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7.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Bimbo's Initiation remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, you’re thinking about diving into Bimbo’s Initiation? Honestly, if you love old, *really* weird cartoons, the kind that make you wonder what they were putting in the water back then, then yeah, give it a shot. This one’s for the animation history buffs, the folks who dig surrealism before that word was even common. But if you're hoping for a polished, laugh-out-loud modern cartoon, or something with a clear story, you'll probably just scratch your head and bail about a minute in. It's an acquired taste, for sure.
The whole thing kicks off with Bimbo, a dog-like character, getting lured into this spooky fun house. It’s not "fun" in the modern sense. More like a sadistic carnival initiation ritual. The sign even says "Join the Secret Society," which feels less like an invite and more like a warning. The way the little critters pop out of the walls, chanting and giggling, it’s got this unsettling vibe. Almost a bit nightmare-ish for something made in 1931. 😬
Everything just *moves*. The walls stretch, the floor gives way, objects turn into faces. It’s the classic Fleischer Studios "rubber hose" animation, but here it’s pushed to extremes. Bimbo’s face during all this is just pure, unadulterated panic. You almost feel bad for the guy, being tormented by these shadows and singing faces. There's this one moment where he's running through a tunnel and the tunnel itself starts to sprout eyes and teeth. It’s a lot.
Then, suddenly, Betty Boop shows up! Well, a very early version of her, with dog ears still, before she fully became *Betty Boop*. She’s locked in a cell, but she quickly starts singing and dancing, and the whole vibe shifts. It’s still wild, but her energy just kinda cuts through the creepiness. She asks Bimbo to join her, and then comes the classic "boop-oop-a-doop" part. This is where the cartoon really finds its footing, even if it's still bonkers.
What really sticks with me is how *musical* it all is. Even the scary bits have a rhythm. The sounds, the strange instruments, it all builds this crazy, almost hypnotic atmosphere. It feels less like a narrative and more like a stream-of-consciousness musical fever dream. The animation is crude by today’s standards, absolutely, but there’s an undeniable charm in its frantic inventiveness. It’s not trying to be smooth; it’s just trying to throw everything at the wall. And a lot of it sticks, in its own weird way.
One odd detail: the way the characters' eyes sometimes just detach and float. Like, Bimbo’s eyes will pop out of his head and become their own little scared entities. It's a small thing, but it always makes me pause. It feels so disconnected from any sort of reality, even cartoon reality. 🤯
It’s short, punchy, and utterly bizarre. You won't find deep character arcs here, or a message to ponder. It’s more about the experience of watching something so *unhinged* from a bygone era. A little unsettling, a little charming, and a whole lot of "what did I just watch?"
IMDb 6.7
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