As a child, animation was a big part of me. As a teenager, it was even more so and it helped me get through my struggles. Love and appreciate it even more with hopefully wider knowledge of studios, styles and foreign language ones. As well as 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.
Loved 'Ducktales' as a child and feared how it would fare twenty years or so later. Found that, like thankfully other childhood favourites too, it is not just nostalgia talking. Not only love 'Ducktales' just as much, actually love it even more now. Being one of those shows having things being noticeable through young adult eyes not as obvious before. If compiling a list of the best shows Disney has ever done, 'Ducktales' would easily be on the list and high up.
"Duckman of Aquatraz" is a very good example as to why that is. Not quite one of my favourite 'Ducktales' episodes but still great and one of the best episodes to feature Flintheart Glomgold.
Will confess to finding the identity of the real perpetrator of the crime rather obvious, not just too early but pretty much straightaway. If less obvious a little later, it may have provided more suspense.
On the other side of the argument, "Duckman of Aquatraz" was great when it came to character moments and writing. The episode was at its strongest with Scrooge and Mad Dog, liked how the episode didn't rush their friendship and provided some nice tension initially but when it formed it gave the episode genuine heart, loved that Scrooge earned Mad Dog's respect and what he did for him, that was touching. It helps too that Mad Dog was an interesting character and as easy to root for as Scrooge.
Scrooge here is probably at his most rootable throughout the entire show and the whole adapting to prison life angle is believable and sympathetically done. Equally strong was with Huey, Duey and Louie, showing that they were good at problem solving, had good intentions and were willing to help in a dire situation. The conflict is neither overdone or diluted, it's just right.
Animation is very good. It is bright and colourful with lively fluid movement, smooth drawing and meticulous attention to detail in the backgrounds. Even better is the music, it is again dynamic and beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. The theme song is one of the best and most irresistibly catchy theme songs of any of Disney's shows and there are many out there. The writing as ever is smart and with enough for children and adults, proving that animation is not just for children regardless of any falsehoods constantly cooked up. The voice acting is extremely good from particularly Alan Young and Peter Cullen.
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10
Loved 'Ducktales' as a child and feared how it would fare twenty years or so later. Found that, like thankfully other childhood favourites too, it is not just nostalgia talking. Not only love 'Ducktales' just as much, actually love it even more now. Being one of those shows having things being noticeable through young adult eyes not as obvious before. If compiling a list of the best shows Disney has ever done, 'Ducktales' would easily be on the list and high up.
"Duckman of Aquatraz" is a very good example as to why that is. Not quite one of my favourite 'Ducktales' episodes but still great and one of the best episodes to feature Flintheart Glomgold.
Will confess to finding the identity of the real perpetrator of the crime rather obvious, not just too early but pretty much straightaway. If less obvious a little later, it may have provided more suspense.
On the other side of the argument, "Duckman of Aquatraz" was great when it came to character moments and writing. The episode was at its strongest with Scrooge and Mad Dog, liked how the episode didn't rush their friendship and provided some nice tension initially but when it formed it gave the episode genuine heart, loved that Scrooge earned Mad Dog's respect and what he did for him, that was touching. It helps too that Mad Dog was an interesting character and as easy to root for as Scrooge.
Scrooge here is probably at his most rootable throughout the entire show and the whole adapting to prison life angle is believable and sympathetically done. Equally strong was with Huey, Duey and Louie, showing that they were good at problem solving, had good intentions and were willing to help in a dire situation. The conflict is neither overdone or diluted, it's just right.
Animation is very good. It is bright and colourful with lively fluid movement, smooth drawing and meticulous attention to detail in the backgrounds. Even better is the music, it is again dynamic and beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. The theme song is one of the best and most irresistibly catchy theme songs of any of Disney's shows and there are many out there. The writing as ever is smart and with enough for children and adults, proving that animation is not just for children regardless of any falsehoods constantly cooked up. The voice acting is extremely good from particularly Alan Young and Peter Cullen.
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10
