The film tells three familiar stories using the famous characters from Disney – Mickey, the first Disney character (Wayne Allwine), Minnie, his charming and often silly girlfriend (Russi Taylor), Pluto, his dog and friend (Bill Farmer), Donald, his crazy friend (Tony Anselmo), Daisy, Donald’s girlfriend (Diane Michelle and Tress MacNeille), Huey, Duey, and Luey, the duck’s nephews (Taylor), Goofy, the only Disney dog to wear a hat and drive a car (Farmer), and Max, Goofy’s son (Shaun Fleming). These types of characters are hard to take seriously during the season of giving, but the film gives us exactly what the season needs. A visual and charming lesson in some of the more important lessons that Christmas time has to offer.
The first story is about that nostalgic wish that Christmas lovers made every year as children – no matter how tiring it may get, they wished Christmas was here every day. Huey, Duey, and Luey, Donald’s three nephews, wake up Christmas morning to three special gifts. They enjoy them so much that, even after their uncle yells at them for not having table manners at dinner, they wish Christmas was there every day. The next morning, their dream comes true (following the same thread as “Groundhog Dog.”)
Without giving too much away, the part is really pointing out what a card from Donald to his nephews says on the inside. Christmas isn’t about snow, presents, or even the tree. It’s about the love and warmth you should be sharing with family. At least the film world doesn’t dwell on that great Christmas present.
The second story is with Goofy and his son, Max, which should set aside any disbelief children have about Santa Clause. The story asks about his existence. Max finds it hard to believe that a man in a red suit with a white beard can go around the globe to deliver presents in one night (Keyes notes, “he even strategically points out how many visits the old guy would have to make per second in order to succeed). But Goofy, being the childlike entity the animators have always interpreted him as, believes down to the last second. When hope seems to be lost for both, the real Santa Clause pays an unexpected visit, rekindling their faith as well as ours.”
The third story doesn’t need much detail, since it is basically adapted from The Gift of the Magi. What can be said here is that the story, starring Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto, makes its point the same way the original story does.
Keyes says, “Disney's strategic release of Christmas cartoons on video help to enliven the spirits of the Scrooges of the holiday season.” “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas” succeeds like every other because it has something decent to say, and something to say with a clear, typical likability. Obviously, the film isn’t the best Christmas film to be released by Disney (might leave that to “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas”), but it tries with serious morals and holiday fun. What could you ask for at a time when people are fighting one another at grabbing presents off store shelves instead of decking the halls?
I remember seeing the last part of the movie a long time ago and I thought the entire short was just that. Little did I know that it was an entire movie with a collection of shorts. Check this out and have an enjoyable time because this is a likable special from Disney. It does have that holiday spirit that everyone can get into around this time of year and is great for the whole family.
Look out tomorrow when I review the sequel to this during Christmas day in “Disney Month 2021.”
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