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HTF DVD REVIEW: MIckey's Magical Christmas
Neil Middlemiss
reviewed November 17, 2009 at 3:07 pm
reviewed November 17, 2009 at 3:07 pm 
Mickey’s Magical Christmas
Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Studio: Walt Disney
Year: 2001
US Rating: Rated G
Film Length: 65 Minutes
Aspect Ratio:
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, DTS 5.1 Digital Surround
Subtitles:
Year: 2001
US Rating: Rated G
Film Length: 65 Minutes
Aspect Ratio:
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, DTS 5.1 Digital Surround
Subtitles:
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Review Date: November 17, 2009
The Film: 3 out of 5
Released in November, 2001, Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse joins other Mickey Mouse tales set around the holidays, and begins with Mickey closing up Christmas Eve with a full house of Disney characters, only to find that a storm has snowed them in at the ‘House of Mouse’. In typical ‘glass-half-full’ fashion, Mickey joyfully suggests that they settle in and make festive fun out of the circumstance - but Donald Duck is not amused, serving up a healthy dose of ‘bah humbug’, and so Mickey shows off a collection of Winterland and Holiday themed stories, which feature favorite Disney characters, to help get curmudgeonly Donald in the holiday spirit.
The classic cartoon stories include Donald himself trying to outrun a split in a frozen lake (which naturally chases him across land and up trees) in ‘Donald on Ice’, Pluto being tormented by Chip and Dale around a Christmas tree in ‘Pluto’s Christmas Tree’, and the distinctly Disney version of Scrooge in ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol (which is by far the highlight of the entire collection and a worthy rendition of the redemption tale). Another fun element is John Cleese’s narration (and funny interaction) for the Nutcracker story featuring Minnie Mouse (and Mickey as the Nutcracker). But this assembly of Disney cartoons spanning several decades is glued together poorly and awkwardly. While some of the stories are warm enough odes, the ‘mix and match feel’ fails to accomplish anything more than an experience that feels like an exploitative special, or worse, a clip show.
While there is some joy to be had in seeing so many different Disney characters, from Disney tales far and wide, weaved together (Mickey asking Jafar what he wants for Christmas has a certain humorous appeal), pulling all these characters out of their familiar settings doesn’t seem to work in this feature (it did, however, seem to work through 52 episodes of the House of Mouse TV show).
The animation is generally straightforward and fun, demonstrative of the decades they were plucked from to be included here, but animation for the intertwining story of Mickey and friends snowed in at the studio is out of place, and the occasional use of CG animation for a few seconds here and there most definitely feel unnatural to the rest of the feature. Similarly, the vocal performances for the major characters during the collected cartoons are solid, and less-so for the connective story thread.
Overall, the individual cartoons are great to have – but I would be certain you do not already have them in some form in your collection before electing to pick them up as presented here as this feature is uneven, awkward, and altogether disappointing.
The Video: 3 out of 5
The quality of the video throughout varies as the source material comes from different periods – but all are presented in full frame (1.33:1). Colors are bright in each segment and they are generally clean and free of distracting dust or debris (Mickey’s Christmas Carol being the oldest segment does have a few moments where dust flickers, but only slightly). Edge enhancement is evident in the newer animation particularly – and most noticeable when Goofy comes bursting through the kitchen doors near the beginning of the closing song). The bright colorful look is most pleasing, but does not outweigh the presentations weaknesses.
The Sound: 3.5 out of 5
Coming with both a Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround sound option, the audio is better than expected. I chose to watch with the DTS track engaged, and was surprised by the action in the surrounds. The audio is clear and free of any issues worth noting. Despite the irritating score used for the newer animation (and the dreadful guitar grounded soundtrack) – the audio performance is actually quite good.
The Extras: 2.5 out of 4
Premiere Episode of “House of Mouse” (23:06): The first episode of “House of Mouse” is available in its entirety.
The Sounds of Christmas (2:32): Wayne Allwine (who provides the voice of Mickey in this and other outings) gives a few kids a rundown of how a number of sound effects used by Disney are accomplished.
Sing-a-long Song “Deck the Halls” (1:49): A karaoke version of this holiday song featuring clips from holiday themed Disney cartoons.
Sing-a-long Song “Sleigh Ride” (1:55): Another song presented in a karaoke version featuring clips from holiday themed Disney cartoons.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this repackaging of Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse is a disappointment. Quite frankly, it feels like product - limited, light extras (except the House of Mouse premier episode), and the feature itself; a pot-luck of a few holiday favorites strung together with a poorly imagined overall storylines, doesn’t do much to entertain.
Overall Score 3 out of 5
Neil Middlemiss
Kernersville, NC
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