'The Boy and the Wolf' (1943)
Opening thoughts: Whether anybody likes 'The Boy and the Wolf's is probably dependent on how they feel about Rudolf Ising and his cartoons. For me, he was a bit up and down as a director. There are cartoons of his that are good, sweet, charming and amusing (if seldom hilarious). Then there are others that are not so good, too cutesy and tired with bland characters and barely existent storytelling. 'The Boy and the Wolf' sees a bit of both extremes, though thankfully with more the former than the latter. Which was surprising, seeing as it has a premise that could easily be entirely the latter.
Bad things: 'The Boy and the Wolf' is not flawless. It is too saccharine, especially going into the middle. Like with all Ising cartoons, the story is best forgotten as there isn't really one and the pacing is not always secure.
Absolutely agree that the boy was truly obnoxious and too much of a jerk, which makes him very difficult to root for. Also that the cartoon goes too far on the stupidity factor with the sheep to a facepalm iducing degree, makes them come over as too easily fooled.
Good things: Luckily, the wolf is a lot of fun and suitably formidable, easily the character with the most personality. The most interesting character is the sheepdog, one that is the most easy to sympathise with and root for and he is also the funniest. While starting slow somewhat, the cartoon does come to life in the final quarter, in an exciting and tense climax that is striking visually.
It is amusing enough if never hilarious, and it never felt too mean spirited. The animation is rich in detail for design and backgrounds, vibrant in colour and crisp. Composer for the prime-era 'Tom and Jerry' cartoons and regular Tex Avery composer Scott Bradley provides a lush and atmospheric music score. Can't fault the voice acting either.
Closing thoughts: Overall, decent but unexceptional.
6/10.
