Goofy's Extreme Sports: Rock Climbing/Hansel And Gretel/Donald On Ice/Mickey's Mechanical House

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.

Generally like the "Extreme Sports" cartoons, which is basically the "How to" series but sports oriented. As with much of the series, 'Rock Climbing' is entertaining and teaches, as does Corey Burton's beautifully pitched narration. Goofy is endearing.

'Hansel and Gretel' is a suitably creepy take with a suitably twisted atmosphere, a quite creepy witch and Mickey and Minnie being likeable as ever. The use of Saint Saens' "Danse Macabre", even when not in full form, adds a lot and even enhances it.

'Donald on Ice' adheres very closely to the spirit of the classic Donald vs. Nephews cartoons, and a fond reminder of what makes the silly symphony 'Donald's Snow Fight' such a personal favourite while not being derivative.

'Mickey's Mechanical House' is one of the best 'Mickey Mouse Works' cartoons. Love the imagination of the house gadgets and the house is like a character of its own. The rhyming dialogue is suitably droll as is John Cleese's narration, showing that Cleese is born for narration.

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 airplane is very funny indeed.

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. Corey Burton brings so much personality to the narrator and John Cleese is equally thoughtful.

To conclude, very enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox