A Case of Mistaken Identity ( DuckTales Vol 4 Part 10) - 'Toon Reviews 50

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A Case of Mistaken Identity

When stories involve superheroes, a common thing for them to deal with is their secret identity, mainly making sure it stays secret for the protection of themselves and others.  Sometimes, the matter exists for the purposes of drama in their relationship with loved ones or to create a personal drama in simply how hard it is to keep it secret.  In the case of this episode, the matter of the secret identity of this featured superhero, Gizmoduck, is central to a story about jealousy of someone else mistaken to be him.  Ultimately, the execution is mixed. 

With how popular Gizmoduck has become at this point, Huey, Dewey, and Louie become curious as to who he really is.  Through an investigation, there's a chance encounter with Scrooge and Launchpad, the latter of whom they come to believe is definitely Gizmoduck.  Fenton Crackshell also happens to be there, and despite being cool with keeping his status as Gizmoduck secret before, he becomes visibly upset at this assumption.  Scrooge tries to assure him that it’s better the nephews think Launchpad is Gizmoduck to protect his identity, but to no avail.  

It’s at this point where the plot of the episode is established with Fenton setting out to prove that Launchpad is not Gizmoduck, and the results have a good deal of frustration and contrivance.  The frustration comes from how it’s already well established to the audience that Launchpad isn’t Gizmoduck. To have the world around Fenton stick to believing falsehoods doesn’t sit right.  

Following Fenton putting up with ridiculous reasons for the nephews’ claims such as a piece of metal at Launchpad’s allegedly being part of Gizmoduck, there’s a Gizmoduck party.  It seems like an easy place for Fenton to show up as Gizmoduck while Launchpad appears as himself, all set to disprove the theory.  However, as Gizmoduck, Fenton has to put up with all sorts of ineptness from people thinking that he’s wearing a costume.  Some fans who are also wearing a Gizmoduck costume even have quirks that seem to be more impressive than that of the real hero which is kind of sad.  Then there’s an incident with fireworks where Fenton rushes to dispatch a box of them when they’re accidentally lit while everyone else, including Launchpad, runs away.  Fenton finishes the job, but everyone still believes Launchpad is Gizmoduck when he comes back all banged up.  Is that really enough to be so sure? How do they know that this outcome is definitely what happened?  

Because of this setup, Launchpad is then constantly bombarded with people who are more convinced than ever that he’s Gizmoduck, something he’s desperate to deny.  In that regard, it’s interesting that both he and Fenton are on the same page to prove that’s not the case despite the latter’s jealousy.  It seems like they have a chance when Launchpad is captured by the Beagle Boys, and Fenton comes to rescue him as Gizmoduck.  However, since he and Launchpad weren’t both there when Gizmoduck got the Beagle Boys arrested, this does nothing to break the belief.  Also, since a lie detector used on the Beagle Boys says they’re telling the truth, now this false belief is 100% confirmed, dragging things out even more.  

It’s at this point where the episode becomes very monotonous with its story where just when it seems to be getting somewhere, something always keeps it going.  It would be appropriate for the audience to just want it to get to a resolution.  Thankfully, that turns out to be well-handled.  Launchpad, in an interview where the crowds expect official confirmation that he is Gizmoduck, ends up saying the password to get the Gizmoduck suit on himself.  His inexperience on how to actually work the suit leads into several mishaps and eventually a spectacle of a runaway through the series.  The most standout element though is Fenton’s role in this circumstance.  Even though he’s not the one with the power, it’s nice to see Fenton’s natural wits be what saves Launchpad from every mishap his mishandling of the suit causes.  Then, after much ineptness from the public, there’s something rewarding with them noticing Fenton’s heroic efforts in addition to finally realizing Launchpad can’t be Gizmoduck.  There’s even some solid humor with Huey, Dewey, and Louie now considering Fenton a likely candidate albeit shockingly placed below Mrs. Beakley of all characters.  While a good laugh to end the episode on, it’s perplexing to see how Fenton is upset about people not knowing his identity, a mark against this story as a whole.  

This secret identity story has a fair share of things to hold it back from the long time everyone believes a fallacy, and contrivances to keep it going.  Still, it’s entertaining, and a solid number of moments have good heart, humor, and character, so while it’s far from great, it’s certainly not bad.

B

The Ranking

1.     My Mother the Psychic

2.     Allowance Day

3.     The Big Flub

4.     The Land of Trala La

5.     The Good Muddahs

6.     Dough Ray Me

7.     A Case of Mistaken Identity

8.     Bubba’s Big Brainstorm

9.     Metal Attraction

10.  Bubbeo and Juliet

The next review steers us to the reboot where Scrooge goes missing during his birthday party.

If you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

Terror of the Terra-Fermians-(DuckTales 2017 Season 1 Episode 9)-'Toon Reviews 51

If you like this review and want to stay updated for what else I have in store, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter. Now on with today's review:

Terror of the Terra-Firmians

The best way to describe this episode of the reboot is that it’s an effective mix of honoring the original series and doing its own unique thing.  Both approaches in writing make for a memorable escapade of callbacks to legacy and how it allows development for much of the characters present.  

The driving force of the story mostly comes from elements exclusive to the reboot with the group hanging out with Webby’s new friend Lena.  Following a trip to the movies, Lena’s attitude leads to mixed reactions.  While the kids enjoy her laid back and rebellious ways well enough with Webby being absolutely ecstatic, their caretaker Mrs. Beakley is understandably suspicious.  Naturally protective of the kids, especially her granddaughter, it’s easy to think that Lena could be a bad influence to those she’s around.  Even the audience has a reason to believe this with her established association with Magica de Spell.  There’s a good show of these traits with the other inciting incident for the story that also serves as a tie to the original series.  

The movie the group saw gets Webby talking about a variety of creatures, particularly a group of creatures known as terra-firmians.  The portrayal of these creatures is a respectful homage with its own fresh additions.  Like in the original series, the terra-firmians are round colorful ball-like creatures who compete in games involving rolling into things that end up causing earthquakes for the surface world.  However, while the original depictions of these characters had them merely as cheerful creatures oblivious to the havoc they cause, the reboot goes for more interesting background.  They’re actually a race of different tribes who chaotically compete in games as part of a war where they fight for the throne following the death of the original king.  Also, unlike the center of the earth in the original series, they reside in an old abandoned subway tunnel below Duckburg.  

As that tunnel is just nearby, Lena seizes opportunity and leads Webby and Huey down to investigate, and are later joined by Mrs. Beakley, Dewey, Louie, and Launchpad.  The group is eventually separated which makes for equal focus on different subplots going on.  Starting with the least impactful subplot, that involves Launchpad being assigned to get an abandoned subway train moving with Dewey joining him for backup.  The catch is that Launchpad is very paranoid about the people he knows being mole monsters after seeing the earlier movie.  Through the process, Dewey tries to talk sense into him with Launchpad coming to the conclusion that if everyone is a mole monster, he must be too.  It’s a solid comedic side plot which reveals Launchpad’s ways sourcing from a lack of intelligence, but it does show a start of him and Dewey as a notable pair for the series.  

Now, the other two subplots have more to talk about.  Webby and Huey have a conflict involving the true existence of the terra-firmians.  Webby, with a huge passion for adventure, is a firm believer in the creatures and is eager to meet them.  All the while, there’s a notable showing of Huey’s individual character, further demonstrating the reboot’s welcome distinction of the three nephews.  In Huey’s case, he’s very detail oriented and dependent on his prized book, the Junior Woodchucks Guidebook, a very notable nod to the original series.  He stubbornly believes that if certain phenomena isn’t in the book, it isn’t real, and terra-firmians are not in the book.  Whenever they come across a sign of the creatures, Webby and Huey have differing reasons for believing if it truly is them or not, getting tense and argumentative.  

This conflicting atmosphere is also felt with Lena and Mrs. Beakley whose differing mannerisms bring their lack of trust in each other to the forefront.  It’s especially felt when during their trek to free the train from a cave-in, Mrs. Beakley forbids Lena from ever seeing Webby again after all this.  This is distressing to Lena, showing that her friendship with Webby is indeed genuine and really doesn’t want to lose her.  Her feelings are really put to the test when the train finally gets moving, but strange creatures also start attacking.  It’s a major climactic moment to bring several turning points for characters.  As Huey witnesses the creature that clearly appears to be a terra-firmian, his view and dependence on his guidebook is undoubtably challenges.  He’s forced to come to terms with his worldview being challenged, and doing so in such a tense climax makes the moment stand out even more.  However, the most shining character moment belongs to Lena.  During the ambush, Mrs. Beakley is caught under a coach of the subway train.  Lena is driven to help, but her loyalty is truly put to the test when Magica de Spell appears in her shadow again, trying to push Lena to just leave Mrs. Beakley.  There’s suspense over what choice she’ll make, but ultimately, Lena makes the right choice and saves Mrs. Beakley, defying her aunt.  This cements Lena as a character worth supporting where in spite of her rebellious nonconformist ways, she does believe in doing what’s right.  

As for the terra-firmians, when everything’s settled, there’s a compromise for the views of Huey and Webby.  The creatures prove to be real, but nothing is said about their history.  If anything, the one who encountered the group practically mirrors Huey in terms of perspective of different beings.  Honestly, this brief encounter with the terra-firmians here and how they approach outsiders makes them more interesting than the whole episode they had in the original series.  That said, it is unfortunate that they never show up again throughout this reboot.  One thing that is further seen going forward though is Lena’s character arc.  The episode ends with her gaining Mrs. Beakley’s trust, and when she hears Magica berate her, she brushes it off choosing to follow the rules to keep her new friendship.  This in turn leaves the audience with a character worth getting behind with lots of future potential.  

Having said that, the main appeal of this episode comes from the many interesting character dynamics and the compelling growth and ideals that result from them.

A

Series Ranking

1.     The House of the Lucky Gander

2.     The Beagle Birthday Breakout

3.     The Impossible Summit of Mt. Neverrest

4.     Terror of the Terra-Firmians

5.     The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra

6.     Daytrip of Doom

7.     The Great Dime Chase

8.     Escape To/From Atlantis

9.     Woo-oo

10.  The Infernal Internship of Mark Beaks

The next review follows a mystery with Scrooge going missing during a party he doesn't even want.

Next time on MC Toon Reviews, we return to Ed Edd n Eddy  Season 4 with "Robbin' Ed" and "A Case of Ed."

If you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

The Big Flub-(DuckTales Vol 4 Part 9)-'Toon Reviews 50 + Where Have I Been

 If you like this review and want to stay updated for what else I have in store, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter. 

Before we begin, I think I have some explaining to do because it's kind of crazy how long it's been since my last post.  I started this blog with eagerness to share my thoughts on animated shows with anyone anywhere who also enjoys them.  In all honesty, this is still the case now, but life has other commitments such as day jobs to help keep bread on the table, and attempts to win jobs I dream of having. You can see what I mean by the latter here, highlighting what I've spent most of last year working on.  As a result, certain pastimes have been pushed aside, including these reviews.  In addition though, I just don't feel as motivated to talk about animated series whether it's my overall life still having a lot going on, or the current state of the animation medium this decade, or even a bit of writer's block.  Nevertheless, I look back at my past reviews with fondness and I do enjoy what I have come up with, so returning to it was always on my mind.  Well now, I'm ready to try my hand at reviewing more frequently, with my current goal finishing my current set of reviews for DuckTales and Ed Edd n Eddy. I'm even interested in covering other seasons of other shows like the last season of Hilda.  I can't say I'll be reviewing as frequently as I have before, and it could still be inconsistent, but I can try to make more of an attempt to not give up on the blog.

I think that's all there is to say about this, so on with today's review:

The Big Flub

This Fenton Crackshell-focused episode highlights both the likable and frustratingly boneheaded sides of the character.  At the same time, it does make a somewhat entertaining point about staying sharp in business.  

When a new position opens to be Scrooge’s vice president, Fenton is instantly in it to win it, though clearly to an aggressive extent. He’s constantly showing up when Scrooge least expects it simply asking or even begging for the position which only leaves Scrooge annoyed.  This method only lasts for a short time though as Fenton soon learns from Huey, Dewey, and Louie that to get something from Scrooge, he has to cleverly sell himself.  Their example is how they convinced him to buy them a three person bike so it would be cheaper than paying for gas for years.  

With that, Fenton gets into the selling game himself by putting together a TV commercial.  It has several key factors for successful commercials; the atmosphere is appealing, it has a fitting personality to advertise it with Gandra Dee, and even a name, Pep.  However, there’s a major deal breaker to Fenton’s strategy that honestly shouldn’t have been too hard to miss; he doesn’t have an actual product to sell.  For all his efforts on the commercials and their effectiveness in getting people excited for Pep, not saying exactly what it is does not do Fenton any favors.  Interestingly, Scrooge sees Fenton’s strategy as smart because of the excitement it’s built up for Pep; they just need to find an invention to give the name to.  In that regard, there’s actually a good lesson about business from this that the audience watching can take from this episode.  

As for what Pep ends up being, the problem is solved fairly quickly via an assortment of inventions from Gyro Gearloose.  Fenton and Scrooge ultimately settle on gum that make people float when they blow a bubble.  Such a novelty is a hit with the public with many indicators of Pep’s huge impact with the product quickly selling out, the gum being a part everyday life, and Fenton getting higher status.  Yet in all this success, it’s easy to predict a catch mainly because of Fenton showcasing the gum without paying attention to Gyro’s warning about it not being tested.  One doesn’t have to think too hard to see how this is just asking for trouble, and sure enough, this turns out to be the case.  

The gum has side effects of making anyone who chewed it float uncontrollably and involuntary.  The product that started out as a grand innovation is now a total nuisance, and Fenton’s new status takes the biggest hit.  Now everyone who was amazed by his product detests him and everything related to it.  Even Gandra has to conceal her identity for being the face of Pep in the commercials and also wants nothing to do with Fenton.  

At least Fenton’s mother and Scrooge see his goodness and well intentions and are active in helping Fenton fix everything.  When Fenton is stuck floating, they use Pep, a trash compactor, and a tire pump to get Mrs. Crackshell’s trailer airborne to get Fenton his Gizmoduck suit.  It’s a resolution that’s as creative as it is heartfelt especially compared to everyone else regarding Fenton.  As Gizmoduck, he saves the floating people and attaches them to heavy weights to keep them on the ground, though it’s not clear how they don’t end up floating away again.  Moral-wise, it’s at least good that the ending implies that all will be forgiven with Fenton after he sends out enough refunds and apologies.  

Overall, this is a solid episode held back by notable boneheaded story and character moments, but still comes out with an amusing take on business ethics.

B+

The Ranking

1.     My Mother the Psychic

2.     Allowance Day

3.     The Big Flub

4.     The Land of Trala La

5.     The Good Muddahs

6.     Dough Ray Me

7.     Bubba’s Big Brainstorm

8.     Metal Attraction

9.     Bubbeo and Juliet

 

The next episode follows everyone trying to guess the identity of Gizmoduck.

Next time is a reboot episode, "Terror of the Terra-Firmians."

f you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

The Living Mummies Of Toth-Ra (DuckTales 2017 Season 1 Episode 8) - 'Toon Reviews 51

If you like this review and want to stay updated for what else I have in store, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter. Now on with today's review:

The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra

The category this episode falls under is the kind of adventure that isn’t directly referencing anything from the original series but definitely feels like it was written in that same spirit.  It’s a globetrotting adventure with an intent to find treasure with creative twists from both the setting and the characters experiencing everything.  

Specifically, the adventure this time sees Scrooge and the group at an Egyptian pyramid where their goal is to uncover the treasure of a Pharaoh king named Toth-Ra.  After springing a trap, the group is separated and wind up in different areas of the temple.  Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Launchpad find a whole community people who wear mummy bandages out of worship for Toth-Ra himself.  As they live in a dark secluded temple for all their lives, the people believe that it’s Toth-Ra who grants them things like sunlight to help them survive, even if it’s a bit of it.  Otherwise, they put up with poor conditions like having to eat sand or having garbage areas so close to their living quarters.  

Clearly, this is oppression and Scrooge becomes inspired to lead everyone to experience freedom.  In an interesting direction, the people don’t seem to understand the concept of freedom no matter how Scrooge and the nephews explain it.  As they’ve lived under Toth-Ra’s rule for so long, they’re more incline to naturally do what he says, as if they’re unable to experience true independence.  Through the usual direction of DuckTales though, it takes the simplistic and innocent ways of Launchpad to get anywhere; in this case it’s his fascination with burritos.  Just the promise of them and practice of making them is all it takes for Toth-Ra’s followers to rise up it seems.  But no one is aware that Toth-Ra is not what he seems.  

In another part of the temple, Louie and Webby discover the treasure of the old Pharaoh which makes for an interesting clash of perspectives.  Further demonstrating how he stands out from the rest of the nephews, Louie is simply ecstatic to be among riches having taken the easy way to get them.  Webby also shows off how much she’s evolved from her older iteration with a far more adventurous spirit, right down to being ready to meet her demise as only the temple can offer.  

It’s this clash of perspectives that brings about a breakthrough.  With his talents of uncovering scams, Louie discovers that Toth-Ra himself is actually nothing more than a corpse with someone operating mechanisms to move and speak for him.  A temple guard mans the system and it’s said that he and his ancestors have been assigned to control the body of Toth-Ra until the pharaoh awoke himself.  That’s never happened of course and having uncovered the scam, Louie seizes opportunity and controls the corpse of Toth-Ra himself.  This seems like an easy end to the scheme especially as it quickly crosses paths with Scrooge and the others, but to fit the true adventurous spirit, it doesn’t stop there.  

In Louie’s messing about, Toth-Ra’s corpse ends up crossing an image of the sun on the floor.  Bringing closure to an earlier scene of Webby’s adventurous nature of interpreting hieroglyphics, this action is what ultimately awakens Toth-Ra himself.  The presence of such a figure brings interesting twists and tonal shifts; whereas the Pharaoh has been described in a fairly light-hearted manner, he’s very seriously threatening to Scrooge and the others.  Even ridiculous claims like him having laser eyes and getting information from scarab beetles turn out to be shockingly true.  

As a result, facing Toth-Ra makes for an effective climax with notable standout moments.  The living mummies finally understand the concept of freedom through looking at burritos in a metaphorical sense and put up a productive fight.  However, the real victors are Louie and Webby; as Louie, in what’s slowly becoming his thing, has to accept humility after greedy cockiness, he seems willing to have Toth-Ra take his life.  This move turns out to be a good diversion for Webby really coming full circle with her intrigue for adventure.  By offering Toth-Ra a golden reward of the sun and a sword from the treasury Louie’s been coveting this whole time reflecting the light, Toth-Ra passes the sun image again.  This leaves him powerless as he’s trapped in nothing else but a burrito by the living mummies who place him back where they come from.  The episode then ends with morals obtained for the main heroes and freedom achieved for the living mummies who start off their freedom by ordering a bunch of burritos.  

Ultimately, there's further proof of this show’s great status as a reboot as it honors its roots by crafting a fresh adventure with its own lore and character development.

A

Series Ranking

1.     The House of the Lucky Gander

2.     The Beagle Birthday Breakout

3.     The Impossible Summit of Mt. Neverrest

4.     The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra

5.     Daytrip of Doom

6.     The Great Dime Chase

7.     Escape To/From Atlantis

8.     Woo-oo

9.     The Infernal Internship of Mark Beaks

The next episode returns Lena to the spotlight and introduces the reboot's take on terra-firmians.

Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Thick As an Ed" and "Sorry Wrong Ed" from Ed Edd n Eddy.

If you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

Bubba's Big Brainstorm (DuckTales Vol 4 Part 8) - 'Toon Reviews 50

 If you like this review and want to stay updated for what else I have in store, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter. Now on with today's review:

Bubba’s Big Brainstorm

It’s technically a break from the norm to have Bubba the caveduck in the spotlight again after a number of Gizmoduck and nephew starring roles.  However, his lack of real intrigue as a lead still persists as this episode features problems that arise regardless of whether or not something is done with his boisterous caveduck ways.  

The conflict starts with everyone wanting to do something about Bubba’s recent string of bad grades which already begs a lot of questions.  Since he’s from the Stone Age and not as evolved as people in modern times, it’s a given a school in this age wouldn’t be a good fit for him.  In fact, why is he even a classmate?  This is even brought up later on, but nothing comes of this claim.  

Anyway, Bubba is given an invention by Gyro Gearloose called a thinking cap, and it instantly works in making him smarter.  This makes his entire persona change, not only having a larger intellect for his studies, but also speaking with a more sophisticated tone and vocabulary.  It’s effective in lowering his more scrappy tendencies and guarantees him better grades, but there’s also a mixed perception on this new Bubba.  He easily fulfills his goal of better grades up to the point of getting the teacher to quit and go back to college.  However, Huey, Dewey, and Louie see Bubba’s lack of rambunctiousness as a problem despite the fact that he’s much less destructive to others now.  It’s hard to really agree with them that this is a problem.  At the same time, it seems that being smart inherently gives Bubba major attitude issues as he ends up majorly boastful with what he knows and talks down to everyone else.  Both personas of Bubba are clearly problematic, yet the setup presents one as good and one as bad with no mention of a compromise.  In some cases, it’s debatable which is seen as good or bad.  From Scrooge’s perspective, he thinks nothing of the old Bubba, but sees nothing but value in the new Bubba, particularly how his new intellect can help increase his fortune.  This mindset shows a lack of consideration, but it does at least get better later on.  

Anyway, Bubba’s newfound genius ways lead Scrooge and the nephews to a treasure that belonged to an ancient civilization of geniuses called the Ancient Thinkas.  The stereotypically depicted natives of this tribe ambush them and trap them in their temple for trespassing, but this actually poses as an opportunity to find the treasure.  Bubba deduces that the Ancient Thinkas stored their treasure in the temple, and the way to uncover it is to make their way through.  There are some close calls when getting through the temple’s obstacles, but Bubba continues to prove effective whether he’s decoding a rhythmic alarm on a door; using an equation to find a correct direction; or guessing simple riddles.  

His intellect is productive, but it shows a continuous lack of consideration for the well-being of others.  This is especially apparent when Huey, Dewey, and Louie are attacked by a monster and Bubba thinks nothing of it.  This marks a welcome turning point to Scrooge’s way of thinking where after seeing merit in the new Bubba, he claims the caveduck is now all brain and no heart.  In other words, he’d rather have the old Bubba back, which ultimately proves that the appeal of his character is still present.  For that, Bubba gives up the thinking cap, allowing his old intelligence and caveduck mannerisms to return and save the boys with a simple whack with a club and brute force to the monster.  

After this productive example of the old Bubba, the treasure of the Ancient Thinkas is revealed to be a collection of books on the natives’ history.  As a notable yet not too subtle tie to Bubba, they became so smart that they forgot their survival skills, though that seems hard to believe for the current generation of Thinkas.  Amidst the confusion of how all this works, everything is resolved with Scrooge aiming to profit off the treasure by selling the books, and the boys happy to have the old Bubba back.  

That said, the story could have been stronger if the conclusion involved Bubba finding a balance between his old caveduck ways, and his useful knowledge.  They both clearly have good and bad points, but painting one side as all good and the other as all bad, the appeal is noticeably weakened.  This means the episode doesn’t go all out with its concept, but for the good points it still makes and moral value winning out, it’s overall a work with enough brain and heart.

B

The Ranking

1.     My Mother the Psychic

2.     Allowance Day

3.     The Land of Trala La

4.     The Good Muddahs

5.     Dough Ray Me

6.     Bubba’s Big Brainstorm

7.     Metal Attraction

8.     Bubbeo and Juliet

The next review returns us to Fenton who comes up with a new business idea full of Pep.

Next time on MC Toon Reviews, we turn to the reboot to look into "The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra."

If you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.