DuckTales Delivers Fun Familiar And New
Life has been like a hurricane since Disney announced the reboot of DuckTales last year on Disney XD. With announcements, speculations, and rumors for days, it’s been a Duckblur! With all this hype, the production team and cast has some pretty big spats to fill. Does it fit the bill? Let’s find out as we take a closer look at episode 1 of the 2017 reboot of DuckTales, woo-oo!
Donald Duck leaves his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie with his estranged uncle Scrooge McDuck while he goes on a job interview. Webby Vanderquack befriends the boys and shows them examples of the adventures Scrooge and Donald had together, but they inadvertently release various ancient evils housed in the artifacts in Scrooge’s collection. After he and the kids contain the spirits, Scrooge, his thirst for adventure rekindled, decides to take them all on a mission to find the Lost Jewel of Atlantis. At the same time, Donald is hired as a sailor by Scrooge’s rival, Flintheart Glomgold, who also seeks the jewel.
This debut was a very strong outing for the series; we were given a ton of world building in just the first 10 minutes, with nods to series like TaleSpin, Goof Troop, and Darkwing Duck (also getting the reboot treatment).
If you pay close attention you will notice a ton of Easter eggs from the original series as well; but I have no intention of revealing them here, as that will ruin the fun of this premier and believe me there is plenty to be had.
The humor is very smart, and with such strong voice talent as Danny Pudi of Community and Ben Schwartz of Parks and Recreation, I would expect no less.
The storytelling reminds me of the modern Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series where they melded elements from previous shows with elements from the comics; Scrooge’s demeanor is more reflective of his Carl Barks’ incarnation in the very beginning of the episode, but naturally transitions into the Uncle Scrooge that us ’80s babies grew up with. And what’s more, it was established that both he and Donald Duck have had adventures in the past, just like in comics.
The art style is even reminiscent of the Carl Barks’ comics, not just with the drawings, but with Scrooge and Donald’s costumes; Scrooge dons his red robe, while Donald Duck is sporting a black and white sailor suit.
The voice talent is top notch, and while only two of the original Disney voice actors are slated to reprise their roles, the newcomers are able to hold up their end.
Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, and Bobby Moynihan take on the roles of Donald’s troublemaking trio of nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and yes they are actually are troublemakers in the show, unlike the previous incarnation (and no, Quack Pack does not count!)
Kate Micucci’s Webby Vanderquack is hilarious, she’s part tomboy, and part obsessed fangirl. I couldn’t stop laughing when she was on screen.
Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack sounds eerily similar to Terry McGovern, the original Launchpad.
Toks Olagundoye plays Mrs. Beakley as a very stern no nonsense kind of gal, with much maternal strength.
Tony Anselmo is back as Donald Duck, because why mess with perfection?
And last but not least, David Tennant is the richest duck in the world, Scrooge McDuck. I love hearing his natural accent any chance I can get, and he does not disappoint. Being an experienced voice actor, he definitely has the nuances of the character down, such as when he recites Scrooge’s iconic catchphrase, “Smarter than the smarties and tougher than the toughies.”
Episode 1 hits the ground running, and doesn’t let up for a moment; it has something for fans of the original comic, and ’80s cartoon without alienating newcomers.
Sadly you will have to wait until mid-September for more, but it will be worth the wait. On the upside, a second season has already been approved, it is that good.
The premier episode is free to watch on the Disney XD app, YouTube and On Demand.
I give DuckTales 4.5 out of 5. Woo-oo!
