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Ducktales The Movie: Treasure Of The Lost Lamp (Disney Movietoons Presents) by Clive Pallant, Ga?tan Brizzi, Paul Brizzi, Bob Hathcock, Vincent Woodcock
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Product detailsActor: Alan Young, Christopher Lloyd, Richard Libertini, Rip Taylor, Russi Taylor Director: Bob Hathcock, Clive Pallant, Ga?tan Brizzi, Paul Brizzi, Vincent Woodcock Edition: VHS Tape Audio: English (Original Language) Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC Running Time: 74 minutes Release Date: 1995-08-11 Audience Rating: G (General Audience) Publisher: Walt Disney Home Video Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Ducktales The Movie: Treasure Of The Lost Lamp (Disney Movietoons Presents)Movie Review: A quacker of a little "treasure" from Disney. Summary: 4 StarsWhile Disney has not been producing much of high quality animated films these days, few will deny that in the late 1980's and mid 1990's, the Mouse House was in its heyday. After a period of turmoil without their former founder, the company had risen to stardom with its 1989 musical, THE LITTLE MERMAID. The success of that film led to other equally acclaimed masterpieces, notably BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which was fortunate enough to win the Oscar for Best Picture. In the period between these two works of art, though, the company released two animated features that were pleasant diversions but didn't ignite ticket sales at the box office. One of them was THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER, a non-musical sequel to a mediocre 1970 film (which actually improved on its predecessor in many ways). The other--and even lesser known--production was DUCKTALES: THE MOVIE--TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP.
An unashamedly small, likeable film, DUCKTALES--THE MOVIE did not quack up much box office gold in its theatrical release. Based on Disney's popular animated series of its time, this theatrical feature--as you might expect--plays very much like an extended episode of the series, with slightly beefed up production values. Audiences unfamiliar with the show are most likely to be confused with its unexplained references to terms like "Junior Woodchuck"--a problem not uncommon with other theatrical spin-offs of television shows, e.g. THE CARE BEARS, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, etc. The stars of DUCKTALES, which include self-proclaimed "quad-zillionaire" Scrooge McDuck (impeccably voiced by Alan Young) and his mischievous nephews, Hewy, Dewey, and Louie, are household names with many people, but their co-stars--which include bumbling pilot Launchpad McQuack and Webby (Webbigail for you completists)--are only familiar with those who have tuned into an episode or two of the show. This is probably what sealed DUCKTALES--THE MOVIE's box office fate; it caters more to fans of the show rather than a mainstream audience.
That said, DUCKTALES--THE MOVIE is a very pleasant way to spend 74 minutes. The film bounces along at a fast pace and maintains a kinetic sense of energy, particularly the opening and climactic sequences. And there's nothing at all about the film that may be deemed too unsettling or inappropriate for children (what, you expected an R-rated material from Disney?).
The best way to describe the plot is a mixture of INDIANA JONES adventure and Disney's own ALADDIN. The first 20 minutes of the movie, in which the ducks--on a hunt for Collie Baba's treasure--find themselves braving a booby-trap infested hidden pyramid and outrunning scorpions, recall the roller-coaster excitement of the aforementioned Spielberg-Lucas series. Things get slightly slower around the middle when the ducks unleash the contents of a magic lamp containing, yes, a genie. Voiced with zest and humor by Rip Taylor, this Genie may not have the adult appeal of, say, Robin Williams' Genie in ALADDIN, but he manages to extract a giggle from the audience without being too over-the-top. His lively presence--and the nephews' dilemma of trying to keep his identity a secret from their miserly uncle--makes it easier to sit through the middle portion. The final 20 minutes of the film, in which Scrooge and company attempt to recapture their money bin from a compulsively greedy weasel, Dijon (Richard Libertini), only to deal with the Genie's former master, Merlock, a centuries old villainous sorcerer with the commanding voice of Christopher Lloyd, builds to a high-flying (literally) climax that I've rarely seen other Disney films match.
Based on the above description of the plot, it is tempting to dismiss this movie as an inferior imitation of ALADDIN, particularly where the Genie sub-plot is concerned, but since this movie was made long before that film, it instead holds up as an original story. Technically, DUCKTALES isn't exactly on the same level as, say, THE LITTLE MERMAID or other Disney Renaissance features, but then again it was hardly intended to be. The animation, produced by the now defunct Disney Animation Studios in Paris, is appropriately matched and showcases some spectacularly exciting effects, particularly any moment when Merlock morphs into eagles, rats, bears, cockroaches, panthers, etc., and especially at the climax when Scrooge's money bin is transformed into a creepy-looking castle. Simultaneously, though, the artwork is more "simplified" than the usual Disney treatment--not that it is a bad thing for this type of feature, but it's noticeable in places.
More pleasing about the film is its kinetic musical score, composed by David Newman (THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER and ANASTASIA). This is one of the finest ever written for a Disney film, and it's a shame it hasn't been commercially released on CD. It should also be noted that there are no songs in this film (unless you count the DUCKTALES theme over the closing credits)--this gives DUCKTALES the distinction of being one of Disney's "songless" productions (other notable entries including THE BLACK CAULDRON, THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER, and ATLANTIS--THE LOST EMPIRE).
Although not on par with Disney's better classics, DUCKTALES--THE MOVIE: TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP is a breezy, fun romp that actually holds up pretty well even after its initial 1990 release. It's too bad that Disney reduced themselves to churning out direct-to-video sequels, none of which matched the excitement or energy of this film or even the heart or human appeal of A GOOFY MOVIE, another inspired by a TV series movie. Compared to most of these other pointless secondary chapters, DUCKTALES--THE MOVIE remains fresh, funny, and enjoyable, especially for youngsters and, yes, fans of Disney-cartoons in general.
Movie Review: Ducktales: The Movie Treasure of the Lost Lamp ON DVD NOW!! Summary: 5 StarsDucktales: The Movie Treasure of the Lost Lamp is an awesome movie. Not the most captivating if you like intense plots, but hey it is a Disney movie. Good news for those of you who love this movie, IT IS FINALLY ON DVD!!!
I bought my copy last week!
Movie Review: Duck Tales Whoo-hoo!!! :) Summary: 5 StarsKOOLEST MOVIE EVER! This is a must have movie of the life of infinity lives.Buy this. I was addictive to this movie as a kid and I still am. I dont know what Liz "LoftyKittten is talking about. Shamonga! Don't rent this movie... BUY IT! And, Disny if you are reading this please make this movie into a dvd Specail Edition Directors Cut. If you make that stupid Aladdin movieonDvd make this a dvd. Please dont make this 14 year old boy cry. And, also those people who dont like the Genie you are retarded! He was kool! I hope all of you who read this will enjoy it. MICHAEL JACKSONS INNACENT!
Movie Review: I love Ducktales Summary: 5 StarsDucktales the movie is definitely an excellent cartoon. I have always loved Ducktales. I watched it a lot growing up. All the regular characters are back. They also add Merlock, Dijon, and the geenie. My least favorite character is the geenie, but I love Dijon. Every bad guy needs a stupid sidekick.
Movie Review: A Cute Movie, But Limited Viewability Summary: 3 StarsI was always a fan of the DuckTales series as a child, but even then found this movie to be dissapointing. It's a cute movie, and has great characters to work with, but it lacks the charm and fast pace of the show. Kids may become restless watching it (I know I always did) as it tends to drag its feet a bit. Most of the jokes of the Geenie are stale and fall flat. The familiarity of the classic characters does make it a good comfort movie. I don't care for the central villain, Merlock, who never comes across as particularly menacing, but his sidekick Dijon is a nice addition and provides some comic relief while fitting in with the true DuckTales style. This movie is worth viewing once or twice, but you might opt to rent it rather than purchase it, as it's not something that will hold your interest if you watch it often.
Summary of Ducktales The Movie: Treasure Of The Lost Lamp (Disney Movietoons Presents)TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP is the first full-length feature film starring Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webbigail Vanderquack! The Egyptian desert becomes a nonstop adventure zone as the DuckTales team pursues the legendary treasure of Collie Baba's ancient pyramid! When the daring ducks make off with the riches, little do they know there's a magic lamp among the gems ... a lamp with a wacky, wish-granting Genie inside. When Merlock, the evil sorcerer, follows them back to Duckburg, an incredible battle erupts over the lost lamp! But in the thrilling climax, Scrooge and the nephews learn a lesson far more valuable than even the world's greatest treasure! Another of Disney's efforts to create a quickie animated feature film out of one of its daily TV shows, this one plays like a low-rent reworking of Aladdin. Still, with Scrooge McDuck (voiced by Alan Young) and nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, there's fun to be had. And that includes the genie (voiced by comic Rip Taylor) and the villains voiced by Christopher Lloyd and Richard Libertini. The plot centers on Scrooge's search for lost treasure; the kids come up with the magic lamp with the genie in it, which is sought by an evil magician. Everyone gets into the act of making wishes and seeing them come true, until the bad guy gets a hold of the lamp. Mostly for young viewers. --Marshall Fine
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