Have a lot of fondness for 'House of Mouse'. Love Disney and the concept was such an interesting and for Disney shows at the time a unique one. There are times where it could have done more with the concept, with showing more of some of the guests and not focusing all the featured cartoons on Mickey and the gang. It is however so much fun and how it makes an effort to retain the spirit of the classic old cartoons is to be lauded.
"House Ghosts" is definitely up there with the best, and one of my favourite, 'House of Mouse' episodes. As has been said in my previous 'House of Mouse' episodes, really like that it and the rest of the show tries to and succeeds in making the personalities of Mickey and the rest of the gang true to those of their "golden age" ones when they first came out (1930s-1950s), especially Donald. Except that Mickey is far more interesting in personality in 'House of Mouse', feels like a lead character, is used well and isn't over-shadowed by the rest of the characters. Minnie is also more resourceful.
Pete is as amusing and antagonistic as ever, while the whole atmosphere is fun and creepy. The ghosts add a real kookiness, entertainment value and spookiness to the proceedings.
Of the three cartoons, 'How to Be a Ghost' and 'Hansel and Gretel' come over really well. The former is a typical "How to..." cartoon, but there is a sense of fun and creepiness to it. Goofy's hilarious ineptitude and the entertaining and educational fourth wall narration doesn't feel over-explanatory, Donald is a good addition. 'Hansel and Gretel's' quality is enhanced by Saint Saens's 'Danse Macabre', a classical music tune that even non-classical music listeners are likely to recognise. It follows the basic structure of the famous story, that has been adapted in animation a lot, and brings something new to it in a way that a good deal of the animated adaptations/cartoons didn't.
For me, it was a missed opportunity to not show a Disney classic and one of the best Mickey, Goofy and Donald collaborations 'Lonesome Ghosts', which would have fit the theme and the spirit of the episode so well. Even if it was not in full, although it is a cartoon that should be. Would have replaced it with the "Pluto Gets the Paper" cartoon 'Spaceship', which was cute enough but not so memorable.
It is always nostalgic seeing so many characters from various Disney films, shows and cartoons in 'House of Mouse'. Even those that don't get much exposure or forgotten. Particularly good were Mickey's jokes at the beginning, the "Grim Grinning Ghosts" number (a perfect theme for a haunted house, with the lead singer seeming to pay homage to Thurl Ravenscroft), the role of the magic mirror and the hilarious Hades's blooper reel. Donald's costume contest subplot is entertaining to watch.
While not surprising in outcome, the story is lively and engaging, kept afloat by the character interaction, characters and the atmosphere. The writing is clever and very funny, even with the deliberately corny moment and pun which made me grin rather than groan.
Furthermore, the animation is very colourful, smooth in movement and with some meticulous detail. The cheap recycling footage for the audience reactions at the end of the featured cartoons does jar and annoy though. The music is suitably groovy and cleverly used, while the theme song is one of the catchiest of any Disney show in the past twenty years.
Voice acting is very good as always, especially from Jim Cummings and Tony Jay.
Overall, great and one of my favourites from 'House of Mouse'. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"House Ghosts" is definitely up there with the best, and one of my favourite, 'House of Mouse' episodes. As has been said in my previous 'House of Mouse' episodes, really like that it and the rest of the show tries to and succeeds in making the personalities of Mickey and the rest of the gang true to those of their "golden age" ones when they first came out (1930s-1950s), especially Donald. Except that Mickey is far more interesting in personality in 'House of Mouse', feels like a lead character, is used well and isn't over-shadowed by the rest of the characters. Minnie is also more resourceful.
Pete is as amusing and antagonistic as ever, while the whole atmosphere is fun and creepy. The ghosts add a real kookiness, entertainment value and spookiness to the proceedings.
Of the three cartoons, 'How to Be a Ghost' and 'Hansel and Gretel' come over really well. The former is a typical "How to..." cartoon, but there is a sense of fun and creepiness to it. Goofy's hilarious ineptitude and the entertaining and educational fourth wall narration doesn't feel over-explanatory, Donald is a good addition. 'Hansel and Gretel's' quality is enhanced by Saint Saens's 'Danse Macabre', a classical music tune that even non-classical music listeners are likely to recognise. It follows the basic structure of the famous story, that has been adapted in animation a lot, and brings something new to it in a way that a good deal of the animated adaptations/cartoons didn't.
For me, it was a missed opportunity to not show a Disney classic and one of the best Mickey, Goofy and Donald collaborations 'Lonesome Ghosts', which would have fit the theme and the spirit of the episode so well. Even if it was not in full, although it is a cartoon that should be. Would have replaced it with the "Pluto Gets the Paper" cartoon 'Spaceship', which was cute enough but not so memorable.
It is always nostalgic seeing so many characters from various Disney films, shows and cartoons in 'House of Mouse'. Even those that don't get much exposure or forgotten. Particularly good were Mickey's jokes at the beginning, the "Grim Grinning Ghosts" number (a perfect theme for a haunted house, with the lead singer seeming to pay homage to Thurl Ravenscroft), the role of the magic mirror and the hilarious Hades's blooper reel. Donald's costume contest subplot is entertaining to watch.
While not surprising in outcome, the story is lively and engaging, kept afloat by the character interaction, characters and the atmosphere. The writing is clever and very funny, even with the deliberately corny moment and pun which made me grin rather than groan.
Furthermore, the animation is very colourful, smooth in movement and with some meticulous detail. The cheap recycling footage for the audience reactions at the end of the featured cartoons does jar and annoy though. The music is suitably groovy and cleverly used, while the theme song is one of the catchiest of any Disney show in the past twenty years.
Voice acting is very good as always, especially from Jim Cummings and Tony Jay.
Overall, great and one of my favourites from 'House of Mouse'. 9/10 Bethany Cox
