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 Season 5, Episode 18: “Carried Away” 7/23/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Costarring: Goofy Appearances by: Daisy Duck, Clarabelle Cow, Clara Cluck, the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Wolves, the Skeletons, Elmer Elephant, Tillie Tiger, Toby Tortoise, and Max Hair Setting: Bruges, Belgium; the Amazon River; the Pacific Northwest; China; the Danube River; Romania; Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India; Brooklyn, New York; and Niagara Falls, New York Plot: While Minnie serenades her beau with a new song, Mickey attempts to keep the pair afloat while they bounce around the globe. Short Stuff A few details which led me to believe the short opens and ends in Bruges are the canals, the medieval buildings with red tile roofs, the King’s Bridge in the background, and the Belfry of Belgium off in the distance. The large expanse that the canal empties out into looks to be the North Sea as well. Minnie is quite the ukulelist; previous shorts we’ve also seen her strumming the chords are “No Service” (S1, E1) and “Ku’u Lei Melody” (S3, E16). Sure, there’s brief dialogue at the beginning and end but I think this still qualifies as the series’ third musical after “The Adorable Couple” (S1, E18) and “Our Homespun Melody” (S5, E15). While floating down the Amazon, the piranha attack strikes a similar scene to that which occurs on Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise. That bearded face on the Danube River is known as the rock sculpture of Decebalus. Decebalus was the last king of Dacia and fought to preserve the independence of what would become modern day Romania. There are a bevy of characters from the Classic Shorts who are making their first appearance in the Mickey Mouse series while standing on the observation deck at Niagara falls:
In what truly feels like her swan song, this was the last episode released before Russi Taylor, the longtime voice of Minnie Mouse (1986 - 2019!), passed away. RIP Russi! Final Grade: B+
Similarly to “Over the Moon” (S5, E13), we get another globetrotting short. The main difference though is that the sweet musical stylings of Minnie Mouse are faaaaar better than the inane blathering of the Moon. The blistering pace of the short juxtaposed against the smooth melody of Minnie’s voice and ukulele provide for a fun contrast. Even better is the reveal that Minnie wasn’t as blissfully unaware of all the imminent danger as Mickey first thought.
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 Season 5, Episode 17: “Gone to Pieces” 7/6/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy Setting: Around Town Plot: When Goofy LITERALLY falls apart, it’s up to Mickey and Donald to put him back together again. Short Stuff With its montage, corny music, and freeze-frame ending; the short seems to be channeling TV/movies from the late 70s, early 80s. Final Grade: C+
The idea of Goofy falling apart like Humpty Dumpty, leaving Mickey and Donald to put him back together again with glue and tape is not appealing to me. I get the whole absurdist, slapsticky nature of it all but it just feels grotesque. It’s just devoid of any real humour or sense of irony. By virtue of how little I actually wrote about, it’s fair to say that this isn’t the series’ most creative offering.  Season 5, Episode 16: “Our Floating Dreams” 6/22/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Costarring: Chip ‘N’ Dale Setting: Thailand Plot: Mickey and Minnie squabble over the last docking space in a crowded, floating market in Thailand. Short Stuff This is the series' 25th international short: “Yodelberg” (The Swiss Alps) (S1, E2) “Croissant de Triomphe” (Paris, France) (S1, E3) “Tokyo Go” (Tokyo, Japan) (S1, E5) “Panda-monium” (Beijing, China) (S1, E8) “‘O Sole Minnie” (Venice, Italy) (S1, E12) “O Futbol Classico” (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (S2, E4) “Mumbai Madness” (Mumbai, India) (S2, E8) “Mickey Monkey” (Africa) (S2, E11) “Clogged” (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (S2, E12) “Al Rojo Vivo” (Pamplona and Bunol, Spain) (S2, E16) “Bottle Shocked” (Monte Carlo, Monaco) (S2, E17) “One Man Band” (London, England) (S3, E2) “Feliz Cumpleanos” (Mexico) (S3, E7) “Dancevidanya” (Moscow, Russia (S3, E12) “Turkish Delights” (Istanbul, Turkey) (S3, E14) “Entombed” (Luxor, Egypt) (S3, E17) “Locked in Love” (Seoul, South Korea) (S4, E4) “Carnaval” (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (S4, E4) “Year of the Dog” (Shanghai, China) (S4, E5) “Amore Motore” (Rome, Italy) (S5, E1) “Safari So Good” (Arusha Region, Tanzania) (S5, E6) “For Whom the Booth Tolls” (Potsdam, Germany) (S5, E7) “Outback At Ya” (Sydney, Australia) (S5, E11) “Over the Moon” (briefly Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; and the North Pole) (S5, E13) The characters in this episode all speak Thai. Floating markets can be found in many Asian countries but they are most prevalent in Thailand. While still supported locally, today the markets serve mainly as tourist attractions. This short features an array of exotic animals, including some that are idigenous to Thailand: tigers, bears, elephants, monkeys... and, some that are not: hippopotamuses and giraffes. Minnie is cooking up shrimp fried rice while Mickey is offering pineapples. While Mickey and Minnie bicker over the empty parking spot, Chip ‘N’ Dale snatch it up and make hay selling their acorns. Apparently, pineapple Thai fried rice is already a thing and NOT an invention of Mickey and Minnie’s. Final Grade: B+
The highlight of this episode is the vibrant colours and bustling riverscape of Thailand. Mickey and Minnie are fine but I don’t remember them ever bickering like this in a short. If you want to create this sort of dynamic, I’d have leaned on Donald and Daisy since that’s already been a well-established component of their relationship. However, the ending where they touch hands and blush is a sweet and satisfying conclusion to their adventure.  Season 5, Episode 15: “Two Can’t Play” 6/8/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck Setting: Tennis Courts Plot: A friendly game of mixed-doubles tennis turns ugly when each team turns to performance-enhancing bracelets. Short Stuff This is the series’ fourth episode featuring a Mickey/Minnie-Donald/Daisy double date: “No Service” (S1, E1) “The Adorable Couple” (S1, E18) “Donald’s Boat” (S2, E7) This is the series’ eighth sports themed episode: “Tapped Out” (wrestling) (S1, E16) “O Futebol Classico” (soccer) (S2, E4) “Bottle Shocked” (Formula One racing) (S2, E17) “Bronco Busted” (bull riding) (S2, E19) “Good Sports” (various sports) (S3, E20) “Touchdown and Out” (football) (S4, E3) “Three-Legged Race” (three-legged race) (S4, E7) Donald and Daisy’s teal and purple outfits, along with the poppy rock music playing during the montage, give this short a decidedly, early-90s feel. With his headband, spiky mullet, loud outfit, and brash demeanor; Donald is clearly channeling the look and personality of Andre Agassi who won eight Grand Slam tournaments from 1992 to 2003. Once Donald and Daisy’s outfits short circuit, their tattered state looks like the Light Suits worn in TRON (1982) and TRON: Legacy (2010). Final Grade: A-
Double date and sports themed episodes are always a favourite of mine. Then, when you combine the two, the results are as you would expect: a delightful disaster! Donald and Daisy’s trademark blend of surly and sassy carry the short but it’s the final scene where the two couples decide to play on, fair and square that leave you with a warm feeling in your cockles.  Season 5, Episode 14: “Easy Street” 5/18/19 Starring: Goofy, Pluto, and Mickey Costarring: Pierre Setting: Around Town Plot: Pluto gets jealous after Goofy decides to act more like a dog so he could live on “Easy Street.” Short Stuff Goofy references “workin’ for a living.” Could he still have the job as a crash test dummy that he got in “Workin’ Stiff” (S2, E15)??? When Goofy break-dances, Mickey can be heard offscreen yelling “yeaaah, boyeee!!!” This is in reference to Flava Flav (best known as hype man for the hip-hop group Public Enemy) and his catchphrase. The devil and angel combo that appear over Pluto’s shoulder were first seen in classic shorts Mickey’s Pal Pluto (1933) and its remake Lend a Paw (1941). The only difference here is that the angel actually cosigns the devil’s debauchery with an “amen.” Has Pierre the Doggie Spa guy ever appeared in a short before? It’s rare that a marginal character like him actually gets a name. It should be noted that Goofy has worms… and wants to keep them. Of the five different types of worms that commonly afflict dogs (hook, round, tape, whip, and heart), the symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, and an otherwise shabby appearance. Good luck to Goofy! Final Grade: B+
This is the second time that the series has played with the notion that Goofy is, in fact, a dog ("Dog Show" (S1, E11)). It’s always been an awkward fit with the anthropomorphized Goofy interacting with the quadrupedal Pluto but this short mines some great comedy from this classic, cartoon paradox. And, while he’s overwhelmingly sweet in nature, a jealous and vindictive Pluto is always fun. It’s evocative of all his battles with Chip ‘N’ Dale or any other of his various nuisances from the classic shorts. Like Donald, an agitated Pluto is the best Pluto.  Season 5, Episode 13: “Over the Moon” 5/4/19 Starring: Mickey and Minnie Introducing: The Moon and Sun Setting: The beach; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; and the North Pole Plot: The Moon, taking a special interest in Mickey and Minnie’s relationship, overdoes it by taking them all over the world in a quest for romance. Short Stuff This is the second time the Eiffel Tower has made an appearance with “Croissant de Triomphe” (S1, E3) and “Sleepwalkin’” (S1, E14). This is the second time we’ve visited Japan after “Tokyo Go” (S1, E5). The river Mickey and Minnie are floating down is the Meguro River which is a popular destination in viewing Tokyo’s Cherry Blossoms. Also in view is the Tokyo Skytree. At the North Pole, the curtain of colours in the sky are called the Aurora borealis aka the Northern Lights. The moon briefly turns into a Kit-Cat Klock which were popular wall clocks often found in kitchens from the 1930s through the 60s. The Sun ironically wears a sundial wristwatch to tell time. Final Grade: C+
Sure, the Moon is supposed to be annoying here but he sure is annoying… Mickey and Minnie don’t get much to do either. They’re just prisoners of the Moon’s creepy moment. The animation is fantastic though - particularly the lit up Eiffel Tower.  Season 5, Episode 12: “Our Homespun Melody” 4/20/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse Introducing: Piggy Costarring: Donald Duck and Goofy Setting: Rural America Plot: A musical chronicling the rise, fall, and comeback of Mickey and his singing pig, Piggy. Short Stuff This short is the series’ second true musical episode after “The Adorable Couple” (S1, E18). The same walrus-cow judge duo appears from “Dog Show” (S1, E11). The walrus (sans cow) also appeared in “Carnaval” (S4, E12) and “Three-Legged Race” (S4, E7). The Fine Art Hall that Piggy performs in is reminiscent of a building from Disneyland’s Main Street, USA. Also lending to the overall Midwestern feel of the short is Donald’s medical degree which places him in Marceline, USA. Marceline, MO, of course, is Walt Disney’s hometown and the inspiration behind the aforementioned Main Street, USA. Among Piggy’s albums are “Piggy’s Greatest Hits” and “Piggy Sings Christmas.” Mickey dons the same flashy, western get-up that he wears in “Bronco Busted” (S2, E19). According to the periodical, Amazement Business, Piggy’s aka “Hot Chops” future engagements include stops at real life fairgrounds including the Knox County Fair (Ohio), the Mid South Fair (Mississippi), the Blue Grass Fair (Kentucky), the UP Fair (Michigan), and the Golden State Fair (California). The farm animals hanging in and around the barn are from Mary Poppins (1964) Final Grade: A+
The transition from child star to adult can be tricky and Piggy’s journey is no less rocky. However, the prize-winning pig bounces back from the awkwardness of growing up when Mickey embraces Piggy’s new baritone squeal in lieu of his long gone falsetto. Music has always been a big part of the series but it’s rare we get a song from soup to nuts like we do here. I’m not very well-versed in country music and the like but this type of storytelling strikes me as something that you’d hear at the Grand Ole’ Opry or on an episode of Hee Haw. Either way, the episode was an absolute delight and really took you into that Summer-time, County Fair life.  Season 5, Episode 11: “Outback at Ya” 4/6/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse Costarring: Minnie Mouse Setting: Sydney, Australia Short Stuff Mickey and Minnie speak with Australian accents. We’ve now visited six of the seven continents. With Antarctica as the only one not represented. Among the animals indigenous to Australia that make an appearance are the kangaroo, koala, platypus, sugar glider, crocodile, wallaby, echidna, bilby, numbat, dingo, possum, and emu. The muscular kangaroo is an homage to Roger the Kangaroo whose real-life, buff physique made him an internet celebrity. Due to trademarking issues, the Walt Disney Concert Hall of Los Angeles, CA, stands in for the Sydney Opera House. The caravan of agro cars chasing Mickey through the outback is a parody of Australia’s own Mad Max film series. The trio of construction workers are the same ones from “Hats Enough” (S5, E5). Final Grade: B
It feels like we could’ve gotten more from our trip to Australia. The plot evokes the circular narrative of a boomerang where Mickey has to undo the havoc he unintentionally wreaks. The brown and orange colour palette do a nice job of capturing the sun baked wilderness of the Outback while the wide array of fauna does well in representing what Australia has to offer in that area. Still, I would’ve preferred a plot with more meat on its bones.  Season 5, Episode 10: “You, Me and Fifi” 3/23/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse and Fifi Costarring: Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto Cameos by: Nana, Copper, Tramp, Pongo, Sultan, Peg, and Tito Setting: Minnie’s urban apartment building (in New York City?) Plot: Mickey attempts to curry favour with Minnie’s pet Peke, Fifi, with varying results. Short Stuff Fifi (full name “Flapper”) made her debut in the Mickey Mouse (1932) comic strip. Fifi’s breed is a Pekingese and mainly played the role of Minnie’s pet and Pluto’s love interest during her eight-episode-run in classic shorts from 1933 through 1947. In fact, this is her first cartoon appearance since. Disney gives us its version of the famous Dogs Playing Poker scene with some of their most prominent dogs from cartoons and movies: Nana (Peter Pan), Copper (Fox and the Hound), Tramp (Lady and the Tramp), Pluto, Pongo (One-Hundred-and-One Dalmatians), Sultan (Beauty and the Beast), Goofy, Peg (Lady and the Tramp), and Tito (Oliver and Company). While not an exact representation, Minnie’s apartment building is evocative of The Dakota, a famed and historic New York City apartment complex. Most notably, John Lennon was a tenant and was murdered just outside its entrance. Audible action plays over the credits with Minnie as the new object of Fifi’s ire Final Grade: B+
I’m a huge fan of anytime the series dips into the deep bench of erstwhile and seldom used characters from Disney shorts long ago. And, Fifi definitely fits that bill. Other than that, it’s a pretty pat and simplistic plot but Fifi along with the fantastic Disney Dogs Playing Poker scene make up for whatever shortcomings it has.  Season 5, Episode 9: “My Little Garden” 3/9/19 Starring: Mickey Mouse Costarring: Pluto Setting: Mickey’s backyard Plot: Due to neglect, Mickey’s backyard garden transforms into a nightmarish jungle. Short Stuff The episode is somewhat of an homage to the classic short Mickey’s Garden (1935). Similarly, Mickey encounters scary, overgrown bugs there too. Mickey has a note on his refrigerator to “Call Dave.” If this sounds familiar, it’s because we saw the same note on Mickey’s fridge all the way back in “Coned” (S3, E1). I’m still guessing it’s a shout-out to director Dave Wasson. It’s been 2 ½ years since Mickey last tended to his garden. Mickey spends 87 days lost in his backyard. Even worse, poor Pluto has been in the yard for almost four months! Final Grade: B With Mickey’s allergic reactions and brushes with the creepy crawlies, this short relies on gross out gags and horror. The pulsating and gooey bugs are particularly effective while the tension peaks with Mickey’s encounter with a shaggy and seemingly feral Pluto. A solid offering that never feels gratuitous yet, doesn’t quite blow you away. |