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 Season Two has come to an end and, while not as good as One, there is still plenty to like here and going forward. What I Liked: More characters: We got a lot more Pluto in Season Two as well as a bit bigger role for Donald than he had in Season One. But, more importantly, were all the classic Disney characters who made their inaugural appearance this year: - Jose Carioca in O Futebol Classico - Ludwig Von Drake and Gyro Gearloose in Down the Hatch - Chip ‘n’ Dale in Space Walkies - Scrooge McDuck in Goofy’s First Love Disneyland references: We had a bunch in Season One and Season Two picked up right where it left off. The Adventures Thru Inner Space inspired Down the Hatch was especially impressive Globetrotting: Again, Season One set the tone with its Destination Episodes and Season Two took the baton and ran with it. We might be running out of cities so let’s hope they don’t get complacent in Season Three because some of the best episodes occur on foreign soil. What I Didn't Like: Too much Minnie: Why did she get three of her very own official episodes before Donald, Goofy and Pluto even get one? I’ve never seen Minnie as a character who could carry her own episode and this season hasn’t done anything to convince me otherwise. However, I LOVED the pairing of her and Pluto in Doggone Biscuits. Mickey’s role there was very minimal and gave them some breathing room to develop their own rapport sans the “Big Cheese.” What happened to the Disney movie cameos?: We had a plethora (Cinderella, Beast and Belle, etc.) of classic Disney characters from their film division make appearances in Season One but only had one episode feature any in Season Two (King Louie, his pals and the Jungle Book vultures in Mumbai Madness). What gives? Contract issues? What I Want To See In Season Three:Huey, Dewey and Louie: These might be the only big-time classic short characters we have yet to see. A couple other characters I wouldn’t mind seeing: Louie the Lion and Spike the Bee. More destinations: Where could we go next? England, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Russia to name a few. Or, Latvia… how about Latvia! Less Mickey: Mickey is great and has maintained the groove he got back in Season One but Doggone Biscuits, for example, was a revelation. While he had a role, the pairing of Minnie and Pluto was brilliant and leaves me wanting more! How about a never-before-done Goofy and Daisy episode or a classic Pluto vs. Chip and Dale short? Keep it going: I want Season Three to be sooooo good, they announce a Season Four by the midway point. This series is FANTASTIC and I’d hate to see its run end anytime soon. And now, our second annual awards show! Best Uncredited Appearance Best Uncredited Appearance: Cable Car Driver, Cable Car Chaos He spends the majority of the episode unconscious and suffers the indignity of having Mickey’s nose up his butt but, the nameless cable car driver is this season’s breakout star. I was especially taken by his deadpan delivery of the Chinatown joke. Honourable Mentions: Ant, Fire Escape and Ganesha, Mumbai Madness Best Classic Disney Film Cameo Best Classic Disney Film Cameo: King Louie, Mumbai Madness It was the only episode feature film cameos this season but that doesn’t mean King Louie is any less deserving. King Louie is one of my all-time favourite characters and I’m glad they didn’t waste their one Indian-episode-bullet without including him. His appearance was also highly stylized which I loved! Honourable Mention: the Vultures, Mumbai Madness Best Classic Disney Character Appearance Best Classic Disney Character Appearance: Scrooge McDuck, Goofy’s First Love I asked for Scrooge and I got him! It was especially thrilling to have the 95-year-old Alan Young reprise his role as the Scottish bazillionaire. Honourable Mentions: Ludwig Von Drake, Down the Hatch and Chip ‘N’ Dale, Space Walkies Best Set Location Best Set Design/Location: San Francisco, Cable Car Chaos More than any other short, the set piece of San Francisco actually felt like its own character. The hilly terrain, crooked streets, cable cars, China Town and the Golden Gate Bridge all played integral parts to the plot. If you’ve ever visited San Francisco, the city has its own way that’s unique to any other American city – and this short nailed that feeling. Honourable Mentions: The African Jungle, Mickey Monkey and Donald’s Stomach, Down the Hatch Best Disneyland Reference Best Disneyland Reference: Adventures Thru Inner Space, Down the Hatch It’s one thing to lay tribute to icons like the Matterhorn or the Jungle Cruise but it’s a whole other level of cool to center a whole plot on a Disneyland attraction that doesn’t even exist anymore like they did here. Honourable Mentions: Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse/Jungle Cruise, Mickey Monkey and Space Mountain/Rocket to the Moon, Space Walkies Most Action Packed Most Action Packed: El Vivo Rojo Mickey scurrying through the streets of Spain and squaring off with the bull featured some of his most hair-raising stunts to date! Honourable Mentions: Captain Donald and Bottleshocked Most Romantic Most Romantic: Cable Car Chaos Season Two’s romance definitely wasn’t as pronounced or well done as S1 but the payoff of Mickey showing Minnie the whole city atop the Golden Gate Bridge was as good as it gets. Honourable Mentions: Flowers for Minnie Most Humorous Most Humourous: Goofy’s Grandma Goofy does it again with his surprisingly fresh take on the hackneyed cross-dressing trope. His range and physicality are unmatched and both were on full display here. Honourable Mentions: Al Rojo Vivo and Down the Hatch Best Art Design Best Art Design: Mumbai Madness This was one of the most outside-the-box shorts in terms of animation. It was definitely over-the-top at times but its bright colours, fast cuts and flashy sequences were a hit! Honourable Mentions: Space Walkies and Clogged Best Music Best Music: Mumbai Madness Two-in-a-row! That Indian beat put the episode’s rhythm on track and hit a crescendo with its very own mini music video. Honourable Mentions: A Flower for Minnie and Clogged Best Screenplay Best Screenplay: Mumbai Madness Three-in-a-row! It’s already won so many awards and I really tried giving it to another short but I just couldn’t… this episode was just way too good and so well written! There was actually a sense of mystery and intrigue from the point Mickey picked up the stranger all the way until the very end. Not only did I not know what would happen but I was also on the edge of my seat waiting for whatever it was to happen. That’s hard to pull off in a three minute cartoon! Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor: Pluto, Space Walkies I just really believed Pluto had to pee… Plus, it’s hard to act in zero gravity and Pluto pulled it off with aplomb! Here’s hoping this Shortie gets the seldom used Pluto some more work! Hounourable Mentions: Minnie Mouse, Cable Car Chaos and Mickey Mouse, Captain Donald Best Actor Best Actor: Goofy, Goofy’s Grandma I’ll admit; gender-bending is about as hacky as it gets but this is what makes Goofy's performance all the more impressive! It wasn’t hacky at all… it was inspired! On first viewing, I actually believed it was Goofy’s grandma until the reveal. He just brought such a masterful blend of physicality and comedic timing that it was equal parts charming and hilarious! Honourable Mentions: Donald Duck, Captain Donald and Mickey Mouse, Al Rojo Vivo Best Short Best Short: Mumbai Madness At this point, is it any surprise? Ironically, the most mysterious short gets the most obvious award! It had the best animation, the best music, and the best screenplay… but, most importantly, IT HAD KING LOUIE! Seriously though, is it even better than last year’s winner, The Adorable Couple? You tell me because I can’t decide! Honourable Mentions: Al Rojo Vivo and Down the Hatch Season Two Episode Rankings1. Mumbai Madness: A+
2. Al Rojo Vivo: A+ 3. Down the Hatch: A+ 4. Captain Donald: A- 5. Space Walkies: A- 6. Cable Car Chaos: A- 7. Goofy’s Grandma: A- 8. Mickey Monkey: A- 9. Flowers for Minnie: A- 10. Goofy’s First Love: B+ 11. O Futebol Classico: B+ 12. Doggone Biscuits: B+ 13. Bronco Busted: B+ 14. Bottle Shocked: B 15. Clogged: B- 16. Workin’ Stiff: B- 17. Fire Escape: B- 18. Boiler Room: C+ 19. Eau de Minnie: C+
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