As said many, many times, love animation to bits, always have. Not just Disney, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Tex Avery and Hanna Barbera, but getting older it also broadened to include Pixar, Studio Ghibli, Soyuzmultfilm and Fleischer. It has always been a huge part of my life and helped me through all the tough times in school, with a broader knowledge actually appreciate it even more now.
Very like as has been said with 'Darkwing Duck' and 'Talespin' in individual episodes of them, 'DuckTales' is a show dear to my heart. While not quite one of the all-time greats in animation and ever it is a personal favourite and one of my favourite shows from Disney. Felt that way as a child, still do. One of those personal favourites from a young age that has held up very well (not all my childhood favourites have), and like many favourites seen recently as a young adult 'DuckTales' is even more entertaining through adult eyes from appreciating the writing and stories even more.
'DuckTales' couldn't have gotten off to a better start than "The Treasure of the Golden Suns", of which "Don't Give Up the Ship" is the first part. For me one of the best starts to an animated show.
The animation in "The Treasure of the Golden Suns: Don't Give Up the Ship" looks very pleasing on the eyes, nothing shoddy about it. Instead 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. Just as animated shows of this kind should be. It is impossible to resist or forget the theme song, one of the catchiest in animation and ever.
"The Treasure of the Golden Suns: Don't Give Up the Ship'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 is hilarious, quotable and surprisingly fresh by today's standards, also surprisingly thought-provoking and educational.
Similarly great in "The Treasure of the Golden Suns: Don't Give Up the Ship" is the storytelling. It is a thrilling and remarkably inventive story that is not predictable or repetitive, also not taking too long to get started or to the point. It is immensely entertaining to watch, has thrills aplenty, is never dull and has emotional investment while the conflict has tension.
Have always loved the characters. Scrooge is one of those characters that does live up to his name at first but the character grows and goes on a journey. It is wonderful to see Huey, Duey and Louie be given distinct personalities and it is much easier to tell them apart as a result than before when partnered with their uncle Donald Duck. Launchpad is great fun as is Webby. Donald Duck makes a nice short appearance. The Beagle Boys make for awesome villains and are very funny.
In "The Treasure of the Golden Suns: Don't Give Up the Ship", the voice acting is faultless. Cannot imagine anybody else as the characters of Scrooge and Launchpad than Alan Young and Terrence McGovern, Young especially is a big reason why Scrooge works so well as a character. Russi Taylor is wholly successful in giving different personalities to the three nephews. Tony Anselmo is a more than worthy successor to Clarence "Ducky" Nash as the voice of Donald, while Jim Cummings is his usual reliable self and Chuck McCann seems to be having a ball as most of the Beagle Boy characters.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox