Warner Bros is now making new Looney Tunes cartoon shorts to go before many of their family-fare movies, at least for the time being. They’re being made in CGI style, and some, at least, will be in 3D (presumably before movies that will be shown in 3D). I worked on one of them recently, a new Coyote/Roadrunner short called “Coyote Falls.” As someone used to seeing these cartoons in a completely flat style, I guess it’ll take a while to get used to seeing them in CGI style (let alone in 3D), though I suppose to those not used to the original style it won’t be a big deal. Anyway, I think it’s great, and thought Coyote Falls was pretty funny. I don’t know how many of them are planned or for how long, but it’s always great to see new cartoon shorts.
Yeah, I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, I’m pleased that they’ve made some new shorts with such classic characters, but then on the other hand I can’t imagine it working well in CGI, let alone in 3D…Still, who knows, it might work.
The other day my friends and I were talking about ‘the death of classic cartoon characters’. We were making observations about Mickey Mouse being relegated to Playhouse and Disney and insipid movies like ‘Choo Choo Express’, or video game tie-ins with other video game characters (Kingdom Hearts, anyone?).
Then I mentioned that they haven’t made any more Looney Tunes shorts or TV shows since the 90s (Tiny Toons, Animaniacs). There was Space Jam and Back in Action, but those are really just live-action crossovers a la Roger Rabbit.
So it’s great news that they’re resurrecting good ol’ Bugsy and the gang. But do we really need to hop on the 3D bandwagon?
And Epic Mickey, which looks quite awesome. You should look at it. Its just Mickey, but it will be quite dark and closer to his roots. Its coming out on Wii next year.
But anyway, yeah, I have no idea how this would work. CGI Looney Tunes? It sounds like it would rest far into the Uncanny Vally. But who knows? Maybe it’ll surprise me.
Hm… maybe I should retract my statement. It’s just that Goofy and Donald already have their own feature films (A Goofy Movie and The Three Callaberos), and for the prince of the Magic Kingdom to not have his own movie yet (unless you count the ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ segment in Fantasia) is disappointing, to say the least.
Everything has to hop on to CGI, as the market is convinced traditional is dead.
Also, I think they’re tired of the endless tweening, and rather let a renderfarm render for a few months while they sit back and enjoy the weather or something.
Personally, that screenshot is making me kind of look forward to this. Their inter-dimensional transfer is way better than Garfield, at least for Wile E. and Road Runner’s reflection. Though I do fear the occurance of recycled jokes and other things that could ruin this.
The Looney Tunes Show, however, is looking not too appealing to me. I enjoyed the randomness of setting and plot in the original Looney Tunes (with the exception of running gags, such as Elmer Fudd’s hunting trips, Road Runner/Coyote, etc.). At least in Tiny Toon Adventures the only lived in the same town, not the same cul-de-sac.
Oh well, we’ll just have to wait and see what is to come.
I think he looks like some kind of stop-motion character myself.
I’m not too keen on those new Bugs and Daffy designs at the bottom though (Warner Bros. Television Animation will never look as good as it used to) but I at least couldn’t help but appreciate that comment on how they have Loonatics Unleashed artwork hanging in their offices only to remind them to never do it again. Now that’s a lesson learned right there.
You started a topic on the Looney Tunes re-emergance, but you forgot to mention the new TV show? Man, you guys really need me.
So far I like the John Kricfalusi-like art of the new show, but I still can’t help but wonder…why not just RE-RELEASE the originals instead of remaking them? It costs nothing, and it’s what made the characters famous in the first place. Warner Bros. seems to believe that modern audiences wont enjoy the classics, and they’re attempting to put remakes/revivals on all major media outlets.
Those ones seem okay, but the first one I saw in the other link didn’t look right to me (like all the pointy shapes on Daffy). It reminded me too much of the similar “redesigns” they did with one of the newer Scooby-Doo shows on now, which looked even worse.
I actually don’t mind the CGI look for Wiley Coyote or the new redesign of looney tunes. I think the rest test for loony toons is keeping the original spirit and interesting storylines. Living in Japan I’ve been studying animated programs, comparing Japan and America. The big difference is while America has the money and talent Japan has the quality and works hard to show that through.
No matter what if looney tunes can use American slapstick plot which we all know, love, and understand it will still reach a wide audience. This actually reminds me when Disney made the Goofy cartoon “How to Setup a Home Theater”. It was still 2-d animation but used new computer techniques to bring it up to the current level of animation. The topic was modern yet the basic goofy-plot was there and it was a success. If looney tunes can used current animation techniques but keep the basic baseline of jokes and story to build upon it will do fine.
All-in-all American animation has to go back to the basics is all I’m saying.
Yes, I am. I believe it is important to learn about animation from all aspects. Animation is art, and art can be inspired from around the world from different artists. The top two in the animation field is Japan and America. The history between the two throughout the years is amazing when you really dig into it. As each has borrowed from one another from Disney to Tezuka then from Miyazaki to Pixar.
Currently I believe Japan is doing much better with 2-d animation than America. I’m here to learn the techniques and skills that make Japan successful with anime and hope to apply some of it back in America. Pixar is mainly CGI but before you work on the CGI aspect the 2d concept sketches must take place. Since I want to work for Pixar one day I have to learn as much as I can from as many perspectives as I can. Isn’t that what Pixar is about? Even if something is working right you don’t have to stick with the same format.
I agree. These deesigns, to me, actually resemble some of the very original Bugs and Daffys from the 30s and 40s and so; the black and white ones and the very first colors.
