The Terrytoons are oddly interesting, mainly for anybody wanting to see (generally) older cartoons made by lesser known and lower-budget studios. They are a mixed bag in quality, with some better than others, often with outstanding music and with some mild amusement and charm and variable in animation, characterisation and content.
Getting past the stereotypical portrayals of the characters, which are neither subtle or at times flattering (though oddly enough there are far more offensive and racist Chinese stereotypes in cartoons, two of them from Van Beuren), 'Chop Suey' is worth a watch for mainly agreed Terrytoons completest sake. It is though one of those again watchable but unexceptional Terrytoons which was the general standard of their 1930 batch.
'Chop Suey's' best component is the music, not surprising as it was true for all of Terrytoons' output, which is outstanding. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. The backgrounds are detailed enough and show a studio that were aiming for ambition and succeeding in some aspects.
Pacing is neither too hectic or dull, there is a natural charm and some amusing moments. There is some wit in the drawings and synchronisation is neat enough.
However, the amount of detail that went into the backgrounds doesn't show as much in the character designs, which tend to be crude and simplistic. The story is very flimsy and feels rather disorganised, meaning that sense is lacking.
Other gags are too short and random to make enough impression, the characters are not that memorable outside of being stereotypes and things get both cutesy and strange at times.
In conclusion, not unwatchable despite what one fears but there is not much mind-blowing outside of the music. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Getting past the stereotypical portrayals of the characters, which are neither subtle or at times flattering (though oddly enough there are far more offensive and racist Chinese stereotypes in cartoons, two of them from Van Beuren), 'Chop Suey' is worth a watch for mainly agreed Terrytoons completest sake. It is though one of those again watchable but unexceptional Terrytoons which was the general standard of their 1930 batch.
'Chop Suey's' best component is the music, not surprising as it was true for all of Terrytoons' output, which is outstanding. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. The backgrounds are detailed enough and show a studio that were aiming for ambition and succeeding in some aspects.
Pacing is neither too hectic or dull, there is a natural charm and some amusing moments. There is some wit in the drawings and synchronisation is neat enough.
However, the amount of detail that went into the backgrounds doesn't show as much in the character designs, which tend to be crude and simplistic. The story is very flimsy and feels rather disorganised, meaning that sense is lacking.
Other gags are too short and random to make enough impression, the characters are not that memorable outside of being stereotypes and things get both cutesy and strange at times.
In conclusion, not unwatchable despite what one fears but there is not much mind-blowing outside of the music. 5/10 Bethany Cox
