Granted Blue Rhythm is not laugh-a-minute and it doesn't have the strongest story in the world(with the middle act not that much different from other Disney concert shorts, except being in a different setting), but none of that matters- plus neither are always bad points- because Blue Rhythm is a joy everywhere else. The obvious high point is the music, which is in all fairness though always one of the consistent best things about the Disney shorts, it was nice to hear a style that was different from popular songs and pieces that is usually heard. It was a very jazz and swing style which gave the short so much lively energy and is so catchy it makes you want to get up and dance. The animation is the other big high-point, the black and white is remarkably crisp and Mickey and the other characters have much fluidity in their movements. Mickey's facial expressions from having the time of his life to irritation is so well done we actually feel his emotions with him. But the visual standout was at the very beginning with the large silhouette of Mickey that later scaled down, a very clever piece of animation and one of the most effective openings to a Disney short in my view. As said, Blue Rhythm is not exactly laugh-a-minute but it is still immensely entertaining, a standout being Mickey's interaction with the piano with his expressions even funnier and the use of seeing everybody in the band and having short close-up sequences was a clever move. All the characters work well individually and together, particularly Mickey(not surprising considering that he's the lead and has shown that he is the perfect lead character for a concert short), but it was also really interesting to see Pluto in a more human-like role to how he usually is. In conclusion, lots of fun and looks and sounds wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Blue Rhythm
