Hello readers and welcome back to the Short Short Review! Just as a refresher, in this column I attempt to review a short film or story in a really short number of words. This week, I’ll be reviewing the short film that features the first appearance of Mickey Mouse ever, Steamboat Willie, in 420 words, the length of the film in seconds.
Steamboat Willie was originally released in 1928 and not only features the aforementioned Mickey Mouse, but Minnie Mouse as well. The film is in black and white and is presented with no dialogue, as was consistent with most films of the period.
The film primarily focuses on Mickey, who is working on a steamboat that appears to be transporting a number of animals. The first half of the film mainly focuses on Mickey steering the boat, moving animals, cleaning and other boating duties. In the second half of the film, Minnie arrives and an impromptu jam session occurs on the boat with the animals and boat supplies serving as instruments. This plot is fairly simple, but the emphasis on music throughout already shows the telltale signs of more modern Disney films.
Speaking of sounds, the music in the film is spot on and incredibly catchy. The film opens up with what is now known as the “Steamboat Willie theme.” You probably have heard this before in any modern Disney film in which Mickey whistles it. The sound effects and other music are also perfectly crafted and really allow the film to have a certain level of nostalgia.
In terms of look, it is very difficult to review a film like this because of its age. However, the black and white hand-drawn graphics pop and really manage to portray the emotion of the characters. It also is important to note that Mickey and Minnie in this film look very similar to the modern versions of the characters. It really tells how well drawn the film is, considering the design has lasted almost a century.
Overall, Steamboat Willie is a classic example of why Disney was and still is a tour-de-force in animated films. The plot, while simple, is playful and entertaining. Furthermore, the music and look of the film are timeless, even though it was made almost a century ago. Steamboat Willie gets five whistling mice out of five for being just plain amazing. That is all for this week, next week is the last issue of the term and I will be reviewing something completely different once again. Stay Tuned!
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