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.
"Pluto Saves the Day" is one of my favourite 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.
It was lovely to have some larger focus on Pluto in a situation that suits his character perfectly. Pete as always is a great antagonist that plays off against Pluto and the rest of the characters adeptly, no matter how predictable his scheming is.
There are two cartoons here, both great. More relevant to the theme is 'Pluto's Kittens' due to it featuring Pluto. It is amusing and very cute, again a situation that suits Pluto perfectly and very true to his personality and situations in the classic cartoons, with adorable kittens to boot. Mickey is effective in support and the whole angel vs devil conscience is handled very well even if Penn Jillette overdoes it a little as the devil angel (Eric Idle though is spot on). 'Goofy's Big Kitty' is entertaining as well, nicely done conflict, Goofy as endearing as ever and a story that though typical is a good fit for his character.
As ever, some nice character moments with the guest characters and regular characters. The Goofy and Pete exchange is priceless, Goofy shows that he is pretty observant and not easily fooled. The Peddler Woman/hag is very nearly as creepy if not quite as nightmare-inducing as she is in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Nice to see a heroic and feistier Snow White, with a larger role in the show than just reduced to a couple of lines at most in other appearances.
While not surprising as such on the most part, the story is lively and engaging. 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, Jim Cummings standing out.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Pluto Saves the Day" is one of my favourite 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.
It was lovely to have some larger focus on Pluto in a situation that suits his character perfectly. Pete as always is a great antagonist that plays off against Pluto and the rest of the characters adeptly, no matter how predictable his scheming is.
There are two cartoons here, both great. More relevant to the theme is 'Pluto's Kittens' due to it featuring Pluto. It is amusing and very cute, again a situation that suits Pluto perfectly and very true to his personality and situations in the classic cartoons, with adorable kittens to boot. Mickey is effective in support and the whole angel vs devil conscience is handled very well even if Penn Jillette overdoes it a little as the devil angel (Eric Idle though is spot on). 'Goofy's Big Kitty' is entertaining as well, nicely done conflict, Goofy as endearing as ever and a story that though typical is a good fit for his character.
As ever, some nice character moments with the guest characters and regular characters. The Goofy and Pete exchange is priceless, Goofy shows that he is pretty observant and not easily fooled. The Peddler Woman/hag is very nearly as creepy if not quite as nightmare-inducing as she is in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Nice to see a heroic and feistier Snow White, with a larger role in the show than just reduced to a couple of lines at most in other appearances.
While not surprising as such on the most part, the story is lively and engaging. 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, Jim Cummings standing out.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
