Unpopular Opinions About Western Animation

[Hongourable Madisha]

I prefer Nu, Pogodi!, the Soviet equivalent of Tom & Jerry (though they were created around the same time and without knowledge of each other), because every episode sets up that the wolf is a dickhead and deserves the hassle the hare gives him. Tom is pretty hard done by and Jerry is just fucking with him for no reason in half the episodes, but Volk spends the first few minutes of every episode being rude to everyone around him, smoking and drinking where he shouldn't and generally being a nuisance, so when he tries to eat Zayats and gets outwitted, it's earned. He's not a villain exactly, but he's enough of a prick that you don't root for him.

Other opinion, Hey Arnold was really underrated. It was a good depiction of working class life and went into the sorts of difficulties kids have (problems with favouritism and neglect from their parents, bereavement, poverty, expectations at school), but without being melodramatic or preachy. The characters felt pretty well rounded, and even though they sometimes fell into stereotypes, they had a lot of other things going on; Mr Hyunh has been criticised for being an east Asian stereotype but he had full storylines outside of that, and some Vietnamese Americans loved him, this article pointed out how developed his character was: https://talk.onevietnam.org/asian-in-media-mr-huynh-demeaning-stereotype-or-source-of-comfort/

 

[mickey339]

I got an unpopular opinion.

I really find Tom and Jerry cartoons to be dull (yes, even the ones from the golden age). While there is stuff that is impressive (good animation, sharp timing, effective slapstick), the cartoons themselves don't do much for me. Whenever I go to watch any cartoons from the Golden Age of Animation, Tom and Jerry isn't among the ones I really go back to. I only really go to it if I wanted to study great animation.

While on this topic (I really hate to sound pessimistic), the upcoming Tom and Jerry movie is probably gonna suck. I know we haven't seen a trailer yet, but if what the synopsis implies, it's gonna be the same shlock we've seen over the years. Putting my thoughts about Tom and Jerry aside, I really cannot stand this kind of movie. The movie where cartoon character go to the real world and interact with real people. I sincerely LOATHE that trope. It's NOT original. It's NOT interesting. Why can't cartoon characters just interact in their own world? Why the need to have to put them in the real world? Why do they have to interact with humans? Is there an unwritten law that every movie based on cartoons needs to have humans? Don't they think kids would get bored of watching humans doing mundane things?

Before anybody says anything, yes I heard that the director, Tim Story, was said to have a lot of admiration for Tom and Jerry. Some people think that the movie is in good hands, but I think otherwise. Remember when the Farrelly Brothers made The Three Stooges several years back? Remember how they said they were huge fans of The Three Stooges? How did that movie turned out?

Honestly I hope the trailer proves me wrong, but I ain't holding my breath.

Tom and Jerry are also on my "disturbing slapstick cartoons" list.

 

[Siryakko212]

Tom and Jerry are also on my "disturbing slapstick cartoons" list.

I should also ask, is Herman and Katnip on that list as well? Because those cartoons have slapstick that is more on a line of disturbing much more than funny, If you cut to the ending, there was a gag where Katnip was convinced that he blew his eyeballs out. The way it was executed it makes me scratch my head thinking, How was that suppose to be funny?

The execution in those cartoons makes me appreciate Tom and Jerry more because whenever Tom and Jerry does it, it al least had expertise timing. They also exaggerate the situation to make it more comedic and less disturbing. The people making Katnip had no clue what made Tom and Jerry work in the first place.

 

[mickey339]

Haven't ever seen that but that is definitely disturbing.

 

[Steamboat_Bill]

Haven't ever seen that but that is definitely disturbing.

Harveytoons are kind of weird that way.

 

[TVB]

I got an unpopular opinion.

I really find Tom and Jerry cartoons to be dull (yes, even the ones from the golden age). While there is stuff that is impressive (good animation, sharp timing, effective slapstick), the cartoons themselves don't do much for me. Whenever I go to watch any cartoons from the Golden Age of Animation, Tom and Jerry isn't among the ones I really go back to. I only really go to it if I wanted to study great animation.

While on this topic (I really hate to sound pessimistic), the upcoming Tom and Jerry movie is probably gonna suck. I know we haven't seen a trailer yet, but if what the synopsis implies, it's gonna be the same shlock we've seen over the years. Putting my thoughts about Tom and Jerry aside, I really cannot stand this kind of movie. The movie where cartoon character go to the real world and interact with real people. I sincerely LOATHE that trope. It's NOT original. It's NOT interesting. Why can't cartoon characters just interact in their own world? Why the need to have to put them in the real world? Why do they have to interact with humans? Is there an unwritten law that every movie based on cartoons needs to have humans? Don't they think kids would get bored of watching humans doing mundane things?

Before anybody says anything, yes I heard that the director, Tim Story, was said to have a lot of admiration for Tom and Jerry. Some people think that the movie is in good hands, but I think otherwise. Remember when the Farrelly Brothers made The Three Stooges several years back? Remember how they said they were huge fans of The Three Stooges? How did that movie turned out?

Honestly I hope the trailer proves me wrong, but I ain't holding my breath.

Even as a child I thought is tame in comparison to the Warner Bros. Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner series. The new film was something I've been fearing of for a long time. I get that Tim Story wanted to make this as his passion project given how much he loved it as a child, but then again just like you mentioned, the Three Stooges came out 8 years prior and even when that came out it aged like milk (see also the Jersey Shore cameos and jokes). I just hope it does not go on that route. I still think it would've been better if they used CG but in a similar style to Madagascar, Hotel Transylvania, Into the Spiderverse, or the Captain Underpants movie where it could more 2D than typical CG. Other than that, I'm still curious.

 

[Siryakko212]

Even as a child I thought is tame in comparison to the Warner Bros. Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner series. The new film was something I've been fearing of for a long time. I get that Tim Story wanted to make this as his passion project given how much he loved it as a child, but then again just like you mentioned, the Three Stooges came out 8 years prior and even when that came out it aged like milk (see also the Jersey Shore cameos and jokes). I just hope it does not go on that route. I still think it would've been better if they used CG but in a similar style to Madagascar, Hotel Transylvania, Into the Spiderverse, or the Captain Underpants movie where it could more 2D than typical CG. Other than that, I'm still curious.

The thing with the Roadrunner series was that as with each passing cartoon, the timing starts to get better, the backgrounds starts to become more abstract (in the vain of UPA), and the gags start to get more creative. Each cartoon really gets better and funnier, which is an achievement considering how the concept is very bare-bones yet Chuck Jones and his team really knew how to use the concept to its fullest.

As with Tom and Jerry, Hanna-Barbera really had a golden goose on their hands. After all Tom and Jerry did win them seven Oscars (which that in it of itself was a big deal considering how Disney had always dominated the awards). They really didn't wanna mess up what was already perfect. Instead of trying to make each cartoon better and funnier than the last, they kept making the cartoons the same way they did for many years. Why fix something that isn't broken? When the 50's came around they started to face the consequences when the budgets start to get lower and lower.

It's an interest yin/yang situation. In the 50's with each Roadrunner cartoon, it gets consistently better whereas with each Tom and Jerry cartoon in the 50's, the quality arguably got worse with each passing cartoon. To boil down the main reason why, Chuck Jones was never afraid to experiment with his cartoons whereas Hanna-Barbera never wanted to step out of their comfort zone.

 

[Dark Emporer Dood]

While on this topic (I really hate to sound pessimistic), the upcoming Tom and Jerry movie is probably gonna suck. I know we haven't seen a trailer yet, but if what the synopsis implies, it's gonna be the same shlock we've seen over the years. Putting my thoughts about Tom and Jerry aside, I really cannot stand this kind of movie. The movie where cartoon character go to the real world and interact with real people. I sincerely LOATHE that trope. It's NOT original. It's NOT interesting. Why can't cartoon characters just interact in their own world?

I've seen the trailer, the CGI/2D effect animation isn't half bad, and while I'm not a big TnJ fan I've always found it interesting how they've retained their same basic designs throughout all of the decades.

As for that trope...can't say that I'm huge on it myself, but theres not much else you can do when you're told to take characters meant for 5 minute cartoons and stick them in a movie. Of course, you could always watch the 90's film:
Warning: Disturbing Footage

 

[Wabbu]

Since the animaniacs reboot is coming out, I was reminded of something:

The 90's WB style is so fucking ugly

 

[Dark Emporer Dood]

Since the animaniacs reboot is coming out, I was reminded of something:

The 90's WB style is so fucking ugly

What in particular was ugly about it? I'm curious to hear.

 

[Deftones]

Never was a fan of Animaniacs or Tiny Toons. I don't know if I just wasn't born in the decade they came out in but they were always unfunny to me.

Rocko's Modern Life is a better alternative imo.

 

[Wabbu]

What in particular was ugly about it? I'm curious to hear.

I don't really know how to explain but I think that they try to mix cartoony and detailed and it falls flat for me. I personally like less detailed styles

 

[Hummingbird]

Never was a fan of Animaniacs or Tiny Toons. I don't know if I just wasn't born in the decade they came out in but they were always unfunny to me.

Rocko's Modern Life is a better alternative imo.

Speaking of Rocko (I liked the show), the original theme song was better than the one by the B-52s. And I like the B-52s.

 

[Deftones]

Speaking of Rocko (I liked the show), the original theme song was better than the one by the B-52s. And I like the B-52s.

Yeah, same. I felt like the OG one fit the show better.

 

[Namekian George Floyd]

I think The Problem Solverz was a funny show and I don't even smoke weed.

 

[Hummingbird]

I thought Uncle Grandpa was at its best when it was about the title character helping kids.

 

[Max Doof]

Speaking of Rocko (I liked the show), the original theme song was better than the one by the B-52s. And I like the B-52s.

Speaking of which I think the original theme song for the first 2 seasons of the flintstones was better than "meet the flintstones"
Actually gave it the primetime television vibe it was suppose to be.

 

[Mr. 0]

Speaking of which I think the original theme song for the first 2 seasons of the flintstones was better than "meet the flintstones"
Actually gave it the primetime television vibe it was suppose to be.

you son of a bitch

 

[KingofNothing]

I should also ask, is Herman and Katnip on that list as well? Because those cartoons have slapstick that is more on a line of disturbing much more than funny, If you cut to the ending, there was a gag where Katnip was convinced that he blew his eyeballs out. The way it was executed it makes me scratch my head thinking, How was that suppose to be funny?

Those are names I haven't heard in a very long time. Reminded me that I actually had two of their VHS tapes back in the day. And after watching some of the episodes on youtube, I would have to agree with your assessment. Yeah, I would agree that Herman was a violent little shit that didn't have the charm or comedic timing of golden age Tom and Jerry. Part of that is probably because Herman and Katnip talk which leads to more scenarios that could be considered more disturbing, like with Naughty But Mice having Herman sing a little tune as he actively tries to kill Katnip. Cheese Burglar is a good one too where Herman tricks a cat and dog into thinking each wants the other dead. I don't hate them, but they are definitely inferior to Tom and Jerry. I did manage to find VHS episode on youtube besides To Spring which was nice

 

[Trilby]

Speaking of which I think the original theme song for the first 2 seasons of the flintstones was better than "meet the flintstones"
Actually gave it the primetime television vibe it was suppose to be.

In some way, the opening to The Simpsons (since 1990) follows the same vibe of a family coming home to watch TV.

Those are names I haven't heard in a very long time. Reminded me that I actually had two of their VHS tapes back in the day. And after watching some of the episodes on youtube, I would have to agree with your assessment. Yeah, I would agree that Herman was a violent little shit that didn't have the charm or comedic timing of golden age Tom and Jerry. Part of that is probably because Herman and Katnip talk which leads to more scenarios that could be considered more disturbing, like with Naughty But Mice having Herman sing a little tune as he actively tries to kill Katnip. Cheese Burglar is a good one too where Herman tricks a cat and dog into thinking each wants the other dead. I don't hate them, but they are definitely inferior to Tom and Jerry. I did manage to find VHS episode on youtube besides To Spring which was nice


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The earlier Herman cartoons technically didn't have Katnip in them, but they were the only cartoons without renewed copyrights so video companies could freely do what they want with them (Public Domain).