Toy Tinkers

A Walt Disney DONALD DUCK Cartoon.

Chip 'n' Dale become TOY TINKERS after discovering the treasures spread out under Donald's Christmas tree.

Although enjoyable, this little Oscar nominated Duck versus Chipmunks Holiday film is unremarkable as far as animation & storyline are concerned. Clarence "Ducky" Nash supplies Donald's unique voice; the Chipmunks are largely unintelligible.

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was always intrigued by drawings. As a lad in Marceline, Missouri, he sketched farm animals on scraps of paper; later, as an ambulance driver in France during the First World War, he drew figures on the sides of his vehicle. Back in Kansas City, along with artist Ub Iwerks, Walt developed a primitive animation studio that provided animated commercials and tiny cartoons for the local movie theaters. Always the innovator, his ALICE IN CARTOONLAND series broke ground in placing a live figure in a cartoon universe. Business reversals sent Disney & Iwerks to Hollywood in 1923, where Walt's older brother Roy became his lifelong business manager & counselor. When a mildly successful series with Oswald The Lucky Rabbit was snatched away by the distributor, the character of Mickey Mouse sprung into Walt's imagination, ensuring Disney's immortality. The happy arrival of sound technology made Mickey's screen debut, STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928), a tremendous audience success with its use of synchronized music. The SILLY SYMPHONIES soon appeared, and Walt's growing crew of marvelously talented animators were quickly conquering new territory with full color, illusions of depth and radical advancements in personality development, an arena in which Walt's genius was unbeatable. Mickey's feisty, naughty behavior had captured millions of fans, but he was soon to be joined by other animated companions: temperamental Donald Duck, intellectually-challenged Goofy and energetic Pluto. All this was in preparation for Walt's grandest dream - feature length animated films. Against a blizzard of doomsayers, Walt persevered and over the next decades delighted children of all ages with the adventures of Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi & Peter Pan. Walt never forgot that his fortunes were all started by a mouse, or that simplicity of message and lots of hard work always pay off.

With "Donald Duck" safely ensconced at home with his freshly chopped tree preparing for Christmas, the mischievous "Chip" and "Dale" peer through his window at the alluring selection of treats on his carpet and thanks to their powerful incisors, are swiftly helping themselves to his seasonal nuts. Once their host cottons on to their thievery, though, there seems little likelihood of a truce between what rapidly become two warring parties making full use of an array of toys and confectionary - even an Howitzer - but will there be a victor or perhaps some pipes of peace? This is an enjoyably colourful and lively cartoon with the chipmunks always an affably good foe for a "Donald" whose squeaky and increasingly frustrated dulcets always made me smile. There's plenty of tit-for-tat and a jolly score to help it along, too. The Christmas spirit is definitely alive and well with this!

It's Xmas in July as Bobsheaux said. Part of the classic Disney Xmas special that is shown every year on Danish TV for decades. Well deserved Oscar nomination.

This is a Christmas-themed Disney short starring Donald Duck, where he is seen decorating his cabin with ornaments and a Christmas tree. However, the chipmunks Chip 'n' Dale spot acorns and nuts inside the cabin and decides to steal some. This results in an all-out war with toy canons and bazookas between the characters as Chip 'n' Dale try to make away with the loot and Donald trying to defend his turf.

There were some laugh-out-loud moments, especially during the parts where tomatoes get slapped onto Donald's face and when things blow up in Donald's ear after he answers the phone. But, it's obvious Chip 'n' Dale got away with murder as they got the upper hand with Donald, as usual, and it's unfair to poor Donald because the rodents were the one who snuck into the house and stole his stuff.

It's a laughable Christmas cartoon, but I don't like how Donald always end up losing to those conniving rodents!

Grade C

"Toy Tinkers" is a very entertaining short film that demonstrates the importance of Christmas from a different perspective, but it's worth giving it a chance. A short film that stands out for its great musical score and universally recognized themes. Each score is phenomenal and establishes a connection both with the viewer and with the images seen on screen.

The animation is very good. Incredible what could be done for the time. A formidable job that further complements the adventures of our little friends.

The narrative argument is solid, interesting, and very rich in reflections; despite this, from my perspective, it loses a bit due to the comedy, though this certainly does not detract from its merit. It has its strong moments but they are well executed. Seeing such iconic characters again will always be a good idea.

Innocence, imagination, the Christmas spirit, sharing, danger, personal well-being, friendship, theft, karma, war, and teamwork are depicted in a great way. Excellent messages for the little ones at home and even for the adults who revisit these Christmas classics.

Despite its Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Film, I think it could have been much better.

Jingle Bell.

6.5/10.