Disney has a long history of adapting its animated classics into television spin-offs, ranging from their early classics to some of their most recent fare. How can The Three Caballeros, a film that centers on Donald Duck hanging out with his Latin American friends and serving as a love letter to Latin American culture, become a spin-off? The answer is quite simple: turning the protagonists into superheroes and making them work together to defeat a mystical evil force.
Legend of the Three Caballeros is about the titular protagonists, Donald Duck, José Carioca, and Panchito Gonzalez, inheriting a magical atlas with a Greek goddess trapped inside. With the Goddess of Adventure, Xandra, they travel the world to stop the evil deeds of Lord Felldrake Sheldgoose and Baron Von Sheldgoose. The series initially premiered on the DisneyLife streaming service in the Philippines in June 2018, with additional releases in Japan on the Disney Deluxe streaming service in June 2019 and in the U.S. alongside the launch of Disney+ on Nov. 12, 2019.
Departing from Disney’s other TV spin-offs, this show is a reimagining of its source material. As a throwback of sorts, the show has a simple structure and characters, being more akin to classic Disney shows from the Disney Afternoon. At the core is a simple “good vs. evil” story that has superhero elements similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, combined with the globe-trotting and adventure from DuckTales.
The closest source of complexity is the lore and overarching narrative that is present throughout the series. Instead of being a simple group name, The Three Caballeros is a group that fought the forces of evil, comprised of the ancestors of the protagonists. The Duck-Sheldgoose feud has an extensive record that goes all the way back to the timeline of the original Caballeros.
The titular protagonists are all expanded, particularly in comparison to the original film. Donald is his usual temperamental self, as he learns to overcome his anger issues while being a leader for the group. José maintains his suave personality, as he uses his abilities to get in and out of trouble to his advantage. Meanwhile, Panchito maintains his energetic personality and is an overall nice guy that learns to become more outgoing. The trio can bond as quickly and organically as they did in the original film due to them all having similar interests and different personalities that complement each other well.
All of the new characters easily fit within the larger Mickey Mouse universe. Xandra is a compelling character that is smart and resourceful, as she has to adjust to the modern world. Baron Von Sheldgoose is the typical incompetent leader, but his personality and voice performance make him entertaining. Serving as his foil is Lord Felldrake, a family member trapped in a physical staff and looking to escape. The chemistry of these two characters is flawless, as the two are both menacing and comedic.
The animation and art style serve as the perfect metaphor for the combination of classic and modern elements. There are solid action scenes and slapstick humor, along with fast-paced and fluid animation. The expansive world of the Mickey Mouse universe is emulated perfectly and updated to reflect the modern era of the 21st century. All of the classic characters resemble their iconic designs, combined with the implementation of modern technology.
While most of the show works well, there are a couple of minor problems. Throughout the show, there are instances of toilet humor, but these jokes are used sparingly. Jaime Camil, Panchito’s voice actor for the show, delivers a good performance but doesn’t have the same energy as Carlos Alazraqui. The only legitimate problem from a modern perspective is the toxic relationship between Donald and Daisy. Despite their bickering stemming from the classic comedic appeal of Donald Duck shorts, it feels out of place in a contemporary and story-driven environment.
For a premise that seems bizarre on paper, Legend of the Three Caballeros succeeds with ease. The episodes and overarching narrative contain great storytelling along with plenty of action, adventure, and heart. Familiar components from The Three Caballeros are integrated, with the new elements complementing established ones for a unique experience. This show is a perfect watch for those that enjoy classic and modern Disney storytelling.
SCORE: 10/10
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