Love animation, always have done and that love will never go away. Have said a number of times already of loving and appreciating animation even more now than as a child with my knowledge having (hopefully) broadened outside Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry and more things being noticeable through young adult eyes not as obvious before. Not that there is any bias as there is terrible animation out there and ones that significantly lose their appeal on adult re-watch.
'Ducktales' was one of those personal favourites and it still is. Something that captivated me as a child and to this day it's among the best shows Disney ever did and have ever done. Making one pine for the classic Disney and the quality of the animated shows they had in the 80s and 90s, as (as cliched as this sounds) they sure don't make them like this anymore, with exceptions that come close of course. The Disney Channel was one of my favourite channels to watch when younger, can barely watch it now because the quality decline has been so drastic. 'Ducktales' strikes me as a show that is even funnier, more entertaining, more colourful and more inventive as a young adult, with the humour and references more obvious.
"Earth Quack" however is not one of the best 'Ducktales' episodes. There are a lot of things to like it for, but the episode's uneven execution sometimes gets in the way of its good intentions.
Did feel that some of the episode felt rushed, meaning parts of the story and occasionally the animation, particularly in the earthquake sequences, were choppy. The rushed feel did show in how the character behave at times, didn't buy for one second that for a mission so dangerous that Scrooge wouldn't think about his and his nephews' safety because it came over that way here and it makes one think why.
It also felt over-stretched and dragged, with a few of the longer sequences, like the journeying into the Terri-Fermians' world which felt longer than it was, being longer than necessary. Almost like the writers didn't have enough material but made a few scenes longer to pad things out and it made the episode feel on the bland side. Am not in any way trying to show any disrespect or anything like that, this is just the way it comes across to me.
On the most part though, the animation is very good and shows some daring and ambition here. It is bright and colourful with lively fluid movement, smooth drawing and meticulous attention to detail in the backgrounds. The music again is dynamic and beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. Disney had many theme songs that were irresistibly catchy to the extent one doesn't forget them, and that for 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best. The writing entertains and is smart and the story, despite the pacing criticisms, was not a bust, did find myself engaged by enough of it and this unique world. The climax is very exciting and the animation in the first view of the world is really quite something.
The regular characters are as likeable and fun as ever (though Gyro has been more interesting in other episodes), and the villains add fun and intrigue too. Some nice tension here. Cannot fault the voice acting either. Alan Young cannot be equalled as Scrooge and have never minded Hal Smith's voice work for Gyro and have always liked the character. Russi Taylor is not over-parted at all.
Altogether, not a bad episode just not a great one. 6.5/10
'Ducktales' was one of those personal favourites and it still is. Something that captivated me as a child and to this day it's among the best shows Disney ever did and have ever done. Making one pine for the classic Disney and the quality of the animated shows they had in the 80s and 90s, as (as cliched as this sounds) they sure don't make them like this anymore, with exceptions that come close of course. The Disney Channel was one of my favourite channels to watch when younger, can barely watch it now because the quality decline has been so drastic. 'Ducktales' strikes me as a show that is even funnier, more entertaining, more colourful and more inventive as a young adult, with the humour and references more obvious.
"Earth Quack" however is not one of the best 'Ducktales' episodes. There are a lot of things to like it for, but the episode's uneven execution sometimes gets in the way of its good intentions.
Did feel that some of the episode felt rushed, meaning parts of the story and occasionally the animation, particularly in the earthquake sequences, were choppy. The rushed feel did show in how the character behave at times, didn't buy for one second that for a mission so dangerous that Scrooge wouldn't think about his and his nephews' safety because it came over that way here and it makes one think why.
It also felt over-stretched and dragged, with a few of the longer sequences, like the journeying into the Terri-Fermians' world which felt longer than it was, being longer than necessary. Almost like the writers didn't have enough material but made a few scenes longer to pad things out and it made the episode feel on the bland side. Am not in any way trying to show any disrespect or anything like that, this is just the way it comes across to me.
On the most part though, the animation is very good and shows some daring and ambition here. It is bright and colourful with lively fluid movement, smooth drawing and meticulous attention to detail in the backgrounds. The music again is dynamic and beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. Disney had many theme songs that were irresistibly catchy to the extent one doesn't forget them, and that for 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best. The writing entertains and is smart and the story, despite the pacing criticisms, was not a bust, did find myself engaged by enough of it and this unique world. The climax is very exciting and the animation in the first view of the world is really quite something.
The regular characters are as likeable and fun as ever (though Gyro has been more interesting in other episodes), and the villains add fun and intrigue too. Some nice tension here. Cannot fault the voice acting either. Alan Young cannot be equalled as Scrooge and have never minded Hal Smith's voice work for Gyro and have always liked the character. Russi Taylor is not over-parted at all.
Altogether, not a bad episode just not a great one. 6.5/10
