Review of Paul McCartney: The Music And Animation Collection

Introduction

Bom Bom Bom.

Bom Bom Bom.

Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom.

Ah yes, the Frog Chorus is unleashed upon us once more, 20 years after its first airing. An animation featuring Rupert the Bear and a lot of frogs. If you were around in 1984 then you probably have this song buried at the back of your mind somewhere. And it`s back for vengeance.

The all singing all dancing piano playing bass playing lead guitar playing rhythm guitar playing classical composer techno artist and ex member of The Beatles and Wings, Sir Paul McCartney was responsible for this, as well as 2 other animations featured on the disc, "Tuesday" and "Tropical Island Hum".

Video

1.78:1 anamorphic transfers all round, even for the 20 year old animation. This was a surprise but a welcome one. Some of the animation is a little old fashioned nowadays (even the more recent work showcased here), but it`s really for kids so they may not pick at it so much. It`s all perfectly watchable but you suspect that with some tender loving care it could have been polished up so that it was sparkly and shiny.

Audio

A DD5.1 soundtrack which is surprisingly good. Despite these being animations, they are mostly about the music involved (whatever your opinion on that). And it`s a really good remix that has been applied to each animation, with sound effects, voices and much more coming from all around. And the music has definitely benefited - you`ve never heard it sounding this good (from a technical standpoint!)

Features

A selection of extras including an interview with Paul McCartney where he talks about his love of animation and the ideas behind the work on display here. Why is he so good at everything that he turns his hand to?

There`s also a making of documentary which goes behind the scenes to look at how the animation is put together. Some interesting material here, but will it appeal to the target audience who must surely be young children?

You can also look at some storyboard material and some line tests. Again will this appeal to children?

Conclusion

Aargh! The Frog Chorus is back to haunt us. Now I have great respect and admiration for Sir Paul McCartney. We all know that he`s made some fantastic music over the years. But the Frog Chorus and the other 2 pieces on the DVD are definitely not amongst that. It`s ok as a novelty/comedy song, but is this really the musical work of the man who co-wrote Love Me Do, She Loves You, Can`t Buy Me Love, Eight Days a Week, Ticket to Ride, Yesterday, Help!, You`ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, Norwegian Wood, In My Life, Penny Lane, With A Little Help, The Fool on The Hill and The Long and Winding Road? Afraid so!

This DVD is a good package for the three animations on it, with reasonable picture and excellent sound, and some extras which might appeal to adults if not to the target audience of children.

The problem is that you just don`t want to listen to the music. Watch the animation if you must, but put a Beatles CD on instead and listen to that.