Monday, March 19, 2018

'Toon Reviews 14: Animaniacs Vol 1 Part 4: Hooked on a Ceiling/Goodfeathers: The Beginning


Episode 4
Hooked on a Ceiling







In another cartoon that places the Warners in a significant moment in history, we’re treated to a humor-filled interpretation of Michelangelo assigned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. 
The thing that propels this cartoon into animated greatness is unique light-hearted approach to the creation of such an artistic triumph.  Much of that comes from the portrayal of Michelangelo himself.  With so much detail in the actual work, you might picture him as a serious artist with a tactful faith. Well here, he’s certainly serious about his project set to be shown to His Eminence, but it’s carried out in a much more relatable manner as Michelangelo obsesses over getting the ceiling to look perfect leading to many overly dramatic yet hilarious outbursts.  Through tossing out his assistants, getting annoyed by innocent bystanders praying even though this is a church, and fretting over the deadline, Michelangelo is not just a riot, but also is an example that even though historical figures like him were known for many great accomplishments, they were still only human like the rest of us.  Therefore, it’s fitting to watch him as such an emotional wreck, especially since anyone would be one under the pressure. 
The hilarity, through no surprise, only builds up when the Warners arrive to give Michelangelo the assistance he’s desperate for.  The kids, for all their animated greatness, are really at the top of their game in the name of paining a ceiling.  They enter the Sistine Chapel with great enthusiasm for the job and a lively musical number about painting ceilings, and advertise their jobs with all the energy of a car salesman, and it’s clear that they won’t let anything stand in the way of their job.  This is especially shown in a hilarious gag where just as Michelangelo is about to throw them out, HE gets thrown out in the next shot. 
The cartoon gets funnier as the Warners proceed to the job without understanding what’s meant to be done.  What they do to the ceiling amounts to going against painting the intended images full of “naked people” through whiting out the entire ceiling or putting in random images when they’re told that the ceiling need pictures.  This is basically a joke against the sacred image the Sistine Chapel ceiling is meant to convey, but it’s a harmless one that simply states what’s actually seen externally regardless of the deeper meaning.  Plus, aided with more of Michelangelo’s hilarious reactions to how much the Warners don’t get what’s meant to be done with the ceiling’s paint job, the whole cartoon ends up being a great example of a plot that relies on jokes to move forward.  It’s a unique style of storytelling, and it’s nonstop hilarity all at once.  This is especially shown when even when the Warners are finally convinced to paint the “naked people” all over the church, there’s still room for jokes.  They fit in one more silly image for the ceiling of E.T. and Elliot from their respective movie, but it turns out to be ok because His Eminence is a caricature of the film’s creator, Steven Spielberg.  That last joke is so clever and fitting for the show, it seals the deal for this cartoon being a creative masterpiece.  Also, it comes with a fitting line that people who want to work in entertainment should take to heart: “Painting is like show business; you have to know your audience.” 
Through its many jokes constantly hitting the bullseye, a funny and relatable portrayal of a historical figure, and even a meaningful message to close everything, this is yet another cartoon that’s a perfect representation of this show’s strengths. 10/10

Goodfeathers: The Beginning










This cartoon for prominent cast members is one that focuses on the titular trio coming together so to set up all of their cartoons to follow.  While it’s overall not entirely funny or interesting, it’s a solid way to show the potential these pigeons have for entertainment. 
The plot follows Squit, a friendly and innocent pigeon who wants to join a tough, street-smart group of pigeons called the Goodfeathers which at the time consists of Bobby, the most level-headed Goodfeather, and Pesto, the most entertaining of the three for his explosive temper.  While the two laugh at the idea of Squit joining them at first, and do so a bit too long at that, Squit ultimately gets his chance at joining them from the official leader of the Goodfeathers simply called the Godpigeon. 
Scenes of the Godpigeon will go on to become a frequent point of interest with these types of cartoons.  Through his Godfather-like design in the form of a pigeon and the mad respect all the Goodfeathers have for him, he sells a lot of the street-gang style these cartoons are clearly going for, and his running gag of randomly showing up to give random advice in a language only the Goodfeathers can understand never fails to amuse. 
Anyway, the Godpigeon gives Squit a chance to join if he can find a good bit of food for the Goodfeathers, and he finds it easily in the form of a bagel thrown from a passing car.  The real challenge is getting the bagel from the road without getting rammed by something.  Through it all, the appeal of this trio is shown when, despite laughing at the idea of him joining earlier, Bobby and Pesto are more than willing to help Squit get the bagel.  However, all their attempts to get it result in painful failures, letting it known that while this group of pigeons are tough and street-smart, they’re still pigeons, and the world around them simply doesn’t pay much attention to them. People drive into them or, in the case of a herd of marathon runners, trample them, much like what happens to pigeons in real life. 
On their own, their beatings are mildly enjoyable, especially when an opposing force comes when they least expect, catching them and the audience by surprise, and transporting them to random spots like an airport or subway.  Put together though, they can get pretty dull and lack the comedic edge the cartoonish physical gags of the cartoons of other characters like the Warners or Slappy Squirrel, thus lowering the appeal. 
What makes the cartoons worth sitting through is the fleshed-out personalities of the characters.  As the most innocent and soft-spoken pigeon, Squit clashes amusingly with tough birds like Bobby and Pesto.  Through the character interactions comes another major point of entertainment for these cartoons.  Whenever Squit tries to compliment Pesto on something, Pesto always points out how what was said can be heard as an insult, rants for a while, and then gives Squit an explosive beating while Bobby keeps his cool all throughout, making the scene a hilarious show of wordplay and build-up to violence. 
Going back to the story, despite everything, especially the constant beatings in the pitiful attempts to get the bagel, it’s ultimately obtained when the Godpigeon walks across the street and eats it since he’s apparently big enough to be recognized, and Squit is officially named a Goodfeather solidifying the trio.  So, for his sake, it’s a solid concluding point for the cartoon. 
It may be a good indication that what we’ll see of the Goodfeathers won’t be the most exciting parts of this show, but with its street-smart edge and use of characters, they’re sure to be thoroughly enjoyable all the same. 8/10

Cartoon Ranking
  1. Slappy Goes Walnuts
  2. H.M.S. Yakko
  3. Hooked on a Ceiling
  4. De-zanitized
  5. Win Big
  6. Cookies for Einstein
  7. Goodfeathers: The Beginning

Song Ranking
  1. Yakko’s Universe
  2. Yakko’s World
  3. The Monkey Song

Miscellaneous Ranking
  1. Nighty-Night Toon
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where, in the first full half-hour segment, the Warners are taught manners for a celebrity gala which is no easy task for those dealing with cartoon characters so screwy.
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