Have always loved animation with a passion and it is very special and important to me, Disney and Looney Tunes (my earliest influences) especially. Love and appreciate it even more now through adult eyes, due to my knowledge of it, various characters, directors, styles and studios being broader.
Loved 'Ducktales' as a child, still love it as a young adult and actually even more so with getting more out of the writing, getting the jokes and references more and generally finding the show funnier. It was a personal favourite from a young age that has held up very well (not all my childhood favourites have, just in case one is wondering that this is nostalgia talking). Like many favourites re-visited recently as a young adult 'DuckTales' is even more entertaining through adult eyes from appreciating the writing and stories more.
While not quite one of my favourite episodes, "Pearl of Wisdom" is great all the same. Other episodes have supporting characters that stick in the mind more perhaps, but there is nothing inherently wrong here.
'Ducktales' animation quality has seldom been an issue and that's still the case here. Like the previous parts, it is very vibrant, fluidly drawn and the attention to detail in the backgrounds is also note-worthy. Can say nothing wrong about the music, the score is dynamic, beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. The theme song is both irresistible and unforgettable, Disney shows in the late 80s all the way through the 90s were very good at this and 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best.
"Pearl of Wisdom's" writing is even smarter, even more intelligent and even funnier as an adult. Part of this is due to understanding and appreciating the references, which came over as very funny and brilliantly timed when a child but easier to get and notice as an adult. Have found the same experience re-visiting other favourites like 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain' and 'Tiny Toon Adventures'. The dialogue continues to be hilarious, quotable and surprisingly fresh, Scrooge and Webby especially have some priceless lines.
The storytelling is another strong asset. Not the most inventive stories of 'Ducktales', but it avoids being predictable or repetitive, also not taking too long to get started or to the point. It is immensely entertaining to watch and has thrills and energy aplenty.
Love the characters. Scrooge is one of those characters that does live up to his name at first but the character is still interesting and likeable with lines that never fail to be either thought-provoking, funny or both. Love how amusing Launchpad is and a great job is done giving Huey, Dewey and Louie distinct personalities from each other, meaning you can tell them apart. Sharkey, bearing a vast resemblance to Pete, is especially fun of the antagonists but Webby steals the show here.
Voice acting is fabulous. Alan Young is a big reason why Scrooge works so well as a character and cannot imagine anybody else voicing him. Russi Taylor shows no signs of being over-parted in the most roles to fill, and Will Ryan and Hal Smith have tremendous fun as the episode's antagonists.
Altogether, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Loved 'Ducktales' as a child, still love it as a young adult and actually even more so with getting more out of the writing, getting the jokes and references more and generally finding the show funnier. It was a personal favourite from a young age that has held up very well (not all my childhood favourites have, just in case one is wondering that this is nostalgia talking). Like many favourites re-visited recently as a young adult 'DuckTales' is even more entertaining through adult eyes from appreciating the writing and stories more.
While not quite one of my favourite episodes, "Pearl of Wisdom" is great all the same. Other episodes have supporting characters that stick in the mind more perhaps, but there is nothing inherently wrong here.
'Ducktales' animation quality has seldom been an issue and that's still the case here. Like the previous parts, it is very vibrant, fluidly drawn and the attention to detail in the backgrounds is also note-worthy. Can say nothing wrong about the music, the score is dynamic, beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. The theme song is both irresistible and unforgettable, Disney shows in the late 80s all the way through the 90s were very good at this and 'Ducktales' to me was one of the best.
"Pearl of Wisdom's" writing is even smarter, even more intelligent and even funnier as an adult. Part of this is due to understanding and appreciating the references, which came over as very funny and brilliantly timed when a child but easier to get and notice as an adult. Have found the same experience re-visiting other favourites like 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain' and 'Tiny Toon Adventures'. The dialogue continues to be hilarious, quotable and surprisingly fresh, Scrooge and Webby especially have some priceless lines.
The storytelling is another strong asset. Not the most inventive stories of 'Ducktales', but it avoids being predictable or repetitive, also not taking too long to get started or to the point. It is immensely entertaining to watch and has thrills and energy aplenty.
Love the characters. Scrooge is one of those characters that does live up to his name at first but the character is still interesting and likeable with lines that never fail to be either thought-provoking, funny or both. Love how amusing Launchpad is and a great job is done giving Huey, Dewey and Louie distinct personalities from each other, meaning you can tell them apart. Sharkey, bearing a vast resemblance to Pete, is especially fun of the antagonists but Webby steals the show here.
Voice acting is fabulous. Alan Young is a big reason why Scrooge works so well as a character and cannot imagine anybody else voicing him. Russi Taylor shows no signs of being over-parted in the most roles to fill, and Will Ryan and Hal Smith have tremendous fun as the episode's antagonists.
Altogether, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
