Episode #2.14

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.

'Goofy's Radio' is entertaining and endearing, with some fun gags and Goofy as amusingly incompetent yet relatable as ever. His chemistry with Louie carries the cartoon nicely and Louie is a more than worthy match for Goofy, but for me he works slightly better with Donald.

'Car Washers' is a perfect example of why Mickey, Goofy and Donald as a trio in their series of cartoons work so well together. For me, it is one of the better ones of the series, with a lot of funny moments and Pete on top form.

'Pluto's Seal Deal' is a good scenario for Pluto, showing boundless energy and likeability to a tee, and it's amusing and cute, the ending being a highlight. Salty is absolutely adorable. Mickey is a little underused and bland though.

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 stage curtains is very funny indeed, one of the funniest of his stealing the spotlight gags.

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, Bill Farmer and Tony Anselmo are more than worthy successors to Walt Disney/James MacDonald, Pinto Colvig and Clarence "Ducky" Nash. Jim Cummings is as ever perfect as Pete.

Overall, a lot to enjoy. 8/10 Bethany Cox