Love animation to bits. It was a big part of my life as a child, especially Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it as a young adult, whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now, having more knowledge of the different animation styles and directors and what work went into them.
Am most familiar with the 'Mickey Mouse Works' cartoons from them featuring on 'House of Mouse', a show still held a fondness for by me. With the colours and sound effects, that 'Mickey Mouse Works' makes a real effort to retain the spirit of the old/classic/golden age Disney cartoons is to be lauded. The characters' original personalities are admirably stuck true to as well, particularly Goofy and Donald, while also expanding those for a few, Mickey being more interesting here than before. The hyperactive energy present here is one of few things that is different.
'Vending Machine' is one of only two 'Mickey Mouse Works' cartoons ('Minnie Takes Care of Pluto' being the other) to not feature on 'House of Mouse'. To me it is one of the better and more inventive cartoons in the "Pluto Gets the Paper" series.
'Mickey's Answering Service' is a perfect example of why Mickey, Goofy and Donald are such great characters and work as well as they do. The interaction is a sheer delight and the cartoon is fast-paced and very funny even if it is slightly low on surprises.
'Pluto's Magic Paws' is similarly very amusing and charming, one of my favourite 'Mickey Mouse Works' Pluto-centric cartoons. Everything with the magic gloves is done with a good deal of imagination, regardless of how easily foreseeable the outcome is.
'Mickey's Big Break' is the best of the four. The lengths Mickey and Donald go through here drives the cartoon and it never gets repetitive. It is never less than hilarious, and there are priceless appearances from Goofy (who for a clumsy and not hugely bright character shows more intelligence than usual) and Clarabelle (couldn't help feeling sorry for poor Donald).
While not surprising in outcome, the stories are lively and engaging, kept afloat by the character interaction, characters and the atmosphere.
The writing is clever and very funny, even with the deliberately corny moment and pun which made me grin rather than groan.
Really enjoy the spontaneous flow of the episode and Donald's spotlight stealing/accident with the cake is very funny indeed, Clarabelle makes it more surprising.
Furthermore, the animation is very colourful, smooth in movement and with some meticulous detail. The music is suitably groovy, jaunty and cleverly used.
Voice acting is very good with some of the best voice actors in the business involved. Wayne Allwine and Tony Anselmo are more than worthy successors to Walt Disney/James MacDonald and Clarence "Ducky" Nash. April Winchell and Jeff Bennett are suitably spirited.
All in all, as to be expected a lot to enjoy. 8/10 Bethany Cox
