Mickey’s Farm Games: A Chaotic Little Trip to 1932

Is it worth your time?

If you have any soft spot for early animation where things move a little too fast and the physics make absolutely zero sense, you’ll dig this. It’s 1932, so don't expect a polished production, but if you’re a completionist or just like seeing how Mickey used to act before he got all 'official,' it’s a fun seven minutes.

If you need a coherent story that holds your hand, skip it. This is pure, unadulterated cartoon chaos.

There is something about the way these early cartoons just dive into the action without bothering to explain why everyone is suddenly an athlete. One minute they're on the farm, the next they’re setting up a makeshift track, and honestly? Good for them. They don't need a permit.

Pete is the absolute worst. I mean, that’s his job, right? But watching him sabotage the pole vaulting is just peak grumpiness. He doesn't even want to win, he just wants everyone else to lose. It feels a bit like watching someone get cut off in traffic, but with more slapstick.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Barnyard Olympics (1932) through its definitive frames.

The pacing is all over the place. The rowing segment felt like it lasted for an eternity, while the cycling part was over before I even realized what was happening. It’s not subtle. It doesn't want to be.

I couldn't help but compare the sheer madness here to the weirdly grounded feeling in Frozen River. It’s obviously not the same genre—not even close—but the desperation in the air during the race reminded me of that same 'I have to finish this or everything falls apart' energy. Just, you know, with more cow udders and rubber hose limbs.

• The sound effects are basically just people banging on things. I love it.
• The background cows are doing way too much.
• Why is there a makeshift stadium in the middle of a field? Don't ask.

There’s a moment during the running event where Mickey’s legs turn into these weird, blurry loops that look like a propeller. It’s simple, it’s stupid, and it still made me laugh. Sometimes you don't need fancy rendering. You just need a character who refuses to stop running even when their entire body is falling apart.

The ending is… well, it’s an ending. It doesn't wrap up with a neat bow, and it doesn't try to teach you a moral lesson about sportsmanship. It’s just noise and movement until it suddenly stops. Sometimes that’s enough. It certainly beats a lot of the modern stuff that tries way too hard to be a 'cinematic masterpiece.' It’s a cartoon, not a sermon.

If you're in the mood for something that doesn't care about being smart, put this on. Just don't expect to walk away with any deep thoughts on the human condition. 🐭