[7.3/10] Given the ratings for this one, I was expecting something pretty rough, which may influence my own score here. Regardless, this was a fun little Disney-themed lark! There’s a simple but sturdy plot in the mix, with the titular trio wanting to become genuine musketeers after being saved by some as kids, Pete wanting to overthrow the monarchy to install himself as leader, and Minnie wanting to find her true love. It’s not groundbreaking, but all of the characters has a goal and personalities, both bolstered by their iconic status amid past adventures and with specific references to the story being told here.

Donald has to overcome his cowardice. Goofy has to overcome his idiocy. And Mickey has to overcome his size. They’re not the best-done arcs in the world, but each main character has an obstacle and overcomes it in order tos ave one another from the bad guys (another appearance from the Beagle Boys), rescue Minnie and Daisy from Pete, and earn their stripes (or fleurs-de-lis) as Musketeers.

Along the way, the songs are surprisingly quality! They use classical melodies rather than new tunes, but the lyrics are clever and the integration of those old tunes into the slapstick hijinks feels of a piece with the old rival Looney Tunes shorts. Likewise, the animation here is surprisingly good. I wasn’t expecting much from a DTV Disney Toon studios release, but there’s attention to detail in the backgrounds, an expressiveness both in terms of characters’ faces and movements, and some classic inventive slapstick routines. Pete in particular is memorably done, all jowls and bowls full of jelly in his movements, with some really exaggerated expressions.

On the whole, this little feature isn’t exactly novel (no pun intended), and despite its roots, doesn’t do much of an adaptation of the original tale. But especially for younger audiences, it’s a fun Mickey adventure that is way better done than what you’d expect given its reception and its DTV status.