Sweet and amusing but feels too much of a re-hash

Pluto always has been a likable character and while not many are outstanding his cartoon shorts make for pleasant watching. Pluto's Heart Throb is pleasant but at the end of the day there is not a lot to it.

The story is very predictable and plays as too much of a re-hash, there are earlier Pluto shorts that hold similar premises and do it better, same with other cartoons in general. Of the characters, only Dinah really stands out, she is very adorable-looking and she shows a crafty side that has not been seen of her before, she actually enjoys Pluto and Butch play off against one another and even gets the last laugh at the end. Butch is not a bad character and is a good contrast to Pluto but he is just there really as a plot-device. While Pluto is on the bland side, he still has likability and is as energetic as he can be but again this is another example of his shorts where the premise or humour don't play to Pluto's strengths or personality, another example also of where he is outshone by a support character. The Cupid-like character only appears once at the start and doesn't appear again, it comes across as pointless. While it is not dull, Pluto's Heart Throb lacks crispness and that the strongest the humour gets is amusing doesn't help it, the short has some really nice moments but humour-wise there isn't a whole lot that stands out.

On the plus side, the animation though is beautifully drawn and lusciously coloured, so it is a pleasure to watch visually. The character designs are very well-rounded with no signs of stiff movement. The music is lively, lushly orchestrated and characterful, still excelling at matching with gestures, expressions and gags and doing it really well. The sound effects mesh well and don't come across as misplaced or bizarre. As said already there are still some very sweet and amusing parts, the hose pipe gag is very funny(the best of the gags), Pluto "kissing" Dinah and carving a heart into a tree is enough to make anybody go "awww!" and when Pluto saves Dinah from drowning it shows how brave he is and also how much he cares for Dinah(while Pluto has been utilised much better than here that is not to say that he didn't have moments, and that was a very good moment). As also said already Dinah is a good character and the chemistry between the characters is convincing, you just wish they had more worthwhile material.

All in all, very predictable and doesn't really stand out in the humour department, but it does look lovely, is well-scored and is really sweet with a couple of amusements here and there. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

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The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The family genre features stories specifically created to be suitable for a wide range of age groups within a family. Family-oriented content is designed to be enjoyed by both children and adults, often providing entertainment that is wholesome, relatable, and appropriate for all members of a family to watch or experience together.

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The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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Pluto falls for Dinah the dachshund; so does Butch. She strings both along, until Pluto very sweetly gives her a bone. But Butch won't let her go, and keeps horning in, much to her annoyance.

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Walt Disney Cartoon Classics Limited Gold Edition: Pluto

Pluto's Heart Throb

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