"DuckTales" (2017) Series Talkback (Spoilers)

[SaneMan]

Good way to kick-off the series

That reveal at the end with the mom was crazy! This will be her first animated appearance if they delve into exploring what happened to her!

Well, there was trhat one Robot Chicken scetch...

 

[Whimsical Crank]

I'm definitely getting a slight Gravity Falls vibe from this, me like, a lot.

The only aspect that I'm still getting used to are Huey, Duey and Louie's voices. This is mostly because the only other notable (not as many know of Donald's Fire Survival Plan and/or Scrooge McDuck & Money) piece of media where Huey, Duey and Louie's voices weren't 'quackish' so to speak was Quack Pack, which brings back some pretty bad memories. Plus, like Dipper from Gravity Falls, they sound much older than they are. They'll grow on me though, but yes, this show is off to a GREAT start.

 

[Mostezli]

The dramatic portions are a tad awkward; "proving Scrooge McDuck still got it, family is useful, Dewey can do something right, Webby being nervous about not letting her grandma know, and Donald trusting McDuck & the triplets"

McDuck is still highly capable. It's not quite the triplets as it is Webby who figured out what would help out McDuck. Dewey comes across as the duck most actively trying to get into trouble or make things worse, so when he makes a convenient realization it feels convenient story-wise. Webby had nothing to worry about given her grandma stated McDuck is the safest one to adventure with (would've preferred she said I trained you to be prepared for anything). The last one happened so swiftly during that Dewey moment.

It's a solid premiere, otherwise, and I look forward to getting some more focus on Huey or Louie.

 

[Mandouga]

3) Magica Da Spell - now this one I really hope they do, Magica she shape shifts to look like someone else, and for the whole season, she is Scrooge's assistant, and we don't know who she is, only down the line, she reveals herself to everyone including the audience.

I'm going to assume that you mean having Magica appear as Magica, then have the audience actually see her do the shape-shifting thing. I'm not so sure I agree with that idea. In my opinion, this show doesn't need ongoing subplots like this that only serve to...I don't want to say "torture" the viewers since that would be too extreme. That said, as for HD&L's mother, since she was never part of any of their other appearances*, the whole "will HD&L see their mom again" thing doesn't really run the risk of overtaking the show (unlike a certain recent incarnation of a certain franchise involving a certain group of martial arts reptiles...^). That said, I do hope they don't constantly use that to taunt the viewers (e.g., implying they'll reunite, or even making it look like they will only to take it back later). That's something this show doesn't need. On a related note, it also doesn't need cliffhanger endings (like the one that Star vs. the Forces of Evil has) either; something I also hope they don't do.

Another thing, too. I mentioned how this pilot episode may or may not necessarily reflect the rest of the series. While the original show has its fair share of slice-of-life episodes, I'm hoping this show doesn't just toss the action-adventure part aside in order to focus more on slice-of-life episodes. Even the original show was never a glorified sitcom series, which is another thing this show doesn't need. Even when there are episodes that do focus on adventures, the viewers also don't need to be reminded constantly of some b-plot that involves some slice-of-life thing. More broadly, the show doesn't need constant "real life" reminders every other minute/line of dialogue (an exaggeration, but you get the idea). We know the characters go through things that are at least similar to what us viewers go though at home (or school). We don't need to have that spelled out for us. In other words, we don't need to be constantly reminded of the difference between fantasy and reality. We get it, already. Yes there are those who might not get it, but as I said before, that doesn't mean that those of us who have to end up being caught in the crossfire.

The bottom line is, the show should just be DuckTales, and not try to be anything else. Trying something different is alright, but only if it doesn't get in the way., In any case, this is what the viewers came for: the adventures of Scrooge McDuck and his family, not to be constantly reminded of reality/real life, because again, the reality is that anything is possible .

*Well, there was their first appearance, "Donald's Nephews", where Donald got a letter about them from his sister, who is named "Dumbella" (I think), whom we never actually see (as I remember, anyway), so that doesn't really count.

^Whose original TV incarnation, coincidentally, debuted the same year as the original Ducktales series.

 

[zoombie]

I'm going to assume that you mean having Magica appear as Magica, then have the audience actually see her do the shape-shifting thing.

No that it is not, I want Magica to be Scrooge's assistant and we don't know either, we she makes her move and reveals herself it would be total shock for everyone.

 

[hobbyfan]

So I found out after I posted. Thanks.

 

[TheVileOne]

The series is definitely getting overhyped IMHO. I didn't think the premiere was bad. I thought it was decent. But overall, it just didn't overly wow me. The only parts I kind of enjoyed were the tension between Donald and Scrooge.

More than anything, I don't think the voices really fit the characters. I like David Tennant, but I'm not sure he makes a good Scrooge McDuck. Scrooge is supposed to be a kind of older gentleman, but Tennant's voice just sounds like a younger man's voice.

Beakley was a little annoying. If she's a housekeeper, she might have to do secretarial things. Get over it. Didn't really sound like a convincing voice as a grandmother to Webby either.

It definitely feels like they want this to be their new Gravity Falls. And my problem with that is that works for Gravity Falls. I'm not sure it works for DuckTales. I'm not going to begrudge people that love this show or who enjoyed it. I just didn't love it.

 

[Mostezli]

This definitely isn't much of a Gravity Falls replacement (see Star Vs if that itch must be scratched), but that's fine by me.

The series is definitely getting overhyped IMHO

Hype backlash?

 

[TheVileOne]

This definitely isn't much of a Gravity Falls replacement (see Star Vs if that itch must be scratched), but that's fine by me.


Hype backlash?

Call it whatever you like.

 

[Mostezli]

Call it whatever you like.

That's in reference to what one of us called it back when Star Vs premiered.

 

[ToonsJazzLover]

I personally enjoyed it. Pretty high quality for a modern reboot. Can't wait to see more of it.

 

[AnotherRandomGuy]

I expected nothing more than a decent start to a series I have big hopes for. And that's exactly what I got.

I've been a fan of Disney's take on their classic characters since the Paul Rudish Mickey Shorts in 2013, so I had no sense of worry or hype going in. It was exactly what I expected it to be I and there's nothing wrong with that. All the little Easter Eggs were great, especially them namedropping various other towns from the Disney afternoon, which may or may not be foreshadowing.

My only real complaint would be I wish Launchpad had more to do during the episodes, but from what we did see from him it wasn't bad.

I look forward to what else the crew has in mind for what the series is going to do in the future.

 

[Mandouga]

"Gravity Falls", this. "Gravity Falls", that. The original show existed long before the show whose premise involves the main characters' summer plans being "ruined" when they have to spend it with their "boring" grandfather (obviously things change, but, IMO, this premise is what ruins the whole thing; long story). We just need to focus on this show being DuckTales (which I personally hope it is, for the reasons I talked about in other posts), and not try to compare it to anything else. In other words, too much like Gravity Falls? I'm more concerned that this show might not be enough like DuckTales.

No that it is not, I want Magica to be Scrooge's assistant and we don't know either, we she makes her move and reveals herself it would be total shock for everyone.

That would be even worse. Plot twists like that (I repeat: plot twists "like that"; that is, like the one you just mentioned) only serve to manipulate the viewers' emotions, and that's another thing this show doesn't need.

 

[PinkieLopBun]

The first episode is on Disney XD's YouTube.

 

[Duckfan]

Now, that's a surprise. I hope the other episodes follow as well!

 

[Rick Jones]

XD has done this with a few pilots before.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

 

[MDawg]

The first episode is on Disney XD's YouTube.

Also free on Amazon and Google Play and iTunes.

 

[Mostezli]

The original show existed long before the show whose premise involves the main characters' summer plans being "ruined" when they have to spend it with their "boring" grandfather

The original DuckTales' premise is that the boys have to stay with their detestable uncle after their other beloved uncle joined the navy. The rebooted premise is a tad more detailed with Donald trying to get a job, the babysitter couldn't come, can't trust the mischievous boys home alone, so now they get to stay with the rich uncle. Plus, now that he lost that job and his home, he's got to tag along as well.
Where it veers into Gravity Falls territory is the inclusion of the supernatural entities right in the 1st ep/1st half of the premiere and the mystery angle that also plays into that.
The first 2 episodes of the 80s series is simply an action adventure toon with some gags thrown in.
Ergo, it's surprisingly dramatic amidst all the cartoonish absurdities. Also, just now found out that was a 5 part special.

The reboot also has an unusually hyperactive girl and a goofy stocky side character who instead of the insane chauvinist acts more like a dude with a few screws loose.
I'd say Gruncle Stan would still be more akin to OG Scrooge or Mr Krabs, whilst this Scrooge is cranky & a cheapskate but more infatuated with what he used to do (could just be for this premiere).

 

[Fone Bone]

That said, I can't admittedly call it a parody at this point, but none of nephews would lie. .

The nephews are kids. They lied in the comics ALL THE TIME. The 1980's TV series making them so square and vanilla was them not doing the property justice. Having the kids be kids for the first time ever is this show actually writing them properly.

EDIT:

And rereading your entire post makes me shake my head. You are picking at every little thing. If Hank Azaria read your post aloud in nasally voice, I'd call it spot-on. Is it truly your opinion that because heartwarming scenes and lessons learned have been used elsewhere, that nobody else is allowed to use them ever from now on? Why do you get to decide that?

 

[Fone Bone]

DuckTales "Woo-ooo!"

This is the DuckTales series we have always deserved. I'm less grateful than many fans, because this is how it always SHOULD have been. It's not like it was based on a cr*p property like Transformers, which made me vastly appreciate Transformers: Prime more than I would have if every other Transformers project didn't suck. But the Carl Barks Uncle Scrooge comics were literally the best untapped children's property ever, and they managed to drastically change enough things to out right ruin it in the 1980's.

This is much closer to Don Rosa than Carl Barks, which suits me fine. Rosa has always been far nerdier in his stories, and more slavish to Barks than any other writer or artist. It's sort of the fact that while Duck Comic fans before me grew up on Barks, which is why I prefer Rosa. Barks is technically better, but I was THERE for when Rosa's stories were published, so I appreciated reading them more. Because they were new, and I was one of the first people reading them before they got reprinted a bunch of times.

But yeah, this has a ton of Easter Eggs, and references to other properties. St. Canard from Darkwing Duck was mentioned, as was Spoonerville from Goof Troop, and Cape Suzette from TaleSpin. I was disappointed we didn't immmediately get a shout-out to Mouseton (if I never see Spoonerville again I'll consider myself lucky) but these cities being referenced in the Pilot suggests it is possible the writers plan to build up a giant rebooted Disney Afternoon inspired universe with various spin-offs coming, based on how successful this is. Which is AGAIN something we should have already gotten with Darkwing Duck. I still can't believe we never got a proper DuckTales crossover on that show. What was Disney thinking?

The Cape Suzette thing also says to me that the producers consider TaleSpin set in the DuckTales universe, only a prequel from the 1940's. I'd love to see TaleSpin brought back in that capacity myself.

There were a ton of Easter Eggs, but the ones that caught my eye were the Giant Golden Suns coins, Merlock's Lamp, and a deactivated Armstrong. Donald being a seasoned adventurer is a great twist.

Do you know what really bothers me about Donald's absence on the original series in hindsight? Apparently, Disney was afraid he'd pull the focus from Scooge. Which means Disney didn't understand the property at ALL, and never did. You just watched the same thing I did. Who was the break-out character there: Donald or Scrooge? It's Scrooge, of course, and always would be, and always was in the comics, and Disney not getting that that's what EVERYONE would think immediately, shows that they had so little faith in Barks' stories, that they probably should have waited to adapt them until they found it.

I love that Donald speaks in complete sentences. This was my biggest concern upon hearing that Tony Anselmo was still going to voice Donald. It sounds sacrilegious, but I would have totally accepted a recast on Donald's voice for this project only, to be able to have Donald speak like he does in the comics. And the interesting thing is that the recent Paul Rudish Mickey Mouse cartoons have given Anselmo enough practice to be able to have Donald speaking full sentences, and be able to hold onto a conversation. This does not work perfectly, as I don't understand everything he says. Subtitles will be very helpful on whatever DVD's come out. But I also now recognize the character as the exact same person from the Barks / Rosa comics, who is completely alien to me in every other animated version. Donald Duck is an everyman in the comics, not a spoiled brat, and an amazing parent and a terrible one at the same time. It's the fact that he possesses both of these facets which is what makes his struggles interesting and relateable. This is literally the first cartoon I have EVER seen that uses Donald Duck properly, and as he should be. And people might be a little surprised at how muted the character seems compared to other tantrumy characterizations. But this is the Donald I know and love.

The reboot also goes back to the original series, and keeps things that worked practically the same (Launchpad McQuack), tweaked the things that didn't until they did (Webby and Mrs. Beakley), and ignoring the crap that would NEVER work (Bubba and Doofus). I always hated that Flintheart Glomgold was Scottish on the old show. Him being South African in the comics struck me as extremely exotic and mysterious sounding. Somebody recently pointed out to me that the cartoon producers changed it because of Apartheid in the 1980's. And that makes sense to me now. But I think the Scottish thing works for me for the first time ever. Because as Scrooge notes, he's the poor man's Scrooge McDuck. Scrooge is Scottish also, but he speaks in a very naturalistic tone (probably because David Tennant is Scottish). But the guy doing Glomgold sounds like a cartoon, and like he's trying too hard. He actually has to point out the kilt, and say, "I'm Scottish," several times for people to take him seriously. And suddenly when Scrooge calls him "The poor man's Scrooge McDuck," I approve of the Scottish thing for the first time ever. Because it's half a put-on, and a part of the chip on Glomgold's shoulder.

Dewey recognizing Della in the picture at the end is interesting. Rosa had tried to do a story about the origin stories of the nephew's parents, but Disney nixed it for the same reason they didn't let him reunite Donald with his mother, Hortense. The reader would ask of Della, "Where the frak was she? What kind of mother leaves her child like that?" I'm thinking at this point, with modern families being defined in lots of different ways, Disney is now more open to exploring that idea. But it's also possible she's dead. Rosa sort of hinted Donald's twin sister WAS dead in The Life And Times Of Scrooge McDuck, in the absence of being able to create an explanation for her being missing from Return To Xanadu. I personally hope she winds up popping up on the show. The reveal of the nephew's father would also be explosive, because Rosa wasn't even allowed to put that on the freaking McDuck family tree! It seems like Disney is being a lot more permissive with its iconic characters (Paul Rudish's Mickey Mouse is another good example) and this show will be better for it.

I cannot decide if this is now my current favorite cartoon on the air, or if Justice League Action is. I often have cartoons I get obsessed about, that I will probably get as obsessed with as this. But there never tends to be two of them on the air at the same time. My kid-friendly cartoon fanboy self is very happy right now. *****.