Transcript note: This transcript is based on the original working script. It may contain production notes, draft wording, spelling mistakes or other material that differs from the finished video - these scripts were meant to be spoken, not read.

Cult films become cult for all kinds of reasons.

Some because they’re misunderstood when they’re released - Others, because they were simply ahead of their time.

And some - Well - Because they’re a mess, quite frankly.

Cool World falls very much into the latter category.

But - The one thing it did, and still does have going for it is

You just can’t seem to look away from it.

So. Why do we keep a sweaty chaotic affair that looked like it could have belonged on late night TV close to our hearts?

Let's take a look at what makes Cool World, Cult Actually

[intro]

In 1988 the world was introduced to Roger Rabbit,

it was considered a breakthrough at the time mixing live action and cartoon in a way that'd never been seen before, really.

It was a massive success - and more than a couple of eyes landed on Jessica Rabbit as one of the standouts, for more than a couple of reasons.

On the back of this Ralph Bakshi, already an established animator and well known for his more adult tone, began developing what would eventually become Cool World.

The film starts in 1945. A young soldier named Frank Harris in what would be an early role for Brad Pitt-gets into a tragic motorcycle accident and, instead of dying, goes poof.

He vanishes right before the medics' eyes, pulled into an alternate dimension where cartoons are real.

Fast forward to 1992.

Enter Jack Deebs, played by Gabriel Byrne.

Jack is a celebrated comic book writer and artist, known for creating Cool World - but he’s found himself inside prison doing time for murder

While inside, he’s been dreaming of a cartoon bombshell character named, Holli Would.

But here's the kicker: Cool World isn’t just in his head.

And, Holli - voiced by Kim Basinger- has been actively trying to pull Jack into her reality.

Holli has one goal: she wants to become a real, physical person.

And the only way a "doodle" can cross over to the real world is to...

well, do the deed with a human.

This is strictly against the laws of Cool World.

And Frank, who has been trapped there this whole time, is the detective in charge of enforcing that law.

Unfortunately for everyone, Frank fails miserably.

Jack and Holli hook up, Holli becomes flesh and blood, and she crosses over into our world.

But her true plan is much worse: she wants to find the mystical "Spike of Power" to permanently smash the real and cartoon worlds together.

Oh, it’s trippy folks!

And that’s the film in a nutshell.

Or at least, it's the film we ended up with.

Because as wild as that plot sounds on paper-a noir, fantasy, erotic cartoon fever dream…

Or, maybe just a massive hangover from the 60s

The story of how it got made is arguably even crazier.

Enter Ralph Bakshi.

He's the director behind Fritz the Cat and Heavy Traffic.

His work has always been adult, abrasive, and politically messy.

Cool World was no exception, but it was originally envisioned as something entirely different - a straight-up horror film.

The initial pitch was for a cartoonist in prison gains underground fame and ends up having a child with one of his creations, Debbie Dallas.

And yes, it is a reference to that Debbie.

This half-human, half-cartoon child would grow up and eventually seek out his father with murderous intent after feeling abandoned.

Bakshi took this dark and twisted idea to Paramount.

And they were on board - Kinda.

But it wouldn't take long for the studio to get cold feet.

Rewrites started happening behind Ralph's back, softening the edges to chase that Roger Rabbit money.

Soon enough, Ralph couldn't even recognize his own work.

What we’re left with on screen is a literal tug-of-war between artistic vision and commercial safety.

And let me tell you, those two things do not sit next to each other comfortably - Nope.

You can feel that behind-the-scenes tension in practically every scene.

There’s no cohesion, only arguments playing out right in front of you.

But visually?

You won’t ever mistake it for anything else.

No matter what you think about the story, it simply doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen before-

or, will ever see again.

The background of each frame literally writhes around.

Even when it’s on a loop, it’s constantly pulsing and moving. Characters stretch wildly in and out of frame. It’s all a bit mad.

And there is a very good reason for that chaotic energy: all the animation was done on the Paramount lot, but the animators weren’t actually given a screenplay to work from.

Instead, they were handed designer Barry Jackson's conceptual paintings and told by Ralph Bakshi to just do whatever they wanted, as long as it was funny.

And it shows. The film literally cannot sit still.

Paramount leaned into this madness for the marketing, too.

To promote the release, they practically took over Hollywood.

Well, the sign, at least.

They slapped a giant Holli Would cutout right over the top of the Hollywood sign, much to the absolute disgust of the locals.

But hey, it certainly didn’t hurt in getting people's attention.

The trouble is, despite that massive marketing stunt, the critics absolutely hated it.

And audiences? They had no idea what was going on.

Naturally, it was compared to Who Framed Roger Rabbit almost immediately.

Which is understandable, but perhaps a little unfair.

Yes, it shares that same chaotic, mixed-media energy, but Cool World lives in a much more adult, abrasive arena of cinema.

Frankly, it can be oddly mean-spirited at times.

So, with all that baggage... why is it cult?

Because it absolutely refuses to be forgettable.

Seriously, it’s impossible to forget. I’ve tried.

I guess I’m part of the exact right generation for this film, too.

It always felt like you were watching something you weren't supposed to be watching. Like it was somehow illicit.

I mean - It’s not close to Evil Toons level either, but - No - I won’t be making a video on that.

The thing about cult films is that they don’t actually need to be good.

They just need to be singular.

And nobody on earth could argue that Cool World isn't singular.

Is it a masterpiece? Oh, God, no.

Is it cohesive? Again, no. Not even close.

But what it is, is a studio tug-of-war, immortalized on screen, forever. It’s adult animation from an era right before adult animation was commercially safe.

And that awkward, deeply uncomfortable identity?

Well... that’s exactly why it lingers.

Anyways - I’ve been Paul and Cool World is Cult, Actually.

If you’ve liked this video, do me a favour and drop me a like.

Subscribe as well if you want while you’re there.

Or, don’t - I’m not going anywhere.

And, hopefully - I shall see you on the next Rewind

Thanks for watching.