This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

"The Mad Doctor" is a 7-minute Disney cartoon from 1933, so this one will have its 85th anniversary next year already and if you read this review past 2018, then it already did and to put it all into perspective this is from the year that Hitler came into power in Nazi Germany. That's how old it is. And while Disney made some propaganda films too, the mad doctor reference here is not yet connected to the Führer. The film is in black-and-white and it is one of the earlier Mickey cartoons and even earlier for Pluto, but not one of the very earliest for this famous duo. Pluto gets abducted by an evil doctor who has plans to create a creature half-dog half chicken. And Mickey is of course out to save his dog quickly, but not only does he have to deal with the mad doctor, there's also tricky doors, clingy skeletons and a lot more getting in the way of his mission. Is it really doable in 7 minutes? Watch for yourself. Or don't as early Mickey was not that great to be honest, at least not before the color cartoon era. Dream sequences also weren't really that new anymore, even in the 1930s. Here the action and comedy feel rather random and confusing. Sure it is a cartoon and a mix of creepy fantasy and horror, but realism is completely MIA here. I wasn't too entertained by this one. Yes I do like Mickey, but it's not his fault this one was underwhelming. Thumbs down. Don't watch.

This has to be one of the best Mickey-Pluto cartoons. It is quite dark for a Disney Silly Symphony, with some parts scaring me as a kid(such as Pluto's heart being at his throat). As a young adult I still enjoy it while admiring its technical values. The story is simple, but still manages to be engaging with a lot of suspense. The animation is just fantastic, the black/dark and white/light shades are some of the best I've seen, helping at times to give some depth to Mickey's design as he enters the Mad Doctor's castle. I also loved the animation for the catacombs, recalling Egyptian Melodies, and the skeletons that Mickey has a constant battle with, imaginatively animated and very expressive even for skeletons. Mickey has more depth animation-wise than he has ever had before and is as likable as ever, Pluto is cute and energetic and the Mad Scientist immediately makes an impact by how frightening he is. The gags are clever, the creatures are suitably creepy and the cartoon goes at a terrific pace. Overall, while some MAY find themselves cheated by the "it's all a dream" ending, this cartoon is an absolute must see for Disney and animation fans. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Mickey is in bed when he hears some noise outside--a mad scientist has stolen Pluto! And, when you see this nut back in his lair, you see that he's abducted other animals on which to experiment! Obviously this is NOT your typical Mickey Mouse cartoon!! So, Mickey springs into action and runs to the castle--where he encounters skeletons and other ghastly creatures. However, by the end of the cartoon, all is right and poor 'ol Pluto is just fine! The print for this one is very poor--and in need of restoration. Perhaps the Disney folks haven't done this because it's such a dark and potentially disturbing cartoon. As for me, the more disturbing the better! After all, by the 1940s and 50s, Mickey was a wimp and I liked the darker and more morally ambiguous Mickey cartoons as they had a sharp edge--and none sharper than "The Mad Doctor"!

This cartoon has some pretty weird, spooky stuff - a dark side you would never see in later Mickey Mouse cartoons. Unless your four-year-old can handle a mad doctor threatening to cut Mickey's head off, steer him clear of this one. For adults, though, it's quite original.