Donald and Pluto: A Magnetized Mess

Is it worth the time?

If you have about eight minutes and need a brain break, absolutely. It’s perfect for anyone who likes old-school animation chaos. If you hate slapstick or get annoyed by Donald’s temper, you should probably skip it. Personally, I think it’s one of the better pairings of these two.

The whole thing starts with Donald being a plumber. I don’t think he’s a very good one, honestly. He’s just kind of bashing things with a wrench and waving this massive magnet around like it’s a toy.

The physics in these old cartoons are just the best. When Pluto swallows that magnet, you know exactly where it’s going, but it’s still funny. Watching his tail start to act like a frantic compass needle is pure gold. 🧲

The Kitchen Chaos

The middle part of the short is just pure, unadulterated clatter. Every time Pluto walks past a drawer, a spoon, a fork, or a frying pan comes flying at him. It reminds me of that scene in The Source where everything feels like it’s collapsing, but way funnier.

There’s this one shot where Pluto is trying to keep his composure while a literal mountain of metal is stuck to his backside. He looks so embarrassed. It’s the small facial expressions that really sell it.

• Donald’s squawking is at peak levels here.
• The sound design of all that metal clanking together is weirdly satisfying.
• The dog dish becoming a permanent accessory is a nice touch.

It’s not trying to be Children of Dreams or anything heavy. It’s just a dog, a duck, and a magnet. Sometimes that’s all you need.

I found myself laughing at how Donald gets his own equipment stuck to Pluto, too. He really is his own worst enemy. The guy just can’t catch a break, and it’s always his own fault. 🦆

It’s a breezy, fun watch. Don’t overthink it.