Disney Countdown 30-21
Welcome back to the Disney list! Where I count down the Disney animated films from worst to best (my opinion). The last two lists went from "Bad" to "pretty good." I'm happy to say we have reached the list of films that rank as "Pretty Great." Why not start the "Pretty Great" list with a film that drives me crazy.
30. Frozen 2
I have A LOT of issues with Frozen 2. So much so that if it weren't for the characters, music, and animation I would have placed this far, FAR lower on my worst list. The biggest issue with Frozen 2 is its story and feels slapped together for a "Oh my God Frozen is the highest grossing animated film of all time we need more NOW!" I don't want to go too far into the first Frozen because if you have been paying attention to these lists, it's obviously still to come and I want to reserve conversation about the film when we actually get to it. That being said I recognize that it's hard to develop an idea for a sequel to a film that seems to have a definite ending. Frozen 2 feels like we get too much information and not enough information at the same time. Why are we following this story about the forces of nature? Why is "snow magic" the one to bring all the elements together (I understand the snowflake design but that feels like a cop-out).
I guess their grandfather is the villain but we have no connection to this character or the people we encounter in the village to care, and the way they tried to make a twist in the "our mother saved our dad" feels like a DUH and we don't really get any answers on how any of this led to Elsa getting snow powers. I get really frustrated with the film even when it has a lot to like. The animation is a marvel in the way the water and snow move, the designs of the water spirit and the ice cave sequence are candy for the eyes. Our main cast is just as fun as they were in the first, Olaf complaints aside, but the story doesn't do much to feel like their journey is that much worth it.
29. Brother Bear
Brother Bear, bolstered by a rocking Phil Collins soundtrack, was the movie I taunted Aryn with over the course of a few months, belting out "TELL EVERYBODY IM ON MY WAY!!!
Brother Bear has some clever storytelling devices. The films opening with the Inuit Dialogue and slowly transforming into English helps cement the film as a Inuit folktale and the film plays with aspect ratios in a clever way going from the 1.75:1 to 2.35:1 after Kenai's transformation, almost to emphasize that his world and perception has grown when transformed into a bear. The change in character design from a more realistic design to a more colorful cartoon design for the animals is a clever approach, especially to hide the heart-destroying twist presented in the 3rd act. The films message is great and the comedy is great. Brother Bear is a film that may not be remembered much in the Disney Catalog but is will definitely sneak up on you and is worth a rewatch if you haven't seen it in a while.
28. Mulan
Mulan, boltered by another great Alan Menken score, was the movie Aryn taunted me with over the course of the last few months, belting out "LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!!!
Mulan has a great score with some great sweeping cinematics that make the film feel big and grand and the animation shots of these huge sweeping armies is an animated marvel for its time that some hows feels more grand then other...films... The highpoint of the film is the pivotal scene where Mulan goes through the montage of her cutting her hair and stealing her father's armor, and it's a scene that holds a lot of weight to it as we feel the struggle and the challenge that Mulan is about to face. The villain Shan Yu and his henchmen are some of the best realized villians in the 90s disney catalog and Shan Yu in particular stands as maybe one of the most intimidating villains in the entire animated catalog. I think the messages the film conveys still ring true today. Mushu is also a lot of fun and presents one of my favorite Disney lines.
The only very small complaint is that Mushu detracts from the film in some respects. While I do think he is a fun character and Eddie Murphy plays him well, his inclusion in the film is primarily to re-capture some of the popularity of Robin Williams Genie character. Genie feels like an actual character in Aladdin while Mushu is more of a "Eddie Murphy is funny!" I welcome his addition, but he seems like an afterthought that can sometimes take you out of the film for this comedy break that feels like his inclusion is more to sell merchandise.
27. Fantasia
Fantasia is...well...
Fantasia, unlike Fantasia 2000, has the animation compliment the music better. The music feels more important in the context of the film as some of the animation is just a series of some beautiful imagery and some don't even tell a story. I have seen that some orchestras over the years will do Fantasia LIVE, and while I have not been able to attend one of these events, I certainly would love to. The film also deals with animation in a very adult manner as well. Sure, we have the famous Sorcerer's Apprentice piece and that peice deserves all the acclaim it garners. The Rite of Spring and Night on Bald Mountain are sections that are more created for an adult eye and appreciation of the art.
Night on Bald Mountain in particular is the big stand out in animation. The way that fire is portrayed, the ghosts rising from the grave, man and woman transforming into monstrous beasts. It's all animation techniques that still bring wonder, some 81 years later. I believe it was ahead of its time and Disney tried to elevate the artform above "children's entertainment" that is something we take for granted now.
26. Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland has a fun, playful whimsy about it. While Alice does recognize some of the odd behaviors and things she encounters in Wonderland, she just rolls with the punches and this is something that could have been bogged down by trying to explain all the weirdness. Alice in Wonderland has some really creative designs that benefit from some great character actors bringing their A-game to the characters. Who can't picture the Mad Hatter without hearing Ed Wynn? The film is also not afraid to peak at some of the dark aspects of the book with the Walrus and the Carpenter and especially the Queen of Hearts.
There is this chaotic energy to it that demands your attention throughout and subsequent viewings always brings something new and curious to your attention, especially with all the pun-inspired wildlife and plantlife.
25. Bambi
Bambi was one of the films before we started where I braced myself for, "Ugh, we have to watch Bambi." Having not seen the film in years (I would say probably elementary school) I was shocked at how much I loved Bambi. It may be because the prior films always have a more cartoony animation style and Bambi is another one of Walt's experiments in animation to present the animals in a more realistic fashion and play with animation depth and lighting.
I highly recommend looking into the technological breakthroughs of Bambi, especially if you are into behind the scenes information in film. The emotional gut-punch of Bambi's mother's death is parodied all the time, but if you have not watched the film in a while you forget how somber and dower it is. I also forgot about the entire second half of the film where Bambi is an adult and those scenes are very impressive, even in just the fight he gets into with another deer to the forest fire sequence. While Disney films always seem to have some sort of landmark film innovation, Bambi really leaps forwards in the lighting, the background, the animation, and even the story telling.
24. Ralph Breaks the Internet
Ralph Breaks the Internet is fun. There is a lot of tongue in check references to classic Disney tropes, especially with the inclusion of the Disney Princesses at the Disney website to Penelope's puddle song. I think the one aspect that will falter the film in the future is a lot of the humor is going to feel pretty dated as it pertains to a lot of meme and web based culture.
The film has an important message of friendship that many children need to realize about how friends can change and that it's important to realize and accept that. The film is a great little comedy romp with a great message.
23. Wreck-It Ralph
Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet are neck-in-neck with tone and quality of humor, hence why they are ranked back to back. I think the humor succeeds with Wreck-It Ralph because the humor remains a little timeless because we are always going to have video games and the humor is based around nostalgia games and just video game tropes rather than "Get it, birds for twitter!" Wreck-It Ralph also has more lessons about accepting our own self-worth and the importance of friendship as well.
22. Big Hero 6
There is a lot going on with Big Hero 6 that hides an important tale about loss, friendship, mental health, heartbreak, and forgiveness. This is all wrapped up in the character of Baymax as a health specialist robot, and while the hints and lessons are not subtle, they are presented expertly and are some lessons we don't see a whole lot in children's entertainment. One moment of the film that really shines is when Hiro tries to make Baymax a violent force to use anger to disguise pain.
It's not till Baymax shows him a video of his brother that this lesson is learned. Anger is just a mask for pain and even our villain is an example of this.
21. Kimba the White Lion
Oops sorry, how did that get here...
21. The Lion King
The Lion King belongs in the same camp as Bambi in that, while The Lion King is certainly more silly than Bambi, the animation of the animals and characteristics really stands out. The film also feels grand with these large sweeping shots across the African plains with a soundtrack by Elton John that makes almost every song stick inside your head for days to come. Scar is a great villain who oozes and reveals in his evil and power. The parallels between The Lion King and Hamlet are well recognized and the entire story feels shakespearean because of it. While I do not fall into the camp that raises Lion King as "one of the greatest films of all time" that a rapid fanbase decries, I certainly recognize The Lion King as one of the Disney greats.
COMING SOON! 20-11
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