The Tortoise and the Hare: Still faster than my morning commute

Is it worth your time?

If you like your cartoons with a side of manic energy and genuinely expressive character work, yeah, watch it. It’s short, it’s snappy, and it doesn't try to be Baby, Take a Bow or some high-minded drama. If you’re allergic to slapstick or old-school charm, maybe skip it. It’s not for the cynical types who need a 'deep message' to justify their ten minutes of screen time.

The Hare is essentially a frat boy on caffeine. He’s all elbows and knees, constantly checking his reflection and making sure the crowd is looking at him.

Honestly, watching him stop to sign autographs for some bunnies while the finish line is still miles away? I’ve seen people behave exactly like that at airports. It’s obnoxious, but you can’t look away. 🐰

The Tortoise perspective

Then there’s the Tortoise. He doesn’t have the Hare’s flashy gear or his ego. He just has this heavy, rhythmic plod that feels almost stubborn. There’s a moment where he just keeps marching, totally ignoring the Hare’s antics. It’s weirdly inspiring.

The animation when he finally puts on that last-minute burst of speed is hilarious. It’s not graceful, it’s just pure, unadulterated effort. It reminds me a bit of the frantic pacing in The Dumb-Bell, where the momentum feels like it might just fly off the screen.

Odd little observations

• The Hare’s pre-race stretching routine takes way longer than it should. It’s like watching someone set up a complex tripod in a busy street.
• The background characters are just blobs of enthusiasm. Some of them seem to have forgotten they are even at a race.
• That finish line looks suspiciously like it was drawn in a hurry.
• The Hare’s ego is basically a character of its own. It’s bigger than the stadium.

You can tell the animators were having fun with the physics of it all. Nothing stays still for more than a second. It’s not quite as chaotic as The Old Wallop, but it keeps you on your toes.

I left this feeling like I’d just had a very sugary snack. It’s not a full meal, but it’s definitely satisfying. Sometimes a movie just needs to be a race, a jerk, and a winner. No extra fluff needed. 🐢