superperson1 Reviews

Three from Prostokvashino (1978)

No argument here, it's a classic.

[10/10 · 16 October 2006]

Among the more perfect Soviet cartoons. No possible complaints about this one. It's compassionate, charming, and clever. A considerate, principled, not-vomit-inducingly-adorable boy, some witty anthropomorphic household pets, some bantering grown-ups to keep the adult contingency entertained, a hapless proletariat postal worker, and sincere, uncondescending Soviet wholesomeness and humor. Who could ask for anything more? Looking back at the pop culture of the Soviet sixties and seventies, when movies were original and funny, and cartoons were earnest and idealistic, when there wasn't sarcasm or cynicism, it does give you the perhaps entirely false but nonetheless sober impression that Soviet citizens were once happy, for a time. This cartoon is one of the reason Russians look back at this era nostalgically and to watch this cartoon is to fondly recollect the warmth and wit that that part of the world lost in the past two decades

Winnie-the-Pooh (1969)

Best Milne adaptation ever

[10/10 · 16 October 2006]

I don't mean to generalize, but if you really want to get some sense of the difference between Russian and American animation (with many many exceptions, obviously), just compare this phenomenal Vinni Pukh with the wretched Disney Winnie the Pooh. The Disney one is sentimental, pandering, unsophisticated, and dumb. Winnie himself lethargically stumbles along like a middle-aged man with a developmental disability. Vinni, however, is vigorous, adventurous, and witty. He's sly and he has attitude. He is no longer a disposable "silly old bear," he is a worthy protagonist. Pyatachok is not a pathetic, feathery-voiced ball of pink. He is vibrant and fun, and their friendship, so beautifully rendered by Milne and made sappy and idiotic by Disney, is here authentic and moving once again. Soviet animation at its best.

The Bremen Town Musicians (1969)

Must-hear

[7/10 · 16 October 2006]

The thing that will surprise you most about Bremenskie Muzykanty is how such amazing music and voice work can be accompanied by such slipshod animation. There is no question, here is probably the best soundtrack in Soviet cartoons. All the songs are witty, masterful, fun, emotionally stirring, and life-affirming, and Oleg Anofriev's character work is unforgettable. Meanwhile the animation is amateurish and unsophisticated at best. It's flat, there's no personality or engaging style, and it really looks like a bad afterthought, the creators rushing to showcase the songs without giving due consideration to the visuals. So sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy the magic. Or better yet, get your hands on the soundtrack with Anofriev doing additional narration, which is a truly wonderful recording.

Adventures of Captain Vrungel (1976–1979)

Odd but memorable.

[7/10 · 5 March 2006]

A really bizarre series with animation of inconsistent quality, huge plot holes, and only a passing relationship with its source material, Kapitan Vrungel is one of the most memorable Soviet cartoons, thanks mostly to the exceptional voice work by Zinovi Gerdt, a wonderful theme song, and a non-condescending Soviet friendliness and warmth. The animation, sometimes drawn on top of actual sea footage, is in the busy, unpolished, often grotesque style of Soviet children's illustrations and its absurdity and implausibility bring to mind Monty Python animation. Most of the episodes are really sub par, and the first and last one are the best, but the cartoon is disarming and likable, and Hristofor Bonifatich is one of the great paternal characters in a late-Soviet childhood.