Ducktales - Volume 3

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on December 19, 2007

Twenty years-ago The Disney Corporation moved into a new direction and offered up a syndicated animation show called Ducktales.  The show followed the adventures of Donald Duck’s nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie and their caretaker, the fabulously rich and business minded Scrooge McDuck, of Duckburg, USA.

The series at first was often about treasure hunting, though by Volume 3 most of the episodes dealt more locally with events in and around Duckburg.  Generally Scrooge McDuck was either having trouble making more money or holding onto his money and needed the help of his nephews to earn it or gain it back.  On the other side of the number one dime are Flintheart Glomgold, second richest duck in the world and Scottish rival to scrooge.  Sometimes in his employ would be the Beagle Boys, a group of dog-like convicts who never bothered to buy new clothes and ran around in their prison garb.  Magica De Spell often tried to steal Scrooge’s number one dime for use in a magical spell, though these episodes often left me feeling bored.

Volume 3 packs 24 episodes of family fun onto 3-discs and offers no extras.  This seems to be fairly standard practice for older shows and Christmas season dumps.  The video quality is average, though that’s because of the age of the material included.  Sound is fine and navigation is easy.

As a show, it’s definitely meant for a much younger man than me, but I’m sure children will still be entertained by this classic.  I really can’t see myself recommending this to anyone other than a parent looking for something to plug in for the kids, but for that crowd it fits the bill.  Parent’s won’t be overly bored and the occasional joke really hits home with adults.  Most of the episodes are entertaining though a few stinkers (Duck to the Future) pop up here and there.

Again, kids will be drawn into the stories and find themselves sitting through it while most adults will look away.  Though watching and listening to Scrooge McDuck plotting and scheming and spouting off actual real world monetary advice from time to time brought a smile to my face.  His greed and capitalistic tendencies warmed my cockles.  All in all, another family winner that won’t find a home on your DVD shelf til you’re driving a minivan.  But when that day comes your kids will appreciate it and you’ll look back fondly on your own childhood.

Volume 3 Show Grade:  B-

DVD Grade: C

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