Walt Disney Treasures – Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume Two

By 1939, when the earliest films in this collection were made, Mickey Mouse was the most famous cartoon character in the world. The unsuccessful hunter in "The Pointer" (1939) and the irrepressible magician in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (1940) rank among his finest performances. In both films, he sparkles with vitality. But as Mickey grew more popular, more restrictions were placed on what he could do, and the character grew dull. Those restrictions become obvious when the viewer compares these films with the shorts on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color. In "Mickey's Birthday Party" (1942), he clowns and stumbles through a comic dance routine, but it feels like he's working for the laughs. In 1936, when a more impish Mickey danced with a deck of cards in "Thru the Mirror," the fun came from the stylish grace of his movements: That Mickey didn't need to mug for the camera. In the later films, Mickey serves as a genial straight man, with Pluto and other side characters supplying the comedy.

A new generation of animators faced the same problems and restrictions when they tried to revive the character in "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983) and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1990). The extras include some deleted animation from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and the five opening sequences from the "Mickey Mouse Club" (1955), the last time Walt Disney provided the character's voice. (Rated G, suitable for all ages: minor cartoon violence, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Very good compilation

Review Date: May 11, 2010

Reviewer: Mw,

I have been a Mickey Mouse fan for as long as I can remember, and I recognized most of the cartoons within these DVDs. Sure, even though these recent years were not Mickey's greatest years, the little mouse was still going strong even after the loss of Walter Disney. I highly recommend this collection to any Mickey Mouse fan.

Great!

Review Date: February 11, 2010

Reviewer: Nicole Smith, California

This was a wonderful Christmas gift for my sister! It brought back many childhood memories for us both. These cartoons are timeless and it is great to have these on DVD to cherish for years to come. Walt Disney Treasures - Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume Two

Excellent Collection - Skip the Commentary

Review Date: February 4, 2010

Reviewer: M. Davis,

I bought this exclusively for "Mickey's Christmas Carol," which is presented in its entirety and in its original widescreen format. Finding that it also included the short with Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale with the Christmas tree was just wonderful. There is of course much more material on the 2 discs, but these two were the reason I bought it and more than justified the pice paid.

Walt Disney Treasures--Mickey Mouse In Living Color--Volume 2

Review Date: October 31, 2009

Reviewer: C. Spavin,

The item I bought was in the condition described. Delivery was fast. Everything that I needed to know was described in advance. I would highly recommend this set of dvd's for anyone who is into classic Disney cartoons. I was unable to find the item locally. So thank you Amazon for having the item available and at an attractive price. And thank you to the seller. I am now looking for Volume 1 of the series.

Great Mickey Mouse Addition

Review Date: January 11, 2009

Reviewer: Bruce E. Roberts, California

This is a great example of later Mickey Mouse Color Cartoons and it's biggest plus is the is had "Runaway Brain" the only Mickey Cartoon that has him become a monster. And the in jokes in the cartoon are many and hillarious.