"DuckTales" Magica's Shadow War (TV Episode 1987) Poster

(TV Series)

(1987)

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10/10
Me and my shadow
TheLittleSongbird30 October 2018
As said many, many times, love animation to bits, always have. Not just Disney, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Tex Avery and Hanna Barbera, but getting older it also broadened to include Pixar, Studio Ghibli, Soyuzmultfilm and Fleischer. It has always been a huge part of my life and helped me through all the tough times in school, with a broader knowledge actually appreciate it even more now.

Very like as has been said with 'Darkwing Duck' and 'Talespin' in individual episodes of them, 'DuckTales' is a show dear to my heart. While not quite one of the all-time greats in animation and ever it is a personal favourite and one of my favourite shows from Disney. Felt that way as a child, still do. One of those personal favourites from a young age that has held up very well (not all my childhood favourites have), and like many favourites seen recently as a young adult 'DuckTales' is even more entertaining through adult eyes from appreciating the writing and stories even more.

Really like to love all the previous episodes, and "Magica's Shadow War" is hardly inferior. Not quite one of the best but still a brilliant episode in every aspect.

The animation in "Magica's Shadow War" looks very pleasing on the eyes, nothing shoddy about it. Instead it is very vibrant, fluidly drawn and the attention to detail in the backgrounds is also note-worthy. Can say nothing wrong about the music, the score is dynamic, beautifully orchestrated, never jarring with the action and full of energy. Just as animated shows of this kind should be. It is impossible to resist or forget the theme song, one of the catchiest in animation and ever.

"Magica's Shadow War's" writing is even smarter, even more intelligent and even funnier as an adult. Part of this is due to understanding and appreciating the references, which came over as very funny and brilliantly timed when a child but easier to get and notice as an adult. Have found the same experience re-visiting other favourites like 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain' and 'Tiny Toon Adventures'. The dialogue is hilarious, quotable and surprisingly fresh by today's standards, also surprisingly thought-provoking and educational. Really do love that exchange starting with Poe getting the gang to free Magica from the closet, classic 'Ducktales', especially Scrooge's initial answer which may sound very corny but is actually very witty, Young's vocal delivery makes quite a difference too.

Similarly great in "Magica's Shadow War" is the storytelling. It is a thrilling and remarkably inventive story that is not predictable or repetitive, also not taking too long to get started or to the point. It is immensely entertaining to watch, has thrills and energy aplenty, is never dull and has emotional investment while the conflict has tension.

Have always loved the characters. Scrooge is one of those characters that does live up to his name at first, a notable example actually of the show being here, but the character grows and goes on a journey. It is wonderful to see Huey, Duey and Louie be given distinct personalities and it is much easier to tell them apart as a result than before when partnered with their uncle Donald Duck. Magica is one of my favourite recurring characters of the show and always elevates her episodes to a higher level. The shadow also provides a lot of fun and conflict.

In "Magica's Shadow War", the voice acting is faultless. Cannot imagine anybody else as the character of Scrooge than Alan Young, he is a big reason why Scrooge works so well as a character. June Foray, one of the all-time greats in voice-acting, is the definition of spellbinding as Magica.

To conclude, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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10/10
"Triplets : Think of electric bill. McDuck : You have a point. OK, let's go."
XueHuaBingYu15 November 2019
One paragraph plot summary : Magica is still trying to get Scrooge McDuck's first dime. This time, she wants to use a spell that allows shadows come alive. She makes her shadow comes alive to steal the dime for her. Because of her amazing magic skill, her shadow really comes alive. Then it goes to McDuck mansion and steal the dime. Unfortunately, it doesn't succeed. Scrooge McDuck and the triplets know that the dime is being stole by a shadow, they chase it. When that shadow goes back to Magica, she scolds it and because of that, that shadow takes over the control by keeping Magica in a storage room. Magica sends his raven to get help. Her raven gets to McDuck and try to get him to save Magica. When Magic's saved, Scrooge asks her to stop her shadow from doing bad things. Magica requests to give her McDuck's first dime. But Scrooge refuses. Then he comes up with a plan. Plan's good. Unfortunate thing is that it doesn't work. With no more good idea to stop her shadow, Scrooge has no way but to give up his first dime. When Magica gets the dime, she stops the shadows, but when it's finished, she doesn't want to give the dime back to McDuck. Thanks to triplets, McDuck gets back his dime in the end.

This episode is really a cool episode. It's all about magic. What I really love to see is the way Magica used to bring shadow alive. Since it's not possible to bring shadows come alive, so, it's really very rare to see. Thus, it's a total new thing to me. And also, it's somehow funny. I smiled and had a really good time with watching it. DuckTales episodes are really good. No wonder it's one of the best shows that Disney ever produced. I can't wait to see more of the episodes. It's so exciting.
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