Bird Brained Donald/Donald's Pool/How to Be a Gentleman

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.

'Bird Brained Donald' has charm and is also very funny. The scenario is well suited to Donald's temperament and the Aracuan bird is a pesty but suitably maniacal and fun foil.

'How to Be a Gentleman' is fun and educational, with Goofy being amusingly incompetent and endearing.

'Donald's Pool' has some very well-timed and funny gags, especially in the second half (like Baby Shelby's very long descent from the diving board) and an inventively used pool setting. Donald and Baby Shelby, in one of their best pairings, work really well together, crucial as it is the thing that drives the cartoon most, Shelby is an annoyance but an amusing one. My only criticism is Estelle Harris once again screaming and shouting all her lines as Mrs Turtle and it grates fast.

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 official logo is very funny indeed, the outcome is also one of the least predictable ones.

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. Corey Burton is a spirited narrator, showing an ability to entertain and teach. Only Harris lets the side down in this regard.

All in all, as to be expected a lot to enjoy. 8/10 Bethany Cox