Test Pilot Donald

Chip an' Dale shorts are entirely too often rather boring, lifeless affairs because the characters aren't all that interesting in and of themselves. Donald is the attraction here for the most part. Largely an unsympathetic character, there are moments where I found myself actually pulling for him in this one. Worth watching at least once, even though it isn't vintage Disney.

Donald Duck is testing out his new model airplane in the park, when it's caught in a tree. It's Chip and Dale's tree. While Chip wants to have nothing to do with it, Dale decides to take the chipmunk-sized aircraft out for a spin. It doesn't take long for Donald's temper to get him in trouble; it's a seven-minute cartoon, after all.

What susrprised me about this cartoon is the strong differentiation between the two chipmunks' characters. It shouldn't, I suppose. Disney staff knew their stories were firmly based in character, and here that makes a difference.

This is a rather unpredictable Chip N Dale and Donald Duck cartoon. Donald tests his model airplane but, after it gets stuck in a tree, Dale jumps on it and decides to take it for a fun run. Chip wanted no part of it and wasn't amused at Dale taking parts in the mischief. He even went as far as stopping him from getting into the plane at first, saying it belongs to Donald. That was a refreshing departure.

Not many laughs in this one though, but plenty of slapstick stuff, good animation, and classic Donald expressions.

Grade B-

Which one is Dale, which one is Chip?

In Test Pilot Donald, a masterfully designed short film structure; Dale and Chip have distinct and not-so-opposite character growth.

Make this short your 1st Chip'n'Dale episode to start watching their other adventures; so you will never confuse who is who.

The premise is in two Acts:

Act-1: Donald remote controls a AN-74 Ferrari inspired jet drone which hits and bogs down on a tree two chipmunks have a home in.

Inciding Incident: Dale jumps on the drone and aims to ride it, while Chip warns him indicating a big white duck (Donald) controls the drone.

Thesis- Dale must take the control of the drone from Donald, by riding it from its pilot seat.

Act-2: Dale takes on the challenge and Chip will need to run for his rescue when Donald captures Dale in a water bottle.

Synthesis- To prove he can handle this trouble on his own, Dale succeeds on messing up with Donald and manages to entrap him tied down to a houseroof while the drone was lapsing around it continuously.

The first Academy award nominated antagonist chipmunks in animation history(1947) have been given distinct character growths; uniquely uncompleting each others' opposite motives. Chip only risks his safety for his shelter or in case he needs food; while Dale is the Daledevil always jumps for any adventures and challenges by heart without making any plans.

After this episode, ever since 1951, in the new Chip'n'Dale adventures Chip always draws up a plan and whispers to Dale's ear ; which will indeed hamper Dale's adventurist initiations. (Accordingly making all the new Chip'n'Dale cartoons predictable with boring endings)

The mastered Duo rule for any unique Comedy Duos: + Do not oppose your dual partner just because he has an opposite character ++ The duo do not have to attempt all challenges together; while they are both still actively involved in the action +++ Out of the duo, decide which one will be on the foreground ; and which one for the background ++++ When the duo do not need to complete each other; their character growths are given free space and the story structure evolves into an unpredictable dynamic (the master rule for all duo-comedy franchises)

I personally enjoy the Donald Duck/Chip 'n' Dale cartoons. Sure, they are not the best cartoons I've ever seen, and most of them including this one are routine story-wise, but I still find them very entertaining. Test Pilot Donald is not one of their best, there are funnier cartoons of theirs out there, though I was amused by the tools being left in the plane engine. However, it is beautifully animated, from the subtle backgrounds, well-drawn characters to the elegant colours, and the music has a very uplifting quality to it. Of the characters, I found the star of the cartoon to be Dale, he is not only cute but he manages to drive Donald crazy and defeat him by himself, while Chip, perhaps the only cartoon where this is the case, has none of it. Clarence Nash does a great job as Donald despite not having much to say. Overall, a fun and amusing cartoon but nothing exceptional at the end of the day. 8/10 Bethany Cox