Synopsis
Each disc uses a Mickey Mouse cartoon to teach children the basics about such topics as language, geography and numbers. “Mickey’s Seeing the World” uses the cartoon “Mickey’s Around the World in 80 Days” to these ends, while “Reading & Math Fun” uses the much older “Mickey and the Beanstalk” the cartoons are interrupted periodically to put them to educational use in the form of games. This is so far out of my field of expertise that I can’t pretend to evaluate how well this content works, t…ough it strikes me that the educational stuff is sparse and simplistic, and I note on Amazon some very disappointed comments from parents.
Audio
The audio is 5.1, but this is a bit misleading. The menu is where the sound is the best. The The theme music for the series sounds a bit thin, and has minimal surround presence. And “Mickey and the Beanstalk,” being a (classic) vintage piece, is in mono.
Video
This is where the real disappointment hits. The colours are fine, but the image constantly pulses and the characters disintegrate into a layer cake of horizontal lines. The effect is very distracting. The same problem recurs on both discs. Someone is falling asleep at quality control. Furthermore, the print of the Beanstalk cartoon is pretty dirty.
Special Features
The menu is quite elaborate and takes the time to explain itself, guiding young viewers through their options. There are two viewing options: “Guided Play” and “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (where more choice is involved). A simple multiple choice game accompanies each disc as well.
Closing Thoughts
Actual content aside, the picture quality is not even close to what one expects from Disney.
Special Features List
- Guided Play and Sorcerer’s Apprentice Play Modes
- Learning Game
- Previews
