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.
1934, like all the other years for Terrytoons, saw a hit and miss batch, more so than the other years even. 'Mice in Council' manages to be one of the best ones. Not great as such, but it is pretty decent with some flaws but even more strengths. Flaws and strengths typically seen with Terrytoons generally. While its main reason for viewing is as a Terrytoons completest, 'Mice in Council' has more to it than that.
Best asset is the music, which predictably is incredible. 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 ambitious, elaborate detail in the backgrounds is still great to see and generally 'Mice in Council' is one of the better-looking 1934 Terrytoons (and overall perhaps). The character designs and drawing are the smoothest and most interesting they've been in a Terrytoon for a long time.
Synchronisation is neat. There are more gags than typically seen in the 1934 Terrytoons and while not inventive as such they help make 'Mice in Council' one of the more amusing Terrytoons from that year and are nicely timed. There is zest and a natural charm. The cat is a fun antagonist.
However, there are parts like the transitions that are still on the crude side.
Likewise, the story is paper thin and formulaic, once again executing an already fairly tired premise with nothing new. The mice are mixed in characterisation, some showing more personality than others. The central conflict tends to be on the predictable side.
In conclusion, pretty decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox
1934, like all the other years for Terrytoons, saw a hit and miss batch, more so than the other years even. 'Mice in Council' manages to be one of the best ones. Not great as such, but it is pretty decent with some flaws but even more strengths. Flaws and strengths typically seen with Terrytoons generally. While its main reason for viewing is as a Terrytoons completest, 'Mice in Council' has more to it than that.
Best asset is the music, which predictably is incredible. 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 ambitious, elaborate detail in the backgrounds is still great to see and generally 'Mice in Council' is one of the better-looking 1934 Terrytoons (and overall perhaps). The character designs and drawing are the smoothest and most interesting they've been in a Terrytoon for a long time.
Synchronisation is neat. There are more gags than typically seen in the 1934 Terrytoons and while not inventive as such they help make 'Mice in Council' one of the more amusing Terrytoons from that year and are nicely timed. There is zest and a natural charm. The cat is a fun antagonist.
However, there are parts like the transitions that are still on the crude side.
Likewise, the story is paper thin and formulaic, once again executing an already fairly tired premise with nothing new. The mice are mixed in characterisation, some showing more personality than others. The central conflict tends to be on the predictable side.
In conclusion, pretty decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox
