Cool World's Most Wanted- Holli Would!

Cool World is a bizarre 1992 fantasy film directed by Ralph Bakshi that mixes live action with 2D animation. It centers on a parallel cartoon dimension called Cool World, populated by animated beings known as “doodles,” alongside the human world inhabited by “noids.”

The story begins in 1945, when World War II veteran Frank Harris is accidentally transported into Cool World after a motorcycle accident. He eventually becomes a detective there and spends decades as essentially the only human living among the cartoons.

Years later, cartoonist Jack Deebs is released from prison. While incarcerated, he created a comic series called Cool World, apparently based on visions of the strange dimension. His comic's central character is Holli Would, a glamorous cartoon woman who desperately wants to become human.

Jack eventually gets pulled into Cool World himself. Holli sees him as her opportunity to escape the cartoon dimension. There's an important rule in Cool World: humans and doodles aren't supposed to become romantically or physically involved, because doing so can disrupt the boundary between the two worlds. Holli nevertheless manipulates Jack into breaking that rule, allowing her to transform into a human and cross into Las Vegas.

Once in the human world, Holli becomes obsessed with staying human permanently. She learns about a mysterious artifact called the Golden Spike, which can alter the relationship between the two dimensions. Her attempt to use it causes Cool World's creatures to spill into the real world, threatening to destabilize both realities.

Jack initially considers siding with Holli, but eventually realizes that restoring the boundary between the worlds is more important. He returns the Golden Spike to its proper place, reversing the catastrophe and sending the invading doodles back to Cool World.

The ending has a particularly strange twist: Frank dies in the human world but is transformed into a doodle, allowing him to return to Cool World and reunite with Lonette, the doodle waitress he had fallen in love with. Meanwhile, Jack and Holli remain in Cool World, with Holli rather unhappy about the situation.

In short, Cool World is basically a surreal, noir-influenced “human enters a cartoon universe” story about the boundary between fiction and reality, with a chaotic mix of animation, fantasy, comedy, and darker adult-oriented themes. It was directed by Wizards and Fritz the Cat creator Ralph Bakshi, and its visual concept is arguably more memorable than its plot.

Holli: "Well, aren't you interesting." She gives a knowing smile.

Holli: "Don't look so surprised. I tend to make an impression."

Holli: "You really don't know who I am? That's almost adorable."

Holli: "Careful. Curiosity has a habit of getting people into trouble around here."

Holli: "I don't do boring. Life's too short for that."

Holli: "Rules? Please. Rules are just suggestions written by people too afraid to break them."

Holli: "I've spent my entire existence being told what I can and can't do. I'm getting rather tired of it."

Holli: "You call this a life? I call it a cage with better scenery."

Holli: "I don't want to be someone's drawing. I want to be real."

Holli: "Imagine being able to walk outside this world and never have to come back."

Holli: "Don't mistake confidence for recklessness. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Holli: "Oh, I have a plan. Whether it's a good plan is another question."

Holli: "You'd be amazed what people will do when you give them the right incentive."

Holli: "Everybody has something they want. The trick is figuring out what it is."

Holli: "I'm not manipulating you. I'm simply helping you arrive at the conclusion I already reached."

Holli: "You really should stop underestimating me. It makes things embarrassing for you."

Holli: "I know what I want. That's more than most people can say."

Holli: "I'm not asking permission."

Holli: "If the door won't open, I'll find another way through."

Holli: "One day, I'm going to leave this place behind."

Holli: "Cool World may have created me, but it doesn't own me."

Holli: "You think being a doodle means we're supposed to accept our place? I don't."

Holli: "I've spent far too long dreaming about the other side."

Holli: "Maybe I'm selfish. Maybe I'm ambitious. Either way, I'm not staying trapped here."

Holli: "Oh, don't give me that look. You knew I was trouble."

Holli: "Relax. If I wanted to cause problems, you'd know."

Holli: "Now that's an interesting idea. Tell me more."

Holli: "You have my attention. Don't waste it."

Holli: "I could explain myself... but where's the fun in that?"

Holli: "Sometimes you have to break a few rules to get what you want."

Holli: "I'm not afraid of what happens next. I've already decided I'm going."

Holli: "Reality is overrated. That's why I'm planning on changing mine."

Holli: "Wait... what were we talking about again? Oh! Never mind, I forgot to listen."

Holli: "I have a really good idea! ...I think. Actually, I have no idea what it was, but I’m sure it was amazing."

Holli: "You’re leaving? But why? Did I do something wrong? Did I breathe weird? Was my face doing a thing?"

Holli: "I don’t need a map. I have instincts! ...My instincts say we should go that way. Are we lost? Probably. But confidently lost!"

Holli: "I brought you a snack! I don’t remember buying it, but I found it in my bag, so it’s basically a gift from destiny."

Holli: "You’re so smart. Like, scary smart. You probably know what every button in the universe does. What does this button do?"

Holli: "Wait, you mean the moon isn’t following us? Then why does it keep showing up every night? Suspicious."

Holli: "I tried to help! I really did! I just accidentally made everything slightly worse. But, like, in a cute way?"

Holli: "Can I come with you? Please? I promise I’ll be helpful. I’ll carry things! Or cheer you on! Or stand nearby and look supportive!"

Holli: "I missed you! You were gone for, like, five minutes. That’s basically a whole year in clingy-person time."

Holli: "I made a plan! Step one: follow you. Step two: figure out what you’re doing. Step three: panic if you walk too fast."

Holli: "Do you think my brain has too many tabs open? Because I feel like one of them is playing music, but I can’t find it."

Holli: "I wasn’t ignoring you! I was just thinking really hard about absolutely nothing."

Holli: "You look tired. Should I carry you? I can’t actually carry you, but I can dramatically pretend I can."

Holli: "I learned something new today! ...I forgot what it was. But I definitely learned it."

Holli: "Are you mad at me? No? Are you sure? What if you’re secretly mad but forgot to tell me?"

Holli: "I like being around you. You make my brain feel less like a confused hamster running on a wheel."

Holli: "I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m excited. Confused, but excited!"

Holli: "You’re my favorite person! Don’t worry, I don’t have a ranking list. ...Okay, I do. It has one name."

Holli: "I tried reading the instructions, but the words started looking like tiny little bugs marching around."

Holli: "I have a question! Actually, I have twelve questions. Wait, no, I forgot the first eleven."

Holli: "If I hold your hand, it’s easier to make sure you don’t wander off. That’s totally the reason. Definitely not because I like it."

Holli: "I’m not needy! I’m just... aggressively appreciative of your existence."

Holli: "You’re going somewhere? Okay! I’ll wait here. Unless you’re gone too long. Then I’ll probably follow you."

Holli: "I named my plant after you. Don’t worry, it’s not weird. The plant just needed a cool name."

Holli: "I was going to surprise you, but I forgot the surprise. So... surprise! I forgot!"

Holli: "I think my biggest talent is accidentally making simple things complicated."

Holli: "You explain things so well. Even when I don’t understand, I feel like I understand. Which is basically the same thing."

Holli: "I’m not lost. I’m exploring somewhere I didn’t mean to go."

Holli: "Can you stay a little longer? My brain is quieter when you’re around."

Holli: "I made cookies! They’re a little burnt, but that just means they have extra flavor. Probably."

Holli: "I trust you completely. Mostly because you look like you know what you’re doing, and I definitely don’t."

Holli: "I have a serious question... if a tomato is a fruit, does that make ketchup a smoothie?"

Holli: "Don’t leave me alone with my thoughts. They’re weird in there."

Holli: "I’m helping! See? I’m standing here and being emotionally supportive. That counts."

Holli: "You’re my favorite person to bother. That’s a compliment. I think."

Holli: "I forgot my keys, my phone, and why I walked into the room. But I remembered you!"

Holli: "I don’t need directions. I just need someone smart to tell me where to go."

Holli: "I promise I’ll be careful! I only break things accidentally... most of the time."

Holli: "You’re leaving already? But I just finished being happy that you were here!"

Holli: "I like when you explain things to me. Your voice makes complicated stuff sound less scary."

Holli: "I may not have the biggest brain, but I have a very enthusiastic heart!"

Holli: "If we get separated, just yell my name. Actually, yell it twice. I might forget the first time."

Holli: "I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m doing it with confidence. That’s basically a skill."

Holli: "You’re my favorite human-shaped comfort object. Wait, that sounded weird. I meant person!"

Holli: "I’m not following you. I’m just walking in the exact same direction as you forever."