In 1988 the blend of cartoon and acting was quite new, so what surprises me the most is how effortlessly they managed to make it look good through this film. I'm sure it took many takes, and a bunch of very patient and talented actors.
How Bob Hoskins can walk into Toontown with a 40's demeanor, a sour face and alcoholism and make it all seem plausible... Brilliant. He keeps this flick together in so many ways it's hat off to him. A brown fedora hat. And the fantastic thing is that at times he must act like a cartoon, in between being a depressed alcoholic solving crimes. And he pulls that off too. Furthermore, there's special mention to Christopher Lloyd, never better than here. Who would have though that cartoonishly evil would be his finest hour?
The details and in-house joke are amazing in number (and sometimes quality). The whole project really seems thoroughly produced with script-writers at the top of their game. There's slapstick, nerd-puns, and many homages if you have any kind of prior relationship to either cartoons or noir.
The pace is a bit much at times, making it seem a bit forced and even Hoskins isn't always able to grant relief when they smear that extra layer. Though I suppose that's for the youngest viewer. Or the ones who don't like to be entertained through any smartness. It doesn't happen too often, thankfully.
The score is Alan Silvestri and is, at bottom, surprisingly full of jazz. But it works very well (particularly the Valiant theme), so kudos. As this is mostly a cartoon the rest of the music is fittingly annoying. Like in Tom&Jerry.
Surprisingly dark at times, this is a real treat. Prepare to be foolishly entertained with a twist. Or in the words of the most famous Betty of all:
Boop-boop-be-doop-*boop
7/10
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