DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output is interesting but inconsistent. They did numerous theatrical series with several different lead characters, while some were well worth watching (i.e. prime-Pink Panther especially) there were others that also didn't click. For all of them, it was essential for the lead characters to work to have their series work, whether they did or not made or break the series. The Ant and the Aardvark turned out to be one of the studio's better and more popular series, because they were strong characters.
Which is more than apparent in one of the duo's best cartoons 'I've Got Ants in My Plans'. Really do not agree with, as of now, the low rating, which indicates a fairly mediocre cartoon. To me actually, 'I've Got Ants in My Plans' to me is a very enjoyable one that is as good, equal to, as the previous three Ant and the Aardvark cartoons that falls short of greatness. A lot of great things, if a couple of short-comings at the same time.
'I've Got Ants in My Plans' has a lot to recommend, am going to start this review off with the good things. The finesse continues to improve in the drawing, but the rich colours, beautifully abstract backgrounds and the Aardvark's expressions and reactions continue to make, and make more of, an impact. The music is never scored with a heavy hand, its light touch being a striking asset here and throughout the series, it never loses the energy (the energy throughout the cartoon is constant too which is great) and its jazzy nature evokes a lot of nostalgia. The main theme accompanying the opening title sequence is memorable and doesn't grate, even when watching all seventeen cartoons in a row.
Both the ant and the aardvark make a big impression, and equally so rather than one being more interesting or funnier than the other. Both have compelling personalities, great comic timing that shines in both the physical and verbal comedy (plenty of both in the cartoon and in the series) and great chemistry. The green aardvark proves himself to be one of the series' best supporting characters, a very effective match for both and his chemistry with the aardvark is a highlight. John Byner does a typically terrific job with the voices.
Admittedly the gags are not the most original, being ones that could easily have been at home in the Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote series and the sucking objects through the nose gag that appears frequently throughout the series is a little repetitive. But there are many gags and they are a lot of fun, most of it coming from the battling between the aardvarks. The dialogue is even better though, one of the ant's best lines being one of the series' finest examples of addressing the audience in his public service announcement. The aardvark's stiff upper lip line brings a smile to the face.
For all those good things, although with the character of the other aardvark there is an attempt to inject a little more story ('Scratch a Tiger' and 'Don't Hustle an Ant with Muscle' do this better though) it's very predictable and basic.
How the cartoon ends is not much of a surprise and, although the ant's final line is funny, it felt a little abrupt too.
Summing up, very enjoyable. 8/10
Which is more than apparent in one of the duo's best cartoons 'I've Got Ants in My Plans'. Really do not agree with, as of now, the low rating, which indicates a fairly mediocre cartoon. To me actually, 'I've Got Ants in My Plans' to me is a very enjoyable one that is as good, equal to, as the previous three Ant and the Aardvark cartoons that falls short of greatness. A lot of great things, if a couple of short-comings at the same time.
'I've Got Ants in My Plans' has a lot to recommend, am going to start this review off with the good things. The finesse continues to improve in the drawing, but the rich colours, beautifully abstract backgrounds and the Aardvark's expressions and reactions continue to make, and make more of, an impact. The music is never scored with a heavy hand, its light touch being a striking asset here and throughout the series, it never loses the energy (the energy throughout the cartoon is constant too which is great) and its jazzy nature evokes a lot of nostalgia. The main theme accompanying the opening title sequence is memorable and doesn't grate, even when watching all seventeen cartoons in a row.
Both the ant and the aardvark make a big impression, and equally so rather than one being more interesting or funnier than the other. Both have compelling personalities, great comic timing that shines in both the physical and verbal comedy (plenty of both in the cartoon and in the series) and great chemistry. The green aardvark proves himself to be one of the series' best supporting characters, a very effective match for both and his chemistry with the aardvark is a highlight. John Byner does a typically terrific job with the voices.
Admittedly the gags are not the most original, being ones that could easily have been at home in the Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote series and the sucking objects through the nose gag that appears frequently throughout the series is a little repetitive. But there are many gags and they are a lot of fun, most of it coming from the battling between the aardvarks. The dialogue is even better though, one of the ant's best lines being one of the series' finest examples of addressing the audience in his public service announcement. The aardvark's stiff upper lip line brings a smile to the face.
For all those good things, although with the character of the other aardvark there is an attempt to inject a little more story ('Scratch a Tiger' and 'Don't Hustle an Ant with Muscle' do this better though) it's very predictable and basic.
How the cartoon ends is not much of a surprise and, although the ant's final line is funny, it felt a little abrupt too.
Summing up, very enjoyable. 8/10
