Member
Posted:
Nov 4, 2011, 10:48 PM
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Favorite Disney Movie/Movies?
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I know this could be seen as a lazy topic, but I'm curious about what our favorite disney movies are :) Mine are Alice In Wonderland and Robin Hood.
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Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Nov 5, 2011, 2:57 AM
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 back to the Forum, JupiterTonans (ex-Pikachu)!
Yes, it could be a lazy topic, and it crops up regularly, but let's make it a bit more tasking. Instead of just a list of favourites, let each poster add a few words about why they are your favorite. And perhaps mention your least favourite as well.
My favourite is Pinnochio. I think it is Disney at its best with no holds barred - rich animation, rich characters, rich backgrounds and layouts all serving a dramatic plot arc that is driven by character interaction. And with no (for me at least!) embarrassing twee or silly bits.
I've read reviews that criticise the plot - especially the timeline: Pinnochio spends a day on Pleasure Island, but when he returns Gepetto has been gone for months. I think this is a foolish criticism, because it is not supported by, and therefore not a true reading of, the film itself.
The book is a rambling tale of Pinnochio's adventures that spreads over an interminable period of perhaps several years. The way elements of the material have been remoulded into the film is a prime example of the skill of Disney storytelling.
But it flows so smoothly (as all the best Disney films do) that we can overlook the jumps in time that are implied. Pinnochio takes a coach trip that takes all day (at least) to reach the coast, travelling at a good speed. Then the steamboat ferries them across to the Island. When Pinnochio and Jimminy leave Pleasure Island they have to first swim back to, or get washed up on, dry land. Then they have to figure out where they are and which way is back home. Then they have to make their way back. This implies a passage of many days in itself. But when they finally get home, the shop is shut up and thick with cobwebs. The point of this scene is to tell us that a very long time has elapsed. It is not a mistake!
(There! That's got that off my chest!)
I also do like Alice in Wonderland. It isn't a very successful film, but it's chock full of good bits. I think the artwork from the film left a huge impression on me - it premiered in London when I was three-and-a-half. (I wasn't taken to see it, but the tie-in displays were all over, and many (a frieze of characters around walls of the Children's Hairdressing department of a local store, in particular) remained for some time.
However, Robin Hood is actually my least favourite - which is why I'd be interested in JupiterTonas' reasons for rating it so highly.
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Back by popular demand -
"La-la-La-la.. I can't hear you!"
(This post was edited by peterhale on Nov 5, 2011, 3:08 AM)
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Zinc Saucier
Posted:
Nov 5, 2011, 10:38 AM
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I'm going to comment in this thread, but I don't have time to do it correctly right now. So for now, I'll just say that Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, Treasure Planet, Lilo & Stitch, Hunchback, Hercules, and Peter Pan are probably at the top of my list.
(This post was edited by krisAHQ on Nov 5, 2011, 10:57 AM)
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Directing Animator
Posted:
Nov 6, 2011, 7:52 AM
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At the top of my list would be "Bambi"; as perfect an animated feature film as there ever was or could be.
The sentiment in the film is understated; which is a major asset, I think. I posted a review in the Animated Word about the Platinum Edition DVD a few years back; so I don't need to go to much into detail about the merits of this film.
I also like "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad"; everything, that is, except that awful main-title music... I often wish that Disney would have gone with a more fitting piece of instrumental music instead of that hokey song.
"Beauty and the Beast" is another favorite of mine... but it is not without flaws.
For example, I still don't understand why in the final scene at the Prince's castle everyone is dressed in their finest clothes; except for Belle's father, Maurice... couldn't his new son-in-law have bought him a new suit of clothes?
Also, some of the comedy bits with LaFou I find to be a bit too "cartoony"...
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"I'd like to cover you with furs and automobiles!"
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Apprentice
Posted:
Nov 6, 2011, 7:21 PM
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I really do like "Bambi." It is the perfect element of all features that go into making a great movie (animated or not). The characters are extremely likable, it's humorous, thrilling, and enlightening.
(By the way, this is my first post here. I'm quack-up from GAC Forums. Thought I could try to help revive this forum a bit).
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What you see depends on what you're looking for.
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Supervising Animator
Posted:
Nov 7, 2011, 4:37 PM
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I was born in the late eighties so I enjoyed quite a lot of the early ninety movies.
I still love "The Little Mermaid" despite its rather unrealistic approach of love. (I actually did a topic on this at college, this was one of the movies I was investigating regarding love in a sociology class on sex, love and the media) I will admit that I prefer the Disney adaptation over the original Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale which is very depressing. The truth is, I love Ursula. She's absolutely spectacular and wonderfully fun as well as deliciously devious. My favorite part as a child was when she transformed into Vanessa. The songs from the movie are great--and I love the part where the crazy French chef attempts to cook Sebastian.
The Lion King. Another childhood favorite. I have recently watched it in theaters in 3-D and it still holds up. Mufassa is such a great father, and his death scene still packs an emotional punch. Zazu, Shenzi, Bonzai, and Ed the hyenas, and Timon and Pumba remain absolutely hillarious. The songs are still terrific from "The Circle of life" to "Be Prepared" (a guilty pleasure of mine) Also, Rafiki is so awesome.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame--okay, I haven't read the actual novel, and I was only 7 when I first saw it--a lot flew over my head as I giggled over the three gargoyles. Yet I saw it last year around Christmas (Hey, I'm Jewish, I could care less) and it's absolutely amazing. It's definately a strange choice for Disney to do though. I also admit that at times, the gargoyles are a little bit too silly--in particular "A Guy Like You" is rather forgetable--and almost pointless as they're trying to get Quazi's hopes up that Esmeralda loves him--when truthfully her heart belongs to Phoebus. Yet the dark bits are terrific--especially Frollo singing "Hellfire" to his fireplace. Frollo is IMO one of the most frightening villains simply because he's human. The bit where he compares the gypsies to ants is absolutely chilling. Also, the idea of having the story sung by Clopin in the beginning is fantastically executed.
Beauty and the Beast--This one remains one of my favorites because it was my very first movie--I haven't seen it in a while yet I always found the dance scene to be magical--as well as the transformation scene at the end. I also love the prologue in the beginning.
I do like the more recent "Princess and the Frog" --not love mind you--just like. There are definately good characters, Naveen is the most developed Disney prince I've seen since the Beast and Charlotte is wonderfully adorable. Yet my absolute favorite character has to be Dr. Facilier--one of the best Disney villains I've seen in a while and my first favorite male Disney villain--I never had a favorite male villain before him. I really like his song "Friends on the Other Side" yet I wish he had more screen time as he was absolutely intriguing. Yet the movie definately has some flaws. Such as Charlotte being too late to break the curse--why didn't she end up a frog? and Tiana freaks out after seeing "Naveen" and Charlotte about to wed. Hello! if the spell was broken wouldn't you also be turned back to human as well. The death sequence of Dr. Facilier however, is deliciously disturbing proving that Disney has not lost its touch in conjuring up nightmare fuel.
I also really liked last summer's "Winnie the Pooh" movie. It was a beautiful throwback to oldschool Pooh. THe voice actors did a great job recreating our cuddly friends' voices--especially Jim Cummings as Pooh and Tigger and Bud Lucky as Eeyore. Also, Craig Ferguson was a terrific Owl. My only complaint was that it was far too short. Yet, it was wonderful to watch a movie that didn't rely on toilet humor for laughs. It was also fun to watch the characters break the fourth wall with the actual book- such as Pooh walking across the paragraphs.
I actually dislike Alice in Wonderland--I have not seen it since 6th grade, but I really don't like it. I love the book and its sequel though. What puts me off besides being freaked out by the Caterpillar and other trippy elements is that Alice becomes more like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in that she wishes to go home. The Alice in the books was too curious to even think of returning home.
I also really dislkie Pocahontas--mind you I haven't seen it since I was about six years old, but I doubt that I'd like it any better now. I did not know back then that it was based off of a (supposedly) real historical event, and was sorely disappointed that the movie did not end with Pocahontas and John Smith getting married. Aside from that, this movie has an absolutely horrible villain IMO--horrible as in--lame who deserved to die--but didn't. Not even in the direct to video sequel. (I did not see it.)
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"Homer,we just brought Flanders back from the dead. Did you use the notebook to make a flock of penguins peck him to death?"
Marge-"Murder He Wrote"-a Simpsons Comic story.
(This post was edited by Glowworm on Nov 7, 2011, 5:14 PM)
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Animator
Posted:
Nov 8, 2011, 8:08 AM
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It was also fun to watch the characters break the fourth wall with the actual book- such as Pooh walking across the paragraphs
This was a tactic applied in the original Pooh movies: Blustery Day, Tigger Too, and The Honey Tree. All three were based on actual stories in the Pooh Bear books Milne wrote.
In Tigger Too, the fourth wall was completely demolished when Tigger gets stuck up a tree, the narrator talks to Tigger, then helps him out by tilting the book so that he can step onto the words, and slide down to the bottom of the page/the ground, where the others are waiting.
(This post was edited by PatrickRsGhost on Nov 8, 2011, 8:11 AM)
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Supervising Animator
Posted:
Nov 8, 2011, 9:38 AM
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I vaguely recall the characters walking across the pages in the older films--I was just pleased that the new movie was based off one of the actual books--and not some "Tigger" or "Piglet" movie.
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"Homer,we just brought Flanders back from the dead. Did you use the notebook to make a flock of penguins peck him to death?"
Marge-"Murder He Wrote"-a Simpsons Comic story.
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Animator
Posted:
Nov 8, 2011, 9:57 AM
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I don't remember it too well in Honey Tree (which is based on the first or second Winnie the Pooh story...my mom had a copy of the first book from when she was a child), but I clearly remember it from Tigger Too.
Here is a video of that scene. Not the best quality, but the only one I could find.
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Directing Animator
Posted:
Nov 9, 2011, 2:55 PM
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I've always liked Pinnochio. The story, the animation, the background, and the characters. The only thing that stood out (that I recall right now) was the fact that Jimminy decided to not tell his father that Pinnochio ran away because, "That would be snitching." I guess that was the mentality back then, but still. Other than that, this is one of my top favorites.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is also on the top of my list.
Bambi is also great but I haven't seen it in so long. I need to watch it again.
(This post was edited by cartoonfan4ever on Nov 9, 2011, 2:56 PM)
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Intern
Posted:
Nov 23, 2011, 11:19 AM
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101 Dalmatians (1961) is my favorite.
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"The Aardvark strikes again...even again...and again if necessary!"
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Newbie
Posted:
Jan 26, 2012, 6:44 AM
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My favorite disney movies are cinderella, beauty and the beast, little mermaid, snowhite.
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(This post was edited by zelnik21 on Jan 26, 2012, 6:57 AM)
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Member
Posted:
Mar 16, 2012, 2:14 AM
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My favorite Disney Movie is The little mermaid.
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Best Cartoon Character
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Key Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Mar 16, 2012, 11:05 PM
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Okay, I'll chime in with one or two features.
Lilo And Stitch: Loopy as its premise might be, it still makes some very strong connections with me. Experiment 626, essentially a flesh-and-blood war machine, escapes from a prison transport and crash-lands on Earth. By sheer accident, 626 is adopted by Nani and Lilo Pelekai as a dog, renaming him Stitch. Of course, the little anarchist nearly destroys the Pelekai household; however, recognizing himself as the cause of the trouble, Stitch exiles himself to the wilds of Hawaii.
And there's the kicker, in my view: a character willingly forfeits the thing he loves in order to save it. I really must admire that type of character and integrity.
Further, not only does Stitch come around to a new line of thinking, but so does Lilo to a lesser extent; and likewise Cobra Bubbles, and the Grand Councilwoman, and Doctor Jukiba. Ultimately, nobody got what they'd aimed for ideally, except perhaps Stitch. However, the compromise solution was workable, so that everyone got approximately what they'd wanted. Sometimes, good enough is ... good enough.
Treasure Planet: An even greater case of the major characters getting a rethink on their priorities. James Hawkins starts out the dissolute delinquent, and has an adventure that gives him focus and ambition. John Silver starts out as the ruthless pirate, but discovers that heart means more than money. Doctor Doppler starts out as an ivory tower academic, and finds field work to be just the tonic he needed. Captain Amelia starts out viewing Hawkins and Doppler as hopeless neophytes, but learns that anyone can shine when the need arises.
A real adventure never goes as planned; just look at any of the Indiana Jones films. In Treasure Planet, nobody got the Grand Prize. They did, however, come away better for the adventure, a workable happy ending. Good enough.
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