The Wild Goose Chase

Van Beuren cartoons are extremely variable, especially in the number of gags and whether the absurdist humour shines through enough (sometimes it does, other times it doesn′t), but are strangely interesting. Although they are often poorly animated with barely existent stories and less than compelling lead characters, they are also often outstandingly scored, there can be some fun support characters and some are well-timed and amusing.′The Wild Goose Chase′ is among the best of the 1932 batch and among the better Van Beuren cartoons. Is it great? No. Is it worth watching and above average? Yes. Wild is a very good word to sum up ′The Wild Goose Chase′ and this is an occasion where that is meant in a good way (not always the case with Van Beuren). The studio′s style of humour when it′s done right (too many instances when it isn′t) is absurdist and this is one of their stronger examples of doing it right.Sure, the story is basically a hodge podge of ideas and of various influences and it does get disjointed. It did feel like story-wise Van Beuren didn′t know which direction to take. Not all the animation is great either, actually more ambition and imagination was put into the backgrounds but the character designs are at best primitive. Some of the pacing is erratic and it affects some of the synchronisation. However, as said, it seemed more imagination and ambition was put into the background art. The absurdist humour really shines through, so ′The Wild Goose Chase′ never feels bland. Luckily too this is not a case of being too few gags or the timing being sluggish, in both cases it′s the opposite, it′s surreal and absurdist and it′s aplenty. Most of the pace is lively and there are clever sound effects and other instances where the synchronisation is not too bad. ′The Wild Goose Chase′, as to be expected, is virtually plot-less but this is a case of being so drawn in to the atmosphere and so entertained that it doesn′t annoy as other Aesop′s Fables/Van Beuren cartoons that don′t succeed in either. The characters are fun enough.Best of all is the music score, it is typically peppy and great fun to listen to. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action.In summary, good wild fun if somewhat disjointed. 7/10 Bethany Cox