"Animaniacs" One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock (TV Episode 1996) Poster

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8/10
Exploring mental health
TheLittleSongbird29 August 2018
Love animation to bits. It was a big part of my life as a child, especially Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera and Tom and Jerry (with tastes broadening further getting older with Pixar, Studio Ghibli and some of the more mature animations out there), and still love it to this day as a young adult whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now, with more knowledge of the different animation styles, directors, studios and what work went into them.

'Animaniacs' has always been one of my favourites. From an early age, it always stood out as one of the most colourful, unique, funniest and cleverest shows, animated and otherwise, ever made. It is not to be dismissed as a show just for children. There is plenty for children to enjoy, any child who loves great animation, humour to laugh at and unique characters will be in heaven. There is more than plenty for adults too, especially the hugely clever in-jokes/poking fun that is likely to be better understood by older viewers with more familiarity for what is being referenced and poked fun at.

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" is not as good as other episodes and not one of my favourites. For me it is still very good, doing bravely with a weighty subject like mental health. It is handled poignantly if occasionally a bit heavy-handedly and it is a subject that one could consider rather too serious for 'Animaniacs'.

In "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock", the animation is very well done, with vibrant colouring, crisp beautiful backgrounds and convincing movements for the characters. The music is not only catchy it is actually memorable as well, with an instantly hummable main theme.

The scripts and humour are witty and clever, though more serious here. As are the situations no matter how silly they are the characters get into. This all springs from a great concept, some shows have a great concept but don't live up to it.

'Animaniacs' was always one of the finest examples of execution of a great concept doing that and superbly, with the story here being a lot of fun and easy to like. The characters are immensely likable with unique personalities, with no exception. Slappy is very relatable here.

Voice acting is terrific from particularly Sherri Stoner as Slappy.

Concluding, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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5/10
Well-intentioned but confused
BethBartel742 June 2013
Is this an ABC After-School Special? Maybe it's a commentary on 90s talk shows in all their ridiculousness, or on America's mental-health system that doesn't really treat anyone for anything, or on the holes in the education system where Skippy can go weeks taking care of himself before his teacher notices. One thing's for sure: This is definitely not Animaniacs. This is the stuff the Animaniacs are known to mock. Too weighty a subject matter for very young children used to the high-jinks in other episodes, and too many plot holes for the grown-ups used to much more sophisticated fare. In other words, feel free to skip this one, or ate least make sure any kids younger than 10 aren't watching.
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