Here, Mickey Mouse (Wayne Allwine), Donald Duck (Tony Anselmo), Goofy (Bill Farmer) finally get their first full-length, single-narrative film. DVD Dizzy said in their review, “But at just over an hour, The Three Musketeers barely qualifies by length, and without a regular theatrical engagement or too much fanfare, this direct-to-video release hardly seems like a landmark release for these famous personas.”
The characters of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy evolve in this film as they have been since their introductions in the late 1920s and early 1930s. their personalities have never been deep enough to really explore, and so they haven’t changed a lot over the years. DVD Dizzy noted, “But the humor here is a little more sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek; these efforts to keep the protagonists relevant for the post-modern generation serve the film adequately.”
Despite the title, “The Three Musketeers” is not an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel. However, the film does share its setting: seventeenth century France. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are three inept janitors who dream of being musketeers one day. The captain of the musketeers, Pete, voiced by Jim Cummings, says that their just dream childishly and that none of the trio has “musketeer” in them.
Of course, Pete is the villain in this film, and he has that pegleg that he had in some of the oldest Disney shorts. DVD Dizzy pointed out, “With his enormous, thinly-mustachioed presence, Pete screams "treachery" to anyone but the film's characters and the rightfully overbearing captain is planning to off Princess Minnie so that he can become king.” Like any good villain, Pete has henchmen (the Beagle Boys, voiced by Jeff Bennett and Maurice LaMarche) to do everything for him.
When Minnie, voiced by Russi Taylor, is afraid for her safety, Pete agrees to get some Royal Musketeers as her bodyguards. However, being the clever captain he is, Pete hires for the job the same three janitors he laughed off. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy think their wish has come true, but Pete simply sees the three as being the least competent defense that can be put around Princess Minnie.
DVD Dizzy compared, “Like The Wizard of Oz, each of the trio is lacking something. For Donald, it's courage. Goofy's short on brains. And Mickey is just too darn small. The predictable course of events lays out the standard work for the three musketeers. They've got to save the princess, defeat the bad guy, and prove that they have what it takes.”
The French troubadour turtle returns from time-to-time to narrate the film, which he does by setting lyrics to famous classical instrumentals. DVD Dizzy pointed out, “In fact, this device comprises the entire soundtrack of the film, calling to mind the one musical number from the 1990 Mickey Mouse featurette "The Prince and the Pauper." The film employs a number of famous melodies, from Tchaikovsky to Strauss, and Beethoven to Grieg. This works with mixed results; the tunes are inherently catchy, but more than once the operatic style of song feels forced. The most played theme, "All for One and One for All" derives from excerpts of Jacques Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld."”
“The Three Musketeers” succeeds at entertaining for its short running time but is a sort of forgettable film. To its benefit, the film keeps a light, amusing tone which allows it to be fast-paced and quick-witted. Unlike many modern comedies, it manages both laughs and a well-defined plot.
With its brilliant mischiefs and visually pleasing look, this DisneyToon Studios production easily embraces the two-dimensional animation form (with great help from computers) that some have declared obsolete. DVD Dizzy noted, “There are nice spritely, colorful illustrations which make up the comic book opening introduction and closing credits and, of course, the cast is composed of characters who were the biggest stars of the format when 2-D animation first found an audience.”
DVD Dizzy continued, “There are some in-jokes and gags which may hold more meaning for those who are well-versed in this trio, but the film is also entirely accessible for young audiences today who (perish the thought) may not know these three from many other features or short films.” As the usual villain, Pete certainly keeps his funny aggression and unabashedly selfish and evil plans.
DVD Dizzy mentioned, “In the vein of Mickey's most recent half-hour short "The Prince and the Pauper" this casually entertaining adventure offers a modest return for these legendary Disney characters who really haven't gone away in the past seventy-five years. The diversion is familiar, but in a good way.”
Still, the film has one question way beyond its modest range. Is this the future of 2D animation, at least for Disney? Light comedies which are just fine directly on home video, and leave theatrical work to the more cinematic 3D computer animation? Only time will tell.
Fans of Disney’s three most lovable characters should enjoy “Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers,” which gives a good amount of humor and a nicely predictable plot. Despite it not being in the same vein as the best Disney animated film, this light comedy gives a nice distraction and rises above the low quality of cheap direct-to-video sequels.
I have to say, this is a nice little film that I think everyone can watch and enjoy. Check it out, even if you’re a fan of the three characters. You can watch this and enjoy it fine, as I don’t think anything is wrong with it. However, if you end up not liking it, I completely understand. This film is not for everyone.
Tomorrow I’m going to review a film that I clearly found myself having a bad time watching in “Disney Month 2022.”
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