DuckTales 2017 Review Script

INTRO:

When a classic series gets rebooted, usually you have to brace yourself for the worst you can imagine. Nine times outta ten it winds up butchering the original series in hopes of pandering to younger new viewers and making as much cash as possible. That one golden time, though… well, ya get something like 2017 DuckTales, and today, we’re gonna see if it really is all it’s quacked up to be. No. I am not sorry.

SPOILERS BEWARE.

CHARACTERS:

So we’ve got none other than richest billionaire duck in the world Scrooge McDuck, somehow the most relatable character in the shows, especially when you ask him “What part of Ireland are you from?” (14)

Huey - the Red One - the oldest triplet, who’s obsessed with organization and nerd shit.

Dewey - the Blue One, or if you ask Uncle Scrooge, “The third one” (1) - the middle triplet, who desires constant attention since he’s basically the main character.

Louie - the Green One - the youngest triplet, whose green hoodie signals his greedy and lazy attitude, and who actually inherited Scrooge’s Semblance to swim through gold.

The triplets’ Uncle Donald Duck, who’s actually way more useful here than he ever was in Kingdom Hearts.

Webby Vanderquack, a kickass little duck who adores Scrooge and grew up very sheltered. Also she’s basically Mabel but much more useful.

Mrs. Bentina Beakley, the most badass spy grandmother the world has ever seen. “I was a spy and a grandmother. I know how to weaponize guilt.” (23)

Launchpad McQuack, an adorable fuck up whose superpower is to crash whatever vehicle he’s currently driving.

Flintheart Glomgold, Scrooge’s number one rival with an unhealthy obsession with murdering him and his family.

Lena, an enigmatic girl who develops a young romance - I-I mean, friendship - with Webby, but has incredibly mysterious roots to a certain character from the original series.

And then some other characters like Gyro Gearloose, Mark Beaks, Goldie O'Gilt, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. I mean Fenton. Yes. Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera, a.k.a. The superhero Gizmoduck, a.k.a. Lin-Manuel Fucking Miranda. Lin as Gizmo. My life is complete.

STORY:

Our story begins with Donald needing to head out for a job interview. Since the triplets are demons who tried to hotwire their uncle’s houseboat - oh by the way, they live on a houseboat - Donald drops the kids off at McDuck Manor, where the kids learn that Scrooge McDuck is their great uncle! Triplets freaking out. (1) GASP, what a shock. I’m calling him Gruncle, by the way.

Webby comes across the triplets and shows them Scrooge’s collection of mystical artifacts, and when things go outta whack, they manage to save the day and convince Scrooge to go an adventure to Atlantis together. It’s through this Donald and the boys rekindle their bond with Scrooge and decide to chill at the manor since the houseboat is… uh… yeah. And of course from here’s it’s gonna be a bunch of nonsensical, disconnected stories that- Dewey’s mom. (1) HOLY SHIT THERE’S AN OVERARCHING STORY THIS IS OFFICIALLY AVATAR WITH DUCKS.

Over the course of the season, Dewey and Webby investigate the mysterious disappearance of the triplet’s mother Della, whom Donald and Scrooge have refused to talk about for years. Let’s hope she doesn’t end up like a… certain raven mother. Once Huey and Louie learn the truth, they pitch in, and shortly thereafter, we learn the full truth. MAJOR MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.

So Della was an adventurer with Scrooge and Donald, but Della snatched a rocketship called the Spear of Selene Scrooge had created for her in secret right after the triplets were lain (They’re ducks, remember?). But a cosmic storm caused Della to disappear, and despite Scrooge’s best efforts, she hasn’t been heard from since, and is presumed dead.

The triplets are furious in the shock, and Scrooge regresses back to his old antagonistic self after being attacked while vulnerable, and this clash leads to the triplets, along with Launchpad, Mrs. Beakley, and Webby, all chilling on Donald’s recently repaired houseboat while Scrooge is content to remain in the manor bitter as hell, and I swear I’m not crying over a show about talking ducks.

During all this, Lena has been working for her shadow, the infamous sorceress Magica DeSpell, whose body is currently sealed away, forcing her to act as a shadow with Lena acting as her minion to get revenge on Scrooge. Lena, however, developed a genuine bond with Webby, and when she tries to fight back, she’s fully possessed. Magica takes advantage of Scrooge’s vulnerability to take the Number One Dime she was sealed in, and… Magica’s awakening. OH MY GOD SHE’S MALEFICENT AS A DUCK WITH BILL CYPHER EYES. ALL HAIL THE SHADOW QUEEN.

This forces the Duck family to come together to stop Magica, and once Scrooge is freed, Magica’s magic is torn from her, and she flees. While the fate of Lena - who was actually Magica’s shadow given physical form - is left up to debate, she’s clearly still around to watch over Webby. The family has a happy reunion, and right as the news covers this… Cliffhanger. ALRIGHT, DISNEY, THIS IS JUST CRUEL. WHERE IS SEASON 2?

CRITIQUES (Story):

Like the original series, 2017 DuckTales is all about fun episodic adventures, which is the perfect approach given the original series did wonders for animated series first being put into syndication. You still have quick episodes with interesting stories, mostly to do with supernatural or over-the-top enemies, treasures, or what have you.

However, modern DuckTales uses this to integrate an overarching story, similar to more modern animated series like Steven Universe, Star vs the Forces of Evil, etc. Both stories about Della Duck and Magica DeSpell progress over the course of the first season, with moments of genuinely intense emotion and suspense, and both are weaved together into the climactic finale.

While some have argued that the more lowkey approach of the new series makes it not as interesting as the original, I beg to differ. This lowkey approach - or as Scrooge puts it, “We got a pretty lowkey day planned” (1) - allows us to better get to know the characters before they’re thrown into the chaos. We can’t care about them fighting aliens bent on destroying the planet when we don’t even care about them fighting Ma Beagle in a ball pit, after all. Not to mention this keeps the show from jumping the shark early on, saving bigger adventures for later in the series.

One aspect of the show I adore are the characters, and the way the triplets are written really deserves praise. Huey, Dewey, and Louie are no longer a hive mind because I guess twins or triplets act all the same. Each boy not only has their distinguishing color, but their own unique personality and traits. Gasp. Huey is the nerd, Louie is lazy and loves money, and Dewey is the middle child who wants all the attention, which makes him the perfect vehicle for the main part for most of the story.

Yet even so, they’re far more than these surface level traits. They genuinely care about each other and their family, and the scene where Louie reveals his shock over Dewey lying about their mother shows this best. Louie calling Dewey out. (21)

Scrooge likewise is amazing, and really steals the show. He’s a hard working old man who truly loves his family, but has been so badly burned by life that he can’t help but push people away to avoid getting hurt again, which is why it hurts so bad to see him regress, yet it makes sense given he was attacked so mercilessly when he was vulnerable.

Donald could’ve been easily made into just a joke, but even though the show relishes in making him suffer constantly, there’s much more to this Donald than you might think. He’s a burn out adventurer who just wants a simple, calm life, and he cares for his nephews like they’re his own. Also can we just appreciate his normal voice? Donald’s normal voice. (23) I, uh… I feel conflicted.

Webby is just phenomenal. A lot of people were worried she’d been changed from her original feminine stereotype as the token girl into a stereotypical tomboy, but she’s actually really well fleshed out. Webby is the granddaughter of a spy who’s been sheltered most of her life, so while she kicks a LOT of ass - way more than the boys could ever hope to - she’s still very awkward around people and doesn’t pick up on most social cues. Also she’s literally every fangirl ever and I love her. “Let’s take a blood oath!” (19)

Aside from all the other great characters, this show likewise follows the recent trend in Disney projects to include metatextual commentary. Those unaware, metatext refers to a reflection within writing upon writing itself or another text. Whenever 2017 DuckTales makes little jokes or cues that seem like inside jokes, that’s metatext. “Experimental race cars!” “Lasers!” “Aeroplanes?” (22)

But unlike the live action movies that simply use it to make bank, DuckTales uses it to improve their story and show fans of the original series it does in fact care about the project. Whereas the live action remakes use meta jokes and insights to lazily bank off the original, 2017 DuckTales simply uses it as spice to make the meal even better.

I’m going to be covering the aspect of meta commentary in a future video essay, but for now, enjoy some more meta jokes. “Headless man-horse! That one’s self-explanatory.” (1) “Since when is Launchpad a pilot?” (1) “He swims in money, I knew it!” (1)

CRITIQUES (Presentation):

The animation is spectacular. The hand drawn animation is so crisp, and the art style - based on the style of an old comic book - adds to the nostalgic and adventurous flare of the reboot. I especially love the opening framing each scene within comic panels.

The music is great, but what really takes the cake is Felicia Barton’s performance in the new rendition of the classic DuckTales theme song, which I actually prefer to the original. Not to mention all the actors own their roles. Casting David Tennant as Scrooge was a stroke of sheer brilliance. I was at first unsure of the triplet’s voices, but they’ve definitely grown on me.

CONCLUSION:

So all in all, the 2017 reboot of DuckTales is the prime example of how to successfully reboot a classic beloved series while making it even better. And if certain Easter eggs and nods are to be believed, and this show continues to be a success, perhaps we’ll see a new universe of rebooted Disney classics in this style. Darkwing Duck please.

FUNNY MOMENTS:

And now it’s time for our traditional funny moment section.

• “If we want to keep our home afloat.” (1) THE PUNS.
• “Don’t yell at your target before you fire.” (2) WANNA TELL THEM (RWBY) THAT?
• “We’re all gonna die! I’m wasting my life!” (6) Now you know how I feel when you don’t cast Cure in time.
• “You’re finally gonna sell us.” (1) God bless you, Louie.
• “Waiting for  Santa Claus-” “That man is not allowed in my home. He knows what he did.” (9) In the words of Magica DeSpell, “Wait, what?” (9) Honestly if I included Magica in this, I’d have to include every single line of hers. She needs her own list, honestly.
• “If those are mummies, I’d hate to see daddies.” (8) Not even gonna make a joke.
• “You’re not a player. You’re a pawn.” (2) Webby is Azula confirmed.
• “If we say yes, will you let us live?” “Good one, new best friend!” (1) Me making friends.
• “We almost died!” “We almost died!” “We’re gonna die!” (4)
• “We have must Bor-Itos!” “This is the dumbest rebellion I’ve ever been part of.” (8) Thank you, 2017 DuckTales for reminding us that in the face of oppression, all you need to rally the people to overthrow the establishment is the promise of a burrito.
• And last but not least… “The Unicorn Illuminati.” (3) SHIT. HE’S ONTO US. SCATTER.

OUTRO:

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I hope you guys really enjoyed this review. I’ve been meaning to get back into making consistent, quality videos, and after this, while I’m not sure on what to review next, I’m going to be working on a video essay on why DuckTales 2017 is such an amazing reboot.

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I’m the Unicorn of War, and this has been a shit show!