Three Reasons to Watch “Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas” This Year

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Growing up, there were two Christmas movies I have to watch every year: Tim Allen's The Santa Clause“The Santa Clause" and this one, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. There's no point in talking about “The Santa Clause' since stations play it on TV every year. However, since Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas is less common, even though its on Netflix, I thought it would be fun to talk about three reasons why I recommend this fun kids movie to kids and adults alike. Background This 66 minute Disney film, which premiered in 1999, is divided into three separate stories that are united by narrative sequences and a musical finale.

In the first segment, “Donald Duck Stuck on Christmas” the selfish Huey, Duey, and Louie's wish that it was  Christmas everyday is granted, but turns out to be a lot less fun than they imagined. In order to return to normal life, the boys must find the true Christmas spirit and a little love for others.

In the second segment, “A Very Goofy Christmas,” the grumpy neighbor, Mr. Pete, convinces Max that Santa Clause isn't real. Goofy tries, but with his typical clumsy flair, still fails to prove that St. Nick exists, that is until he gets a little help from a friend.

The third story is based on O. Henry's “The Gift of the Magi,” and follows Mickey and Minnie as they strive to afford gifts that truly express their love for each other.

I admit that the premises of each of these stories is a bit cliché, but the execution is fun, nonetheless. There are three reasons I think you should watch this move this year, whether you're a kid or not.

1. It's funny...for all ages 

 

Probably any children that you have in your life will appreciate the farce in this movie. Donald Duck gets pancakes splatted on his head more than once, Goofy falls off the roof, and in the third segment Pete learns a hard lesson about smoking when he sticks a cigar in his back pocket, burning his behind. (Not going to lie, as an adult I still enjoy this one since he's such a jerk.)

 

However, there are also jokes in the dialogue that are more aimed at adults. For example, I find it amusing when in the second segment Pete demonstrates his ignorance by claiming that Max has “the Goof gene coursing through his blood stream.” (Clearly, someone failed biology class a couple times.) Also, when Max tells Goofy that there are over 2 billion children in the world, his response is “No wonder I keep tripping over roller skates.” I don't have to be a parent to see how funny that is. My great nieces were at my house for four hours this week and I'm not sure how many things I tripped/stepped on.

In short, whether you watch this as a family or by yourself, I think you'll find something in it that is amusing.

2. It's Magical

The creators managed to create with this film the type of magic and whimsy that makes you feel like a kid, whether you are one or not. Part of that, I believe, is the idealistic characters. Despite being an adult, Goofy is completely convinced that Santa is real, and instead of using that knowledge to ask for something for himself, he asks for Max's happiness. Similarly, Mickey and Minnie are so devoted to each other that they sacrifice their most prized possessions to express their love. It's hard not to feel warm and fuzzy when you watch these characters. I also think the magic is in the smaller details of the film. The background score is festive and fun, the colors involve a lot of greens, golds, and reds, and the introduction and conclusion include traditional Christmas imagery such as Christmas trees, carolers, and sleighs.

3. It's Musical

While I think that skillfully performed music makes anything better, it is especially helpful in Christmas movies since carols are so traditional. This movie integrates Christmas carols, especially in the final segment and the conclusion. Not only does Mickey play the harmonica throughout the gift of the magic story, punctuating every major events with a song that is appropriate for the mood, (it's amazing how sad the musicians makes "O Little Town of Bethlehem" sound, he also performs a high- energy jazz-based rendition of Jingle Bells with a band. That song is fun and festive (though the animators who drew the band members drew them playing the instruments incorrectly in some cases...). I also love the finale, which draws the characters from all of the stories together to sing together. 

The Bottom Line

This movie doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves. Even though it's aimed at kids, it has plenty for adults (especially adults who like feeling like kids for a few minutes), and it's very traditionally Christmas-y. It would be a great movie to watch on Christmas-eve or even Christmas Day to get you in a festive mood.

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