Magician Mickey is basically just pure, unadulterated chaos

Is it worth your time?

If you have seven minutes to kill and a soft spot for the classic Disney era, sure. It is perfect if you like watching Donald Duck get his comeuppance, which, let's be honest, is most of us. If you hate slapstick or get annoyed by high-pitched, screechy quacking, you should probably skip this one. 🦆

Mickey is trying his best to be a professional magician. He’s got the top hat, the cape, and the whole serious vibe going on. Then there is Donald.

Donald is sitting in the crowd, and he just cannot help himself. He is basically the heckler we all dread at a live show, throwing things and making noise just because he can. It’s infuriating, and honestly, that is what makes it work.

Watching Mickey pull rabbits and birds out of thin air while Donald tries to sabotage him is a masterclass in animation timing. The way Mickey just keeps his cool? It’s almost impressive. He’s like a pro dealing with a heckler who had one too many at the bar.

There is this one moment where Donald tries to shoot Mickey with a prop pistol. It doesn't go well for him. The way the stage props just start collapsing around them is pure, beautiful animation chaos. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in The Great Bradley Mystery, though obviously much louder.

Small things I noticed:

• Mickey’s stage presence is surprisingly stiff, but the magic tricks are fluid as hell.
• The sound design on the falling props at the end? It sounds like a kitchen explosion.
• Donald’s face when he realizes he messed up is the highlight of the whole short.

It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just a cartoon about a duck being a jerk and a mouse getting the last laugh. Sometimes that is all you need on a Tuesday night.

It definitely beats watching some of the more serious stuff from the same era like I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang if you want to keep your mood light. Much lighter.

The pacing is fast, almost too fast. By the time the stage falls down, you’re kind of left sitting there wondering where the last few minutes went. It’s a classic for a reason, even if it feels a little messy by the end.