foot there. When he arrives however, he is joined by a rocket from Mars that has also come to the moon for the first time. However the alien has come to use the moon as a base to attack the earth as opposed to exploration.
I usually quite like the Mars based cartoons but occasionally they will be too simple - requiring too much set up before the jokes start. That is sort of the case here; the cartoon has to explain why Bugs is on the moon in the first place and so on. The short then sees Bugs trying to foil the alien attack on earth but this isn't very funny. The antics don't really have any imagination and nothing really happens of note.
The characters are also quite weak. Bugs is OK, as he always tends to be however the alien is really poor. I don't know what's up with his voice, but he doesn't sound as sharp or as `good' as he usually does (awful use of words there, sorry!). The dog is just a clown rather than a character.
Overall this is amusing but none more than that. It lacks imagination and wit; just going through the motions at times without really pushing it. It's a shame because the setting of space should open it up for all sorts of crazy antics but it doesn't work here.
I usually quite like the Mars based cartoons but occasionally they will be too simple - requiring too much set up before the jokes start. That is sort of the case here; the cartoon has to explain why Bugs is on the moon in the first place and so on. The short then sees Bugs trying to foil the alien attack on earth but this isn't very funny. The antics don't really have any imagination and nothing really happens of note.
The characters are also quite weak. Bugs is OK, as he always tends to be however the alien is really poor. I don't know what's up with his voice, but he doesn't sound as sharp or as `good' as he usually does (awful use of words there, sorry!). The dog is just a clown rather than a character.
Overall this is amusing but none more than that. It lacks imagination and wit; just going through the motions at times without really pushing it. It's a shame because the setting of space should open it up for all sorts of crazy antics but it doesn't work here.
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