Toon Talk: Mickey's Magical Christmas
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Interspersed throughout the shorts are such off-stage bits that House of Mouse is best at, including "man-on-the-street" shots of various characters telling their yuletide wishes (the seven dwarfs want bunk beds, Timon an air freshener) and expressing what they are thankful for (Mushu thanks Mulan for making him "a big movie star", the Mad Hatter is thankful for ... hats, thilly). Coming off as little more then throw-away gags though, these clever riffs on the characters we all know and love hint at the missed opportunities in this shoddy production.
The regular series strikes an adequate balance between the cartoons and the behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Here, with the emphasis on the shorts (and not even original ones at that), the entire concept of House of Mouse is practically abandoned.
Most shocking of all is how sloppy the character animation is, especially for the main mouse himself. This is especially disappointing, as the series itself boasts better-then-average animation for a television show.
For a look at how it's really done, the DVD includes the premiere episode of House of Mouse, complete and commercial free. In the pilot, all the elements are in place (the rockin' Brian Setzer theme song, Mike the microphone, the brilliant "sponsored by" faux commercials) that are sorely lacking in the main feature.
The remaining DVD "bonuses" are pure filler:
The Sounds of Christmas:
Disney sound expert Wayne Allwine (a.k.a. the current voice of Mickey) relates an abbreviated version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, with the aid of various sound effects gadgets and a racially-diverse group of pre-teens who look to old to be doing such things.
Sing-Along Songs:
Two carols, "Deck the Halls" and "Sleigh Ride", previously released on
the Christmas sing-along video years ago. Includes footage from Pluto's Christmas Tree and
Mickey's Christmas Carol, respectively.
Aside from the two classic shorts and the first House of Mouse episode (all three of which need to be released on DVD in a more appropriate format), anyone expecting a Christmas treat with this release will only find a lump of coal. You'll be much better served by the earlier, all-original video release Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas.
Toon Talk Rating: C-
• • •
Toon Talk Trivia:
- The original voices of Ariel (Jodi Benson), Belle (Paige O'Hara), Beast (Robby Benson), Jafar (Johnathan Freeman), Ursula (Pat Carroll) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) can be heard here.
Mickey's Christmas Carol was Wayne Allwine's first performance as Mickey Mouse.
Final Word:
"It's good to see that a merry Christmas is being had by all."
-- An uncharacteristically jovial Jafar, in Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at
the House of Mouse.
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-- Kirby C. Holt
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted November 8, 2001