Between 1965 and 1969, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises made thirty four cartoons featuring, well more like starring, one of their best characters The Inspector. In their (perhaps) second most popular and second best, even though with a mix of ups downs and in betweens instead of being consistent, theatrical series. After their longest-running one (in number of years, being one of the few to run for more than a few years, and cartoons) The Pink Panther.
Really like The Inspector character, very funny and easy to like with a personality more than strong enough to warrant his own series. Love opera, have done from a very early age, and it is always great when there is anything set in an opera house. Always have liked Sergeant Deux Deux, making his first appearance here since 'Bomb Voyage' thirteen cartoons previous to this, and his chemistry with The Inspector, which is very much missed when they are not together and when he doesn't appear. Yet 'Cherche Le Phantom' in my mind could have been much better than it was and is a little bit of a let down, having followed on from two of the series' best cartoons 'Bear De Guerre' and especially 'Transylvania Mania' and considering we see two great characters reunited after so long.
The animation is simple, especially in the abstract backgrounds, but lovingly drawn and detailed, while the colours are rich and pop out. The music is suitably jaunty and slinky. No matter how good or disappointing the cartoon is, The Inspector himself is a fun and compelling character. It is so great seeing Deux Deux again, his softer and less bumbling personality contrasts very well with The Inspector's and it is equally great to see their much missed chemistry, put to good use.
'Cherche Le Phantom' does have its charm and there are amusing moments, if more the physical comedy than the verbal. Pat Harrington Jr does a great job giving the two characters differentiating and individual personalities.
Story however is very predictable throughout and could have done with much more spark on the energy front. Do think that there could have been more gags and that there could have, although they are hardly unfunny, been more imagination in the ones that were there.
Other The Inspector cartoons are sharper in the physical comedy and wittier and more ironic in the verbal humour. Marvin Miller is no Paul Frees when it comes to the voice acting for the Commissioner, and the ape is a fairly uninspired supporting character that serves its purpose but with little spark.
In a nutshell, above average but had potential to be a lot more. 6/10
Really like The Inspector character, very funny and easy to like with a personality more than strong enough to warrant his own series. Love opera, have done from a very early age, and it is always great when there is anything set in an opera house. Always have liked Sergeant Deux Deux, making his first appearance here since 'Bomb Voyage' thirteen cartoons previous to this, and his chemistry with The Inspector, which is very much missed when they are not together and when he doesn't appear. Yet 'Cherche Le Phantom' in my mind could have been much better than it was and is a little bit of a let down, having followed on from two of the series' best cartoons 'Bear De Guerre' and especially 'Transylvania Mania' and considering we see two great characters reunited after so long.
The animation is simple, especially in the abstract backgrounds, but lovingly drawn and detailed, while the colours are rich and pop out. The music is suitably jaunty and slinky. No matter how good or disappointing the cartoon is, The Inspector himself is a fun and compelling character. It is so great seeing Deux Deux again, his softer and less bumbling personality contrasts very well with The Inspector's and it is equally great to see their much missed chemistry, put to good use.
'Cherche Le Phantom' does have its charm and there are amusing moments, if more the physical comedy than the verbal. Pat Harrington Jr does a great job giving the two characters differentiating and individual personalities.
Story however is very predictable throughout and could have done with much more spark on the energy front. Do think that there could have been more gags and that there could have, although they are hardly unfunny, been more imagination in the ones that were there.
Other The Inspector cartoons are sharper in the physical comedy and wittier and more ironic in the verbal humour. Marvin Miller is no Paul Frees when it comes to the voice acting for the Commissioner, and the ape is a fairly uninspired supporting character that serves its purpose but with little spark.
In a nutshell, above average but had potential to be a lot more. 6/10
