Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #64 Black and White 2015

Black and White  2015  8 out of 10

It has been awhile since I did a little Mini cartoon review (no pun intended).   This year for Halloween Mickey and Minnie decided to go and see the movie Attack of the Hee Bee Gee Bees.   The problem is Mickey doesn't handle scary movies to well and literally gets scared white.   He spends the rest of the cartoon trying to get his black back which acts like an ink shadow that has escaped his body.   This cartoon is similar to the one where he lost his ears and spent the cartoon chasing them in order to get them back and has the same since of adventure as well.   This cartoon was an interesting visual style that takes Mickey out of the real world and into a Black and White checkerboard sequence.  Mickey eventually conquers his fear -but in the process scares the entire audience of the movie leaving them white as ghosts as well.

Here is a link to the cartoon on Disney.com

http://video.disney.com/watch/disneychannel-black-and-white-5212299c3e840113fea0d29b

My Disney Facebook Page

 https://www.facebook.com/braddisneylandblog 

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #44 Goofy's Grandma 2014 6 out of 10

Talk about an odd cartoon.  

(Warning Spoilers) 

This entire in the new Mickey Mouse cartoon series was definitely odd.    Goofy unloads his Grandma on Mickey’s house and then grandma causes a whole bunch of damage.  Mickey finally gets to his breaking point where it is revealed that Goofy’s Grandma is actually Goofy in disguise, because he is afraid of something at his house and wants to stay at Mickey’s as a result of this thing that he is scared of.

 Goofy’s house is shown as some weird Bayou shack. (not sure what that is about probably sticking with his odd looks in this series of cartoons) –This series of cartoons definitely doesn’t have any continuity with previous cartoons as each cartoon seems to be in its own world ignoring character living arrangements for whatever story they want to tell at the moment.  It was an okay cartoon- but definitely not one of my favorites from the series.

The cartoon can be found on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

           My Disney facebook page is below

https://www.facebook.com/braddisneylandblog?ref=bookmarks

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #43 Eau de Minnie 2014 5 out of 10

One of the latest Mickey Mouse cartoons actually focused on Minnie  and is a take on the Love Potion number 9.  Minnie is getting ready for a big date with Mickey and uses a strong perfume that gets the whole city all hot and bothered for her –including the building.  Frankly it was a little creepy and one of my least favorite in the series.   In an effort to  get everyone to leave her alone she ends up rubbing trash all over herself to get rid of the perfumes effects.   I really didn’t like this episode at all.   It was kind of weird watching all the other characters chasing after Minnie.  It could have just as easily been titled:  Stinky Mouse.   Oh well they can’t all be winners.

This cartoon can be found on Disney online or the Disney channel >My Disney facebook page is below

 https://www.facebook.com/braddisneylandblog 

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #41 Down the Hatch 2014 8+ out of 10

Down the Hatch  2014     8+ out of 10

The latest in the new Series of Mickey Mouse cartoon features Mickey, Donald and Goofy in a tribute to the old Disneyland Attraction Adventures Thru Innerspace.   The gang heads to the Halls of Science which also gives us a cameo by another old school Disney character Ludwick Von Drake Duck

While Donald is getting himself a drink Mickey and Goofy get shrunk by a shrink ray after many references to the classic Tomorrowland ride.   They end up inside of Donald's body and explore Donald Fantastic Voyage style much to Donald's discomfort.  It makes for a strange and which fun cartoon and the references to this classic cartoon are something that only adults would get.  The cartoon even ends with Donald singing the classic song from the attraction during the end credits.   

This cartoon can be seen on the Disney channel or Disney's official You tube page.

Here is a little attraction audio for Disney fans that remember this ride

 Too see more about the classic attraction referenced in this cartoon that sat where Star Wars is now --check out this link to Yesterland

http://www.yesterland.com/innersp.html

>My Disney facebook page is below

 https://www.facebook.com/braddisneylandblog 

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #34 How to Play Baseball 1942 9 out of 10

How to Play Baseball 1942   9 out of 10

This entry in the "Goofy How to Series" is a classic.  It starts out by explaining the sport of baseball and shows a variety of different types pitches in a funny way.  The cartoon then goes into the ultimate baseball game scenario in which it is the ninth inning of the world series. Through a series of entertaining moments the  bases get and the game (and the cartoon)  comes to an exciting conclusion as it all boils down to a close call at the plate.

The sports direction was a perfect way to go with Goofy as his tall lanky and often clumsy form lent itself perfectly for this parodies of modern sport.  The baseball cartoon was a blueprint for the many great Goofy cartoons that followed.

This cartoon can be found on the Walt Disney Treasures  The Complete Goofy DVD Set.

Many more cartoons to come

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #32 Get A Horse 2013 10 out of 10

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #32 Get A Horse  2013 10 out of 10

I absolutely loved the latest Mickey Mouse Cartoon that is currently out in theaters accompanying Frozen.    Mickey Mouse in "Get a Horse" is an instant classic that breaks ground while perfectly throwing back to Mickey's roots.   I should have seen in 3-D , but the available time slot for the family to see Frozen wasn't the 3-D version....Plus the price of admission for 4 to a 3-D  movie these days is insane.    Anyway the cartoon starts out like it is an old Mickey cartoon from the black and white cartoon era where Mickey got his start.  The story is about Peg-Leg Pete trying to basically kidnap Minnie of the back a on old wagon.  They battle back and forth over Minnie which ends up causing Mickey and his horse Horace to be thrown through the movie screen---which sets up the rest of the cartoon perfectly  as 3-D characters that seem to be in the theater in color battle with 2-D black and white characters stuck in the movie screen.   The cartoon was very entertaining and perfectly executed.  The gags in the cartoon were excellent and Pete really takes a beating as a result of Mickey and Horace's  intelligent choices in the situation.   I could totally see  " Get a Horse" as a 3-D in the park feature.  If you get a chance....See "Get a Horse "  in 3-D right away.

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #31 Potatoland 2013 10 out of 10

Potatoland  2013  10 out of 10

I absolutely loved the  latest Mickey Mouse Cartoon finds Mickey, Donald and Goofy on a road trip to Potatoland.  The amusement park of Goofy’s dreams.  Unfortunately all Potatoland turns out to be is a sign welcoming them to Idaho.   Donald and Mickey end up building an amusement park overnight in order to fulfill Goofy’s childhood dreams.  This cartoon was excellent from start to finish.  Goofy’s excitement for this makes believe theme park is infectious.   With great references to Disneyland throughout this was a gem of a cartoon.  It reminded me of the cool Lester's Posum Park from The Goofy Movie that Goofy drags his son Max to.  It was great to see Donald and Mickey go all out to make their good friend happy.  The cartoon features a parody of the Haunted Mansion with a hilarious slapstick scene with Donald as a ghost and a potato version of Abe Lincoln.  Awesome....  My favorite of the new Mickey Mouse cartoons so far

As a bonus here is Lester's Posum park from the Goofy Movie

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #29 O Sole Minnie 2013 8+ out of 10

O Sole Minnie  2013  8+ out of 10

The latest Mickey Mouse short follows Mickey in Venice as a Gondolier trying to woo Minnie.  This was a cute cartoon with Mickey battling to get Minnie's attention while having to overcome obstacles along the way.  Mickey keeps getting thwarted by bad timing and a giant hippo that mistakes his efforts for him trying to woo her instead.  Eventually Mickey wins Minnie's heart in this cute stylish adventure.   A strong effort in the series. Mickey is at his best when he is in hero mode.

The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #28 Dog Show 2013 6 out of 10

Dog Show  2013   6 out of 10

In the latest in the current series of Mickey Mouse Cartoons Mickey and Pluto are getting ready for the big dog show.  It was nice to see Pluto making an appearance, since I don't recall seeing him in the series so far.    Anyway Goofy shows up and throws a stick for Pluto that goes over a cliff leaving Pluto injured and unable to be in the dog show.   Mickey gets the idea to have Goofy take his place since the prize money was going to go to the Orphanage.  This brings up the old argument regarding  why is Mickey's best friend Goofy a dog that can talk ---while Pluto also a dog (that can't talk)  his pet???  It will remain one of the mysteries of the universe that I guess I will just have to accept.   Moving on....Goofy ends up not performing that well in the dog show leading a frustrated Mickey to perform all the tricks himself and accidentally winning the prize when he is mistaken for a dog.    It was a simple cartoon that was ok, but not great.

The Goofy problem is really starting to bug me.  Why do they insist on making him look like a dirty homeless dog with no pants.   Goofy is my favorite Disney character and his look in the current cartoon series is really unpleasant.  There wasn't much difference between the Zombie Goofy from last week and the bedraggled version in this weeks cartoon.

The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #27 Mickey's Ghoul Friend 2013 7 out of 10

Mickey's Ghoul Friend  2013   7 out of 10

Last time I mentioned that Goofy looked like he needed a bath. In this cartoon Goofy needs a lot more than a bath.  Mickey's Ghoul Friend is the latest in the new series of Mickey Mouse cartoons and features Mickey Mouse in a spooky situation.  His car breaks down in a scary forest and while trying to fix it he runs into a zombie looking Goofy that has flies swirling around his zombie skull.  It looked like something out of Ren and Stimpy and once again the cartoon had a Samurai Jack feel to it.  The cartoon was entertaining as Mickey tries to escape this ghoulish version of Goofy, which was cool and yet disturbing at the same time.  Mickey spends the whole cartoon trying to escape this undead Goof while all along the zombie Goofy was just offering to help fix his car.

As cool as zombie Goofy looked I'm not sure a zombie version of Goofy is something for kids to see?  The ragged looking less eye pleasing Goofy of the new cartoons is hard enough to get used to.  I don't know if children need to have zombie Goofy haunting their dreams.  I still give it a 7 out of 10....but it may not be for everyone.

The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #25 Panda-monium 2013 9 out of 10

Panda-monium  2013   9 out of 10

The latest in the new series of Mickey Mouse cartoons feels straight out of Samurai Jack.  Mickey goes on journey to a zoo in China and tried desperately to get a picture of a camera shy baby panda.  This leads to some funny gags as every time Mickey tries to take a picture something happens to ruin the picture.   His attempts at getting the shot lead to silly action scenes that have a distinct Samurai Jack feel and look to them--(which I had mentioned previously in Yodelburg) .   This is one of my favorites in series so far.  

The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #23 Stayin' Cool 8 out of 10

Stayin' Cool  2013    8 out of 10

The latest in the new series of Mickey Mouse cartoons is Stayin' Cool.  It features Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck trying to stay cool on a day that is so hot that things are literally melting.  Their attempts to stay cool were fun and interesting to see.  Their adventure takes them from pool crashing to a car wash, meat freezer and then finally to an action packed journey inside a runaway ice cream truck.   The site gags in this short were funny and I'm enjoying this new Mickey series of cartoons expect for the look of Goofy.  Goofy is my favorite Disney character and the  rough old school looking Goofy just isn't sitting well with me.   The Mickey and Donald are stylized, but yet still familiar.  Goofy just looks weird to me.

Here is traditional modern day Goofy

And here is the rough looking Goofy from current cartoon series

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #22 Toyko Go 6 out of 10

Toyko Go  2013    6 out of 10

In the latest of the new Mickey Mouse cartoons Mickey has some trouble with the traffic in Toyko---which leads to a bunch of stereotypical Japanese scenes.   Crowded trains and sumo wrestling are the highlights as Mickey trains to catch the right train.  This action packed cartoon was probably my least favorite of the new Mickey cartoons so far, but still had its moments which include Mickey riding atop a train like in a video game.

The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #21 The Art of Skiing 1941 10 out of 10

The Art of Skiing  1941   10 out of 10 

Goofy + Sports =  Perfection.    In this Goofy cartoon Goofy tries to master the Art of Skiing in his perfectly delightful Goofy way.   It is a simple concept in the How To Goofy series and works wonderfully.   Tall and lanky and very uncoordinated,  Goofy fumbles with even the simplest of instructions in stark contrast to the narration.  It is a truly wonderful little Goofy cartoon that sets the stage for many other great Goofy Sports related cartoons.  

A great example of why Goofy is my personal favorite Disney character.   All hail the Goof the master of being a clumsy buffoon.

This cartoon can be found on the Walt Disney Treasures  DVD  The Complete Goofy.   (which collects all of the Goofy starring cartoons)

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #19 New York Weenie 2013 6 out of 10

New York Weenie  2013   6 out of 10

New York Weenie  is the latest in the new stylized  Mickey Mouse  cartoons.  It stars Mickey Mouse  and Minnie Mouse taking a stroll through the park in New York when Minnie gets hungry and Mickey buys her a hot dog.  Well the hot dog escapes and Mickey ends up chasing it through the park through a series of silly adventures.  It was a decent Mickey cartoon--but it was just a little odd and had some Ren and Stimpy type moments that just didn't feel like a Mickey cartoon.  Especially the ending where Mickey finally rescues the hot dog for Minnie and it is so gross that there is no way she would  want it.  There is a close up of the hot dog that is straight out of Ren and Stimpy.   I  kept wondering throughout the cartoon whether Mickey and Minnie had ever heard of the 5 second rule when you drop your food?  This hot dog was way beyond the 5 second rule and was covered in the dirt like a cupcake at a children's birthday party in the park.

The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #17 Goofy and Wilbur 1939 7 out of 10

Goofy and Wilbur  1939    7 out of 10

Goofy and Wilbur from 1939 was Goofy's first solo starring role after appearing in numerous cartoons with Mickey and Donald.   In his first solo effort Goofy and his cricket pal Wilbur go fishing.  Wilbur lures the fish into Goofy's net and actually is the focus of most the cartoon until he gets swallowed by a frog which leads Goofy on a wild chase to rescue his little friend.  The cartoon has heart in the connection and friendship between Goofy and his pal and a sense of fun as well.   A good solid first outing for my personal favorite of the Disney Fab Five.

This cartoon can be found on the Walt Disney Treasures  DVD  The Complete Goofy.   (which collects all of the Goofy starring cartoons)

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #16 Yodelberg 2013 9 out of 10

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #16 Yodelberg     2013  9 out of 10

This new Mickey Mouse cartoon finds Mickey Mouse  mountain climbing in order to yet to the top of a mountain where a yodeling Minnie awaits.   This journey isn't an easy one, since the slightest noise may bring a mountain of snow down upon him.   He encounters a funny looking Yeti on his way to the top and must escape from him in order to finish his climb and get the girl.   While watching this to my delight I got the feeling that I was watching a Samurai  Jack cartoon with Mickey Mouse instead of Jack.    The feel and look of the story was very similar to this great cartoon series which I loved so much.   The cartoon short was basically a rescue quest of sorts that lead Mickey Mouse past numerous challenges to reach his goal.   The cartoon was funny and interesting and well worth watching.  The cartoon can currently be found airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Online

After watching the cartoon I looked it up and found the reason it felt so much like a Samurai Jack cartoon.    One of the directors of the cartoon  Paul Rudish  had been an animator on Samurai Jack and the PowerPuff Girls and original Clone Wars animated cartoon  (all under Genndy Tartakovsky).  Having loved  both the style of both Samurai Jack  and The Clone Wars....I'm looking forward to more from this Mickey Mouse cartoon series.

Disney/Pixar Animated Short Reviews: #15 No Service 7 out of 10

No Service   2013    7 out of 10

No Service is the latest in the series of new stylized Mickey Mouse cartoons.   This one  features  Mickey Mouse  and Donald Duck strolling along the beach boardwalk in an attempt to buy lunch for Minnie and Daisy.   Unfortunately they are denied service under the common rule of  "No Shirt, No Shoes,  No Service"  by Goofy  (which being my favorite Disney character the stylized version of displeases me.)    This cartoon was a fun comedic adventure in that features Donald  (who wears no pants or shoes)  having to borrow Mickey's pants and shoes which leaves the  shirtless  Mouse in his birthday suit trying to hide while Donald waits for their order.   The cartoon is funny, but opens up a can of worms in the whole   Why does Donald Duck not wear pants debate that has raged on for decades.   This debate was even a conversation between Norm and Cliff on an episode of Cheers in the 80's --so it is surprising to me that this brand new Mickey Mouse cartoon actually focuses on the subject.   The Cartoon is currently showing on the Disney channel or Disney online.

For more on the Donald Duck no pants Mystery  ---check out this blog I did awhile back that has   a clip from  The Three Caballeros . 

  http://braddisneylandblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/donald-duck-pants-mystery.html

Disney Animated Short Reviews: #11 Paperman 9+ out of 10 2012

Paperman  9+ out of 10

This Academy award winning short cartoon is a beautiful black and white nearly perfect cartoon that seamlessly blends 2-D traditional animation and computer generated animation.  The story follows a hapless office worker as he falls for a women at the train station and tries to connect with her.   The story is a magically little romance told without words.  Destiny in the form of paper airplanes bring the 2 together a definite must see cartoon short.

Paperman can be found on the Wreck it Ralph DVD.

Disney Animated Short Reviews: #10 Croissant de Triomphe 2013 7 out of 10 2011 9 out 10

Croissant de Triomphe  2013  7 out of 10

This new Disney short is the first in a series of 19 new retro style 2-D animated Disney cartoons that will feature Mickey Mouse.   In this cartoon we get a French Mickey Mouse that is in a hurry to deliver some croissants to the hunger customers of Minnie's restaurant.   It is a short and fun action packed adventure that finds Mickey weaving his way all over France that has a surprise appearance from a couple of unexpected Disney characters.    A good first outing in this new series of cartoons that will be available on Disney Video online as well as showing on the Disney Channel.   I'm looking forward to more Mickey Mouse adventures.

Here is a link to the Disney Video page

http://video.disney.com/