| When it comes to Tweety and Sylvester, some things never change. Though the memorable voiceovers of the late Mel Blanc--the "Man of 1,000 Voices"--have been replaced, the clever canary is still outwitting the bumbling puddy tat. And this time, the adventure goes global. This hour-long musical frolic, which was made for video in 2000, begins in the quiet city of London, where it seems Granny has placed a wager on Tweety's life. So confident is she of his pint-sized panache, she bets the Colonel that Tweety can not only circle the globe in 80 days but collect 80 cat-paw prints along the way, with nary a feline scratch. Ever the brave bird, Tweety collects his passport and sets out for Europe, Africa, and the Asia. From the cafes of Paris to the canals of Venice, the globetrotting canary successfully navigates his print-collecting caper, with Sylvester close on his tail. Cameo appearances by cartoon celebrities Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the Tazmanian Devil will keep Looney Tunes fans satisfied. Yet take note: this newer 'toon never quite soars like a Mel Blanc original. The mastery of Blanc's vocal characterizations in Warner Brothers cartoons through the 1980s is unsurpassed by the dozen voiceovers found here (though Joe Alaskey's Tweety is an endearing effort). For that reason, Looney Tunes purists may pine for the originals, with their old-time scores and simple story lines. Having said that, this newer version is still bound to bring an adult-sized smile, thanks to Tweety's tongue-in-cheek humor. Kids, of course, won't notice any difference. Though Tweety's adventure has a decidedly 21st-century edge, he delivers the goods as expected: predictable shenanigans, slapstick comedy, and feather-light entertainment. --Lynn Gibson Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
