Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas is a 2004 American Direct-to-video animated Christmas anthology fantasy film produced by Disneytoon Studios and directed by Matthew O'Callaghan. The film includes stories directed by Peggy Holmes, O'Callaghan, Theresa Cullen, and Carole Holliday.

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
Film poster
Directed byMatthew O'Callaghan
Screenplay by
  • Bill Motz
  • Bob Roth
  • Peggy Holmes
  • Chad Fiveash
  • James Patrick Stoteraux
  • Matthew O'Callaghan
  • Shirley Pierce
  • Jim Peronto
  • Carole Holliday
  • Michael Shipley
  • Jim Bernstein
Story by
  • Peggy Holmes
  • Chad Fiveash
  • James Patrick Stoteraux
  • Theresa Pettengill
  • Carole Holliday
  • Colin Goldman
  • Matthew O'Callaghan
Based on
Produced byPam Marsden
Starring
Edited by
Music byStephen James Taylor
Production
company
Distributed byWalt Disney Home Entertainment
Release date
  • November 9, 2004 (2004-11-09)
Running time
67 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

It is the sequel to Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999).[2] It features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Max, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and Scrooge McDuck,[3] in five different segments rather than three like its predecessor.[4] It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

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The narrator recites the first ten words of The Night Before Christmas before saying, "Oh, wait. Different story, but we'll still see a mouse!" The narrator then announces new tales of giving and loving, and a book opens to show pop-up elves.

Belles on Ice

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In the first story, Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck compete in an ice-skating competition. The girls are joined by their respective boyfriends, Mickey and Donald, as they prepare to take the ice. Daisy becomes envious of the crowd's reaction to Minnie and attempts to steal the spotlight. Minnie performs several daredevil stunts to regain the spotlight while Daisy summons the Fantasia Hippos, who become her backup skaters while her counterpart summons the alligators from the 1940 film. When Minnie slips while landing from a stunt blindfolded, Daisy helps her up while feeling sorry for her selfish actions. Minnie feels the same way, so they both reconcile and perform a grand finale as a team.

Christmas: Impossible

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The second story tells the story of Huey, Dewey, and Louie celebrating Christmas Eve with Donald and Daisy Duck at Uncle Scrooge's mansion in Duckburg. After they cause trouble at dinnertime, the boys know that they are on the naughty list, so they travel to the North Pole to write their names on Santa's good list. At Santa's workshop, the trio make a mess while trying to find the key to the room containing Santa's good list, but they and the elves clean up to save Christmas. Before they leave, they have a chance to add their names to the good list; however, they add Scrooge's name instead. On Christmas, they find a single gift for Scrooge, but Santa leaves a note that explains that their actions caused them to be put on the good list and more presents are behind the tree.

Christmas Maximus

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The third story's focus is on Max Goof and his father Goofy celebrating the holidays. A young adult Max brings home his girlfriend Mona to meet his father, Goofy. However, Max is embarrassed by his dad, who labels his car a limo, decorates the house with many Christmas lights, shows baby pictures to Mona, and wipes cocoa off Max's face. While wandering outside, he notices that his scarf is made by Goofy and realizes that Goofy is always goofy, and that is why he loves him. Max then forgets about being embarrassed and joins in the fun when the popcorn-making machine goes haywire.

Donald's Gift

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The fourth story focuses on Donald Duck and his Christmas wish of peace and quiet. As he returns home from grocery shopping, he is slowed down by daydreaming and a series of well-wishers who sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Donald becomes increasingly annoyed by the joyous people, and at home, he is annoyed to hear the same Christmas carols on his radio. When Daisy and his nephews arrive, Donald becomes annoyed that they want to go out so soon after he returned home, but Daisy drags him out anyway. At the mall, Donald discovers various objects playing the same Christmas carol; he thinks he is in peace inside a secret room, where he finds animatronics singing. He destroys the entire show at Mousy's that Daisy, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and the crowd were trying to see. After he is thrown out of the mall, Donald walks home alone while feeling guilty for his lack of Christmas spirit. He apologizes to everyone for his selfishness and joins the townspeople convened around a Christmas tree happily singing.

Mickey's Dog-Gone Christmas

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The fifth and final story stars Mickey as he makes decorations for the Christmas party, which his dog, Pluto keeps interrupting. When Pluto attempts to help by putting the star on the tree, he accidentally destroys all the decorations, and an angry Mickey sends him to his doghouse as punishment. Feeling rejected, Pluto decides to run away from home and finds himself shipped on a train to the North Pole, where Santa's reindeer adopt him. Back home, Mickey redecorates the house and attempts to reconcile with Pluto, only to find him missing. Meanwhile, Pluto becomes homesick, so Santa and the reindeer help him go home. They complete the Christmas tree decorations, and everyone celebrates Pluto's return.

Like in Once Upon a Christmas, the film concludes with a medley of carols featuring the main characters from the five segments as the book closes.

Voice cast

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Release

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Home media

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Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas was first released on DVD and VHS on November 9, 2004.[5] Coinciding with its 10th anniversary, the film was released in a 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray and DVD with its predecessor Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas on November 4, 2014.

The film was made available to stream on Netflix.[6][7] It was subsequently released on Disney .[8][9]

Broadcast

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Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas aired in the United States on ABC Family in December 2013,[10] and in December 2015.[11][12] It aired on Freeform in December 2022.[13][14]

Reception

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Critical response

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Joe Leydon of Variety stated, "All segments are sufficiently brisk to sustain interest of restless small fry. [...] Computer-generated imagery provides pleasingly colorful, seemingly 3-D eye-candy. Even so, novelty value of classic toon characters in CGI format likely will be lost on little ones raised on Shrek and Toy Story."[15] Robert Pardi of TV Guide gave the film a grade of three out of five stars, saying, "A candy-cane palate and a festive soundtrack bolster this omnibus, which allows Disney favorites a chance to strut some new stuff."[16] Rebecka Schumann of International Business Times named Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas one of their "best Christmas movie picks for kids."[17]

Bryce Olin of FanSided included Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas in their "Best Christmas Movies on Netflix 2016" list.[18] Michael Thomas of Collider included Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas in their "Best Holiday Movies and Shows on Disney " list, stating, "The computer-animated special allows for the Disney crew to shine with each getting major focus across their individual stories. If you love Mickey and his friends, Mickey Twice Upon a Christmas is a wonderful time."[19] Megan Stein of Country Living included Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas in their "35 Best Christmas Movies on Disney to Get You In the Holiday Spirit" list.[20]

People Magazine included Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas in their "Best Christmas Movies to Stream on Disney in 2022" list and called it a "series of heartwarming holiday stories."[21] Korin Miller and Naydeline Mejia of Women's Health included Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas in their "40 Best Christmas Movies On Disney " list, asserting, "This animated flick features five Christmas-themed shorts that are all kinds of adorable."[22] Sydni Ellis of PopSugar ranked Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas first in their "17 Best Holiday Movies to Watch With Little Kids" list.[23]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) and recipient(s) Result Ref.
2005 DVD Exclusive Awards Best Animated Character Performance (Voice and Animation in a DVD Premiere Movie) Russi Taylor Nominated [24][25]
Best Screenplay (for a DVD Premiere Movie) Bill Motz, Bob Roth, Peggy Holmes, Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux, Matthew O'Callaghan, Shirley Pierce, Jim Peronto, Carole Holliday, Michael Shipley, Jim Bernstein Nominated
Best Original Score (for a DVD Premiere Movie) Stephen James Taylor Won [26]

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Mickey's Twice upon a Christmas (2004)". BFI. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  2. ^ Daley, Katerina (November 26, 2019). "The 10 Best Disney Animated Christmas Specials (According To IMDb)". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  3. ^ "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (film)". D23. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  4. ^ Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 194. ISBN 9781476672939.
  5. ^ Millheiser, Matthew (2004-11-14). "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  6. ^ Olin, Bryce (November 3, 2018). "Christmas movies on Netflix right now: Full list". FanSided. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  7. ^ Mier, Tomás (October 11, 2018). "Where to Watch All Your Favorite Christmas Movies on TV This Holiday Season". People. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  8. ^ Spencer, Samuel (November 18, 2019). "All the Christmas Films Streaming Now on Disney Plus". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  9. ^ Munson, Olivia (November 13, 2022). "Christmas movies for kids: A guide to 100 family films to stream this holiday season". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  10. ^ West, Kelly (October 15, 2013). "ABC Family's 25 Days Of Christmas 2013 Schedule Announced". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  11. ^ Chitwood, Adam (December 1, 2015). "Here's ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Schedule for 2015". Collider. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  12. ^ Harnick, Chris (December 1, 2015). "ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Schedule Is Here—Plan Your December Accordingly". E! Online. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  13. ^ Mantilla, Ryan Louis (November 2, 2022). "Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas to Include 'Home Alone', 'The Santa Clause' & More". Collider. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  14. ^ Prahl, Amanda (November 1, 2022). "Freeform's 2022 25 Days of Christmas Lineup Is Here — What to Watch and When". PopSugar. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  15. ^ Leydon, Joe (2004-12-14). "Review: 'Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  16. ^ Pardi, Robert. "Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  17. ^ Schumann, Rebecka (December 16, 2021). "16 Christmas Movies For Kids On Netflix". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  18. ^ Olin, Bryce (December 13, 2016). "Best Christmas Movies on Netflix 2016: Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas". FanSided. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  19. ^ Thomas, Michael (December 4, 2022). "The Best Holiday Movies and Shows on Disney Right Now". Collider. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  20. ^ Stein, Megan (December 14, 2022). "Disney Has the Most Amazing Christmas Movie Lineup to Stream Right Now". Country Living. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  21. ^ "The Best Christmas Movies to Stream on Disney in 2022". People. November 22, 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  22. ^ Miller, Korin; Mejia, Naydeline (2022-11-15). "Sorry Hallmark, But The Best Christmas Movies Are On Disney Now". Women's Health. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  23. ^ Ellis, Sydni (November 23, 2020). "The 17 Best Holiday Movies to Watch With Little Kids, Ranked". POPSUGAR UK Parenting. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  24. ^ Ball, Ryan (January 3, 2005). "Lion King 1 1/2 Rules DVD Exclusive Noms". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  25. ^ Hettrick, Scott (January 2, 2005). "Spidey takes on Frodo in DVD kudos". Variety. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  26. ^ Hettrick, Scott (February 8, 2005). "Duff, Hamill top DVD Exclusive kudos". Variety. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
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