Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol (NR)

common sense media says

Classic entertaining holiday shorts with perennial lessons.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that in September 2009 "Mickey's Christmas Carol" became available on DVD as part of the Classic Short Films Animation Collection. Other shorts in the collection include "Pluto’s Christmas Tree," "The Small One," and "Santa’s Workshop." There are some mildly scary moments in the featured cartoon. Of course, these images serve to scare Scrooge into becoming a generous man when he wakes up in the morning, but youngest viewers might flinch at the ghostly presence. In "Pluto's Christmas Tree" there's one scene of comic violence when Mickey wrings Pluto's neck and shouts "You dumb mutt!" Also of note -- there are very few girls or women to be found in any of these animated classics.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: For "Christmas Carol," the usual sound lesson about how being miserly affects yourself and others. In "The Small One," a young boy is forced to sell his favorite donkey, who is old and unable to carry his workload. Teary goodbyes and lessons of kindness dominate this story.
Positive role models: Of course Scrooge transforms from miserly to very giving in "Christmas Carol." Mickey Mouse generally provides a kind and good-hearted role model. But in the cartoon "Pluto's Christmas Tree," he loses his cool and calls Pluto names while wringing his neck. The only females in any of these cartoons are wives and girlfriends.
Violence & scariness: Some scary moments in the "Christmas Carol" cartoon, in which Scrooge is confronted with a frightening ghost of Christmas future and a burning coffin. A little comic violence in "Pluto's Christmas Tree," peaking with Mickey wringing Pluto's neck and saying: "You dumb mutt!"
Sexy stuff: A flirtatious Daisy Duck wants a kiss from Scrooge in  the "Christmas Carol" cartoon. She gives him a big kiss on the cheek and his eyes spin and his heart beats wildly.
Consumerism: Money and greed are themes in the "Christmas Carol" cartoon, as well as "The Small One." Men count coins, grabbing bags of money and act irrationally around money. In "Santa's Workshop," a host of trains and dolls are prepared for Santa's gift bag.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Cigar and cigarette smoking take place in the "Christmas Carol."

More on Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about greed. Does it always have to do with money? Can people be greedy in other ways? What does Scrooge miss out on in his life because of his greedy nature?
  • Getting presents is a big part of Christmas. But should Christmas be ALL about the presents? Can you name three gifts that you can give that are not bought or sold?
  • Parents might like to check out these age-appropriate  tips that can help families navigate the consumer blitz during the holidays.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Ebenezer Scrooge is a busy duck when Christmas rolls around. He has to count lots of money in his Counting House. He does have a certain mouse helping him, named Bob Cratchit. And though Bob has a friendly attitude to his miserly boss, he is not duly rewarded for his work and his family doesn't have enough food to go around. Scrooge can't be bothered with other people's misery. That is, until he is visited by three ghosts, who show him the effects of his miserly ways. The other shorts are also related to Christmas, the most religous of which is called "The Small One," which ends with a starlit cross lighting the sky on the eve of Jesus' birth

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL takes Dickens' lesson-rich tale of greed and redemption and gives it some light Disney touches, making it a better version to share with younger viewers. The theme of generosity comes up again in the touching cartoon (and most religious of the bunch) called "The Small One," in which a young boy must sell his pet donkey.

Not to be overlooked is the final animated short called "Santa's Workshop" -- an early Disney masterpiece complete with rhyming text and a wonderfully imagined North Pole. There are many funny and deliberate details to behold. All in all,  these cartoons will get the whole family in the mood for a cheerful Christmas.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Director: Burny Mattinson, Don Bluth
Cast: Alan Young, Edward Brophy, Wayne Allwine
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 64 minutes
DVD release: September 29, 2009
MPAA Rating: NR

This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

8Dcoolbeans8D
teen, 15 years old
 
kids
i own the movie and have been watching it since i was little. some parts may be a little frightening for younger children though.

okcmaxk
kid, 10 years old
 
mickeys chirstmas carol rocks
i watched this last year when i was 6 and it scared me.but now i like it!

BaronMouse
kid, 9 years old
 
Mickey Christmas Carol Review
In this I think it has a good role model thingy because Scrooge hates Christmas at first but in the end he learns that there is more than life than just money which I think is educational for kids.

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