Following the success of the first volume, the Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 2 Blu-ray has been released, packaging 51 rare Looney Tunes cartoons together that have never been released on Blu-ray.
“A second helping of Looney Tunes vault rarities-over 50 classic cartoons, each marking their first time on Blu-ray, with many unseen in decades. From Bugs’ battle with a fussy genie, to Tweety and Sylvester taking on “Hitchcock”: with side trips, starring Conrad Cat, Teenage Tom Thumb, and Angelo, the Mighty Flea — this carefully curated collection has it all. Representing the studio’s first four decades, every Warner cartoon superstar is showcased among these two discs: the musical 1930s, the wartime 40s, Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, and Robert McKimson Classics from the 1950s — even a smattering of Road Runner gems from the early 1960s. Additional fun from directors Bob Clampett, Frank Tashlin, Art Davis, and Norm McCabe — and favorites featuring Foghorn Leghorn, Pepe LePew, Speedy Gonzalez, The Goofy Gophers, and Charlie Dog,” says the official description.
If you’re wondering why it’s 51 shorts rather than keeping with 50 like last time, it’s because Vol. 1 included a cartoon that had been previously released on Blu-ray, so the team at Warner Archive Collection added an extra to this set. It’s a fun set, featuring Looney Tunes favorites, such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Pepe LePew, Speedy Gonzalez, and other classic cartoon characters. As a disclaimer notes on the back, this is meant for adult collectors, and there are a few cartoons that include some stereotypes, like the Bugs Bunny cartoon “A-Lad-in His Lamp,” which takes place in the Middle East, and a 1949 Daffy Duck cartoon called “Wise Quackers” that features Daffy as a slave. Beyond the questionable content, which is truly great to see restored and available, there are also some hidden gems and some classic Chuck Jones cartoons I had never seen before. It’s a really fun set, and I recommend going through all 51 cartoons.
All of the cartoons featured in the Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 2 Blu-ray look great. The cartoons come from a variety of sources, with the five new scans featuring more grain than most of the cartoons. They also sound great, as it has a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track. There are some slight volume level differences, which can make you grab your remote, but other than that, I had no qualms with the video or audio quality.
The only disappointments in the first volume were the relatively simple presentation and a lack of bonus features. The presentation has stayed the same, and all cartoons are presented alphabetically, which adds a random element to watching the cartoons scattered across two discs. However, the lack of bonus features has been addressed, as there is a smattering of commentary tracks carried over from previous DVD releases that feature cartoon historians. These are a nice touch, and I hope Warner Archive continues to include some supplemental content in these.
Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 2 Blu-ray Review: Final Verdict
Featuring six hours of classic cartoons that have been lovingly scanned, the Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 2 Blu-ray is an easy recommendation for fans. Featuring some bonus commentary tracks and one extra cartoon to make up for Vol. 1’s accidental repeat, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Whether you’re a diehard cartoon historian or a casual fan looking to relive some childhood laughs, you’ll enjoy this collection of Looney Tunes classics.
Disclosure: ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 2 Blu-ray review.
