DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 5+

Ducks race a wizard for riches; mild thrills and spills.

G 1990 74 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp is the only feature film entry in the DuckTales television franchise. The movie is strictly farcical and familiar, with cartoon suspense that's easily resolved. It's loaded with comic action: tumbling buildings, a raging river, a burning bridge, lots of falls, and many narrow escapes from bad guys and perilous situations. The villain is a mustache-twirling, mean-looking wizard who will stop at nothing to achieve his evil goals. Still, only the youngest or most sensitive kids will find anything truly scary here. Kids will have a chance to see their most fanciful wishes granted by the always-popular "genie in the lamp" and realize along with the characters that relationships and safety are more important than gold and jewels.

Community Reviews

skooter
skooter Adult
January 12, 2021
age 6+

Mediocre mashup of Indiana Jones and Aladdin, with rich ducks looting ancient sites

This movie was overall nothing special. Basically starts out Indiana Jones and then turns into the Aladdin story. Not a classic film, but my 6 y.o. liked it well enough. Mostly, I wasn't comfortable with the blatant cultural insensitivity throughout the film. At least Indiana Jones was an archaeologist and would presumably study his stolen treasures. In this movie, Scrooge McDuck is looting ancient sites just to toss all the bags of treasures into his vault already full of gold (that he likes to swim in). He fends off the dark-furred bumbling accented locals trying to stop him. They find a lamp, which starts the Aladdin part of the story. We watch plenty of classic kids movies, and sure, each movie has to be understood in its time. But 1990 is a bit late to have a film so culturally off the mark. I wouldn't go out of my way to seek out this movie.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In DUCK TALES THE MOVIE: TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP, Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, along with Webby, a young female member of the duck clan (all continuing characters in the DuckTales television series), find themselves on a quest to find an ancient treasure. They discover the map of "Collie Baba" and, deep beneath a desert pyramid, the awesome fortune itself. But, unbeknownst to our heroes, Merlock, an evil wizard who can transform himself into a wild assortment of villains, and his weasel-henchman, Dijon, are tracking them. To the ducks' utter amazement, a magic lamp with a genie inside is hidden among the gold and jewels. But their excitement and wonder are quickly interrupted by Merlock, who is determined to have the treasure and the genie for himself.

Is It Any Good?

This movie has familiar characters in yet another retelling of the classic Aladdin tale -- and everybody loves a story in which wishes come true. The genie in this Disney adventure grants amazing child-centered wishes. The film is fast-paced, filled with enough comical escapades and villains to hold kids' attention and make them laugh, but there's nothing that should frighten those who already grasp the difference between cartoon action and real violence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how wishes and goals are different. Is it easier to make wishes come true or to achieve goals? Which can we accomplish ourselves?

  • Are any of the "dangers" in this movie truly scary? Besides the fact that this is a cartoon, how do we know it's meant as fun?

  • Why do you think movies about granting wishes are so popular? If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Movie Details

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