When younger watching animation, great animation, music, characters and voice acting were my main reasons for loving animation so much, as well as how it helped me feel better during bad times. Whereas as an adult, where my love for animation was even stronger, more components were noticeable, with more knowledge was garnered of behind the scenes and of the different studios, animation styles and those involved.
Grew up with 'Ducktales' and always did consider it a personal favourite. Actually like it even more and that is very high praise when some past favourites are far from it now. By today's standards, it is funnier, even more entertaining finding even more to like and from getting much more the references, humour and dialogue, not admittedly always the case when younger. That has been the case with many animated shows re-visited recently, with prime examples being 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain' and 'Tiny Toon Adventures'.
"Micro Ducks from Outer Space" however is not one of my favourite 'Ducktales' episodes. Not a bad episode at all, far from it. It does boast a lot of good things and a nice concept, but would have benefitted from some more consistent writing as well as a less contrived reason for the Micros' mission.
As indicated, other episodes fare more consistently in the writing stakes. A few of the early exchanges/back and forths are uncharacteristically forced and with a few sci-fi film exchanges that felt more obvious than anything else. The weak link in the writing is Huey's speech, which came completely out of place and was both out of place and over-explanatory.
Found the ending on the anaemic and almost throwaway side. The Micros too, while nice enough compelling characters, could have played larger roles than for convenience.
However, the animation as expected is very vibrant, fluid, clean and the attention to detail in the backgrounds is also note-worthy. The alterations are imaginatively done but it is the animation of the rats in the sewer scene that is the visual standout here. One of my main reasons for loving the show has always been the music, the score is dynamic, beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. Disney had many theme songs that were difficult to resist and were very catchy to the extent one doesn't forget them, and that for 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best.
Despite finding the writing flawed in "Micro Ducks from Outer Space", it is still generally witty and clever and the freshness is definitely there. The story more often than not entertains and thrills with some nice energy, with the sewer and spider web parts being particularly memorable. The regular characters are all on top form, have always found Scrooge an interesting character and it has always been great that in 'Ducktales' you have always been able to tell Huey, Duey and Louie apart. Webby is charming and Gyro shows why he has always been one of my favourite recurring characters.
Voice acting cannot be faulted here, Alan Young was born for Scrooge, Russi Taylor shows no signs of being over-parted and Hal Smith fits Gyro very well.
In conclusion, pretty good episode but not a great one. 7/10 Bethany Cox
