Wackiki Wabbit (1943)

Simply A Masterpiece

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

While not my favourite Bugs Bunny or Chuck Jones cartoon, Wackiki Rabbit is still a great cartoon with lots of colour, great humour and a wonderfully odd atmosphere. One does wish that Bugs had more to do here, despite being the star he does agreed play more of a secondary character to the castaways, albeit a very memorable and funny one at that.The cartoon does on the other hand some really colourful visuals with beautifully bold colours, impeccably detailed backgrounds, some inventive 'surreal' physical comedy and well-drawn characters (Bugs' design is in early stages but while different he's drawn well and moves easily). The music by Carl Stalling is typically outstanding, giving the cartoon so much energy while also being richly and cleverly orchestrated throughout, it's also a perfect match with the visuals, humour and action and even elevates them to a greater level. The writing is fresh, razor sharp and brilliantly funny, some of it is bizarre but in a hugely entertaining way, while the gags are oddly surreal but inventive and quite hilarious, especially when the castaways are first introduced to Bugs, with the cooked chicken and the ending.Story-wise, it's crisply paced, has a constantly colourful atmosphere and it's not too routine or predictable because the humour is so well done. Bugs is as always great fun though as said he should have had more to do, while the castaways (caricatures of Michael Maltese and Tedd Pierce, who also voice the characters) are a hilarious and an oddly-but- well-matched double act. Mel Blanc, Maltese and Pierce all give fine vocal characterisations.Overall, colourful, hilarious and wonderfully odd. Definitely worth seeing at least once. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Chuck Jones's 'Wackiki Wabbit' is a bizarre, brilliant piece of work. The opening sequence instantly indicates that this is quite different territory from the average Chuck Jones short. Two castaways on a raft eye each other as potential sources of food. The cartoon gets even stranger when the raft hits land and we are exposed to the extremely stylised backgrounds of the island. Stylised backgrounds in Warner Bros. shorts sometimes work wonders and sometimes are detrimental. In 'Wackiki Wabbit', the stylised backgrounds are the making of the cartoon. They perfectly capture the feel of an exotic island paradise while also reflecting the borderline insanity of the two castaways as they attempt to make a meal out of Bugs. Of course, beautiful backgrounds aren't enough and fortunately 'Wackiki Wabbit' is also blessed with a fantastic script full of great gags. Between the odd characters of the castaways(caricatures of the cartoon's writers, Tedd Pierce and Michael Maltese), the surreal and beautiful backgrounds and the fluid animation style, Bugs barely gets a look in! He's a secondary player in his own cartoon but, with visuals this sumptuous, that's hardly an insult. 'Wackiki Wabbit' is a feast for the eyes while also managing to be as funny as a straightforward Warner cartoon. Most casual viewers will probably find 'Wackiki Wabbit' a little too weird but for animation fans it's a genuine treat.

As this started, I was dreading terrible jokes from the two stupid men the whole way through. Instead - Bugs Bunny brings on a few clever gags! This is in no ways the best Looney Tunes episode, but it was worth it. :-)This short begins with two castaways on a bobbing raft in the middle of the ocean, incredibly hungry (the bad jokes that this episode starts with do not follow on in the same way, by the way!). They wash upon, by good (or possibly not) fortune on a desert island. The first thing they see that looks like food is Bugs Bunny. Of course, the wacky wabbit realises that he may end up on the menu, so he beats it very quickly. Funny capers follow...I like this episode because of the colourful backgrounds, the animation and character of Bugs Bunny (who always seems to be a good character in some way or another) and the humour. This is not the most funny of Looney Tunes, nor is it the most worth watching. If you are new to Bugs Bunny, I suggest you do not watch this first - perhaps try some real classics such as "What's Opera Doc" and "Bugs and Thugs" before you begin on this episode.Anyhow, anyone who likes Bugs Bunny and stupid side characters will like this short. Enjoy "Wackiki Wabbit"! :-)7 and a half out of ten.

This one is a cartoon classic. The two castaways are not only voiced by Michael Maltese and Tedd Pierce, they are caricatures of the two writers as well. Now, you'd think the rabbit would know which side his carrots were buttered on and be nice to two of the writers putting words in his mouth, but they get the same treatment he gives Elmer. Of course, they ARE trying to cook and eat him, so I guess it is understandable that he treats them rather badly. Excellent short. Well worth watching. Most recommended.