Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera, Studio Ghibli and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. With significantly broader knowledge of different directors, animation styles and studios, actually appreciate and love it even more now.
'Wake Up the Gypsy in Me' is unmistakably Rudolf Ising, but oddly enough it is not one of the cute and sentimental cartoons that was often seen with him. 'Wake Up the Gypsy in Me' is actually one of his most inventive and funniest cartoons, or at least to me it was, being one of not many to have frequent laugh-out-loud funny moments and the best of them are hilarious. It is also one of his strangest and this is meant in a good way.
As with pretty much all his output, the cartoon is practically plot-less and the little there is easy to figure out.
Occasionally it gets a touch on the hectic side too. Will mention in brief passing that it does play fast and loose with history, but that is ignorable as it is abundantly clear that 'Wake Up the Gypsy in Me' never intended to be a history lesson.
Visually, 'Wake Up the Gypsy in Me' looks great. Beautifully drawn with interesting character designs, meticulously detailed in the backgrounds, fluid, lively and crisply shaded. Even better is the lush and characterful music, which is full of tremendous energy and an authentic Russian music flavour accompanying the dancing.
Speaking of the dancing, it is a lot of fun to watch and well animated. There are some great sight gags, there are a lot and they are well-timed and never less than very funny. The energy is non-stop and for a cartoon never intended to be history or a message cartoon 'Wake Up the Gypsy in Me' doesn't take itself seriously or try to be any more than it is. The characters are lively, with the most interesting and memorable being Rice Puddin, even if most are not particularly distinctive. There is nothing to be offended by.
In summary, very entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox