Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones that were amusing and charming, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.
Ko-Ko similarly was an always amiable character to watch and among the better recurring characters in Fleischer's early work. Likewise, his series of Out of the Inkwell cartoons were among the best early efforts of Fleischer and silent cartoons in general. While, like 'Ko-Ko Back Tracks' for example, 'Ko-Ko Hops Off' is nowhere near Fleischer's, or Ko-Ko's for that matter, best, it's still pretty entertaining. One can definitely see with 'Ko-Ko Hops Off' what the appeal is.
Like all Ko-Ko cartoons, there is not much special or anything much for that matter to the story, which is generally best to be forgotten. Other cartoons before and since are livelier in pace too, momentum is not always consistent it felt here.
Would have liked a little more animation and while the material and gags are certainly amusing they are not as inventive or as wild as most Ko-Ko cartoons.
Having said that, there is a good deal to like here. It is amusing, with delightful character interplay and the animation and the live action, together and individually, are handled very well, if perhaps not as seamlessly as other Ko-Ko cartoons.
One expects the animation to be primitive and very low quality, judging by that it's the early 20s when animation techniques were not as many, as refined, as ambitious and in their infancy. While Fleischer became more refined and inventive later certainly, the animation is surprisingly good with some nice visual wackiness and wit. The live action is nicely shot.
Mostly 'Ko-Ko Hops Off' has a liveliness and none of the gags misfire really, though generally most could have been more inspired. Koko as ever is very likeable and amusing. Likewise with Fitz and it is hard not to enjoy the contributions of the Fleischer brothers.
In conclusion, decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Ko-Ko similarly was an always amiable character to watch and among the better recurring characters in Fleischer's early work. Likewise, his series of Out of the Inkwell cartoons were among the best early efforts of Fleischer and silent cartoons in general. While, like 'Ko-Ko Back Tracks' for example, 'Ko-Ko Hops Off' is nowhere near Fleischer's, or Ko-Ko's for that matter, best, it's still pretty entertaining. One can definitely see with 'Ko-Ko Hops Off' what the appeal is.
Like all Ko-Ko cartoons, there is not much special or anything much for that matter to the story, which is generally best to be forgotten. Other cartoons before and since are livelier in pace too, momentum is not always consistent it felt here.
Would have liked a little more animation and while the material and gags are certainly amusing they are not as inventive or as wild as most Ko-Ko cartoons.
Having said that, there is a good deal to like here. It is amusing, with delightful character interplay and the animation and the live action, together and individually, are handled very well, if perhaps not as seamlessly as other Ko-Ko cartoons.
One expects the animation to be primitive and very low quality, judging by that it's the early 20s when animation techniques were not as many, as refined, as ambitious and in their infancy. While Fleischer became more refined and inventive later certainly, the animation is surprisingly good with some nice visual wackiness and wit. The live action is nicely shot.
Mostly 'Ko-Ko Hops Off' has a liveliness and none of the gags misfire really, though generally most could have been more inspired. Koko as ever is very likeable and amusing. Likewise with Fitz and it is hard not to enjoy the contributions of the Fleischer brothers.
In conclusion, decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox
