platonism's Full Review: Marvin the Martian - Space Tunes
Given the recent release of acclaimed Looney Tunes DVD sets, one might wonder why I choose to review Marvin the Martian - Space Tunes, a VHS compilation released in 1999. There are many reasons for this. As Looney Tunes fans probably know, the sci-fi themed cartoons are some of the best and most beautiful in the Warner Bros. canon. Moreover, unlike many VHS compilations of animated films, this one is meaty: it is over 80 minutes long, and features 12 individual cartoons (it actually fuses together the contents of two separate 1998 videos). And, last but not least, the image quality is way above-average. For all these reasons, this VHS is still worth looking for, even in the DVD age. Let me now introduce you to its wonders...
First, two preliminary remarks: Chuck Jones directed a whopping 11 of the 12 cartoons included here, the other belonging to Friz Freleng; despite the title, only 7 of the 12 films feature Marvin the Martian.
The video begins with its best-known cartoon – the brilliant and wacky Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century (1953), in which Daffy Duck (aided by Porky Pig) and Marvin race to claim Planet X for their respective camps. The elaborate sets and gadgets are truly memorable, as are the jokes involving unique kinds of pistols; the film is very effective as a sci-fi satire. The belated sequel, Duck Dodgers and the Return of the 24 1/2th Century (1980), is also included here; while not as good as the prequel, the film remains interesting and visually impressive. It details the travels of Daffy, Porky and Marvin to a bizarre, Egg-shaped planet; along the way, they encounter a furry monster named Gossamer. Alongside the latter cartoon, this collection features another 1980 film, Spaced-Out Bunny; this one stars a cuddly, naïve abominable snowman named Hugo. Bugs wryly uses Hugo's friendship to gain the upper hand against Marvin in this decent cartoon.
Jumpin' Jupiter (1955) is the last of the several Jones-directed cartoons that starred Sylvester and Porky Pig; in each film, Sylvester stands as Porky's fiendishly scared cat while his master remains oblivious in the face of the worst dangers. This time, both characters are abducted by bird-like Jupiterians (these aliens return in another film on the video). A fairly simple but effective cartoon.
Rocket Squad (1956), an hilarious and beautiful piece of work, might be my favourite film on the video. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig star as Monday and Tuesday, two hardboiled cops working for the Interplanetary police force. Daffy narrates most of the tale, and the cartoon is as much as satire of genres (sci-fi and cop movies, mainly) as it is a satire of technology itself; the design is astonishing throughout (among other things, notice the fantastic looking statue shown briefly as the film ends). The similarly-titled Rocket-Bye Baby (1956) is a completely different cartoon, but nonetheless one of the best on the video. It stars none of the classic Looney Tunes characters, but rather tells the tale of two babies - one from Earth, the other from Mars - being mixed up. Thus, a young, green genius with antennas develops extremely complex plans (one to build mouse traps, another to build... mice, plainly!) while his 'foster parents' can only wonder who he really is.
Quite a few of the films are articulated around the Bugs Bunny/Marvin the Martian relationship. In Haredevil Hare (1948), Bugs Bunny is chosen to be the first 'passenger' to the moon (as usual, he was lured by carrots...); he delivers a vast set of grimaces upon his arrival. This cartoon marks the first appearance of both Marvin and his green, diligent dog K-9, and the best was yet to come for this pair. In Hare-Way to the Stars (1958), Bugs unwittingly embarks on a strange journey in space while Marvin is desperately trying to put his infamous Space Modulator to good use. Bugs eventually encounters an alien, and engages in a sort of staring contest with it; the backgrounds are spectacular, and many gags openly play with perspective. This might well be the best of all Bugs Bunny/Marvin the Martian films. In The Hasty Hare (1952), Marvin (helped by K-9) has to bring back to Mars one live Earth creature... and this creature happens, of course, to be Bugs Bunny. As expected, the task proves to be difficult. In Mad as a Mars Hare (1963), Bugs has once again been lured by carrots (his 'baser reflexes', as he terms them) and ends up on a strange planet; he has to claim it in Earth's name, but finds out that another guest (Marvin the Martian) is already there. Bugs is eventually turned into a monster by Marvin's poorly conceived Time-space gun... Rather effective.
The collection closes with two films that have few ties to the video's central themes. In Lumber Jack-Rabbit (1954), Bugs Bunny ends up in the garden of two giants, a man and a dog. Most of the gags are based on the rabbit and the dog's interaction - hostile at first, but gradually warmer. This is a decent enough cartoon, but, arguably, one of the lesser films on the tape. The very last film, however, is excellent. Hyde and Go Tweet (1960) is another of Freleng's cartoons inspired by the Jekyll and Hyde theme. This time, Tweety falls into the potion and emerges as a monster. Sylvester is a little unsure about the whole situation, because Tweety sometimes reverts back to his old self, only to turn into a monster once again. The cartoon recalls Freleng's 1955 masterpiece, Hyde and Hare, in its adept treatment of the Jekyll/Hyde persona; it also features Freleng's renowned sense of timing.
* * *
As in every compilation, not all the films are as good; also, seeing all 12 films in a row might be a bit deceiving, given the common elements that many of these cartoons share (especially the Bugs/Marvin shorts). Despite these reservations, this collection is well worth having for those who appreciate intelligent, artistic and entertaining animation. If you don't own the DVD sets and have not given up on VHS just yet, look out for this video.
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