Horst_In_Translation Review of Banjo the Woodpile Cat

Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979 TV Movie)

Cuteness prevails and makes up for some other deficits

[6/10 · 16 June 2017]

"Banjo the Woodpile Cat" is a 27-minute animated short film from 1979, so two more years and this one will have its 40th anniversary. The director is Don Bluth and he is probably also the most known name attached to his project as he is a lifetime achievement award winner at the Annies, the animated equivalent to the Oscars. This is the story of a little cat, the one mentioned in the title, and he causes all kinds of mayhem at home and when he has to justify his actions he is mad and leaves for the city, but he quickly realizes the going gets tough there and even if he makes a bunch of new friends, ultimately there is nothing he wants more than coming back home. Animation is fairly decent, even if it could have been older as well looking at the visual side. Music is fine, even if none of the songs really felt too catchy. Voice acting is good, the story a bit on the generic side, which is why it comes short with the attempt at emotion they are going for, one of the most crucial deficits overall here I guess- Eventually, I still think it was a good watch because of the likable and cute title character. Greatness is never achieved, but it's worth seeing at least once for lovers of old animated (short) films. Thumbs up.