Have said a number of times already of loving and appreciating animation even more now than as a child with my knowledge having (hopefully) broadened outside Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry and more things being noticeable through young adult eyes not as obvious before. Not that there is any bias as there is terrible animation out there and ones that significantly lose their appeal on adult re-watch.
'Ducktales' was one of those personal favourites. Luckily it still is. It captivated me as a child and to this day it's among the best shows Disney ever did and have ever done. Making one pine for the classic Disney and the quality of the animated shows they had in the 80s and 90s, as they sure, with exceptions, don't make them like this anymore. The Disney Channel was one of my favourite channels to watch when younger, and it makes me sad that it is not anymore because the quality decline has been so drastic with shows that are not very good airing regularly. 'Ducktales' strikes me as a show that is even funnier, more entertaining, more colourful and more inventive as a young adult, with the humour and references more obvious.
"Magica's Magic Mirror"/"Take Me Out of the Ball Game" is the only 'Ducktales' episode to comprise of two relatively short segments. While the episode is still watchable, to me the decision to do that was a mistake. Other shows do the two segments structure very well to brilliantly, but the difference is though that they did it in a lot of their episodes and had experience in doing it ('Animaniacs' and 'Pinky and the Brain' spring to mind as shows that are particularly good at this). 'Ducktales' though did not have that experience, and both segments felt too short, with some less than smooth transitions that gave the impressions of things being missing, and also too rushed in story and clearly in the making. One segment is also significantly better than the other which made the episode overall feel disjointed as well.
Will start with the good things. Mostly, apart from a poorly drawn Gyro, the animation is good. It is bright and colourful with lively fluid movement, smooth drawing and meticulous attention to detail in the backgrounds. There are some fun expressions too, "Take Me Out of the Ballgame" especially. The music again is dynamic and beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. Disney had many theme songs that were irresistibly catchy to the extent one doesn't forget them, and that for 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best.
The writing entertains and is smart in "Magica's Magic Mirror" and did like the story for that segment and Magica's inventive spells and ruses. Magica is one of my favourite recurring characters on 'Ducktales' and the regular characters are fun, Huey, Duey and Louie's mischievousness standing out and actually proving useful. The voice acting in both segments is very good.
Did feel that "Magica's Magic Mirror" did feel rushed though, especially in the climax which also ran out of steam energy-wise, and did not buy for a minute that Scrooge didn't recognise Magica's voice. Did have a fair share of problems though with "Take Me Out of the Ballgame". Liked the expressions, there were a few amusing moments and the Beagles are always fun to watch.
It again felt too short and too rushed and suffered most from the story being far too simplistic and having the single most idiotic climax and moment (won't spoil it) of the entire show. Really liked that the segment tried to give Duckworth a more prominent role, but it felt like the writers didn't know what to do with him because he was out of character and unlikeable.
Summarising, it was interesting to see 'Ducktales' do a two segment episode but it was not a successful enough attempt. 6/10
'Ducktales' was one of those personal favourites. Luckily it still is. It captivated me as a child and to this day it's among the best shows Disney ever did and have ever done. Making one pine for the classic Disney and the quality of the animated shows they had in the 80s and 90s, as they sure, with exceptions, don't make them like this anymore. The Disney Channel was one of my favourite channels to watch when younger, and it makes me sad that it is not anymore because the quality decline has been so drastic with shows that are not very good airing regularly. 'Ducktales' strikes me as a show that is even funnier, more entertaining, more colourful and more inventive as a young adult, with the humour and references more obvious.
"Magica's Magic Mirror"/"Take Me Out of the Ball Game" is the only 'Ducktales' episode to comprise of two relatively short segments. While the episode is still watchable, to me the decision to do that was a mistake. Other shows do the two segments structure very well to brilliantly, but the difference is though that they did it in a lot of their episodes and had experience in doing it ('Animaniacs' and 'Pinky and the Brain' spring to mind as shows that are particularly good at this). 'Ducktales' though did not have that experience, and both segments felt too short, with some less than smooth transitions that gave the impressions of things being missing, and also too rushed in story and clearly in the making. One segment is also significantly better than the other which made the episode overall feel disjointed as well.
Will start with the good things. Mostly, apart from a poorly drawn Gyro, the animation is good. It is bright and colourful with lively fluid movement, smooth drawing and meticulous attention to detail in the backgrounds. There are some fun expressions too, "Take Me Out of the Ballgame" especially. The music again is dynamic and beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. Disney had many theme songs that were irresistibly catchy to the extent one doesn't forget them, and that for 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best.
The writing entertains and is smart in "Magica's Magic Mirror" and did like the story for that segment and Magica's inventive spells and ruses. Magica is one of my favourite recurring characters on 'Ducktales' and the regular characters are fun, Huey, Duey and Louie's mischievousness standing out and actually proving useful. The voice acting in both segments is very good.
Did feel that "Magica's Magic Mirror" did feel rushed though, especially in the climax which also ran out of steam energy-wise, and did not buy for a minute that Scrooge didn't recognise Magica's voice. Did have a fair share of problems though with "Take Me Out of the Ballgame". Liked the expressions, there were a few amusing moments and the Beagles are always fun to watch.
It again felt too short and too rushed and suffered most from the story being far too simplistic and having the single most idiotic climax and moment (won't spoil it) of the entire show. Really liked that the segment tried to give Duckworth a more prominent role, but it felt like the writers didn't know what to do with him because he was out of character and unlikeable.
Summarising, it was interesting to see 'Ducktales' do a two segment episode but it was not a successful enough attempt. 6/10
