Brilliant and touching

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

It's a classic set-up. A round-headed, bulbous-nosed hunter creeps through the woods brandishing his gun, briefly turning to the audience to inform them "Be vewwy, vewwy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits". Coming across a rabbit hole, the hunter begins to dig while from an adjacent hole a grey bunny emerges, casually moseys up to the hunter and, with a breathtaking confidence that suggests he sees the hunter as no threat whatsoever, asks "What's up, Doc?" And cinema history is changed forever.Tex Avery's 'A Wild Hare' not only created a universal superstar in Bugs Bunny but also remains the quintessential Bugs cartoon to this day. Mention the name Bugs Bunny to anyone and 90% of them will immediately picture a rabbit hole in a forest and Elmer Fudd stalking towards it. Not only does 'A Wild Hare' open exactly this way, the first line is Elmer's most famous catchphrase. When Bugs puts in an appearance, his opening line is perhaps the most famous catchphrase of all time. So the scene is set, the template established for a rivalry that will continue for decades. There's enough history in the opening couple of minutes of 'A Wild Hare' to make any serious cartoon fan's heart swell with joy but there's plenty more to recommend it. While it may seem like a comparatively no-frills cartoon for those who grew up watching the many, many variations on this set-up that followed, keep in mind that this was Bugs's debut and these now familiar routines are being tried out for the first time. Bugs has rarely been cooler or looked more handsome than he does in 'A Wild Hare', his nonchalance really striking a chord with audiences and ensuring his place in cartoon history.While there were a handful of cartoons that predate 'A Wild Hare' starring prototype Bugs Bunnys, Avery's cartoon is undoubtedly the first time he was the character we all know and love and, therefore, clearly his official debut. Avery's expert timing, Mel Blanc and Arthur Q. Bryan's instant chemistry as Bugs and Elmer and a solid script by Rich Hogan all contribute to creating an Academy Award nominated classic and the smell of history that now lingers around 'A Wild Hare' makes it positively electric. 'A Wild Hare' is an experience to treasure which, for me, will never lose its heart-stopping air of excitement.

"A Wild Hare" is a landmark film in cartoon history. Why? Because director Tex Avery incorporated a tall, gray rabbit who would ultimately become a superstar: Bugs Bunny, voiced by the great Mel Blanc. (There were other Warner Bros. cartoon rabbits prior to Bugs, but they never even came close to Bugs' popularity.) Co-starring with Bugs is another character who would also eventually become a prominent Warner Bros. cartoon star: a dopey, stupid hunter named Elmer Fudd, voiced by the always uncredited Arthur Q. Bryan. "A Wild Hare" became a huge hit with audiences, who then began clamoring for more appearances by that wascawwy wabbit.Here are my favorite highlights from this classic cartoon. To begin with, how could any fans of the Warner Bros. cartoons overlook the very first occurrences of Bugs' line "What's up, Doc?" and Elmer's line "Be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting wabbits"? Carl Stalling's music score is childishly funny as Bugs hops in circles around Elmer. And when Bugs covers Elmer's eyes, stupid Elmer guesses the names of four famous Hollywood actresses before determining that it might be that scwewy wabbit covering his eyes."A Wild Hare" was the start of many, many, MANY more Bugs Bunny cartoons to come. At the end of this film, Elmer almost ruins the humorous atmosphere by sobbing violently when he thinks he killed Bugs, but Bugs fortunately puts a stop to Elmer's weeping with a gag.

A Wild Hare is a true masterpiece at Leon Schlesinger Productions. Bugs Bunny makes his on screen debut as a street smart Brooklyn/Bronx talking rabbit in this outstanding Tex Avery picture. It opens up with Elmer Fudd saying "Shh, Be vewy vewy quit I'n hunting wabbits" and his usual lines. then he gives Bugs a carrot. Bugs later sticks his hand out to catch the carrot then Elmer tires multiple ways to get that wascally wabbit out. Bugs finally pops out saying What's Up Doc. then the chase continues with fake death gags and everything Bugs is outstanding even a guess who game with celebrities from back then. and even a skunk who repeats a line from a earlier part of the episode. bugs at the end of picture chews a carrot saying "can you imagine anybody acting like that you know I think the poor guy's screwy. so I think this a great cartoon to watch . Available at Dailymotion.com

Elmer and Bugs finally collide for real this time for the first time ever, in an excellent short by the late, great Tex Avery that hints of things to come. Elmer of course is hunting rabbits, Bugs(unnamed when this came out, although we all know it's him now) is of course defending himself, foiling Elmer's plans and driving him crazy. This is one of the two's best(why wasn't this on the Looney Tunes DVD? Oh well, guess I can wait for a Silver collection). I recommend seeing it to any fan of the "wabbit," or the hunter. After seeing how little has actually changed between the two, it's easy to realize that some things really do never change.BOTTOM LINE: The first, and one of the best, Bugs vs. Elmer shorts.