Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. 'Magical Maestro' may fall short of perfection, with cutbacks showing in some background art limitations and a few of the characterisations not being for the faint-hearted, but regardless it is so creative, so entertaining and so cleverly constructed with an amazing soundtrack and Avery's unique animation style still coming through that it is still one of his best. The theme of 'Magical Maestro' is a familiar one, but this is one of the best cartoons to use the theme with a wonderfully unlikely duo of lead characters.
Besides, there are far worse-looking cartoons than 'Magical Maestro' and cartoons that offend much more. Found myself still admiring Avery's character design and the rich colours and also admiring that the uncut version didn't play it too safe.
The two lead characters have terrific comic timing and have the endearment factor, particularly Poochini. The voice acting throughout shows the likes of Daws Butler and Carlos Ramirez at the top of their game.
Avery does a wonderful job directing, with his unique, unlike-any-other visual and characteristic and incredibly distinctive wacky humour styles all over it as can be expected.
Once again there is nothing sadistic or repetitious, instead it's imaginative, wonderfully wild and hilarious with some inspired transformations and caricatures.
Limited backgrounds aside, the animation is colourful with some inventive expressive moments. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, while the pre-existing music choices (including "Largo Al Factotum", perhaps the most famous operatic aria in animation) are even more amazing and used so well in providing a lot of the humour.
In conclusion, musical magic. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. 'Magical Maestro' may fall short of perfection, with cutbacks showing in some background art limitations and a few of the characterisations not being for the faint-hearted, but regardless it is so creative, so entertaining and so cleverly constructed with an amazing soundtrack and Avery's unique animation style still coming through that it is still one of his best. The theme of 'Magical Maestro' is a familiar one, but this is one of the best cartoons to use the theme with a wonderfully unlikely duo of lead characters.
Besides, there are far worse-looking cartoons than 'Magical Maestro' and cartoons that offend much more. Found myself still admiring Avery's character design and the rich colours and also admiring that the uncut version didn't play it too safe.
The two lead characters have terrific comic timing and have the endearment factor, particularly Poochini. The voice acting throughout shows the likes of Daws Butler and Carlos Ramirez at the top of their game.
Avery does a wonderful job directing, with his unique, unlike-any-other visual and characteristic and incredibly distinctive wacky humour styles all over it as can be expected.
Once again there is nothing sadistic or repetitious, instead it's imaginative, wonderfully wild and hilarious with some inspired transformations and caricatures.
Limited backgrounds aside, the animation is colourful with some inventive expressive moments. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, while the pre-existing music choices (including "Largo Al Factotum", perhaps the most famous operatic aria in animation) are even more amazing and used so well in providing a lot of the humour.
In conclusion, musical magic. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox