'The Inspector' "Unsafe and Seine" (1966)
Opening thoughts: The premise is not an original one, but the execution is rife with humour, colour and imagination that being hard on it in any shape of form is nigh on impossible.
'Unsafe and Seine', and actually The Inspector cartoons in general, is a fine example of a cartoon that not only holds up amazingly well through adult eyes but it is also even better The humour's funnier and easier to understand and found myself appreciating aspects not noticed before when a child. Have found that a lot watching a lot of childhood favourites and animation recently and it has been a great feeling.
Bad things: Again, a few fags that are a little on the corny side.
Good things: Great animation. Fairly simple in terms of drawing but never ugly, while the somewhat abstract backgrounds have nice attention to detail and don't look sparse. Best of all are the deep and rich colours. Regarding the music, the opening titles are classic, while the music accompanying the action, while not enhancing is not discordant at all with it either. Liked its jazzy slinkiness and it did not sound cheap either.
Humour has not gotten stale at all, if anything it is fresher and cleverer actually. There is slapstick physical comedy, which is violent but not in a sadistic way, it is never vulgar, sharply timed, well timed and most importantly of all it's funny. Even better is the verbal humour, whether the more ironic moments, the mumblings or The Inspector's frustrations with Deux Deux, appreciated the word-play being subtle yet witty. Loved the surprising, clever ending.
What is also great is The Inspector character and the chemistry between him and his partner Deux Deux (also love his character). The Inspector's bumbling brings a great deal of amusement in the more slapstick-driven moments and did like that there was also a subtle irony in much of the comedy. This is beautifully and often hilariously contrasted with that of the more laid back and amusingly confused Deux Deux, one of the few characters in existence to make mumblings funny and not irritating or being over-whiny when complaining. Their interplay is a delight. The commissioner is a lot of fun as well and even more so the Terry Thomas-inspired agent.
For what 'Unsafe and Seine' may lack in originality it more than makes up for it by being so vibrant and entertaining. Pat Harrington Jr voices both The Inspector and Deux Deux and does wonderfully in providing the necessary energy and managing to differentiate the two voices that is important in making the contrast between the two believable.
Concluding thoughts: Summarising, great The Inspector cartoon and one of the series' best.
9/10.