The Three Caballeros

Rating:
Summary: Disney's 7th Animated Masterpiece!
Review: Just like "Saludos Amigos" this was the second film Walt Disney made based on his trip he took to South America with his animation staff, the film sends Donalds in a grand adventure through different South American places, learning a lot about their culture and their beautiful music. This film conbines animation with real-life characters which is always something fun to watch. The movie isn't considered as one of Disney's highest achievements, but it is very entertaining. I would recommend it to any Disney fan, it is trully wonderful.

The DVD does not bring too many features but I guess they're enough since this isn't one of Disney's greatest. The DVD brings two classic Disney cartoons, featuring Donald and Pluto. The DVD quality is great although, as I said, more bonus features would be welcome.

Rating:
Summary: "A flamingo!" "Yeah(!)"
Review: The Three Caballeros certainly is a curio. Released during the 40s, it's part of several Disney releases that seems to be a collection of stories and vignettes rather than the tradional Disney style. You would NEVER see this type of Disney movie being released today. It claims also to be the first theatrical release to incorporate animation and live movie sequences. It starts off with Donald Duck getting presents in the mail form his friends from South America. One of the presents is a film projector with two cartoons about a penguin longing for warmer weather and then a harsh transition to "little Gauchito" and his flying donkey. Both stories have a Central/South America feel and locales, but very little payoff. There's no real punch at the end of both these stories. Then it starts to get strange. It becomes some sort of a South of the Border travelogue. The animation is good, but the mix of animation and filmed musical performances is a little odd a times. It also has an extremely dated feel to the whole production. Still, it's not to be overlooked. This movie might not be everybody's cup-o-joe, but my 3-year-old daughter seems to enjoy it, so I guess ol' Disney knew what he was doing. The bonus cartoons are a real treat as well. Donald's Fountain of Youth is the better one. More of an experiment than a Disney-must-see.

Rating:
Summary: Outrageous Imagination!
Review: This is by far the best of the Walt Disney anthology films. Appreciators of special effects animation will be dazzled and those who enjoy a rollicking good time (and who doesn't) will be more than sated.

What starts as an above average anthology suddenly turns into an almost psychedelic experience with the blending of live-action and other effects in the last third of the film. As soon as Jose Carioca shows up, the outrageous fun begins with the song "Baia" and a pop up book that opens onto a live-action street. Soon after, Donald begins acting like a mad stalker, chasing after every woman he sees. Before you know it colors, confetti and characters are sprouting from all over the place during the song "You Belong To My Heart". If it sounds like pandemonium, that because it is, but it's delightful.

Sadly the picture quality is not up to par with other Disney releases. This is a film that is in real need for digital restoration, but don't let that small irritation keep you from experiencing Disney's most outrageous film ever.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic! One of Disney's Overlooked Masterpieces!
Review: Donald Duck stars in this masterpiece with a combination of animation and live action. This films co-stars Jose (or Joe) Carioca, who also appeared in SALUDOS AMIGOS (1943) and MELODY TIME (1945), and an all new character, Panchito. The film is about Donald getting birthday gifts from his friends in Latin America (his birthday in the film is Friday the 13th, although it's really June 9th!). We see short stories including "The Cold-Blooded Penguin" and "The Flying Gauchito", like most Disney films of the time. I never really like this film as a kid, but now it's one of my favorite animated films (and in general). You won't regret buying this DVD! It also includes complete bonus cartoons: "Donald's Fountain of Youth" (1953), and "Pueblo Pluto" (1949).

Rating:
Summary: Now I know why it's not Three "Gay" Caballeros
Review: I've always had a fondness for Disney musicals, particularly the old ones, so this DVD seemed like a perfect choice. Overall, I thought this was a pretty spiffy film, though it seemed patched together in spots.

The video portion was very clean, though this digital transfer really lets you see flaws in the original print. Watch the segments where Donald is "behind" the Cookie Lady in "Baia," and you'll see the woman is dancing in front of a projected image. Most of the time the animated characters are "layered" on top of the live-action reels. I'll grant that given the age of the film, the visuals are fairly impressive, but with the animation technology available, one would think Disney would "clean up" some of the imperfections.

That goes double for sound, which in this release is dead Mono. Even simulated stereo would do a better job of reproducing the dynamics of the great music of this film. Speaking of which, the music selections (and accompanying dances) are the highlight of the movie. I was particularly impressed by the wonderful "You Belong To My Heart," which segues into a mildly hypnotic, almost hallucinogenic segment with "animorphic" images and brilliant colors.

Though there is a plot to all this (Donald's birthday tour), the story is little more than a South American travelogue as envisioned by Disney. That means a lot of American extras playing Brazilians and Mexicans, though not all. I think most kids (and some adults) will appreciate the camaraderie of the three Caballeros, but Donald's randy behavior is a little off-putting. Disney left little doubt that at least one of the 'three gay cabelleros' was perfectly 'straight.'

This film is, of course, a must-own for any collector of Disney animation, but for others the choice is less certain. The music and elaborate dance routines are worth a peek at the very least.

-Mic

Rating:
Summary: Los Tres Caballeros is a masterpiece!
Review: Wow. What can I say? I just recently viewed this movie and I loved it. Wasn't so fond of the two cartoon shorts as much ("The Cold-Blooded Penguin and the Flying Gauchito" ),but the rest of this movie rocks!

Donald receives gifts from his best friends in Latin America. Thrilled,Donald experiences South American life first hand,taking trips from Brazil to Mexico with his pals Jose Carioca and Panchito.

It's one surreal,psychadelic and funny movie. I really liked it a lot,the live scenes were pretty good,and the music was swinging. Being 21,it's unbelieveable for me to like music this old,but I loved it and I'm sure you will,too. Being a Hispanic-American myself,this movie also made me see the beauty of my culture and made me proud of my roots.

I recommend this for any Disney fan. These 3 amigos will have you loving them the moment you watch it.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Saludos Amigos
Review: Donald Duck celebrates his birthday Latino style.

This rather amusing look at Central America, the second of two features commissioned by the Office of Inter-American Affairs, is both far funnier and far stranger than "Saludos Amigos".

The hook of Donald accepting a gift from South America which continues to reveal more and more gifts reminds me of a Pinata. The almost psychedelic trip the gifts send him on are great uses of animation artistry.

Of the cartoons, it's a wonder that "The Cold Blooded Penguin" even made it into this movie. Other than showing the penguin travelling past South America on his journey to warmer climates, it doesn't have much to do with the rest of the movie.

But "The Flying Guachito" more than makes up for this. The story of a little boy who finds a flying burro, it fits very well into the framework created for this movie.

Then it progresses into a wild and crazy look at the South American scene. The music is infectious, and watching Donald chase after every good looking girl that passes his way is rather amusing, but slightly out of Donald's character.

The disconcerting switch from a collection of Disney classic cartoons (most of which were still fairly new at the time) to the live-action travelogue is a bit much to take, but still makes for a fun roller coaster ride that kids might enjoy.

Finally, there's two good Disney cartoon gems, "Don's Fountain of Youth" and "Pueblo Pluto". Both cartoons really round out this look at Latin America, and add to the flavor and tone of the movie.

Far more fun than "Saludos Amigos", but because it is another travelogue, and contains a mixture of live-action and animation, it may only appeal to Disney purists.

Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone...
Review: I like what is presented, but I don't like how it was done.
TOO MUCH NARRATION!!
My 5 year old cannot follow who is talking... the actual charactor or the INVISIBLE narrator in the movie.

I think it is too confusing and sexy for little kids.
We owned this movie for almost 2 years and watched it only twice.

It is educational about different cultures and the music is very enjoyable...so maybe a little older kids and adults can enjoy it more.

Rating:
Summary: should have showed the charaters more
Review: this movie was nothing like i expected, i thought it would be full of action but there was way to much live action. the charaters should have been shown more I was very disappointed when i first saw the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Not Classic Disney, but good fun.
Review: After the success of such Storybook tales like Snow White, Pinocchio, and Bambi, the studio took a different turn and presented about nine films that were more like many Fantasias than epic fairytales. This is one of the best and it truely is a standout among the Disney films. Donald Duck hosts the show, and he meets along the way Hose' and Panchito. The film is musical and colorful. It may not be one of the greats but definately good.