Name: Never Bug an Ant
Genre: Animation, Short
Released: 1969-09-12
Duration: 6 min
Rating: 6.3
Cast: John Byner

Am very understanding as to why the Ant and the Aardvark cartoons may not work for all tastes, it is a very formulaic series in terms of story, and it's a formula that are reminiscent of other cartoon series that do it a little better, and not everybody is going to like the animation. Mostly the animation is not a problem for me in the Ant and the Aardvark series and the irreverent dialogue, fantastic music, John Byner's voice acting and the entertaining characters make up for things.

Every single one of the above applies to the Ant and the Aardvark series' sixth cartoon 'Never Bug an Ant'. While not a classic strictly speaking to me it was still very enjoyable and as good as the previous five Ant and the Aardvark cartoons, as far as the previous cartoons in the series the previous one 'Technology, Phooey' is particularly good and the one closest to being a classic (also one of the closest to that standard for the whole series too). Regarding the previous comments, can see both sides while tending to share the opinions of those that remember the series fondly.

'Never Bug an Ant' is another very funny Ant and the Aardvark cartoon. While the gags are crisply timed and raise big smiles frequently, especially the Aardvark's reactions, it's the dialogue (rich in witticisms, sarcasm and breaking the fourth wall) where the best laughs come from. As a matter of fact, while the series was always successful in both the physical comedy and verbal comedy, for me the dialogue often tended to be funnier and cleverer than the visual gags. The "hey ant, what do you think of that? I know what I think of that, but I shouldn't say it in public" line is priceless, with the banker line is a close second.

Personally have always loved the Ant and the Aardvark characters. They are far from complex, that was true for all of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' characters, but their personalities really shine as does their comic timing (especially the Aardvark's, whose material is funnier here in 'Never Bug an Ant'). Their chemistry is a long way from bland too and is well-contrasted. John Byner's voice work excels brilliantly in giving individuality to both characters and making them act and sound very different to each other instead of being the same.

The animation is richly coloured and the backgrounds are stylised but never came over as under-budgeted to me. The expressions and reactions for the Aardvark are as well done as the backgrounds and the individual colours for the Ant and the Aardvark blend very nicely with the richer and more varied backgrounds. What plays majorly in 'Never Bug an Ant's', and the series in general, appeal is the music, the light-heartedness and the infectiously jazzy style never jars and the use of instruments and ensemble, featuring some of the best jazz musicians of the day, never ceases to be very clever.

It does have to be said that the story is very thin, even for the short running time, and the way it's structured with a tried and tested formula is very more of the same, not much surprising or original here.

Have always been mixed regarding the sucking objects through the nose gag. There has always been effort to give variety and there have been clever and funny uses of it, but due to its frequent use (in pretty much every cartoon) it can feel a bit repetitive and it did here.

Summing up, very nicely done. 8/10

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.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

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.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

The Aardvark's vacuum cleaner, intended by him to inhale the Ant after his own snout becomes corked and bottled, ingests an angry bear.

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Warren Batchelder in Never Bug an Ant (1969)

Never Bug an Ant

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