Disney Animation Collection: Mickey’s Christmas Carol :: DVD Review

Courtesy Of Disney

Even though this DVD – the latest release in the [kwlink]Disney[/kwlink] Animation Classics series – is being released in time for Christmas 2009, the short animated films included on it are truly “classics,” in that they can be enjoyed any time of year.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol

The DVD kicks off with Mickey’s Christmas Carol, starring Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit and Uncle Scrooge as Ebenezer Scrooge (typecasting much?) – both classic characters from Dickens’ original A Christmas Carol story.

When Jacob Marley (played by Goofy) warns Scrooge what his actions will earn him, Scrooge finds himself visited by three spirits: the ghosts of Christmas Past (Jiminy Cricket), Present (the Giant) and Future (Pete). Donald Duck plays Scrooge’s nephew Fred, and Rat and Mole from The Wind in the Willows appear as two charity collectors. Mickey's Christmas Carol makes great use of the entire [kwlink]Disney[/kwlink] stable of characters to tell a timeless story to audiences young and old.

The Small One

This short film tells the story of the long-eared donkey Mary rode into Bethlehem. In this story, a young boy must sell his beloved donkey, Small One, because he's too old to work any longer and can't earn his keep. The boy is approached by a man who needs a gentle animal to carry his wife to Bethlehem. The tale ends with the image of the Christmas star blazing in the sky. This one made us cry.

Pluto’s Christmas Tree

The very short Pluto's Christmas Tree finds [kwlink]Mickey Mouse[/kwlink] putting up his tree for the holidays. What he doesn't realize is that the tree is home to two chipmunks - Chip and Dale - who Mickey’s loyal dog Pluto eventually finds. Pluto does what any dog would do: he chases the critters and gets into trouble when Mickey doesn't understand the reasons his bad behavior.

Santa’s Workshop

This old-school cartoon features old-school cartoon the rhyming dialogue that was used in animated films a long time ago. These are some busy, busy scenes as we watch the elves make countless toys on assembly lines while a jolly Santa Claus watches on and goes over his list.

Disney Animation Collection: Mickey’s Christmas Carol DVD Rating: [rating][/rating]