Search - The Best of Zagreb Film - Laugh at Your Own Risk/For Children Only on DVD

A rarely seen treat in the US is now available

02/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up watching "Pinwheel" on Nickelodeon and was thus exposed to wonderful foreign animation such as Zagreb's own "Professor Balthazar." While I don't explicitly remember any of these cartoons appearing on that show--although I think Maxicat's adventures may have--this was still a wise purchase. It is utterly fabulous to see the oft-neglected animation of Zagreb Film's talented stable of artists. I have always been amazed at how much these animators conveyed without dialogue; without language, these cartoons could find a home more easily in a multilingual world. The innovation in technique, storytelling, and themes should be required viewing for all students of animation, especially those who only have seen Hanna-Barbara and anime. A personal favorite of mine is Zlato Grgic's "Krek," a charming tale of the powerful bond between a man and his frog (think Michigan J. Frog without the singing) in the face of military oppression. A quick note to parents: just as standards of moral conduct vary from home to home, so do they from country to country. While I know some parents won't mind the very brief --only about two seconds--animated nudity, I know there are some who would and feel they should be alerted."