The Barber of Seville

Was very fond of Woody Woodpecker and his cartoons as a child. Still get much enjoyment out of them now as a young adult, even if there are more interesting in personality cartoon characters and better overall cartoons.

That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. 'The Barber of Seville' is a perfect example of why. Others have said that 'The Barber of Seville' is among Woody's best, could not agree more and also one of the funniest, cleverest and most colourful. Plus, while the previous Woody Woodpecker cartoons had a different design for Woody and were still evolving his personality, here he is closer to the Woody Woodpecker we're familiar with and his personality seems more fully formed.

While there may be cartoon characters with slightly more interesting personalities, Woody is still at his best incredibly funny, never obnoxious and very lovable self, summing him up in one word it would be wonderfully nuts. His increasingly manic energy is a delight to see and his singing of the arrangements of the wonderful music from one of Rossini's best operas is musical and comic genius.

As ever, the animation is great and actually 'The Barber of Seville' is one of the best-looking Woody Woodpecker cartoons. Woody's character design and physicality have changed/evolved for the better. Even more impressive are the rich and vibrant colours, the meticulously detailed backgrounds and the quite smooth drawing.

Can't praise the music enough. 'Il Barbiere Di Siviglia' has been used a lot in animation and often to fantastic effect, personally think that 'The Barber of Seville' is one of the best uses of it which is high praise. The writing is suitably witty and raises a number of chuckles, especially when we're about three minutes in and the mania increases to explosive effect. The gags are razor sharp in timing and often hilarious.

Voice acting is as usual solid.

All in all, a Woody Woodpecker treat and one of his absolute best. 10/10 Bethany Cox