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6.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Mickey's Pal Pluto remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you've ever had a pet that tries to 'help' and ends up ruining your rug, Mickey's Pal Pluto is going to hit way too close to home. It’s worth a watch if you like those old-school animation vibes where the characters have way too much personality for their own good. If you hate slapstick or get genuinely stressed watching a cartoon dog get yelled at, maybe skip it.
Pluto is just trying to be a good guy. He drags a bag of kittens out of the water, which is objectively heroic, right? But then he gets inside and everything goes sideways.
Mickey is… well, Mickey is kind of a jerk in this one. He doesn't even listen to Pluto's side of the story. The kittens start shredding the house, and Pluto is the one who gets tossed into the cold rain. It feels genuinely unfair, even for a short from the 30s.
The sequence with the angel and devil versions of Pluto is the highlight. It’s a bit cliché, sure, but watching his little conscience debate whether to be a saint or just leave those cats in the well is weirdly relatable. We've all had that moment where we decide if we're going to take the high road or just go to sleep.
Also, notice how the background art is all blurry and dark when Pluto is sitting outside in the rain. It’s actually kind of sad? Like, really sad for a seven-minute cartoon.
I found myself thinking about The Little Gray Lady—not because they’re similar, but because sometimes you just want a story where someone gets a break. Pluto really earns his win at the end, even if Mickey was being a bit dense for most of the runtime.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a solid chunk of animation that doesn't overstay its welcome. Pluto is a trooper. I’d give him a treat if I could. 🦴