Individuals who teach math have had the pleasure of students asking them, repeatedly, “when am I ever going to use this?” The importance of math in the real world, as a result of smartphones and computers, has been lost among the current generation. Donald in Mathmagic Land expresses the important role that math has played over the course of thousands of years. It discusses its role in the development of music, the idea of the golden rectangle, how that has dictated architectural structures around the world and how mathematical shapes determine how nature is laid out. Strap in and prepare to understand, definitively, the importance of mathematics.
Donald Duck (Clarence Nash) has always been the somewhat absentminded, unintentionally arrogant, but well-meaning character in Disney lore who has managed to be the center of many adventures. Donald in Mathmagic Land depicts his journey through the world of mathematics. His ability to be somewhat of a dunce allows The True Spirit of Adventure (Paul Frees) to teach him the ways of Mathmagic Land. Sure, a 1959 Disney short film about the importance of math seems like it may ultimately be regarded as cheesy and ridiculous to some degree, however, while I’m not entirely sure that the content appeals to younger viewers, seasoned viewers (and thinkers) are able to enjoy the way in which the nine directors, headed by Les Clark, Joshua Meador, and Wolfgang Reitherman, present audiences with the information.
One of the most important aspects of filmmaking is relevance. Writers and directors have to be sure that their content is not only enjoyable, but relatable in one way or another to their viewers. Donald in Mathmagic Land makes math relevant and forces viewers to understand that, in their everyday lives, math plays much more of a role than might initially appear on the surface. As Donald in Mathmagic Land becomes more and more informative, viewers are somehow pulled into this fictional, animated land and begin to appreciate nearly everything both Donald and the Spirit of Adventure have to say.
From the opening moments, viewers are transported to this wonderfully twisted world consisting of both reality and make believe that entertains and educates. Donald in Mathmagic Land is cute, relatable, and informative in a way that keeps young audiences interested and older audiences intrigued. Disney, in a twist, outdoes themselves with Donald in Mathmagic Land, combining education and fun and appealing to viewers of all ages in one way or another.
Directed by Les Clark, Joshua Meador, Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske, Norman Ferguson, etc.
Written by Milt Banta, Bill Berg & Heinz Haber.
Starring Paul Frees & Clarence Nash.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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