Customer Reviews

Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Through the application of liberal amounts of cash and anability to place last-second bids on eBay, I've managed to lay handson an advance copy of Wakko's Wish. I'm glad I did. It's a worthyfinale to the Animaniacs franchise.

I won't get into the plot. Daniel Gallo did so on Usenet a few months ago, and did a thorough job of it. Suffice it to say that the plot is a good framework to build the movie on. For those who were wondering if Animaniacs could support 80 minutes worth of story, this will answer the question with a loud YES!. The different characters have different places in the story, but they're woven together smoothly and well; there's no sense of jumping back and forth between storylines. The ending is logical and fits well.

Wakko's Wish spends a lot of time paying homage to the series itself. I believe that most of the CRGA entry for the movie will be references to Animaniacs episodes, rather than the rest of the world. There's a fair amount of that as well, though. Those who appreciate potshots at real- world happenings won't be disappointed. You'll find plenty of humor here, whether you're 10 or 40. I suspect that, had this gotten theatrical release, it would have been a case of kids dragging their parents to see it, with the parents coming out afterwards laughing more than the kids.

There's plenty of original music here. At first, I thought it was all going to be musical, but right about the time the story picked up, the prevalence of songs as opposed to spoken dialogue changed. That made for a good change in feel, and worked well. The music, as well as the story, allowed Jess Harnell's singing talents to take center stage, and he shows just why he's doing well as a professional singer (though in places where he's not immediately known). Just about everyone gets a chance to show off their musical talents; those who think that Pinky can't sing get a dramatic rebuttal, and even Sherri Stoner and Ben Stein take a whack at it, with humorously bad results. I don't know if Sherri can sing, but Slappy sure can't.

TMS's animation is at the top of the heap. Their Warners are generally recognized as the standard to which everyone else aspires, and, if anything, they've raised the bar here. Not once did I catch an error in modeling or in continuity. There are several scenes with very fast action, all handled quite well, and more than a few difficult pans. There's also a fair amount of CGI, though it's so well done and so unobtrusive that you'll have a hard time picking it out. This is the first cartoon I've seen that combined cel animation and CGI in a manner that wasn't jarringly dissonant.

About the only negative I can bring up is the final bit. The writers resisted the tendency to over-senitimentalize right until the very end, but there they succumb to temptation and deliver a message with a heavy hand. Animaniacs can and does do better than that. Even so, it's not objectionable enough to make you want to throw the tape in the trash after seeing it; the rest of the movie is way too good for that.

The credits had a pleasant surprise; every major and nearly all minor speaking roles are credited to the voice actors who performed them, and the rule the TV series follows about only crediting a voice actor once even if they play multiple characters is not followed here. The viewer is shown exactly who voiced everyone. There's also a disappointment: no gag credit. I don't know why not, but I expected to see one and didn't.

Overall, Wakko's Wish is a winner. It's well worth ordering and waiting with bated breath for it to hit your doorstep on December 21. Animaniacs fans, and anyone who enjoys a good comedy, will love it. Tom Ruegger and his team have done a great job.

Thanks, guys. If it had to end, this is the best way I can think of doing it.

If you haven't seen the "Animaniacs" TV series, "Wakko's Wish" might be a little hard to follow at times. The number of in-jokes are staggering, and a lot of the characters don't get enough screen time to properly introduce them. Still, the movie does give even the "Animaniacs virgin" a fair deal of exposure to the cast and relationships.

The Warner Siblings are the stars of the show, of course, and although they never get quite as zany as they were in the TV series, they have several brilliant moments. Pinky and the Brain are also in great shape here, and a lot of the funniest moments in the movie are thanks to them. The rest of the cast make varied preformances -- The Goodfeathers do better in this movie than they ever did in the TV series, as do Mindy and Buttons, but Slappy isn't really up to par (mostly since she doesn't get to blow anything up), and Rita and Runt aren't used to their full potential here either.

For the people who HAVE seen the series, it's impossible not to compare the movie rather unfavorably to it. The TV series is funnier, has better music, is more intelligent and has more of that genuine charm that comes from really good animation. This isn't to say the movie is bad, but it does lack that little extra spark to raise it from merely "good" to "outstanding."

All gripes aside, "Wakko's Wish" is the first direct-to-video animated film I've seen that actually makes good use of the format. It's one of those rare movies that is more enjoyable the second time you watch it, because by then you know what's really going on, and a lot of the scenes that seemed overly-saccharine during the first viewing suddenly become delightfully ironic. This is a storytelling trick that is ideally suited to the direct-to-video format, since those types of movies ARE the ones most likely to be seen repeated times. I hope more producers will learn from this.

"Wakko's Wish" definitely deserves four stars out of five. It's quite good, while not up to par with Warner's very best.

One of the key factors that went into the development of Animaniacs was the vaudeville-type nature of the show: a large cast of characters with some headliners, and a little bit of something for everyone of all ages. Wakko's Wish continues this tradition with a plot that combines all the major Animaniacs characters, adds a large number of well-done musical numbers, humor for all ages, and overall is an excellent addition (and hopefully not a conclusion) to the Animaniacs series.

If you have never seen Animaniacs, this movie may not be the best place to start: there's a lot of in-jokes (such as Dot's story, Pinky and Pharfignewton's relationship, and the oddities in the Cave), and the large number of musical bits may remind you of typical theatric animated films. However, those that are familiar with the show will recognize that music plays a significant role in both the series and in the movie. The music itself is outstanding as composed by Randy Rogel, including several original works as well as a lyrical adaptation of Liszt's 'Hungarian Rhapsody #2' that does an excellent job of progressing the plot instead of being an aside to it.

The plot itself is very good; simple and easy to understand for the youngsters, but leaves enough meat for the creative humor that attracts adults to this show. The pacing is a bit off at points; the first and last 10 minutes may seem slow as the characters and setting is established, then concluded, but once the movie hits the middle block, it moves quite well, and you'll wonder where the time went. Given that there are 9 teams aiming towards the Wishing Star (in a "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World"-type fashion), they are connected very well, with airtime shared being all of them fairly (Needless to say, the Warners get most of it, but it's their show to begin with). Even more impressive is that the characterization remains unchanged: Brain still wants to take over the world, Slappy is still grumpy, Mindy is still overly curious. This is also quite surprising given the number of characters actively involved with the plot.

Voicework is well done: Rob, Jess, and Tress do an excellent job on their voices for the Warner Sibs throughout, and the supporting cast supply their voices well. All the characters aid in the lyrics, which may be odd for some of the voice actors; for example, Nathan Ruegger, who voices Skippy, is in his own 'wonder years', and his singing may be off at points (but is nicely commented on within the movie).

Animation is top-notch as done by TMS, who has done the best animation for Animaniacs in the past. A good use of shadows on both characters and background help to immerse the viewer into the story. There's a few CGI parts, some painfully obvious, some not, but these are limited and do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the show.

Those with younger viewers will be glad to know there are no real sensitive parts in this movie. Besides Pinky getting bopped on the head with a pencil, there's no real violence. There is on Bambi-esque like moment near the end, but it passes quickly, and you shouldn't have to worry about consoling your youngster after it's over.

Overall, Wakko's Wish is a joy for any fan of the Animaniacs show, and continues the tradition of bringing humor and entertainment that can be enjoyed at multiple levels. Some of the humor and plot requires a passing knowledge of the TV show, but for those that have it, this movie is a great trip, and is an excellent addition to the series.

I saw this movie for the first time my first year of college. I'd always liked Animaniacs and I had to see this movie. It definately was a great tribute to the series. All the favorite characters are back (with the exception of Mr. Skullhead).

The basics of the plot are the Warner Brothers (and the Warner sister) are orphans who are in a race against their village and a greedy king to reach a fallen wishing star and make their wish. It has alot of comedy (a must for the Animaniacs) and even some heartstring tuggers!

I loved the music (wouldn't be a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes without Franz Liszts' "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2")

It's a great movie, filled with humour both parents and kids can appreciate. I watched it last night with my friends and the humour we laughed at on the series was even funnier in our college days! A big two thumbs to the cast of such a wonderful series and movie (special Hi to Rob Paulsen from another transplanted Michigander!)

This feature-length film is a must see for anyone who appreciates the clever and hilarious wit that made Steven Spielberg's "Animaniacs" shine on the small screen. Unlike numerous movies based on television series, this one actually does justice to the show on which is was based.

While the plot obviously still revolves around the Warner siblings, this film does not recycle the premise of the TV show. In this quirky story, Yakko, Wakko and Dot live in a medieval town called Acme Falls where the greedy Baron von Plotz is taxing the villagers to the max. In order to improve things in Acme Falls, Wakko formulates a plan which involves making a wish on a wishing star that has fallen to Earth.

During this entertaining romp, viewers will enjoy ten original songs and the original voice talents from the TV series. Many of the supporting characters from the series show up playing the residents of Acme falls. As "Animaniacs" no longer airs in syndication, seeing this film is a great way revisit the brilliance of this incredible show.

My god i know i was being generous with the five stars, but come on! This movie has it, it's got comdey, it's got romance (Between Pinky and a horse), it's got a sad part in it that made me cried, THE TENTH TIME I SAW IT! I mean everytime i watch that scene with Dot and Yakko that she is about to die, it just makes me have a tear drop. I mean this movie is like a god, some times you get sick of the songs, but they are catchy, there's one about money, catching the wishing star, if you make a wish what would it be, loosing money, and a song about never giving up hope, which is also a good message those parents out there...so if your kid wants that movie, don't think twice buy it, in fact you can watch late at night, when the kids are asleep, and hear and see all the comdemy for those of you who can get the older jokes. It's more of a kids movie when just watching the plot, but the comdemy is for adults, the romance is for the women (Or men), and that one scene at the end where it made me cry can be for 10-14 year old girls who just need to be all moody and cry about Dot. Also in the story you can hear the story of 'mom and dad', Yakko, Wakko, and Dot's parents who died a long time ago, when Dot was not even a year old (I think). Dot is really the one who wants to hear the story, but Yakko doesn't mind, and Wakko stands and watches them, because Dot is sick, and he wants to help her but lost money to.

This story also gave me a chance to see more of Dot's brothers helping her out in her time of need. Wakko really is the one who has the spot light in the movie, Dot along side with him because they want the money in the first place to save her, from the sickness she has which no one knows what is it, until the end, you probably won't get it then. One thing i will say is this, everyone know's they're orphans and they all know that they went to the star to get money to help Dot, but being their greedy selfs, they wanted the star to them, to them make a wish. It doesn't seem until Dot has fallen and she can't get up that everyone sees how greedy they were, and be's all '(Gasp)', even Brain, from Pinky and the Brain, and Mindy, who is just a baby. Everyone who is from serious to whackness goes in shock at that point, and it doesn't say the movie, they then see how greedy they were, if they hadn't run off to get the star for themselfs, maybe the king wouldn't find out, and maybe they could have gotten it and Dot would survive. (She does i'm just saying from this point)

But anyway, say I'm this generous person all you want, but when i hate something i'll let you know. But this i love, sometimes I just start to think of the movie, and even if i am in the tub i would get out and set it up in my VCR, i recorded Wakko's Wish when Cartoon Network was airing it. Although my picture is not perfect, so i think i need a new one. But trust me, some of you know me from 'Fanfiction.net' then you know Gothica13 never lies. So trust me one this one, for those of you whose favorite chariter is Wakko, he is the main star, and Dot right next to him, and Yakko shows how nice of a brother and a leader he can be.

Now i just wish that they would make a sequel. Then that would be cool.

This movie is cute and fun! It has new songs and all your favorite Animaniacs characters. Some of the songs and actions take after other famous musicals which makes it fun for the parents to watch and, of course, the kids are ALWAYS entertained by Wakko, Yakko, and their adorably cute sister Dot. =) Then again, I too am always entertained by the Warners.

This film was really great! I heard about it on the Internet but it's not available in the UK where I live so I had to beg my brother to try and get it when he went over to the USA. I had to wait a long time for it - and I wasn't disappointed. I'm nearly eighteen but I love Animaniacs and I thought Wakko's Wish was wicked! The songs were great and I couldn't stop laughing at the jokes. I definitely recommend this to any Animaniacs fan! I'd give it six stars if I could!

This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I have only owned it for two days and already watched it more that once. It's magical and wonderous, and has excellent musical numbers. It really shows a lot of good morals, along with the usuall comic violence that all of us love. This movie is definately worth your money.

I got Wakko's wish from a while and Ive just watchet it a billion time! I love that story so differnt from a normal cartoon show and that's because some people shouldn't like it, but Wakko's wish is different cause it showh a hide side of the Warner that I love I love that the sibs aren't just a crazy trio of little nuts but they can also show the love that wthey feel each others All the cast of voice actor is great, first Rob Paulsen and Tress MacNeille I think they gave the best! I can't don't love all the songs! They're just great! Especially the one where they sing about their own wish! Thanks Randy Rogel! And thanks Tom Ruegger to made a such wonderful story! Now we just need more Animaniacs show!