Terrytoons' cartoons are oddly interesting, mainly for anybody wanting to see older animation made by lesser known and lower-budget studios. They are a mixed bag in quality, with some better than others, often with outstanding music and with some mild amusement and charm and variable in animation, characterisation and content.
1942 was like very much the previous years for the studio. None of their work that year was great, but some of it was quite decent, and it was interesting as a year for introducing their most prolific character Super Mouse, who would later be renamed as Mighty Mouse. Most others ranged from watchable but average to mediocre, but a few weak. None unwatchable though. Another one of their war-themed cartoons, 'Barnyard WAAC' is one of Terrytoons' better cartoons from 1942 and as far as the studio overall goes it is somewhere around high middle. A few recurring problems remain but there are also a number of good things as well. Saw 'Barnyard WAAC' as someone who wanted to see as many of the aviailable (not all are) Terrytoons cartoons as possible, but as has been said more than once that shouldn't be seen as the only reason.
Starting with 'Barnyard WAAC's' faults, it is pretty predictable and slight plot-wise and not enough new is done with it apart from the portrayal of the hens. The conflict is not a surprising one, and slightly on the bland side (cats and villains have been more interesting and antagonistic in other Terrytoons cartoons), and the end outcome is never in doubt and easy to figure out very early on.
'Barnyard WAAC' is generally funnier than most Terrytoons cartoons and the material is fresher with more to it, but some of it is still tired and parts (as war-themed cartoons can be) feel heavy-handed.
A lot is done right here in 'Barnyard WAAC' though. Have never faulted the music in the Terrytoons cartoons and have frequently cited it as the best thing about their cartoons. The same applies here, it is beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. By now the animation had come on leaps and bounds, and grew from being a frequent problem in their cartoons to being significantly improved but not completely great to being the most improved component and either the second or joint best asset of their cartoons. Again the case here, the backgrounds are far more elaborate and ambitious and the drawing and transitions much smoother. The two synchronise well together too.
While never hilarious, 'Barnyard WAAC' still amuses and is mostly timed with energy. The polygamy gag is likely to go over younger viewers' heads but was quite surprised that it somehow got in, pretty ahead of the time that is. There is something oddly charming about the cartoon, and once it gets going the action is frenetic and excites, without being too hectic or jerky in movement, even if the surprise and suspense factors are missing somewhat. The characters don't irritate while not always completely compelling, would have liked more done with the cats. Coming off most strikingly in this regard was the characterisation for the hens, pretty admirable for Terrytoons and some of their most interesting female character writing.
On the whole, above average. 6/10
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