While not as "unknown" as the other Christmas specials in the series, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999-yes, it was that long ago) is an older special that deserves more attention. This movie features three well-animated shorts of Disney characters celebrating Christmas,
with equal parts cartoony comedy and heart warming moments. This is a holiday favorite of some of us at Pragmus, so we hope you enjoy!
**Spoilers Below!**
The first short in the film is, "Donald Duck: Stuck in Christmas," which highlights the Christmas dreams of Huey, Dewey, and Louie. In this one, the three boys get stuck in a Groundhog Day situation, living Christmas day over and over again until they learn a lesson. They only manage to escape the cycle after learning to see past themselves and their greedy desires centered around Christmas gifts. This Donald Duck short was very heartfelt and warm, as you get to follow the boys from a point selfishness to becoming more thoughtful, loving, and charitable. Yet, the short is also somewhat dark because, just like with Groundhog Day, you feel the sense of horror that comes with wondering, "What is this happened to me?" It kind of makes you look at yourself and engage in introspection about your own selfishness and personal flaws. Way to go Disney, rip my heart out and put it back in, why don't you?
Following the story about Huey, Dewey, and Louie, was "A Very Goofy Christmas." Can you guess who's in this one? That's right--Goofy! And the fabulous Maximillian Goof, this time as a child instead of the teen we know from A Goofy Movie (1995) or the young adult in An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000). In this extremely cute and very funny short, Goofy and Max chase down the mailman to deliver their letter to "Santie Claus," as Goofy says, after they barely missed the post guy coming down their street for the last time before Christmas. In "A Very Goofy Christmas," Goofy and Max also deal with some tough coming of age topics, like the reality of Santa, and those who live close to us who are less fortunate. The scene where Goofy and Max bring gifts and dinner to a poor family next door is super touching, and we get to see Max learn some important life lessons due to his experience with his neighbors.
At the same time that you have these universally applicable lessons about generosity and giving, you also have good ol' Pete... So, Pete’s a treat for playing the curmudgeon in this and in the third short too. However, as for Pete's perpetuation of the "Santa’s not real" part of the Goofy and Max story, I’m of two minds. On the one hand, the short stays down to earth and close to our reality (with the exception of Goofy’s hilarious, yet clearly painful accidents not putting him in the hospital), as Goofy and Max discover the true meaning of Christmas. For them, this was their family and neighborly relationships and finding joy without any need for the rosey-cheeked, bowl full of jelly, fat man to appear. On the other hand, the mailman part in reality wouldn’t matter if Santa didn't end up showing up, which I think is the the short would still remain my favorite without the last minute.
The third and final short in the movie is bound to bring tears, as it is all about two people in love giving all they have just to make each other happy. In this last short of the movie, Mickey
and Minnie Mouse reenact the Gift of the Magi story. In this version, Minnie owning the watch, which she wears around her neck, and
Mickey owns a nice harmonica. Other than that, the two don't have many possessions and hardly any money at all. Just like the timeless classic this short is based on, Mickey and Minnie end up giving up what they love most simply so they can buy what each believed the other wanted for Christmas. Because the couple is not well-off they have some real struggles that I think a lot of people can identify with. Tugs the heartstrings out--bring tissues to this one, folks.
Throughout the movie, the animation stays vibrant, flows well, and
never dips down to the level of some of the worse Disney TV shows. I honestly miss these Disney
shorts and cel animated movies in general, but this holiday anthology should
delight adults and kids alike. As for the CGI sequel, it’s not bad, but feels
so lacking in comparison. Go forth and watch! Happy holidays.
--Rozlynd and Corey :)
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