Presto (2008)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  6 / 10

  Presto humorously raises its curtains by paying homage to cartoonish tricks of old. If you've never watched 'Looney Tunes', 'Tom and Jerry' or even 'Scooby Doo', firstly please remove yourself from the insignificant rock that you reside under, and secondly this may just be the most accessible stepping stone to the world of cartoons. We've got a Vaudeville magician who rushes on stage without feeding his mischievous rabbit, who unsurprisingly refuses to cooperate with the act and utilises a magical wizard's hat to his own advantage. Y'know, a powerful teleportational piece of clothing that is linked with the magician's own top hat that, when objects pass through, are buoyantly received from the opposing hat. No? You ought to purchase one. They're mighty good fun! As expected, the rabbit is throwing eggs, mousetraps, ladders and all sorts of health and safety hazards through the hat, resulting in an animation that primarily hones in on visual cartoon comedy.
  
  It's a treat, albeit a forgettable appetiser. And the reason for this criticism is due to the short being, well, short. Back in the day, when a cat named Tom was producing meticulous traps to catch a sneaky mouse named Jerry, it was decent fifteen minute escapade. There was build up. There was creativity. There was the inevitability that the trap would backfire. Cartoons need buildup in order to deliver the laughs, and "hey presto" five minutes just doesn't cut any carrots. It's a rapid succession of quick fire shenanigans that, yes do produce smiles, but no chuckles. Fortunately the superb animation, Sweetland's acclamation for cartoons and the partnership moralised narrative ensures that this magical act remains delightful and mystical throughout. A suitable companion piece for the beast that is 'Wall-E'.

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