I just revisited
Cool World on TUBI-TV a couple of weeks ago. It was probably the 3rd or 4th time I've seen it over the years. When I posted about it in the "recent viewings" thread I believe I said that it was "a mess, but an
interesting mess."
I actually saw it during its theatrical run -- considering its quick fade from theaters, I may be one of only a few dozen people who can say that (haha). At the time I was really into animation (sparked by seeing
Who Framed Roger Rabbit several times a few years earlier) so I enjoyed
Cool World's visuals but the story was a muddle. I remember going to see it with my buddy Dave, another cartoon buff, and I think there were maybe five other people in the theater, besides us -- on its opening weekend. We were like "This doesn't bode well," haha.
I've read that Ralph Bakshi had originally envisioned
Cool World as a horror film about a cartoonist being stalked by one of his abandoned creations. Somewhere along the way the script was heavily re-written (without Bakshi's knowledge or consent). Legend has it that when the producer gave Bakshi the "new" screenplay, Ralph punched him right in the mouth.
I guess I actually kinda like it, even though it's not what I would consider a
great film by any means.
It's got a great early '90s techno/industrial rock soundtrack, too. I could watch this clip all day: