Animation Week (Day 2): 5 Best Disney Films

1. Lion King (1994)
Possibly one of the greatest films ever made and it's odd to think that this is an animal adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet (the premise doesn't sound promising but works incredibly well). From the music to the beautiful drawn animation this film demonstrates superior film making skills. Additionally to how good the music sounds, the voice actors are phenomenal, although I have to say that I'm surprised that Matthew Broderick played adult Simba. It's definitely one of the Disney films that is as enjoyable for adults as it is for children. This is also one of the few Disney films with a decent sequel (which I actually debated putting on this list).



2. Mulan (1998)
Disney's ultimate female power film, even though the best song is I'll Make a Man Out of You, this film shows that you don't need to be a man to be awesome and badass (woohoo!) It's one of the most progressive Disney films because it is about cross dressing, Asian, soldier which is a little different from the traditional Disney formula. The music, not just the songs but also the score, is really pretty and powerful; the interestingly named 'Haircut' is particularly good. It's nice how in this film there are animal sidekicks who cannot talk, but the one who does talk is explained as magic (this might sound odd but it makes everything feel a teeny tiny bit more realistic). One of my favourite things about this film is that the love story is more interesting, not only because Shang might have been very confused for a short while, but also because the characters actually got to know each other well before they walked off into the sunset.



3. Treasure Planet (2002)
The most underrated Disney film. For a sci-fi fan Disney is low on supply but this film marvellous and need so much more recognition. It's a familiar and well told story and it's quite similar to The Muppet's Treasure Island because of the odd mixture of aliens/puppets. Again, I'm going to mention music, because despite the fact that this isn't a musical there is one of the greatest songs ever, I'm Still Here, which is very similar to Iris in the way it sounds. This film needs to get much more recognition as one of the greatest Disney films rather than one of the forgettable ones.



4. Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Another under appreciated film. This one shows a man triumph over oppression and adversity but because he's not a beautiful princess, no one cares. Furthermore, Frollo is bloody terrifying, he's possibly the best Disney villain ever because he's not magic he's cut crazy, and Hellfire is one of the most epic songs and animation sequences Disney has ever produced. I haven't read the original book, I know the ending is a lot darker, but I don't know how much Disney has changed the story, regardless it's quite depressing and he doesn't even get the girl in the end. The Hunchback definitely doesn't follow Disney's traditional formula, but that's why it's so great because it's really unique within the cannon.



5. Hercules (1997)
This film is about a lot of misfits who either work with or against each other to achieve a greater good, and it's wonderful. I love the colours of this film, it is definitely made for children with how each of the Gods is a different colour, but I like that. Hercules is one of the most light-hearted Disney films, although there are sad/dark parts, but even the villain is funny and likeable if you look past his touches of evil. Some of the humour is quite shouty and slapstick but it suits the excessive style of Grecian myths. One of the main reasons people should watch Hercules is to just gather a basic knowledge of Greek mythology which is especially good for children.

Frozen (2013) - Newest Disney film

* * * *

Two sisters are emotionally separated when the elder has to keep her snowy powers hidden from the world. When these get unleashed her younger sister, with the help of a reindeer, snowman and dashing gentleman, has to try to sort out the situation. Sadly I think that watching this film after hearing so many positive things about it has dampened my enjoyment of it somewhat.

Firstly, the characters are incredibly good. They are believable and imperfect. With a lot of films now-a-days they are trying to portray an ultra-feminist ideal of women, this is creating one dimensional 'strong female characters'. In this film they don't mind about their female characters showing weakness but instead show them as having positives and negative. Furthermore the two male characters were interesting, and Kristoff was particularly loveable. The most clever thing they did was also have an animal who didn't talk, for the cynics, but a magical creature who did, for everyone else's enjoyment.

It was one of the most beautiful films that I've seen in a while. Generally snow can be used to great effect and they do that here. Furthermore they have created beautiful costumes and character faces. The Anna's freckles and flushed cheeks were adorably wonderful. A particularly lovely scene was during the song Let It Go, when Elsa created her ice palace. Both the scenery and the character looked brilliant during that scene, they obviously really wanted to highlight that sequence.

The songs were great. Let It Go and Do You Want To Build A Snowman were my particular favourites, however there were also some delightful short ones which added humour and wonder to the world. Idina Menzel, of course, gave a flawless vocal performance but I was really impressed with Kristen Bell because I didn't know her as a singer and she sang amazingly well.

There were a few random bits thrown in which seemed to just be padding. There was a Duke character who seemed fairly pointless. Similarly there were trolls who, although adorable and fun, were also just there as filler. When you have a magical snow Queen, I don't think that you need more magical elements, especially such incongruous ones as rock trolls.

It was a incredibly good Disney film, another one to be proud of and enjoy. It was cleverly and carefully made and the strength of the film is testament to that. Unfortunately I do feel as though it was missing something, I believe that that is because I was expecting it to be this perfect film that many critics seem to be presenting it as. It isn't perfect but Disney is getting closer to capturing its old magic.

Flowers and Trees (1932)

* * * *

As a Disney fan, from Fantasia to Pixar, this was sheer perfection. It combined the beautiful animation that the early drawings had with a classic narrative that creates a delightful short. It hides a fable of the self-destructive power of greed and jealousy within a delightful setting and multitudes of various foliage. For a random film that I came across due to reading about it in a piece of text it was a complete delight to stumble upon.

The most amazing element of this film was how every single thing within the forest had a life, feet and eyes - even the fire fiends were solitary running flames as well as a consuming mass. This magical element is a delightful touch and is classic of Disney, as they enjoy giving life and personality to every character be it animal or teapot.

It is only a 7 minute short and due to its surreal story it is very reminiscent of Fantasia and even follows a similar narrative as one of the stories. This is not an overly original piece but it is so wonderfully drawn and carefully created that it makes it a superb animation. This is where Disney, in my opinion, is at its strongest - when the imagination is allowed to run free and is not confined by commercialism.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

* * * * 1/2

A marvellous addition to the Pixar collection and a strong third in the series, however it is definitely one of a series and not a stand-alone film. Pixar mix classic jokes and new characters to appease the fans while updating the films.

The story is the same as before, the toys need to get back to Andy, but it is injected with an emotional ending that the others do not have. Pixar have found a formula for these films which works so well and they rejuvenate it with each film rather than just resting on the knowledge that millions will flock to see a Pixar film regardless. Despite the familiar plot this film is never predictable and there are several moments when you do not know what is coming next.

The Pixar team have also stepped up their animation and it was clear watching this film that, while they maintained the look of all the characters that this was a cleaner, clearer depiction than the first or second films. As in all the best Pixar films the audience laughs and cries while sitting on the edge of their seat in interest. Many of the audience, having grown up with the characters, can feel satisfied with this (possible) conclusion to the trilogy.

Brave (2012)

* * * * 1/3

This film seems to embody more elements of a Disney film than a Pixar one, and in all fairness this is probably due to the fact the lead is a Princess (typical Disney) and not a toy or fish or monster (classic Pixar). However this film shows all of Pixar’s animation skills (it is difficult to distract yourself from just staring at Merida’s hair) and a host of memorable characters and maintains Pixar’s humour and heart.

The sound track and scenery (both thoroughly Celtic) are lovely. Setting this in Scotland was a good idea as throughout the film people were mimicking the accents and having added fun with it - which is what Pixar films are all about. Despite this fairly unique setting, the story is reminiscent of a few films and obviously predictable (as with almost all children’s films) and therefore towards the end you do not emotionally connect as you know what will happen.

From a stroppy teenager to a fierce mother every character is masterfully created to be liked. The tone is light-hearted and there is always a joke just around the corner and this demonstrates that Pixar was focusing on making a children’s film this time rather than a cartoon for adults and their kids. If the writers had deviated from the traditional storyline this film would have been perfect, sadly they played it safe and therefore it falls, slightly, short.

Cars 2 (2011)

* * *

This has been classed as Pixar’s worst film on places such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes and I have to admit it is not their best by a long way, however that is not to say it is not a good film - especially when considering it is made for children.

The plot is not original but it does not have to be as there is still a lot of entertainment in running similar plots, this is essentially James Bond from Mater’s view point. Pixar’s creators always want to have fun making their films and make their films fun for their audience; what is more exciting than fast cars and spies?

For some reason the film follows Mater instead of Lightning McQueen, who starred in the first film. This move to use Mater as the lead obviously indicates the success of this character, however it now makes me wonder, with the confirmation of Finding Nemo 2, will Dory be the lead in the new film?

The story lacks the Pixar heart which is normally apparent in their films, especially as the moral of this film is identical to the moral of the first Cars – don’t trust a book by its cover. In both Cars films Mater and McQueen’s friendship suffers in exactly the same way, because McQueen is famous and Mater is a country bumpkin-type. Everything seems less genuine and as though the heart that Pixar is famous for was just planted there so the makers could have fun with their film.