Part of me really did want to enjoy "Beaglemania". Although not every episode of theirs is great, have always gotten a lot of pleasure out of the Beagle Boys/clan. They are awesome characters and their best material is hilarious, no matter how silly a few of their storylines are. When it comes to the supporting/recurring characters in 'Ducktales', they are among the best, they are at least compelling characters and the show didn't make the mistake of overusing them like it did with a few other characters (i.e. Bubba).
"Beaglemania" is not an awful episode, don't really consider any of the 'Ducktales' episodes worthy of that distinction. It is also not a particularly good representation of the show and among the lesser episodes to me, if to sum it up in one phrase it would be "difficult to know what to make" namely because it is very strange. Just to say, to me strange is not always a bad thing, it is when it goes overkill that it becomes on the wrong side of absurd where it doesn't become good. That's a big part of the problem with "Beaglemania".
It has its good points. Some of the animation is nice and colourful, the expressions and reactions neatly done and the attention to background detail is both intricate and nuanced. The music is as dynamic and fun to listen to as ever, while the Beagle Boys' music is not mind blowing it does get the toes tapping somewhat. The theme song is one of the best and most infectious for any Disney show of the late-80s/early-90s, no make that ever. Parts do amuse and there are a few good moments.
The best material to me actually belongs to Ma Beagle, at her best in the Mothers of Criminals meeting where her showing some shame is quite a surprise. That was one of the episode's best scenes, for its irony and comic timing. Another highlight was the ending, the rock business is not always without its hypocrisy and the ending here shows a sharp observation on that. The voice acting from all is great, have always loved June Foray and she was clearly having fun here and born for Ma Beagle.
Having said that, there are things that don't work. The biggest problem and the thing that actually kind of sinks "Beaglemania" is the story. The premise just sounded strange and unrealistic from the get go, "Beaglemania's" execution of this premise does nothing to change my mind and has exactly the same things that made the penultimate part of the "Super Ducktales" five parter a disappointment. Just felt it was too absurd and didn't make sense, the characters just don't belong in this premise and just didn't buy the conveniences or that wanted criminals were this easily accepted. Logic also isn't a strong suit, such as the unrealistically short period of time for a song to be written and an even short period for it to be learnt perfectly.
Despite loving the Beagle Boys, they and this premise just didn't mix and they have been far funnier and more interesting in other episodes (only Ma Beagle stands out). They also feature far too much and everybody else are criminally underused to the point of side-lining. The writing generally lacks its usual smartness and for an episode centering around the rock business it is hard to not expect something sharper or more affectionate, both falling short. While there are enough instances of the animation being fine, there are other points where it is sloppy. Namely the recycling of the crowd reactions, which betrayed lower budget, tighter time constraints and the animators cutting corners. There are even uncharacteristic goofs with the audio in places too.
Summing up, underwhelming though not unwatchable. 5/10
"Beaglemania" is not an awful episode, don't really consider any of the 'Ducktales' episodes worthy of that distinction. It is also not a particularly good representation of the show and among the lesser episodes to me, if to sum it up in one phrase it would be "difficult to know what to make" namely because it is very strange. Just to say, to me strange is not always a bad thing, it is when it goes overkill that it becomes on the wrong side of absurd where it doesn't become good. That's a big part of the problem with "Beaglemania".
It has its good points. Some of the animation is nice and colourful, the expressions and reactions neatly done and the attention to background detail is both intricate and nuanced. The music is as dynamic and fun to listen to as ever, while the Beagle Boys' music is not mind blowing it does get the toes tapping somewhat. The theme song is one of the best and most infectious for any Disney show of the late-80s/early-90s, no make that ever. Parts do amuse and there are a few good moments.
The best material to me actually belongs to Ma Beagle, at her best in the Mothers of Criminals meeting where her showing some shame is quite a surprise. That was one of the episode's best scenes, for its irony and comic timing. Another highlight was the ending, the rock business is not always without its hypocrisy and the ending here shows a sharp observation on that. The voice acting from all is great, have always loved June Foray and she was clearly having fun here and born for Ma Beagle.
Having said that, there are things that don't work. The biggest problem and the thing that actually kind of sinks "Beaglemania" is the story. The premise just sounded strange and unrealistic from the get go, "Beaglemania's" execution of this premise does nothing to change my mind and has exactly the same things that made the penultimate part of the "Super Ducktales" five parter a disappointment. Just felt it was too absurd and didn't make sense, the characters just don't belong in this premise and just didn't buy the conveniences or that wanted criminals were this easily accepted. Logic also isn't a strong suit, such as the unrealistically short period of time for a song to be written and an even short period for it to be learnt perfectly.
Despite loving the Beagle Boys, they and this premise just didn't mix and they have been far funnier and more interesting in other episodes (only Ma Beagle stands out). They also feature far too much and everybody else are criminally underused to the point of side-lining. The writing generally lacks its usual smartness and for an episode centering around the rock business it is hard to not expect something sharper or more affectionate, both falling short. While there are enough instances of the animation being fine, there are other points where it is sloppy. Namely the recycling of the crowd reactions, which betrayed lower budget, tighter time constraints and the animators cutting corners. There are even uncharacteristic goofs with the audio in places too.
Summing up, underwhelming though not unwatchable. 5/10
