by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What is the most “Netflix” type of film you can think of right now? I am sure you would not be surprised to find out they have released a brand new live action/animation hybrid of a classic cartoon set in the modern world, because that worked out so well for Tom & Jerry and Rocky & Bullwinkle. But now Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp is here… and it sure is something. The titular bird is thrown out of the park and must learn teamwork to get back in. He just so happens to land in front of a summer camp… that helps build teamwork. This would be obnoxiously convenient, but then the film makes a joke about it as well. That is the type of film you are getting yourself into.
Woody Woodpecker has always been a funny cartoon, so how does the humor present itself in this new modern version? It is… shaky. But to start with the positives, there is some legitimately fun cartoonish slapstick comedy involving the animated characters that still lands. Woody (voiced by Eric Bauza), Buzz Buzzard (Kevin Michael Richardson), and Wally Walrus (Tom Kenny) each have their own silly and goofy moments which would only make sense for cartoon animals. But the rest of the comedy falls flatter than American Midwest. The winking meta humor that all these modern hybrids lean into is not funny or clever. You will do more eye rolling than laughing. The rest of the humor is geared towards five-year-olds. Maybe it will make them laugh at least.
What is the most tragic part of this adaptation? Woody is just plain annoying and unlikeable. The film struggles to keep you engaged because the protagonist is an insufferable, selfish jerk who has few redeeming qualities. It has been a long time since the older cartoons have been in the forefront of pop culture, but this modern rendition is just not working. Bauza does what is expected of him, but the writing is just so bad. Richardson and Kenny are saddled with one-dimensional characters, but at least they get to have some fun bringing them to life (and the audience gets to have fun watching them).
Does the story help in making this film entertaining? Not really — the film feels tired and familiar in so many ways. You have a clichéd “loser” camp versus “cool” camp dynamic. They compete in a series of competitions with only a bit of fun to be had. Then you have a search for long lost treasure (the motivations of our buzzard friend). There are a surprising number of subplots going on that just turn the third act into a bit of a mess. Unfortunately, the children at both camps are basically one-note caricatures, and not even the charisma of Mary-Louise Parker and Josh Lawson can keep it afloat.
Who is Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp really for? This Netflix film is certainly aimed at kids, and kids alone. Not even nostalgia for the old cartoon should get adults on board with this annoying and grating film. This continues the long line of awkward live action/animation hybrids that try way too hard to be hip and cool in their new modern context. It is one of those films where your little kids will have some fun while you roll your eyes.
Rating: Didn’t Like It
Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp is currently streaming on Netflix
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