Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. 'The Counterfeit Cat' is not one of his best, not that it does anything wrong as such but more to do with that the many things that are done very well have been done even better and with a little more spark and originality in a lot of his other work. Even when Avery was not quite at the top of his game he put many other animation directors to shame and the cartoons in general much better than many at their worst. Hope that doesn't sound too hyperbolic, unfair or ignorant.
The story is 'The Counterfeit Cat's' weakest element, still very well paced and fun but conceptually it somewhat familiar.
However, much of the animation is very good. Very rich in colour, the backgrounds have meticulously good detail and the character designs are distinctively Avery in style and are fluid in movement. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, even enhancing the action.
Can't fault Avery, whose style is all over, nor the dynamic voice acting and the very engaging characters, especially Spike. The pacing is very lively and 'The Counterfeit Cat' is incredibly funny throughout. There couldn't have been a more perfect ending.
Overall, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
