Disney Films you don't like/hate

[purin]

Well, when talking about animated films, I can't bring myself to hate them, but without a doubt there are periods of lackluster films, awkward films...

In particular, there's that string of films that came after The Lion King. In particular, I'm talking about the higher budget ones. I find I want to like them very much. There is so much to appreciate: good animation, good artistic direction, great visuals, music

However, the films still fall flat. You can smell the formula miles away.

For example:

Pocahontas was kind of heavy handed (and it had a love story). Too much magic (a slight change that would have improved things: we see the magic, but we don't see the characters looking at the magical images).

Hercules was fun, but really screwed around with mythology just a little too much(mythology's not kid friendly, but in school you get very, very familiar with it). I'm not asking for a faithful adaptation, and it's easy to bend mythology to your purposes, but there is a certain point where it gets weird. Oh, and there was a forced love story.

Hunchback... just isn't the kind of story you can make happy, but there were some real visual gems in that movie (like the dancing flaming Esmeralda. Oh, I loved that).... I could have done without the CGI townsfolk, though (Ew. Oh, and that confetti! ARGH!). Also, forced love story (I know there was a love interest and battle in the original, but there's still that "forced" feeling, especially in the "A Guy Like You" number).

I watch films like these and I want to love them SO bad, but I just can't get past where the story is weak. True, some of the best Disney films had faults in the story, but the films were good enough so that you didn't care. I think high budget, high expectations, flashy special effects, and formula got in the way and hindered them. Formula is a great tool for communication, but it quickly becomes your worst enemy. Also, you can cheer up some stories some of the time, but not every story all the time.


(As for The Black Cauldron... it also falls into this category. I like it, but I really wish I could love it. It lacks soul. If only they had done it so I felt for the characters, it could have been an awesome film. I mean, it has an undead skeletal army! What's not to love about that?)

[Jules]

Who said Sleeping Beauty is overrated? I've always thought of it as forgotten among the popular 50s Disney features. It certainly doesn't get as much attention as the other princess movies. In fact, I was stunned when Disney chose it as the 2D animation debut on Blu-Ray.

Anyhow, Sleeping Beauty is my absolute favourite Walt-era film, with perhaps Fantasia tying with it. Don't really know.

[Ariel'sprince]

Who said Sleeping Beauty is overrated? I've always thought of it as forgotten among the popular 50s Disney features. It certainly doesn't get as much attention as the other princess movies. In fact, I was stunned when Disney chose it as the 2D animation debut on Blu-Ray.

Anyhow, Sleeping Beauty is my absolute favourite Walt-era film, with perhaps Fantasia tying with it. Don't really know.

yeah,it's one of my favorite films,too.

[Ariel'sprince]

Chicken Little was truly an embarrassing piece of cinema

i don't like Chicken Little that much but i think The Wild is more embarrassing (it's just copying Madagascar,Finding Nemo and The Lion King and has a terible jokes and plot).

[Ariel'sprince]

I have not seen The Wild, but I do not plan to. I saw the non-Disney movie Madagascar at a free movie showing, and I still want my "money" (also known as my wasted time) back.

if you didn't liked Madagscar then trust me-you whouldn't like The Wild (Madagascar is much better).

[Ariel'sprince]

Well, since I'm a boy, I hate Disney girlish films (Snow White, Cinderella, Alice, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Pocahontas & Mulan). These, I hate.

That is absurd. "Well, since I'm a stereotypical male chauvinist who cannot be made to see reason, I hate all the well-known Disney films in which females are the lead characters. These, I hate since I obviously do not know what I am talking about."

agreed.

[feedmelinguini]

Film I Hate:
Ten Who Dared

'Nuff said.

-Lon

[Prudence]

I have not seen The Wild, but I do not plan to. I saw the non-Disney movie Madagascar at a free movie showing, and I still want my "money" (also known as my wasted time) back.

if you didn't liked Madagscar then trust me-you whouldn't like The Wild (Madagascar is much better).

It's better? How can a film be any worse? (Don't say Cinderella II when talking to me about this. It will fall on death ears.)

[Ariel'sprince]

if you didn't liked Madagscar then trust me-you whouldn't like The Wild (Madagascar is much better).

It's better? How can a film be any worse? (Don't say Cinderella II when talking to me about this. It will fall on death ears.)

Have you seen Pocahontas II? or The Little Mermaid II? (when you think about it,The Little Mermaid II and Pocahontas II are much worse then Cinderella II).

[akhenaten]

chicken little.just the thought of it makes me shudder.

[Jules]

Chicken Little. Just the thought of it makes me shudder.

I find "Chicken Little" to be a very interesting film for discussion. The thing is, I feel there are two types of bad movies:

1) The Deliberate Bad Movie - Such a movie is ineptly produced and devoid of artistic intentions. In fact, it's only made for the money. It might be so bad that the studio itself will have no confidence in it and let the critics view it simultaneously with the public, so as to minimize the number of people who will be put off by negative reviews.

2) The Accidental Bad Movie - Such a production is taken very seriously. Producers, directors, and artists work very hard together to create their final product. Unfortunately, the finished film falls short of the original plans, or it may contain a lot of flaws which were not that obvious during the segmented stages of production. Ultimately, the film-makers have made a mistake, despite all the efforts involved.

I feel "Chicken Little" falls in category 2. I think we all agree that WDFA and Mark Dindal never intended making a bad film. I'm sure Mark Dindal and all the Feature Animation employees who toiled on "Chicken Little" worked hard and gave the production all they had got. I won't deny that "Chicken Little" unfortunately turned out to be a poor film (even though I personally like it), but I sure do hope that the film critics who panned it didn't categorize it with the type of bad movies like "White Chicks" or "The Animal" or "The Hot Chick", because those belong in category 1, and it's just not flipping fair!

Not to mention that two of those feature the disgusting Rob Schneider.

[castleinthesky]

There is only one film I dislike, and I hate it with a passion. That is Chicken Little, not the short film, obviously (which is genius).

And like an educated person, I don't include Valiant or The Wild as Disney films.

[Disney's Divinity]

Movies I Avoid At All Times: Peter Pan
Lilo & Stitch
Brother Bear

Peter Pan's arrogant, Hook's pathetic, and Tinker Bell's unbearably selfish. Wendy, her mother, and Nana are basically the only likable characters. As for Lilo and Stitch, Stitch's emotional moments are extremely forced and Lilo, despite how much you try to love her (God bless the orphan), is a complete brat. Nani is the only interesting character and she doesn't get nearly enough screen-time. And Brother Bear is probably the sappiest movie to ever come from Disney.

Movies I Find Dull, But Not Downright Horrible:
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Sleeping Beauty
Bambi

These three movies have some of Disney's most powerful animation, but I find them incredibly boring. Atlantis lacks emotion, Beauty's missing character, and Bambi's just very cold (from my point of view).

[Widdi]

I hate Fantasia. Yeah the animation is beautiful, but it's just too dull to sit through. I didn't find one, NOT ONE, of the pieces interesting on any other level than they're decent to look at. The constant breaks where we have to listen to the orchestra talk put the final nail in the coffin for me, because they bore me to tears. I dunno maybe I'm just not sophisticated enough to appreciate Fantasia.

On a related note I love Fantasia 2000. It's short enough to be able to sit through, the animation and music are spectacular and far more engaging than anything in Fantasia, and the breaks are short enough that they don't grind the film to a halt; they also are more interesting since they attempt humor and aren't just technical notes.

I also can't stand Brother Bear. It has no likable characters, the story is cookie-cutter and the music feels rehashed from Tarzan. Brother Bear is the only Disney DVD I own that I haven't re-watched, and I have no interest in doing so. It's easily my least favourite of the non-package films.

[Simba3]

I'm not a huge fan of most of the films after 2000. Some of them are ok, but none of them are overly wonderful. I think the only Disney animated classics that I really don't like are:

Alice in Wonderland
The Black Cauldron

I think The Black Cauldron is awful, and Alice in Wonderland just doesn't really appeal to me.

[slyslayer3000]

I found that Sleeping Beauty obviously copied a great deal from both Snow White and Cinderella. It is my least favorite of the original "princess" movies for this reason.

Weird. I always consider Sleeping Beauty a far more superior film than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella combined. Despite being overshadowed by the two, Sleeping Beauty possesses a grand aura that captivates children and adults alike. Tchaikovsky awakens a glorious classic with his phenomenal music, which somehow helped the plot to progress effectively. There's a perfect balance of exposition and action, and character development is at its peak. There are no scene-stealing supporting characters, which often result to pointless subplots that somehow slow the film's pacing. That's a major flaw in Cinderella, which, after much deliberation, shouldn't be called Cinderella at all. Likewise, Snow White suffers from sheer somberness and relies on the fairly catchy songs just to get to the next scene. The result? It felt longer than its short runtime. Also, Maleficent pawns both the Queen and Lady Tremaine.

I couldn't care less if they scotchtaped Aurora's mouth on the second half of the film, but I respect your opinion.

[SpringHeelJack]

I've never seen "Chicken Little", but I really must. Such heated debates between its fans and enemies!

The only Disney movies I generally don't care for are "Brother Bear" and "Cinderella". There was nothing captivating about "Brother Bear" for me. It felt like a retread of "The Lion King" sprinkled with "Tarzan" for good measure, and I just founf the whole story to be pretty boring.

As for "Cinderella", as much as I can relate to the idea of wanting to put on a sparkly white- um, blue- er, I mean, light blue- uh, silver dress and going to a fancy ball and bedding a charming prince, the story just feels so... relying on outdated conventions to me. I don't know.

[MagicMirror]

Weird. I always consider Sleeping Beauty a far more superior film than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella combined. Despite being overshadowed by the two, Sleeping Beauty possesses a grand aura that captivates children and adults alike. Tchaikovsky awakens a glorious classic with his phenomenal music, which somehow helped the plot to progress effectively. There's a perfect balance of exposition and action, and character development is at its peak. There are no scene-stealing supporting characters, which often result to pointless subplots that somehow slow the film's pacing. That's a major flaw in Cinderella, which, after much deliberation, shouldn't be called Cinderella at all. Likewise, Snow White suffers from sheer somberness and relies on the fairly catchy songs just to get to the next scene. The result? It felt longer than its short runtime. Also, Maleficent pawns both the Queen and Lady Tremaine.

I couldn't care less if they scotchtaped Aurora's mouth on the second half of the film, but I respect your opinion.

I agree that there is a lack of cohesion to an extent between the animal world and human world in 'Cinderella'. But I don't feel this detracts very much from our enjoyment of the story or connection with the characters. The 'grand aura' is indeed present in 'Sleeping Beauty', but I think there's a more successful and skillfully executed, albeit different, splendour in 'Pinocchio'; one that doesn't detract from the film.

If I were to think of "pointless subplots that somehow slow the film's pacing" the firt Disney film I point to would be 'Sleeping Beauty'. In particular, from when Briar Rose is first seen in the forest to when she returns to the palace, the film really, really drags on. The supposed 'romance' between Aurora and Philip is particularly painful to watch. In 'Snow White' there's that great moment when Grumpy, who throughout the picture has gradually been less and less stubborn towards Snow White, finally leaps to Snow White's rescue, taking charge and leading the other dwarfs in the chase of the Witch. In 'Sleeping Beauty' there is no such character development. Merryweather's stubborness is entertaining but there's never any doubt that she, Flora and Fauna will do anything in their power to help Aurora, so it gets a little boring - they are too nice, and, as they are the characters that carry the story, they should have had more development. Aurora and Philip are practically non-existent as characters. The only action in the film occurs in the climax which, I'll admit, is brilliant.

I don't think I'm being particularly controversial when I say that I think the Queen and Lady Tremaine were better villainesses than Maleficent, who is as good an example as any of the Snow White influence, being herself a more angular, gothic version of the Queen. The high collar, billowing cloak, regal demeanor, raven familiar, cowl, widow's peak, arched eyebrows, cruel lips, icy beauty, transformation into her 'id' for the final showdown... need I go on? If it weren't for Marc Davis' brilliant animation the character would be an out-and-out rip off of the Queen.

'Suffers from sheer sombreness', 'pointless subplots that somehow slow the film's pacing', 'felt longer than its short runtime' are all phrases I would use to describe 'Sleeping Beauty'!

[Aladdin from Agrabah]

If I were to think of "pointless subplots that somehow slow the film's pacing" the firt Disney film I point to would be 'Sleeping Beauty'. In particular, from when Briar Rose is first seen in the forest to when she returns to the palace, the film really, really drags on. The supposed 'romance' between Aurora and Philip is particularly painful to watch. In 'Snow White' there's that great moment when Grumpy, who throughout the picture has gradually been less and less stubborn towards Snow White, finally leaps to Snow White's rescue, taking charge and leading the other dwarfs in the chase of the Witch. In 'Sleeping Beauty' there is no such character development. Merryweather's stubborness is entertaining but there's never any doubt that she, Flora and Fauna will do anything in their power to help Aurora, so it gets a little boring - they are too nice, and, as they are the characters that carry the story, they should have had more development. Aurora and Philip are practically non-existent as characters. The only action in the film occurs in the climax which, I'll admit, is brilliant.

I don't think I'm being particularly controversial when I say that I think the Queen and Lady Tremaine were better villainesses than Maleficent, who is as good an example as any of the Snow White influence, being herself a more angular, gothic version of the Queen. The high collar, billowing cloak, regal demeanor, raven familiar, cowl, widow's peak, arched eyebrows, cruel lips, icy beauty, transformation into her 'id' for the final showdown... need I go on? If it weren't for Marc Davis' brilliant animation the character would be an out-and-out rip off of the Queen.

I couldn't agree more! The movie should be called "The 3 good Fairies" and not Sleeping Beauty. I consider Aurora to be a much more passive and uninteresting heroine than SnowWhite and Cinderella. And Maleficent has just a great design and some memorable lines... there is no character development; I mean she doesn't even have a motive to ruin King Stephan's and Aurora's life (she didn't get an invitation! Blah!). The jealousy that the Queen and Lady tremain feel for their stepdaughters is much stronger as a reason. If it wasn't for Marc Davis' MAGNIFICENT animation the movie would be much less popular I think.

[David S.]

Hate is such a strong word, I don't think I'd say I "hate" any.

But the one I STRONGLY disliked the most would have to be Bridge To Terabithia. (mild spoiler alert, without specific details)

It has nothing to do with that it was marketed as a fantasy but ended up being entrenched in reality. I was actually engrossed in the story until "it" happened.

To put it simply, my favorite films can put you in a great mood if you're in a bad mood when you see them; if you're already in a good mood, they make you feel even better... but Bridge had the exact OPPOSITE effect!

I saw BtT at the AMC Multiplex at WDW, so needless to say, I was in an AWESOME mood!

But after the movie ended, I left the theatre feeling like I had been punched in the stomach repeatedly with a bag of bricks. There was a couple in the screening who actually walked out of the movie shortly after "it" happened. And I noticed some of the people from the screening who stayed to the end in the hallways or lobby after the movie. Some had tears or redish eyes, and one made eye-contact with me with a somber face as if to say "what the heck was that?!"

I had a profoundly sad, melencholy feeling that actually carried over into the next morning when the Magic Kingdom opened. What a DOWNER!

OTHER LEAST FAVES

As far as Disney in-house theatrical animation, my least favorite is Chicken Little. NOT because it's CGI (I like some of the Pixars better than some of the newer DAC's) , I simply got into it the least. Not so much of a "dislike" as much as a "least favorite".

I like all 44 of the hand drawn DACs; none of those would be a "dislike".

Can't comment on the DTV's because I've seen so few of them.

I'm a hard-core Walt era fan and LOVE many of his live action films, and like most of them quite a bit. But I'll admit there are a few I never got into much.

Bon Voyage is one that I never really got into much. It seems kind of superficial and not very "Disney" to me, and the plot seems to go in circles without much happening. Nice scenery, though.

Happiest Millionaire is one where I enjoy the songs, but never really got into the story that much.

Also, I generally like the True Life Adventures, but I find a few of the scenes difficult to watch. Namely, when a real animal is shown being killed before your eyes, on camera. (I am in NO WAY suggesting that these should be edited, however