Mighty Ducks is for me an underrated series and a lot of fun. Unfortunately it was also a series that should have been better resolved and on less of an incomplete note. If you like the show, you'll like The First Face Off. It does read, and I consider it to be, of a two-part pilot(or at least two episodes of the show) and a very promising one at that-though the show did get stronger after-, much better than what the 4.8 rating as of now suggests. From personal perspective, admittedly the first half was better than the second, the first half was thrilling and the moment the characters were introduced they had likable personalities and were interesting, enough for us to emotionally invest in them. The second half is still entertaining even when not having as much action as the first half but it does have some exposition parts that lag the pace a little bit. The climax is exciting and compels you to carry on watching the series. The animation is clean and smooth with vibrant colours and the accompanying music is rousing complete with a catchy main theme. The writing is sharp and humorous and you can tell there was heart put into it, some of it is cheesy but more in an endearing way than an annoying one which is true for the rest of the show as well. The story is easy to follow, moves swiftly and draws you right in whether it's for the relationships between the characters, the conflict or the exciting action. Like the writing there is some emotional investing, Canard's sacrifice does pull at the heart-strings. The characters engage, both the heroes and villains. Wildwing is a character I related to for much of The First Face Off, and he and Nosedive always came across as the strongest written of the ducks. Phil is a fun character and narrates the story here amusingly, Klegghorn doesn't have a lot to do but he reacts to Phil well. Coming to the villains, Chameleon is the most entertaining henchman with his shape-shifting and disguises and Dragaunus, a bad-ass villain, is one of the best characters of the show along with Wildwing. There is nothing to fault with the voice acting, some may question why April Winchell sounds like she's talking through a head-cold but it is part of the character and her allergies. Ian Ziering, Jennifer Hale and Steve Mackall are the most effective voicing the heroes, while the instantly recognisable James Belushi sounds like he's having fun, Tony Jay is always great value and Frank Welker shows great versatility like his character. Special mention must go to one of the most outstanding voice actors today and ever Tim Curry, whose smarmy menace for Dragaunus is pitched perfectly, no wonder as voicing villains is where he most excels. In conclusion, promising and fun, goes very well with the show and deserving of a higher rating. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off
(1996 Video)
A promising 2-part pilot(or so it seems) of a great underrated series
30 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers