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6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Admission Free remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school Fleischer cartoons, you'll probably get a kick out of Admission Free. It’s frantic, a bit mean, and honestly kind of strange.
If you prefer your cartoons to have a sensible plot or a relaxing pace, stay far away. This thing moves at the speed of a caffeinated squirrel.
The whole thing starts with Koko and Bimbo just trying to hang out with Betty Boop. It feels like a normal day out, right? Wrong.
The penny arcade is packed with those weird, jerky animations that make you feel like you’re watching a dream you can’t wake up from. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Petering-Out, where everything just sort of happens without asking permission.
Bimbo decides to show off at the shooting gallery, and suddenly, the background just... disappears. We’re in the woods now? Or maybe a desert? It’s hard to tell.
The movie doesn't bother with transitions. One second you're looking at a wooden target, the next you're hunting live animals that look suspiciously like they’re having a bad day.
It’s not as heavy as The Other's Sins, obviously, but it shares that same frantic need to keep the audience guessing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it just feels like the animator was drawing as fast as their hand could move.
It’s a short, weird blast of energy. Don't overthink it. Just let the weirdness wash over you like a wave of ink and rubber hose limbs. 🤡✨