NO! None of that! We're moving on! The less I'm reminded of that shitstain the better. Anyways, as I was saying... I mentioned that the madness with Don Bluth started with Rock-A-Doodle. And, well... yeah. It definitely looks that way. Rock-A-Doodle was actually based on a play called Chanticleer about a rooster who grows up on the farm and uses his crowing to bring the sun up and whatnot.
Well, this film decides to step it up further and we get... a complete clusterfuck. No pun intended. So, let's start this shit, shall we?
STORY
Our story begins with some narration with Phil Harris as this was the last role he did before passing away at the time. God bless him... He'll be missed. And you know notice very quickly that the narration is entirely pointless since we can see what's going on screen. We're not fucking blind.
From what I understand, this was added because test audiences were confused as to what was going on with the story. And somehow, this was the solution. But I think it had the opposite effect and just confuses audiences more. We start off with a musical number-GOD DAMN IT, not again! The song is called "Let it Shine" and it's the main theme basically.
And good Lord... What even is this animation in the beginning? Everything is all bouncy and smiling and so many things have faces. Did we timewarp to the 1920 and 30's? Anyway, this is our character Chanticleer who is basically an Elvis impersonator. And a dog who has trouble with his shoelaces named Patou.
Why does he wear shoes when he's a dog?
Patou: Because I have bunions, y'see.
... And suddenly, I don't want to know anything else about him. He's also voiced by Phil Harris. Well, guess I figured out who the narrator is now. Everything is all smiley and happy on the farm, except for one animal who hates Chanticleer and his friends named The Grand Duke of Owls voiced by... Son of a bitch, Christopher Plummer? He's in this?!
He organizes a literal cockfight that distracts Chanticleer long enough that he forgot to crow and the sun went up. The animals thinking that he's a fraud mock him and kick him out. But as it turns out, it was a ploy by the Duke of Owls as he did... something. It's never explained in the movie.
Look, the gist of it is, he made a fake sun with his illusion magic-I'll get to that later trust me- and made it appear. But in actuality, the sun never surfaced and now, dark clouds have rolled in and has started a never ending downpour. Uhm... are you sure this is the Duke's doing and not Kyogre having a shitfit again? Because that seems like something it'd do.
Anyways, we're interrupted with... wait, live action? The hell?! I thought this was an animated movie! Well... it's more like an animated live action hybrid in the same vein as Who Framed Roger Rabbit? However, that movie already established the rules, this is just... weird and lazy. Is the live action good at least?
No. Not really. Here we have our main character named Edmond who is sick with chicken pox while a storm is going on outside and could cause a flood to the farm. Hmm... that awfully sounds familiar, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, POKE, POKE.
Edmond wants to help but his mother who narrated the story says that this is grown up stuff and that he's too sick. Wait, so we have two narrators? Oh, wait. No. It's still Patou. What the fuck? So Edmond calls out Chanticleer's name... or at least, I think he does. The sound quality is so bad that I almost thought he said: "Santa Claus!" I'm dead serious. I'll get to that later.
However, oh no! He instead summons the Grand Duke of Owls and this is where the comparison to Who Framed Roger Rabbit? comes in. After an extremely long monologue about hating Chanticleer and Rock and Roll, when, really it's just Country, but what do I know. He also expresses dislike for Edmond breaking his monocle during the story.
I don't know, just roll with it. He then uses his magic breath to transform into the easiest thing to kill, a small, harmless kitty cat. But really, they're the easiest thing to draw. I should know. And that also turns the real world into a cartoon? Huh? Just before the Duke can kill Edmond, Patou and the others come in and save the day and his weakness is light.
More specifically, light from a flashlight. Yes, really. It's that easy. After the situation is done, Edmond realizes that what the Duke said and did was true, he was turned into a cat with his magic breath. I'm not kidding, somehow, his breath has a myriad of effects. How does one get magic breath I have no fucking clue. Anyways, in Edmond's words:
Edmond: I'm a fuwwy!
Yeah, yeah, we know what we're all thinking. But the sound quality is so bad for this kid that he actually said: "I'm ALL furry!" That, and he, uh... isn't exactly a Haley Joel Osment. Poor kid. So after exposing himself to furry nudity. SAVAGE. He dons a stupid outfit and hat and the animals explain that they were tricked by the Duke and that the crowing did bring up the sun, so they dun goofed.
And if they don't find Chanticleer in time, the farm will flood and by extension, maybe the world. ... JESUS, this is dark! This film was advertised as a, and I quite here... "A Light hearted adventure of music and self discovery!" Yeah, fun, except if we don't hurry our asses up and find the guy we're looking for PEOPLE WILL DROWN.
What the fuck Don Bluth?! Edmond is joined by Patou and two other characters that annoy the shit out of me named Snipes and Peepers. A smart ass mouse and an annoying magpie who has an obsession with lasagna for some reason. I have a feeling he and Garfield will get along fine. Or kill each other to get the last bite.
Oh, and there's also this moment where Edmond has cat-like instincts and tries to eat Peepers, but that's immediately dropped. It's completely pointless so let's move on. They figure that Chanticleer is at The City. It doesn't have a name, just The City. So they go there as The Duke has not one, not two... but THREE musical numbers about how evil they are. And they suck.
Especially with a lyric begins like this:
Duke: Twiddidly dee-
Okay, no. If you're villain song begins like that, you've automatically failed at being intimidating. Anyways, Snipes pretty causes all the problems here which begs the question, why keep him? But with the power of plot contrivance, they arrive at The City and start looking of course, missing the rooster everytime until they spot a giant neon sign of him.
So yes, he literally becomes a rooster version of Elvis Presley. We also get revealed that his manager named Pinky, is working with the Duke so that Chanticleer won't go back. We're also introduced with Goldie who at first, is jealous of the rooster's fame and tries to act like she loves him to get the better part, but wouldn't you know it, she does.
Also, this is literally told to us by Patou narrating the story. Thanks movie. They tried to sneak in as Edmond writes a letter explaining what's going on, but it gets intercepted and they kicked out. The Duke puts up a ban from dogs, cats, birds and mice. And they disguise themselves as... penguins. Which are a type of bird...
... These guys are fucking morons. Of course, the plan goes wrong AGAIN, as Snipes stupidly reveals themselves and get captured. From there, Goldie confesses that Edmond tried to help him and realizing the animals and farm needed him, they both escape, just in the same time as Edmond's group does.
Oh, and, uh... we're introduced with the Duke's nephew Hunch. He's annoying and is used for slapstick but he overstays his welcome. I didn't mention him until now because he offers nothing but wasting your time. Anyways, Edmond and the group try to escape when Peepers almost dies and... uh... We enter inside Edmond's brain?
What???
So, apparently the subplot is that everyone calls Edmond a coward and fradey cat because of, well, his new form and nobody believes him to be human before. This is like the Pink Elephant scene in Dumbo, only... weirder. Yeah. Suddenly, Edmond has some courage and Peepers is fine.
Damn it. I mean, uh, oh yay. She's alive. Yeah. Woo. They arrive back at the farm and try to get Chanticleer to crow, unfortunately, he's out of practice and can't do it. Wait, what? When the hell did this happen? We've barely spent any time with him! The Duke shows up and transforms into a giant tornado...? Whatever. He goes full Ursula and through the power of Deus Ex Machina, the rooster crows once more.
The sun is out, the flood is gone, and the Duke shrinks? Bwha??? Anyway, the Duke of Owls choked Edmond with his magic breath-God I need a drink... Uh, anyways, and with the Duke weakened, his spell is broken and Edmond turns into a real boy. And then... he wakes up.
Yep. This is also ripping off The Wizard of Oz. Turns out, when lightning struck, it tore off a branch and hit Edmond on the head, knocking him out. So we just experienced a literal fever dream. But wait! It's not over yet. The characters from the story are real...? Or is Edmond hallucinating some more? Fuck if I know.
And we end with a reprise of "Let it Shine". And... that's it. They just roll credits. God, it's like they knew this sucked and wanted it to be over. "Yeah, we know it didn't make sense, but who gives a shit? Exit's to your left."
ANIMATION
The animation is as always, nice and true to Don Bluth's style. The character designs I don't mind too much. I like it. I just wish it was a better story...
SOUNDS AND VOICES
Everyone did a good job, except for Edmond. For some bizarre reason, the voice quality for Edmond is really poor. It's almost like they recorded on a phone or something. And of course, the Grand Duke of Owls is hamming it up and it sounded like Christopher Plummer was having fun with this role. Who wouldn't?
MUSIC
Eh... I didn't actually remember the music to be honest. It all sounded generic to me and the musical numbers are... terrible. God, they need better lyrics. Especially the villain songs.
FINAL SCORE AND THOUGHTS
Rock-A-Doodle was the beginning of the descent in quality and storytelling for Don Bluth, and it shows unfortunately. This could have worked if the script was better written and the execution was handled better. But, this is what we got and we have to live with it. Oh, well.
My final score is...
5/10
It had some good ideas and a decent cast, but the story needs a huge rewrite and we barely focused on Chanticleer! From the posters and the cover showing Edmond Chanticleer, you think he was the main character. But no, he only shows up a couple of times and does his thing! We know more about Edmond and not the actual main character of the fucking story!
REWRITE
Focus more on Chanticleer and maybe up the stakes here. What if there was a time limit for Edmond? If he doesn't defeat the Grand Duke of Owls or find a way to break the spell, he's stuck as a cat and in this world forever. And he slowly get's into the mindset of the animal while also trying to fight back his humanity.
That sounds much more interesting actually. Maybe I should write these scripts? ... On second thought, maybe not. They should have thought of this themselves. Oh well. Well, this wasn't too bad. What's next down the line?
I mean... it's fine? I guess? I just wish it had a better script. Some of the designs are fine and the characters are decent, except for Peepers and Snipes are the annoying couple, I mean, come on. But hey, if anyone likes this, more power to them.
I mean... it's fine? I guess? I just wish it had a better script. Some of the designs are fine and t
