Vintage Toons Look Better Than Ever

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TV SERIES REVIEW
Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volumes 1-4
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Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy
Year Released: 1930-1969, 2024 Warner Bros. Blu-ray
Runtime: 10h 42m
Where To Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping into nostalgia like no other, LOONEY TUNES COLLECTOR'S CHOICE: VOLUMES 1-4 showcases nearly a century’s animation. This compendium is a goldmine for fans and newcomers, serving up an array of iconic and lesser-known cartoons at a price that won’t break the bank. Warner Archive has managed to pack this collection with an impressive blend of content, making it an essential addition to any home cinema collection.

At the core of this release is the endeavor to bring back the hard-to-find classics in their full glory with sound and visuals, which marks a clear departure from some of the lesser cared-for releases in the past. Animated by visionary figures like Jerry Beck and George Feltenstein, this series not only revisits the past but also sets the stage for a revival of the Warner Bros. animation legacy, contingent on the series' success in the market.

This collection revisits familiar names like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck and brings us gems like Charlie Dog and the Goofy Gophers, ensuring a rich and varied viewing experience. Highlights like Chuck Jones' BEANSTALK BUNNY inject a fresh narrative twist into well-worn tales, while hidden treasures like TALE OF TWO MICE and THE FOXY DUCKLING spotlight the creative genius behind these stories.

The visual restoration of these shorts is nothing short of cinematic brilliance. The colors pop, and the details dazzle, paying homage to Warner Bros.’s animation team's original artistry. The audio enhancements display some variability. While the collection boasts pristine lossless DTS-HD 2.0 mono tracks that are proper to the original sound design, variations in sound quality across the shorts can be jarring. These audio inconsistencies underscore the complex nature of reviving historical materials for a modern audience.

The packaging for this anthology is straightforward yet effective. Standard Blu-ray cases feature simple, visually appealing collage art, prioritizing functionality over frills. While perhaps too minimalist for some collectors, this approach highlights the collection’s affordability and broad accessibility, particularly for those new to animation collecting.

A more systematic organization of the shorts, perhaps chronologically or by theme, could enhance the viewing experience and enrich viewers’ understanding of the animation’s progression. Adding commentaries or creating companion booklets would also provide deeper insights into the significance of these animations within the broader cultural and historical context. Overall, the importance of the collection outweighs any potential issues. Hopefully, Warner will continue down this path, sharing its vast archive with the world.

In conclusion, LOONEY TUNES COLLECTOR'S CHOICE is a welcome effort by Warner Archive to preserve and share timeless animations with a diverse audience. Serving both as a trip down memory lane for long-time fans and a welcoming introduction for newcomers, this collection ensures the legacy of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies will continue to captivate and educate. It is an invaluable addition for anyone passionate about the history of animation or eager to explore some of the most influential cartoons ever crafted.

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[photo courtesy of WARNER BROS. PICTURES]

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