Despite being the world's most popular animation company and capturing the imaginations of many a generation, let's face facts: The company has had its share of stinkers. No company is infallible.
So, let's make a list of those moments where the company seemed to be having its off days.
Pocahontas - It was around this point where the Disney Renaissance took a major nose dive. Sure, the animation was pretty, but that's the only thing I can give it props for. The story and characters were stuck in auto-pilot mode; it didn't try anything to make it stand out. The songs were...meh, bordering on saccharine and largely forgettable. I felt like I was watching a Barbie movie than a Disney movie.
Chicken Little - This film is largely forgotten, and for good reason. It's a pathetic take on the folk tale. Instead of remaining true to the spirit of the story (you know, what Disney is KNOWN FOR DOING), they made it as loud and obnoxious as possible. They were clearly trying to cash in on the trend of poking fun at fairy tales that DreamWorks set the standard for with Shrek, and several other animation companies had followed suit during that period. Disney's attempt at it was just miserable.
*salutes* :joy: 7
Well, obviously, all the sequels with very few exceptions. As for main films, Hercules doesn't do anything for me due to how much it bastardizes Greek myth into another Jesus story.
Did anyone ever see Home on the Range? Anyone? ANYONE?
Quote from: Daxdiv on November 08, 2012, 06:18:14 PM
Did anyone ever see Home on the Range? Anyone? ANYONE?
Nope.
Quote from: Daxdiv on November 08, 2012, 06:18:14 PMDid anyone ever see Home on the Range? Anyone? ANYONE?
I avoided it like the plague. I saw how shitty it was just from the trailer.
Quote from: Daxdiv on November 08, 2012, 06:18:14 PM
Did anyone ever see Home on the Range? Anyone? ANYONE?
Before we hit a major financial nose die, I was planning on hitting up the Blu-Ray out of curiosity and completion. Now I can only afford the Diamond collection films.
But yeah, I remain ignorant of Home and the Range and Chicken Little for the time being. As for what I've seen, I agree with Pocahontas, plus I think that The Aristocats and Robin Hood are representative of everything wrong with post-Walt Disney.
Literally the only thing I can remember about Aristocats besides that it had cats was this stereotypically Chinese cat that made me wince everytime he appeared.
I remember the song that Everybody Wants to be a Cat. That's pretty much the only thing about it I remember.
Also, DINOSAURS! I remember watching that as a kid and not liking it. It's a part of the Animated Canon, so make of that as you will.
I saw Dinosaur in IMAX in San Diego with my grandma when it came out. I haven't seen it since then.
And I used to love Aristocats as a kid, but it's such a weird movie. It's not a fairy tale, it's not really a musical, it doesn't really have any humor or much adventure, it's just a bunch of cats that get thrown out like yesterday's trash.
Quote from: Daxdiv on November 08, 2012, 07:27:02 PM
Also, DINOSAURS! I remember watching that as a kid and not liking it. It's a part of the Animated Canon, so make of that as you will.
Yeah, Dinosaurs sucks, doesn't it? It's just a pretty-looking Land Before Time, with no personal qualities of its own.
And I even think that Land Before Time is derivative and inferior to An American Tale, but Dinosaur is so much weaker.
Compulsory mention of The Black Cauldron.
I'm gonna be mean and say that I never saw much to love for Lady and the Tramp. And it's not just because of the casual racism. I found it a bland story that only dog lovers and the sentimental would enjoy.
I remember liking The Black Cauldron a lot when I was a kid. Haven't seen it since though.
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on November 08, 2012, 09:47:12 PM
I'm gonna be mean and say that I never saw much to love for Lady and the Tramp. And it's not just because of the casual racism. I found it a bland story that only dog lovers and the sentimental would enjoy.
That movie would always put me to sleep by the halfway point - same with Fantasia. Never liked either one much.
Oh, and welcome to the forum, Daikun! :thumbup:
Yeah, Fantasia is more for the art than the story. Too much of Walt going "Look what I can do!"
I love Lady and the Tramp, mostly because I love dogs.
Of the 50's films, it's Cinderella that gets the least reaction out of me, if only because it's so by the books.
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on November 08, 2012, 10:57:05 PM
Yeah, Fantasia is more for the art than the story. Too much of Walt going "Look what I can do!"
Quote from: Foggle on November 08, 2012, 10:50:42 PM
I remember liking The Black Cauldron a lot when I was a kid. Haven't seen it since though.
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on November 08, 2012, 09:47:12 PM
I'm gonna be mean and say that I never saw much to love for Lady and the Tramp. And it's not just because of the casual racism. I found it a bland story that only dog lovers and the sentimental would enjoy.
That movie would always put me to sleep by the halfway point - same with Fantasia. Never liked either one much.
Oh, and welcome to the forum, Daikun! :thumbup:
Fantasia is probably my favorite Disney movie. :P
Fantasia's definitely not for everyone, that's for sure.
The only thing I remember fondly from Lady and the Tramp is the music. Everything else is rather forgettable.
Quote from: Avaitor on November 08, 2012, 11:22:06 PM
Fantasia's definitely not for everyone, that's for sure.
Seems like a love or hate movie.
I still think Night on Bald Mountain might be the greatest piece of animation ever.
Maaaaan, I liked The Aristocats as a kid. Stop hatin'. :srs:
Quote from: Kiddington on November 09, 2012, 01:21:50 AM
Maaaaan, I liked The Aristocats as a kid. Stop hatin'. :srs:
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages2.fanpop.com%2Fimage%2Fpolls%2F474000%2F474103_1277318309382_full.jpg&hash=a77fd1e9e3c605e76907f28e6a04eb0f0fc023ff)
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on November 09, 2012, 01:24:08 AM
Quote from: Kiddington on November 09, 2012, 01:21:50 AM
Maaaaan, I liked The Aristocats as a kid. Stop hatin'. :srs:
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages2.fanpop.com%2Fimage%2Fpolls%2F474000%2F474103_1277318309382_full.jpg&hash=a77fd1e9e3c605e76907f28e6a04eb0f0fc023ff)
Image isn't working bro. :rtard:
Damn.
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thereelbits.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F05%2Fchinese-cat-artistocats001.jpg&hash=d30134ce82261f7e4098807e3c8f17472b89b104)
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on November 09, 2012, 01:40:48 AM
Damn.
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thereelbits.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F05%2Fchinese-cat-artistocats001.jpg&hash=d30134ce82261f7e4098807e3c8f17472b89b104)
Shit, I think I just found my next sig. :humhumhum:
Quote from: Kiddington on November 09, 2012, 01:44:33 AMShit, I think I just found my next sig. :humhumhum:
Du eet!
P.S. Insomniac, can you make an animated one?
*Looks at thread title then sees more mention of Fantasia, Lady & The Tramp and Aristocats, than Dinosaur, Chicken Little, or Home On The Range*
*Leaves*
Wait, what's wrong with Fantasia? It's a great movie, one of my favorite Disney movies.
Also one that I know isn't too well received is Oliver and Company, but I love the movie. Billy Joel plays a great dog, as does Cheech Marin.
Oliver & Company is okay, but never left much of an impression on me, even despite my love of dogs.
It deserves credit for being one of the films to start off the Disney Renaissance, but I don't agree with those who think that it started the trend off due to its financial success, when the studio put as much heart and effort into Great Mouse Detective, which turned out a lot better, IMO.
It was the first Disney film to use extensive computer animation, most of the cars in NYC were 3D models, among other things. It's success(though overshadowed by Land Before Time, which was released the same weekend) was a precursor for the Renaissance though, since it was the catalyst for the company to produce films on a yearly or near yearly basis, after being in a funk for several years(although the success of WFRR had a much bigger influence on this decision).
Also speaking of NYC, it was the first Disney film to use extensive real world product placement, all the Coca-Cola and Kodak ads in the background or in Times Square.
Quote from: Comeau on November 09, 2012, 09:04:30 PM
It was the first Disney film to use extensive computer animation, most of the cars in NYC were 3D models.
Well, not entirely the first. Great Mouse Detective used computer animation to animate Big Ben, and I believe even Black Cauldron had some 3D too. But O&C's use is more prominent.
Quote from: Comeau on November 09, 2012, 09:04:30 PMIt's success(though overshadowed by Land Before Time, which was released the same weekend) was a precursor for the Renaissance though, since it was the catalyst for the company to produce films on a yearly or near yearly basis, after being in a funk for several years(although the success of WFRR had a much bigger influence on this decision).
And that definitely is true. In fact, O&C outdid Land Before Time after the opening weekeend, I believe. I just like to consider GMD an early part of the Renaissance as well.
Quote from: Spark Of Spirit on November 09, 2012, 08:40:01 PM
*Looks at thread title then sees more mention of Fantasia, Lady & The Tramp and Aristocats, than Dinosaur, Chicken Little, or Home On The Range*
*Leaves*
Quote from: Spark Of Spirit on November 09, 2012, 08:40:01 PM
Fantasia, Lady & The Tramp
Quote from: Spark Of Spirit on November 09, 2012, 08:40:01 PM
Fantasia
:srs:
Black Cauldron's colossal failure is what essentially triggered the Disney Renaissance. Most of the people working on it got fired and the survivors had to reprove themselves in smaller confines.
I dunno, there's many causes, like Micheal Eisner coming onboard and the company barely escaping a corporate buyout in '84(which would've meant the company would've been dissolved and it's assets sold off). One thing's for certain, Disney went downhill hard after Walt died, and the early 80's were the bottom of the barrel. They made several moves and tried several different projects (not just their movies, think Gummi Bears and Ducktales too) in the mid to late 80s that proved very successful and paved the way for things like The Lion King and Toy Story.
And then they went down hard again. Pixar aside.
And even Pixar's showing signs of wear and tear. Check out Cars 2 (sorry, Comeau), Brave (sorry, everyone else) and Planes for proof.
It might just be Lasseter, though. Even though Disney's been picking up the slack recently, word around the mouse house is that he is really dragging down creativity by having every project fit into his formula. The same is probably happening with Pixar.
They are actually in great shape, if recent reports are anything to go by. I mean, they just spent 4 billion for Lucasfilm, and they are eyeballing Hasbro as we speak(type). It's just their quality has been on the low side these last several years, what with all the teenybopper crap stemming from the Disney Channel. And stuff like John Conner and Mars Needs Moms.
I just consider Disney the channel to be an entirely different division from regular Disney. That appeals to its audience, tweens and younger teens, while the rest of the world just as easily moves on.
And Disney's live-action input has always been hit or miss. It's just that there's been a stronger edge towards the weaker side ever since Walt died.
Not to mention there's been significantly less of it as the years have gone on.
Was doing another feature-animation marathon last week of September (before I transported the horror countdown thread to here) and I realized... my opinion of the movies keeps changing constantly. (Though I was watching them backward from 1981 to 1937, and I stopped with Peter Pan.)
For example, as I was watching- Fox and the Hound, of course, was by far the worst film (I've probably gone into fair detail why on UD). But Robin Hood, has been one of my absolute favorites from the company for a long time, was one of the weaker films in the 13 or so I watched, and Aristocats was better than it had ever been. I really enjoyed it again, like I did when I was a kid. And Peter Pan, which I'd enjoyed a lot more than I used to since getting the DVD, was the 2nd worst re-watch after FatH. So, while I just went on a sizable anti-Lady and the Tramp thing on UD a few months ago, I'm not sure it would be worse than PP now.
But, worst Disney film? Easily Fox and the Hound. I legitimately hate it and every time I see it, I swear I will never watch it again. Bambi is right behind that, with Princess and the Frog coming in 3rd, and Beauty and the Beast in 4th. I missed everything between Hunchback (which I don't remember, except that it stunk- so I should really watch it again) and Princess, so I don't know how bad most of those are. Except that, as stated on UD, I've seen clips of nearly all and want nothing to do with them.
All I know is The Land Before Time bored the shit out of me.
I haven't seen that (the 1988/89 UNIVERSAL film by Don Bluth) in a very long time. Since maybe '93 or therebouts.
Quote from: No-Personality on December 08, 2012, 01:35:43 PM
But, worst Disney film? Easily Fox and the Hound. I legitimately hate it and every time I see it, I swear I will never watch it again. Bambi is right behind that... and Beauty and the Beast in 4th.
Quote from: gunswordfist on December 08, 2012, 02:14:00 PM
All I know is The Land Before Time bored the shit out of me.
Doesn't compute.
I see my error...
Quote from: No-Personality on December 08, 2012, 01:35:43 PMBut, worst Disney film? Easily Fox and the Hound. I legitimately hate it and every time I see it, I swear I will never watch it again. Bambi is right behind that... and Beauty and the Beast in 4th.
I neglected to clarify:
Worst Disney
Animated Film.
Thanks. :)
Quote from: No-Personality on December 08, 2012, 04:50:53 PM
I see my error...
Quote from: No-Personality on December 08, 2012, 01:35:43 PMBut, worst Disney film? Easily Fox and the Hound. I legitimately hate it and every time I see it, I swear I will never watch it again. Bambi is right behind that... and Beauty and the Beast in 4th.
I neglected to clarify:
Worst Disney Animated Film.
Thanks. :)
:burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn: :burn:
Quote from: gunswordfist on December 08, 2012, 02:14:00 PM
All I know is The Land Before Time bored the shit out of me.
I saw it in the theater about two years ago (with Mr. Bluth in the audience) and thought it aged really well. I hadn't seen it in ages beforehand so that was a surprise. I also saw Banjo The Woodpile Cat which was great for a short.
It's really too bad how his material began to go downhill, because his early stuff was really great.
I still think the original Land Before Time is excellent and is easily Don Bluth's best work. It's just so painful, though, looking at how far the sequels immediately fell.
Land Before Time is good, but better than NIMH or An American Tale? I can't agree.
Quote from: gunswordfist on December 08, 2012, 02:14:00 PMAll I know is The Land Before Time bored the shit out of me.
Not Disney.