Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is primarily a collection of older Disney shorts, woven together with scenes from an all-new story. Although most of the frights are played for laughs, some scenes may be too scary for younger kids.
Families can talk about costume ideas inspired by the cartoons. If you celebrate Halloween, what are some of your family's fun traditions and activities? They can also talk about their favorite scary characters. Who's the scariest and why? Which scary Disney characters aren't in the movie?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Teresa Talerico
Mickey and friends battle a pack of Disney's wickedest -- from 101 Dalmatians' Cruella De Vil to The Little Mermaid's Ursula -- in this Halloween-themed DVD.
The bulk of MICKEY'S HOUSE OF VILLAINS is composed of several older short cartoons, juxtaposed with scenes from a new story that unfolds on Halloween night. Kids and adults will enjoy seeing all of the Disney villains en masse.
The tale begins at Mickey's House of Mouse, a nightclub where the famous rodent serves as emcee. The Disney villains have gathered there for a little entertainment (and a lot of evildoing). As part of the show, Mickey screens the aforementioned cartoons, which star characters including Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie.
Most of the cartoons are innocent tales with friendly ghosts and comedic plots, such as "How to Haunt a House," in which a ghostly but clumsy Goofy tries in vain to scare Donald Duck. In another story, Mickey and Pluto move into an ultra-modern house with a variety of electronically controlled conveniences, but these gadgets and robots turn on them and trap them inside.
Other tales are a bit creepier. A wicked witch lures Mickey and Minnie with a feast of sweets, then tries to make them dinner -- a la Hansel and Gretel. Another cartoon pits Donald and his nephews against a fairly menacing gorilla that has escaped from the zoo. In one story, Huey, Dewey, and Louie appear as zombies with bloodshot eyes.
Back at the House of Mouse, the villains plan to take over the club and give Mickey and pals the boot. Led by Aladdin's Jafar, they force the heroes to fight for their turf and inspire Mickey to don his Fantasia sorcerer's hat and save the day.
Bonus extras include a game that tests kids' knowledge of Disney villains, as well as two versions (one with music, one without) of a "Fright Delight Mix," a montage of scary scenes from Disney's animated movies. "Fright Delight" may be a bit much for some youngsters, as it's a fast-paced, nonstop, and intense journey through some of the scariest scenes in Disney animation, including the Headless Horseman's pursuit of Ichabod Crane and edge-of-the-seat moments from The Lion King and other movies.
Families who enjoy this DVD might also like Fantasia and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentInnocent hand-holding and hugging between Mickey and Minnie. Minnie kisses Mickey on the cheek. |
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ViolenceSome characters in peril; two characters die offscreen and become ghosts, but a narrator assures viewers that it's only "temporary" for the story. Several characters perform villainous deeds -- from mischievous to malevolent. A witch casts a spell on Donald Duck, making him dance uncontrollably and bang into doors. A gaggle of ghosts haunts Mickey and friends and occasionally gets slapstick-physical with them. A scheming witch tries to cook Mickey and Minnie in a Hansel-and-Gretel-style cartoon. A robot character unscrews and removes his own eye. |
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LanguageTame: A frustrated Donald Duck says "heck." |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorMostly silly trick-or-treat pranks (dumping a bucket of water on unsuspecting characters, dressing in scary disguises for trick-or-treaters). More sinister behavior from villains. "Good" characters always win in the end. |
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CommercialismSince this combines many Disney movie moments, it may remind you that you haven't seen some favorites in a while. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoA witch seems drunk after she samples some of her own brew. |
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