No other Terrytoons theatrical series started off on so strong a note and remained consistently good for a good chunk of its run in the way the Heckle and Jeckle series did. Their later cartoons weren't as strong, though generally still better than most of the studio's output during the late-50s onwards, but their earlier work for me is actually some of the best work Terrytoons ever did and the years that featured the Heckle and Jeckle series heavily managed to see as a result quite a sizeable improvement in the studio's quality.
Although it may not among the best that Terrytoons ever did, as far as 1949's undistinguished output goes 'Hula Hula Land' is in the better end. And yes, it is much better and nothing like what the title suggests. In fact the title 'Hula Hula Land' is quite a curious one. The cartoon is not one of the best in the Heckle and Jeckle series by any stretch, but it is the best since 'The Power of Thought' (the series declined a little in the three cartoons in between in my view) and is quite decent.
The recycled animation admittedly is distracting, especially that recycled from 'The Intruders' (do agree about that being a better cartoon and one of the best of the series).
It is a bit of a slow starter in plot and content and the ending is not particularly inspired or funny.
Despite how all that sounds, there are a lot of good things about 'Hula Hula Land'. Most of the animation is good. It is vibrantly coloured, quite smooth in drawing and transitions, doesn't look static or simplistic and the attention to detail is good. The music never disappointed with Terrytoons, always the best asset of their worst efforts and it is one of the best things here still. It is so lovely to listen to and there is such an uplifting vibe hearing it because of the snappy character it has.
While there are higher gag counts in other Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, 'Hula Hula Land' is hardly devoid of them and they are amusing and well timed at least without being corny. The pace is lively on the most part, especially when the anarchy becomes increasingly chaotic and more violent. The character interaction is great, Dimwit and the bulldog are amusing and Heckle and Jeckle are far from dulled down despite them being more malicious in other cartoons of theirs . That way it stops them from being one-dimensional or too much of one joke. The voice acting is decent.
Overall, good if not great. 7/10.
Although it may not among the best that Terrytoons ever did, as far as 1949's undistinguished output goes 'Hula Hula Land' is in the better end. And yes, it is much better and nothing like what the title suggests. In fact the title 'Hula Hula Land' is quite a curious one. The cartoon is not one of the best in the Heckle and Jeckle series by any stretch, but it is the best since 'The Power of Thought' (the series declined a little in the three cartoons in between in my view) and is quite decent.
The recycled animation admittedly is distracting, especially that recycled from 'The Intruders' (do agree about that being a better cartoon and one of the best of the series).
It is a bit of a slow starter in plot and content and the ending is not particularly inspired or funny.
Despite how all that sounds, there are a lot of good things about 'Hula Hula Land'. Most of the animation is good. It is vibrantly coloured, quite smooth in drawing and transitions, doesn't look static or simplistic and the attention to detail is good. The music never disappointed with Terrytoons, always the best asset of their worst efforts and it is one of the best things here still. It is so lovely to listen to and there is such an uplifting vibe hearing it because of the snappy character it has.
While there are higher gag counts in other Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, 'Hula Hula Land' is hardly devoid of them and they are amusing and well timed at least without being corny. The pace is lively on the most part, especially when the anarchy becomes increasingly chaotic and more violent. The character interaction is great, Dimwit and the bulldog are amusing and Heckle and Jeckle are far from dulled down despite them being more malicious in other cartoons of theirs . That way it stops them from being one-dimensional or too much of one joke. The voice acting is decent.
Overall, good if not great. 7/10.
