Review of DuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990) by Mikhel A — 04 Mar 2011

DuckTales: The Movie will always have a special place in my childhood memories. The first 18 minutes or so are a great parody/homage of Indiana Jones-style adventure, which is part of the reason I re-watched this film so often!

Ultimately, what really draws me to the adventures of Scrooge McDuck and his nephews (and in this film, his niece), are two things:

1) Scrooge is DAMN RICH. He's basically Bruce Wayne, but in the Disney universe, which means ANYthing is possible. I know pretty much anything is possible in the Disney universe anyways, but if you factor in the oh-so-human factor of money, then Scrooge McDuck has it covered. He's like Richie Rich but not a pussy, which brings me to my second reason:

2) Scrooge McDuck is a dick. Scrooge only cares about money (at least, that's what he wants you to think. This being Disney and family-friendly and all, he always realizes the error of his ways). Scrooge is basically Donald Duck, with an unlimited amount of money and an insatiable desire for wealth. This opens up a whole range of discussion on our view on money and what is can do, but basically, Scrooge is a silly character because he is a greedy person who, although he already has an exceedingly, obscenely excessive amount of wealth, always wants more. (don't get me started on the world of Scrooge, which includes Gladstone Gander, the luckiest duck in the world! Yeah, I've read a lot of Disney Scrooge-related comics, what of it?).

So, DuckTales: The Movie - The Treasue of the Lost Lamp earns a bit of respect from me for being the first (and only!) feature-length (theatrical!) film featuring Scrooge McDuck. But it's also a damn fun animated movie! Sure, the animation quality isn't up to snuff with other Disney releases around the same time (Check out The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin), but it's a fun adventure story with some decent gags, plenty of which you could only get away with in animation. How else could you depict the adventures of a family of ducks discovering a lost treasure containing a genie with wish-granting powers? Howard the Duck wasn't much of a success.

DuckTales: The Movie is a pleasure. I don't feel guilty in the least. It is a joy to be able the re-discover this gem through Disney Movie Rewards. (Anyone who reads this in its entirety I beg you to "like" this post) Please feel free comment on it you have anything to say. This film is a childhood favorite of mine. I appreciate any comments about other childhood favorites!