Didn't ask you to apologize. As said before by Escapay, everyone has their own tastes.
Some of my favorite Disney films so far include:
The Sword in the Stone
The Fox and the Hound
The Emperor's New Groove
...some would say it's blasphemous I like the 'mess of voice acting' TSitS, the 'dark ages' film TFatH, and the 'film that was a beautiful Roger Allers opus before being made a comedy' TENG.
But, my tastes are different than others - I still love the classics, but for some reason connect with the above films more (perhaps it's the young male protagonists, when I happen to be a youngish male)
To be honest, I haven't seen either Treasure Planet or Atlantis: The Lost Empire, yet.
As I said before, I'm currently watching all the classics chronologically by release date with their sequels, prequels, etc. inserted by continuity order.
I began around last October and am currently at Oliver & Company.
But, as I am a fan of science fiction style animes, those two films may end up being some of my favorites. I definitely love the character designs!
I'm looking forward to seeing them!
Feature Animation Marathon
After a little break for test-taking, I'm back with a look at three of Walt's best pictures.
Bambi: 5 stars
When looking at a film of this caliber, it's hard to pick out the best parts because it is all so good. Be aware that there are exceptional things that I am undoubtedly overlooking or choosing to omit for space reasons. It's been said of Sleeping Beauty that if you pause the movie at a random point, that still frame is a work of art. The same holds true for Bambi. In fact, I would go further and say that any random five minutes of Bambi would be the standout sequence in just about any other movie. Some high points:
-Bambi, Thumper, and Flower get "twitterpated"
-Bambi learning to walk on grass and ice
-The variety of visual styles and elements, including a dreamy look, shadow work, reflections, and colors
-The ripple transition that closes "Little April Shower"
-The musical score, which is like a more sophisticated version of what was done with the Mickey shorts when it is synchronized to the characters' movements
-The parent/child interactions of all the forest animals
The Platinum Edition is one of the best post-2004 sets in terms of supplements. The standout achievement is "Inside Walt's Story Meetings," which dramatizes transcripts of conversations that Walt had with his team during the production process. It is better in some ways than having an audio commentary, and as far as I know, this particular type of feature is unique to Bambi.
"The Making of Bambi: A Prince is Born," "Restoring Bambi," "The Legacy Continues," "Tricks of the Trade" excerpt, "Inside the Disney Archives," and the trailer round out the worthy extras group. I'm a sucker for the personality-type games, so I'll always try them out at least once. I am a Summer on the "What's Your Season?" game, which I could have told you before I started.
Sleeping Beauty: 5 stars
In addition to the stunning art, I appreciate how the movie appeals to different people for different reasons. The balance of action and romance is strong, and both sexes have their share of great characters. Highlights:
-The dragon fight!
-Escape from the Forbidden Mountain
-Design of the human-form characters
-The good fairies, especially Merryweather
-Maleficent, the mistress of all evil
-Philip's bravery and heroism
-The singing by Aurora and the chorus
-The drunk minstrel
Sleeping Beauty is one of those rare movies that is both superb and has two wonderful DVD editions. I will note which version I'm talking about if a feature differs.
The galleries on the Special Edition, similar to Snow White, have a tour of the castle and a guide telling you about various pictures. The navigation does take a little longer, which I usually don't like, but that negative is more than outweighed by how special the experience feels and the facts that appear nowhere else on either set. The other features unique to the SE that I like are the audio commentary with Mary Costa et al and the Widescreen to Pan-and-Scan Comparison.
The Platinum Edition has the better version of "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story." It also has a new audio commentary with Maltin et al, "Eyvind Earle: The Man and His Art," "Sequence 8," a feature on the original Sleeping Beauty Walkthrough attraction at Disneyland, and the feature-length "Picture Perfect: The Making of Sleeping Beauty."
The trailers, which are common to both editions, are nice inclusions. The princess personality profile game is so obvious in its choices that it is rendered useless.
The Jungle Book: 5 stars
The story is quite simple, but the character personalities, voice work, and animation propel this work to masterpiece status. The best stuff:
-The entire score and all six songs are marvelous.
-The visual comedy with the elephants and the animation of Kaa are particularly lovely.
-Baloo's entrance, as noted in the commentary, is priceless.
-"Now don't start that again!" My sister and I used to reenact this scene and variations on it frequently when we were younger.
The extras are pretty sparse for a Platinum Edition DVD, but the inclusions are mostly of high quality, and there are no gaping holes in the coverage that I know of. The deleted songs are mostly a miss, but I like "The Mighty Hunters" a little bit as a standalone piece. The audio ocmmentary and "The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book" are the best and longest extras. "The Lure of the Jungle Book" and the "Frank and Ollie" featurettes are also worth the time. There is no personality profile game here, but I can tell you that I am most like Bagheera. This may or may not come through in the way I type and format my posts.
Both the end of The Jungle Book's documentary and Disneyland: Secrets, Stories, and Magic have loving tributes to Walt Disney. He was a genius that left us too soon.
Walt Disney: 1901-1966 Rest in Peace
Next up: The Aristocats
Bambi: 5 stars
When looking at a film of this caliber, it's hard to pick out the best parts because it is all so good. Be aware that there are exceptional things that I am undoubtedly overlooking or choosing to omit for space reasons. It's been said of Sleeping Beauty that if you pause the movie at a random point, that still frame is a work of art. The same holds true for Bambi. In fact, I would go further and say that any random five minutes of Bambi would be the standout sequence in just about any other movie. Some high points:
-Bambi, Thumper, and Flower get "twitterpated"
-Bambi learning to walk on grass and ice
-The variety of visual styles and elements, including a dreamy look, shadow work, reflections, and colors
-The ripple transition that closes "Little April Shower"
-The musical score, which is like a more sophisticated version of what was done with the Mickey shorts when it is synchronized to the characters' movements
-The parent/child interactions of all the forest animals
The Platinum Edition is one of the best post-2004 sets in terms of supplements. The standout achievement is "Inside Walt's Story Meetings," which dramatizes transcripts of conversations that Walt had with his team during the production process. It is better in some ways than having an audio commentary, and as far as I know, this particular type of feature is unique to Bambi.
"The Making of Bambi: A Prince is Born," "Restoring Bambi," "The Legacy Continues," "Tricks of the Trade" excerpt, "Inside the Disney Archives," and the trailer round out the worthy extras group. I'm a sucker for the personality-type games, so I'll always try them out at least once. I am a Summer on the "What's Your Season?" game, which I could have told you before I started.
Sleeping Beauty: 5 stars
In addition to the stunning art, I appreciate how the movie appeals to different people for different reasons. The balance of action and romance is strong, and both sexes have their share of great characters. Highlights:
-The dragon fight!
-Escape from the Forbidden Mountain
-Design of the human-form characters
-The good fairies, especially Merryweather
-Maleficent, the mistress of all evil
-Philip's bravery and heroism
-The singing by Aurora and the chorus
-The drunk minstrel
Sleeping Beauty is one of those rare movies that is both superb and has two wonderful DVD editions. I will note which version I'm talking about if a feature differs.
The galleries on the Special Edition, similar to Snow White, have a tour of the castle and a guide telling you about various pictures. The navigation does take a little longer, which I usually don't like, but that negative is more than outweighed by how special the experience feels and the facts that appear nowhere else on either set. The other features unique to the SE that I like are the audio commentary with Mary Costa et al and the Widescreen to Pan-and-Scan Comparison.
The Platinum Edition has the better version of "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story." It also has a new audio commentary with Maltin et al, "Eyvind Earle: The Man and His Art," "Sequence 8," a feature on the original Sleeping Beauty Walkthrough attraction at Disneyland, and the feature-length "Picture Perfect: The Making of Sleeping Beauty."
The trailers, which are common to both editions, are nice inclusions. The princess personality profile game is so obvious in its choices that it is rendered useless.
The Jungle Book: 5 stars
The story is quite simple, but the character personalities, voice work, and animation propel this work to masterpiece status. The best stuff:
-The entire score and all six songs are marvelous.
-The visual comedy with the elephants and the animation of Kaa are particularly lovely.
-Baloo's entrance, as noted in the commentary, is priceless.
-"Now don't start that again!" My sister and I used to reenact this scene and variations on it frequently when we were younger.
The extras are pretty sparse for a Platinum Edition DVD, but the inclusions are mostly of high quality, and there are no gaping holes in the coverage that I know of. The deleted songs are mostly a miss, but I like "The Mighty Hunters" a little bit as a standalone piece. The audio ocmmentary and "The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book" are the best and longest extras. "The Lure of the Jungle Book" and the "Frank and Ollie" featurettes are also worth the time. There is no personality profile game here, but I can tell you that I am most like Bagheera. This may or may not come through in the way I type and format my posts.
Both the end of The Jungle Book's documentary and Disneyland: Secrets, Stories, and Magic have loving tributes to Walt Disney. He was a genius that left us too soon.
Walt Disney: 1901-1966 Rest in Peace
Next up: The Aristocats
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Disney Duster
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
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- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:02 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: America
BrandonH's Animation Marathon
I'm reading even what all you say about bonus features now, unafraid of spoiling. I'm really enjoying reading everything.
I want to say...I can't believe some of the things you say about the films, and some of the ratings you give to some of the films. But that's only been recently. Before, I thought everything was very understandable. But since you admitted you like adventure and action so much, it makes a little more sense.
Bambi was given a rating exactly as I think it should be, but I don't see twitterpatted as a high point. I think the whole twitterpatted thing is such a turn off from what had been such a great film before. These strange, almost unrecognizable versions of the characters we fell in love with meet versions of themselves with eyelashes and it gets weird and creepy. Then again, I don't like the huge turn the film takes after Bambi's mom dies. The singing birds and sunny scenes almost seem fake or senseless or too sweet right after it. It's not as acceptable as the film's earlier happy moments, like, say, the ice rink. But then it gets better. When Bambi and Faline are jumping in the moonlight, that is better than twitterpatted's scenes. That's what I think.
As for Sleeping Beauty, that was rated well, but I don't see how it could be a 5 when Cinderella and Snow White are lower. I don't get how the romance and action are strongly balanced, I think they're strongly seperated! Maybe what I think is action is something different than you think, but I'd say it's pretty much a long time in the film until some romance, then a long time until some action, and right after that romance again and the film ends. Unless the fairies' fighting with colors counts as action, then there is a little of it right after the first scene of romance. Maybe the action and romance could be more interspersed, maybe Phillip thinks of Aurora and talks to the fairies lovingly about her while he's fighting to keep him going or something. But I don't think it needs more action. I think it is a film meant to take it's time to let you appreciate fantasy, dance, music, and art. Though I think the climactic action scene could actually be more thrilling or scary! More like Monstro or something, but I haven't watched Pinocchio in a while and maybe that's not as great as I remember it, though I bet it really is.
Finally, I think The Jungle Book may be a masterpiece of characters, music, and animation, but I don't see how it is a masterpiece as a whole film. I don't think the story is just simple, but more like one sentence, "a boy raised in the jungle must go back where he belongs", and a bunch of episodes happen with characters trying to stop that from happening. But I have not watched in a long time, either.
But as I said...I am really enjoying reading everything you're writing in this thread.
I want to say...I can't believe some of the things you say about the films, and some of the ratings you give to some of the films. But that's only been recently. Before, I thought everything was very understandable. But since you admitted you like adventure and action so much, it makes a little more sense.
Bambi was given a rating exactly as I think it should be, but I don't see twitterpatted as a high point. I think the whole twitterpatted thing is such a turn off from what had been such a great film before. These strange, almost unrecognizable versions of the characters we fell in love with meet versions of themselves with eyelashes and it gets weird and creepy. Then again, I don't like the huge turn the film takes after Bambi's mom dies. The singing birds and sunny scenes almost seem fake or senseless or too sweet right after it. It's not as acceptable as the film's earlier happy moments, like, say, the ice rink. But then it gets better. When Bambi and Faline are jumping in the moonlight, that is better than twitterpatted's scenes. That's what I think.
As for Sleeping Beauty, that was rated well, but I don't see how it could be a 5 when Cinderella and Snow White are lower. I don't get how the romance and action are strongly balanced, I think they're strongly seperated! Maybe what I think is action is something different than you think, but I'd say it's pretty much a long time in the film until some romance, then a long time until some action, and right after that romance again and the film ends. Unless the fairies' fighting with colors counts as action, then there is a little of it right after the first scene of romance. Maybe the action and romance could be more interspersed, maybe Phillip thinks of Aurora and talks to the fairies lovingly about her while he's fighting to keep him going or something. But I don't think it needs more action. I think it is a film meant to take it's time to let you appreciate fantasy, dance, music, and art. Though I think the climactic action scene could actually be more thrilling or scary! More like Monstro or something, but I haven't watched Pinocchio in a while and maybe that's not as great as I remember it, though I bet it really is.
Finally, I think The Jungle Book may be a masterpiece of characters, music, and animation, but I don't see how it is a masterpiece as a whole film. I don't think the story is just simple, but more like one sentence, "a boy raised in the jungle must go back where he belongs", and a bunch of episodes happen with characters trying to stop that from happening. But I have not watched in a long time, either.
But as I said...I am really enjoying reading everything you're writing in this thread.
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BelleGirl
- Anniversary Edition
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- Location: The Netherlands, The Hague
"Next up: "The Aristocats"
Wow! So to you this is a 5 star movie?
I think this is an average Disney movie at best. Entertaining, but in the same league as Bambi? Hell, no! I would rather place it alongside The Rescuers
It only confirms for me once again that when it comes to taste and ranking of Disney films, there is no such thing as a general agreement. See also the debate about the quality of Hercules on the TPatF board.
But such differences in taste can make discussions on the Disney-boards very interesting indeed.
Wow! So to you this is a 5 star movie?
I think this is an average Disney movie at best. Entertaining, but in the same league as Bambi? Hell, no! I would rather place it alongside The RescuersIt only confirms for me once again that when it comes to taste and ranking of Disney films, there is no such thing as a general agreement. See also the debate about the quality of Hercules on the TPatF board.
But such differences in taste can make discussions on the Disney-boards very interesting indeed.
See my growing collection of Disney movie-banners at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78256383@N ... 651337290/
The Aristocats
The Aristocats: 5 stars
I think The Aristocats is a splendid movie on its own merits, but it also has special meaning for me. It's one of the Disney films that my mom and I have watched together many times. She's always been interested in Paris, children, and the high-class lifestyle in real life, so she enjoys the movie more than most animated films for that reason. In fact, she's a little bit like Duchess herself, and I am like Berlioz. Why do I like the movie so much?
-The cast of outrageously funny and charming characters is one of Disney's best. Just about every 5-10 minutes, another unforgettable personality is introduced. My favorites include Uncle Waldo, Lafayette, and Georges (the lawyer).
-"Everybody Wants to be a Cat"
-"Scales and Arpeggios"
-"You haven't got an extra foot, have you, Edgar?"
-"Aw, cricket bugs don't wear shoes." "Hush your mouth!"
I held onto the Gold Collection DVD of The Aristocats. While I'd like the new Richard Sherman interview, it's not worth buying another DVD for five minutes or less of material. The Gold Collection has the most valuable DVD extra to date: the theatrical trailer. Like most of the Gold Collection movies, I think Disney can do a much better job in the extras department, and I hope that one day a true special edition is released.
Next up: The Great Mouse Detective
I think The Aristocats is a splendid movie on its own merits, but it also has special meaning for me. It's one of the Disney films that my mom and I have watched together many times. She's always been interested in Paris, children, and the high-class lifestyle in real life, so she enjoys the movie more than most animated films for that reason. In fact, she's a little bit like Duchess herself, and I am like Berlioz. Why do I like the movie so much?
-The cast of outrageously funny and charming characters is one of Disney's best. Just about every 5-10 minutes, another unforgettable personality is introduced. My favorites include Uncle Waldo, Lafayette, and Georges (the lawyer).
-"Everybody Wants to be a Cat"
-"Scales and Arpeggios"
-"You haven't got an extra foot, have you, Edgar?"
-"Aw, cricket bugs don't wear shoes." "Hush your mouth!"
I held onto the Gold Collection DVD of The Aristocats. While I'd like the new Richard Sherman interview, it's not worth buying another DVD for five minutes or less of material. The Gold Collection has the most valuable DVD extra to date: the theatrical trailer. Like most of the Gold Collection movies, I think Disney can do a much better job in the extras department, and I hope that one day a true special edition is released.
Next up: The Great Mouse Detective
The Great Mouse Detective
The Great Mouse Detective: 3.5 stars
I'm not sure what I was thinking when I gave this five stars last time. While there are no glaring flaws, there isn't too much to make the story shine either. Minor annoyances include Fidget's voice and the lizard henchman. I read later that the lizard is from Alice in Wonderland, and I can see the nostalgic appeal, but he really does not belong in mousedom.
Watching this again, I finally know where Flanger-Hanger got the username from. Very cool!
Highlights:
-Tobey is the cutest dog/cab in the world.
-Ratigan is one of the most menacing Disney villains.
-The prologue really sets up a nice atmosphere and hooks the viewer immediately.
-There are plenty of little nods to Sherlock Holmes.
-The sense of scale is astonishing. It reminds me of the game The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.
-The climax above the Thames and inside Big Ben is quite exciting.
I'm surprised that this hasn't gotten a better DVD release yet. Musker and Clements seem like they enjoy doing DVD extras, and most of the cast and crew is still available. The Gold Collection DVD has a pretty slim selection. The scrapbook and making-of featurette are nice inclusions, but they are also quite brief. The best part is Phil Nibbelink describing the Big Ben clock tower animation. This guy is hilarious!
Next up: Oliver & Company
I'm not sure what I was thinking when I gave this five stars last time. While there are no glaring flaws, there isn't too much to make the story shine either. Minor annoyances include Fidget's voice and the lizard henchman. I read later that the lizard is from Alice in Wonderland, and I can see the nostalgic appeal, but he really does not belong in mousedom.
Watching this again, I finally know where Flanger-Hanger got the username from. Very cool!
Highlights:
-Tobey is the cutest dog/cab in the world.
-Ratigan is one of the most menacing Disney villains.
-The prologue really sets up a nice atmosphere and hooks the viewer immediately.
-There are plenty of little nods to Sherlock Holmes.
-The sense of scale is astonishing. It reminds me of the game The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.
-The climax above the Thames and inside Big Ben is quite exciting.
I'm surprised that this hasn't gotten a better DVD release yet. Musker and Clements seem like they enjoy doing DVD extras, and most of the cast and crew is still available. The Gold Collection DVD has a pretty slim selection. The scrapbook and making-of featurette are nice inclusions, but they are also quite brief. The best part is Phil Nibbelink describing the Big Ben clock tower animation. This guy is hilarious!
Next up: Oliver & Company
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yukitora
- Special Edition
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- Contact:
I looooooove the great mouse detective. It's an animated Sherlock Holmes film with Vincent Price! Funny thing is, I've only seen it twice. I've seen movies I've detested many a time more than this.
I really like The Aristocats as well. It's a romantic equivalent to One Hundred and One Dalmatians (which is a bore of a film imo).
I really like The Aristocats as well. It's a romantic equivalent to One Hundred and One Dalmatians (which is a bore of a film imo).
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Disney's Divinity
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- Gender: Male
You know, the only thing I don't like about The Great Mouse Detective after watching it recently is Ratigan. Ratigan seems like one of those villains who could have really been great if only done differently, as far as mannerisms and movements go (I'm not complaining about Vincent Price at all). His design and main song are horrible, and he just comes off really overdone for the most part. "Goodbye, So Soon" was much better, though resigned to playing over the credits and in the background.
Fortunately, Basil is such a great character that he holds up the rest of the movie. And I'm always surprised by how good the main theme is for this film.
Fortunately, Basil is such a great character that he holds up the rest of the movie. And I'm always surprised by how good the main theme is for this film.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ "Elizabeth Taylor"
Katy Perry ~ "bandaid"
Meghan Trainor ~ "Still Don't Care"
Oliver & Company
Oliver & Company: 3 stars
Last time, I was probably impressed by the lively energy in the New York City setting. I still do like the New York environment, but I was less impressed this time around with the movie as a whole. The movie is pleasant, harmless entertainment that offers very little in the way of memorable scenes. The music is good, the dogs have wonderful personalities and interactions, and the staging of the action and musical numbers is top-rate. Oliver himself is cute and brave, but he is little more than a prop or MacGuffin for most of the running time.
The Special Edition DVD has no extras that blew me away. However, Fun Film Facts, the Publicity section, the making-of featurette, and the scrapbook are okay and certainly better than nothing.
Next up: The Little Mermaid, which I can guarantee will not receive a rating decrease
Last time, I was probably impressed by the lively energy in the New York City setting. I still do like the New York environment, but I was less impressed this time around with the movie as a whole. The movie is pleasant, harmless entertainment that offers very little in the way of memorable scenes. The music is good, the dogs have wonderful personalities and interactions, and the staging of the action and musical numbers is top-rate. Oliver himself is cute and brave, but he is little more than a prop or MacGuffin for most of the running time.
The Special Edition DVD has no extras that blew me away. However, Fun Film Facts, the Publicity section, the making-of featurette, and the scrapbook are okay and certainly better than nothing.
Next up: The Little Mermaid, which I can guarantee will not receive a rating decrease
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Disney Duster
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BrandonH Animation Marathon
I need to see some of these movies again...
Another suggestion, when you finally write the list with all the ratings, you also include the old ratings, whether they were less or more than you think of them now. I just think it's interesting to see that!
Once again your Aristocats rating makes me go woah?! but hey....
You know Cinderella is French and about living the high-class life...
Another suggestion, when you finally write the list with all the ratings, you also include the old ratings, whether they were less or more than you think of them now. I just think it's interesting to see that!
Once again your Aristocats rating makes me go woah?! but hey....
You know Cinderella is French and about living the high-class life...
Re: Alice in Wonderland
It has more visual eye-candy, that's true. But it's just that: eye-candy. There is nothing of substance in the sequel. The original film lacks the high production values of the sequel, but despite that (or maybe even because of that) it's still a hundred times more engaging. The sequel is just a repeat of the first film, but with lesser characters, lesser charm, lesser wit, lesser structure, etc. The sequel is a cold and lifeless film, while the original is full of warmth and heart.Disney Duster wrote:Goliath, I find it very hard to say Down Under is bland and boring when it has so much grander location and visuals at least, not to mention more epic adventure.
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Disney Duster
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BrandonH Animation Marathon
Well Goliath, I see how the original has a lot of warmth and heart, but Cody's animal care and love is pretty hear-filled and warming, aside from Bianca and Bernard's care for the boy. And Down Under's visuals certainly are engaging. I didn't like Penny at times, she was annoying, and I really didn't like any of the characters save for the two lead mice, Medusa, and maybe the old cat. Even Medusa a was a bit too over the top and annoying like everyone else except the mice. However, Down Under gave the brother of the first albatross, Wilbur, the bird that's a lot funnier and likeable, the two lead mice got more development and a lovable Aussie mouse with them, and McLeach and Johanna are among the best in characters, a truly great guy villain with real danger and threat (his capture of Cody almost brings to mind the real scare of abductions of children by men) and for once a bumbling female villain sidekick who's really funny.
Not to mention, more than eye-candy, there's a whole atmosphere to the film that is more epic, adventurous, and feel good.
Huh...I just realized the first Rescuers reminds me of Annie...
Not to mention, more than eye-candy, there's a whole atmosphere to the film that is more epic, adventurous, and feel good.
Huh...I just realized the first Rescuers reminds me of Annie...
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid: 5 stars
The Little Mermaid is one of the films that I would watch on VHS with my family over and over. One measure of the film's quality is that I never got tired of watching it then, and I still love it now. This movie is another fun one to impersonate characters and quote lines. What helped The Little Mermaid rise above the rest?
-"Part of Your World"
-"Under the Sea"
-Sebastian, Ursula, and Flounder
-An underwater environment that is a visual wonderland
-Scenes are differentiated by their lighting and color palette extremely well
-The effects animation
-Reactions to Ariel using the fork/dinglehopper to brush her hair
The Platinum Edition DVD is one of the best that Disney has made. It's got a wealth of high-quality supplements, including a documentary that is actually a whole piece instead of an assemblage of parts. The other features I like are the audio commentary, deleted scenes, trailer, "Storm Warning: The Little Mermaid Special Effects Unit," "The Story Behind the Story," and "Under the Sea Adventure." I hope that the eventual TLM ride in DCA is at least as cool as the one on this DVD.
Next up: Beauty and the Beast
The Little Mermaid is one of the films that I would watch on VHS with my family over and over. One measure of the film's quality is that I never got tired of watching it then, and I still love it now. This movie is another fun one to impersonate characters and quote lines. What helped The Little Mermaid rise above the rest?
-"Part of Your World"
-"Under the Sea"
-Sebastian, Ursula, and Flounder
-An underwater environment that is a visual wonderland
-Scenes are differentiated by their lighting and color palette extremely well
-The effects animation
-Reactions to Ariel using the fork/dinglehopper to brush her hair
The Platinum Edition DVD is one of the best that Disney has made. It's got a wealth of high-quality supplements, including a documentary that is actually a whole piece instead of an assemblage of parts. The other features I like are the audio commentary, deleted scenes, trailer, "Storm Warning: The Little Mermaid Special Effects Unit," "The Story Behind the Story," and "Under the Sea Adventure." I hope that the eventual TLM ride in DCA is at least as cool as the one on this DVD.
Next up: Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast: 5 stars
Beauty and the Beast is a film that does everything well with such elegance and apparent ease. It's only upon reflection that one realizes just how tightly woven the plot is and how many complex, wondrous shots the animators packed into 90 minutes. Belle is one of the all-time great Disney heroines, and you can read more comments about her on the UD Heroes and Heroines Countdown page. Here's what I like best about the movie:
-Transformation of the Beast, castle, and servants
-Stained glass window prologue
-Title song
-"Be Our Guest"
-"The Mob Song" and the intercutting between sides
-Belle is shown the castle library
-Lumiere and Cogsworth waddling in unison toward the library during Belle's tour
-Belle treating the Beast's wounds
-Transition on the Beast's face from rage to compassion as he decides to spare Gaston's life
The Platinum Edition DVD has some great content, but it also has a few problems. For one, the Break the Spell game is horribly executed. It's fun up until the rolling ball section, which is completely unintuitive. I'm glad that UD's review told me that there is no worthwhile reward to completing the game, or I would have wasted more time on that nonsense.
The "Tale as Old as Time: The Making of Beauty and the Beast" documentary is a nice piece, but the menu presentation of it is pretty bad. The Mrs. Potts section duplicates half of the sections, artificially inflating the extras. The Lumiere and Cogsworth section has the complete documentary, but by selecting "Play All," one could easily miss the subsection materials.
The audio commentary is one of my favorites. The guys' sense of humor is so awesome, such as when they talk about an animation convention.
Other good extras include (deep breath) the WDW ad, early presentation reel, alternate "Be Our Guest" sequence, "Human Again" deleted song, galleries with comments, animation tests, "Transformation: Glen Keane," and trailers. "The Story Behind the Story" is best viewed by fast-forwarding through the story summaries and skipping the Celine Dion portions entirely. Celine, you can sing well, but your face and voice on this DVD creep me out.
The Disney Animation Magic overview in the Chip section is pointless for animation buffs, but it's interesting to see the young Shia before his Transformers days. He can definitely pull off the mentally slow teenager role.
Mrs. Potts's Personality Profile Game is another transparent game, rendering it pretty useless. I am most like Cogsworth or Belle, which I could have said from the start.
Next up: Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast is a film that does everything well with such elegance and apparent ease. It's only upon reflection that one realizes just how tightly woven the plot is and how many complex, wondrous shots the animators packed into 90 minutes. Belle is one of the all-time great Disney heroines, and you can read more comments about her on the UD Heroes and Heroines Countdown page. Here's what I like best about the movie:
-Transformation of the Beast, castle, and servants
-Stained glass window prologue
-Title song
-"Be Our Guest"
-"The Mob Song" and the intercutting between sides
-Belle is shown the castle library
-Lumiere and Cogsworth waddling in unison toward the library during Belle's tour
-Belle treating the Beast's wounds
-Transition on the Beast's face from rage to compassion as he decides to spare Gaston's life
The Platinum Edition DVD has some great content, but it also has a few problems. For one, the Break the Spell game is horribly executed. It's fun up until the rolling ball section, which is completely unintuitive. I'm glad that UD's review told me that there is no worthwhile reward to completing the game, or I would have wasted more time on that nonsense.
The "Tale as Old as Time: The Making of Beauty and the Beast" documentary is a nice piece, but the menu presentation of it is pretty bad. The Mrs. Potts section duplicates half of the sections, artificially inflating the extras. The Lumiere and Cogsworth section has the complete documentary, but by selecting "Play All," one could easily miss the subsection materials.
The audio commentary is one of my favorites. The guys' sense of humor is so awesome, such as when they talk about an animation convention.
Other good extras include (deep breath) the WDW ad, early presentation reel, alternate "Be Our Guest" sequence, "Human Again" deleted song, galleries with comments, animation tests, "Transformation: Glen Keane," and trailers. "The Story Behind the Story" is best viewed by fast-forwarding through the story summaries and skipping the Celine Dion portions entirely. Celine, you can sing well, but your face and voice on this DVD creep me out.
The Disney Animation Magic overview in the Chip section is pointless for animation buffs, but it's interesting to see the young Shia before his Transformers days. He can definitely pull off the mentally slow teenager role.
Mrs. Potts's Personality Profile Game is another transparent game, rendering it pretty useless. I am most like Cogsworth or Belle, which I could have said from the start.
Next up: Aladdin
@ Disney Duster:
Thanks for not being angry because I trashed one of your favorites. I've gotten some bad reactions for that reason in the past.
The two movies, despite having the same lead characters, are very different in nature. I think of The Rescuers as a drama, while Down Under is more of an adventure film, though I would add a highly formulaic one.
I didn't care for any of the new characters at all. Wilbur, I thought was not funny at all. The 'jokes' involving him were more juvenile, a lot of them literally having to do with his butt (as he goes into surgery). I think he's one of the first sidekicks in the 1990's that's written into the film just for that reason: to be a supposedly funny 'sidekick' for the enjoyment of the younger viewers; a trend which continued all the way up to the three gargoyles and Tantor & Terk. The new Aussie mouse wasn't needed at all. He takes too much time away from Bernard and Bianca, yet gets too little screen time to develop fully as a character.
Also, I think the original film had already beautifully constructed Bernard and Bianca's characters. I didn't really had to see Bernard proposing to Bianca. It's already clear from the first film they love each other, and it was build up in such a subtle way. Yet the sequel feels the need to hammer it into the viewer by such an obvious storyline about proposing.
The Rescuers has one scene that, to me, really sums up the entire atmosphere of the film. It's right before the song'Someone's waiting for you' starts. Medusa is trying to convince Penny to go back into the hole to find the diamond. When Penny asks when Medusa will bring her back to the orphanage, Medusa says: "What makes you think anyone would want a homely little girl like you?" That totally breaks Penny's heart, and a tear runs down her cheek.
You can't find that kind of scene in the sequel.
(Looking forward to read your reply!)
[edited for grammer]
Thanks for not being angry because I trashed one of your favorites. I've gotten some bad reactions for that reason in the past.
The two movies, despite having the same lead characters, are very different in nature. I think of The Rescuers as a drama, while Down Under is more of an adventure film, though I would add a highly formulaic one.
I didn't care for any of the new characters at all. Wilbur, I thought was not funny at all. The 'jokes' involving him were more juvenile, a lot of them literally having to do with his butt (as he goes into surgery). I think he's one of the first sidekicks in the 1990's that's written into the film just for that reason: to be a supposedly funny 'sidekick' for the enjoyment of the younger viewers; a trend which continued all the way up to the three gargoyles and Tantor & Terk. The new Aussie mouse wasn't needed at all. He takes too much time away from Bernard and Bianca, yet gets too little screen time to develop fully as a character.
Also, I think the original film had already beautifully constructed Bernard and Bianca's characters. I didn't really had to see Bernard proposing to Bianca. It's already clear from the first film they love each other, and it was build up in such a subtle way. Yet the sequel feels the need to hammer it into the viewer by such an obvious storyline about proposing.
The Rescuers has one scene that, to me, really sums up the entire atmosphere of the film. It's right before the song'Someone's waiting for you' starts. Medusa is trying to convince Penny to go back into the hole to find the diamond. When Penny asks when Medusa will bring her back to the orphanage, Medusa says: "What makes you think anyone would want a homely little girl like you?" That totally breaks Penny's heart, and a tear runs down her cheek.
You can't find that kind of scene in the sequel.
(Looking forward to read your reply!)
[edited for grammer]
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Disney Duster
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BrandonH Animation Marathon
I unfortunately, very unfortunately, don't remember enough about either film to have much more say!
I saw both of them within the same week on Toon Disney when it was, you know, a great channel for Disney animation, for everyone.
I thought a lot of things were great about the first film, but...well, maybe it was the fact it was made in the 70's, because I don't hate a film just because it's old, but I didn't really like the feeling, that began with the first song. And then there was annoyingness with so many of the characters, as I said.
But Bernard and Bianca are always great, and perhaps Medusa, or even Penny, should be a little annoying anyway, due to their characters.
Yes, Down Under doesn't have a scene like that one with Medusa and Penny. But I do fear for the big eagle's eggs, and feel fear from McLeach, I think more than from Medusa. I do feel something for when Cody's with the eagle and there some moments where he's like by himself and a feather or something and loneliness or sadness I forget.
I think you may be right that moment for Penny packs more punch and is "better" at sad emotion or is just sadder than any sad moment in Down Under, but I can't remember.
I know I like Wilbur more than that other bird, but I guess I feel he had more edge and personality, even if jokes involved his butt. I like that Australian mouse, but maybe I just like him, and he does serve some purpose in complicating Bernard and Bianca's relationship a bit.
I really disliked Snoops and the alligators and any of the other creatures around the swamp. Snoops probably should have been annoying, though, too. The alligators were fun or funny at some times.
Well that's all I can say. It may be that The Rescuer's has emotional mastery Down Under doesn't have...but I think I may still end up liking Down Under more.
For the record it was a favorite of mine as a kid for the feelings it gave me, like pretty much any movie I watched as a kid that resonated with me and I loved to watch. Now, after seeing it older, I was like "Oh...that's it. That still felt really cool and enjoyable but...that was it" But even The Rescuer's did seem super good to me either. But as I've grown up everything seems hard to please me and I wish it would stop but I don't want to lower my standards so...yea. It's still a favorite of mine, though. I like watching it.
By the way, you're okay and everything after what I said about science and...the whole world, right? I was wondering if anything I said made you feel...bad. Not in a I hurt you way, but a "omg my whole world is..." kind of way.
I saw both of them within the same week on Toon Disney when it was, you know, a great channel for Disney animation, for everyone.
I thought a lot of things were great about the first film, but...well, maybe it was the fact it was made in the 70's, because I don't hate a film just because it's old, but I didn't really like the feeling, that began with the first song. And then there was annoyingness with so many of the characters, as I said.
But Bernard and Bianca are always great, and perhaps Medusa, or even Penny, should be a little annoying anyway, due to their characters.
Yes, Down Under doesn't have a scene like that one with Medusa and Penny. But I do fear for the big eagle's eggs, and feel fear from McLeach, I think more than from Medusa. I do feel something for when Cody's with the eagle and there some moments where he's like by himself and a feather or something and loneliness or sadness I forget.
I think you may be right that moment for Penny packs more punch and is "better" at sad emotion or is just sadder than any sad moment in Down Under, but I can't remember.
I know I like Wilbur more than that other bird, but I guess I feel he had more edge and personality, even if jokes involved his butt. I like that Australian mouse, but maybe I just like him, and he does serve some purpose in complicating Bernard and Bianca's relationship a bit.
I really disliked Snoops and the alligators and any of the other creatures around the swamp. Snoops probably should have been annoying, though, too. The alligators were fun or funny at some times.
Well that's all I can say. It may be that The Rescuer's has emotional mastery Down Under doesn't have...but I think I may still end up liking Down Under more.
For the record it was a favorite of mine as a kid for the feelings it gave me, like pretty much any movie I watched as a kid that resonated with me and I loved to watch. Now, after seeing it older, I was like "Oh...that's it. That still felt really cool and enjoyable but...that was it" But even The Rescuer's did seem super good to me either. But as I've grown up everything seems hard to please me and I wish it would stop but I don't want to lower my standards so...yea. It's still a favorite of mine, though. I like watching it.
By the way, you're okay and everything after what I said about science and...the whole world, right? I was wondering if anything I said made you feel...bad. Not in a I hurt you way, but a "omg my whole world is..." kind of way.
Re: BrandonH Animation Marathon
Oh, absolutely I'm okay!Disney Duster wrote:By the way, you're okay and everything after what I said about science and...the whole world, right? I was wondering if anything I said made you feel...bad. Not in a I hurt you way, but a "omg my whole world is..." kind of way.
I never hold grudges based on differences in opinion. We can see the world very differently, but we can still have a good time discussing Disney films! 
It's funny how I sometimes, like you, am attached to a certain film because I loved it as a kid. But as a kid, I wasn't a big fan of The Rescuers. From the 1970's films, I liked Robin Hood much better. But nowadays, it's reversed. And I must say I don't like most sequels anyway.
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Disney Duster
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Posts: 14054
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:02 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: America
BrandonH Animation Marathon
Well that's good.
As I've grown older, I did want to try to say "I think this movie is made better than this one" but now I really am starting to think I should stick to "I like this. I think it's good, and I really like it."
My favorite films today are because I like them, not because I think they're better than others in any way. Although I will argue a lot to say if I think my favorites do happen to be better than others... This forum!
As I've grown older, I did want to try to say "I think this movie is made better than this one" but now I really am starting to think I should stick to "I like this. I think it's good, and I really like it."
My favorite films today are because I like them, not because I think they're better than others in any way. Although I will argue a lot to say if I think my favorites do happen to be better than others...
This forum!Aladdin
Aladdin: 5 stars
By way of introduction, I offer a serious question, a semi-serious question, and a recommendation.
1. Why would Aladdin have to use his third wish to become a prince again? Just because he lost his fancy clothes and elephant, he should be just as eligible for marriage to Jasmine as he was after his first wish.
2. Why send Jafar to the Cave of Wonders so quickly? Surely, the Sultan, Aladdin, and Jasmine could have used three wishes apiece to do something good. I know that it was done for pacing reasons to get us to the story's conclusion, but in-universe, the characters should have made the most of their chance.
3. The video game for the Super Nintendo is one of the most fun movie adaptations I've played.
Now, on to the highlights:
-"Friend Like Me"
-"A Whole New World"
-The Genie, whose wackiness and heart really elevate the movie to the next level
-Carpet
-The camel collapsing from the heat or exhaustion after "Arabian Nights"
-Aladdin's journey in and almost out of the Cave of Wonders
-The villainous pair of Jafar and Iago
-Jasmine pretending to be crazy
-"Prince Ali"
-"He can be taught!"
On the Platinum Edition DVD, the centerpiece is "A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin." I like the three different viewing options, and the documentary itself is very meaty. The only parts I would skip are "Rough Stuff #1-3" and "Jafar Goes to the Birds." Also noteworthy are the two audio commentaries, deleted scenes and songs, "Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man," "Art Review," trailer, "The Genie World Tour," and the self-guided tour on "Inside the Genie's Lamp."
Next up: The Lion King
By way of introduction, I offer a serious question, a semi-serious question, and a recommendation.
1. Why would Aladdin have to use his third wish to become a prince again? Just because he lost his fancy clothes and elephant, he should be just as eligible for marriage to Jasmine as he was after his first wish.
2. Why send Jafar to the Cave of Wonders so quickly? Surely, the Sultan, Aladdin, and Jasmine could have used three wishes apiece to do something good. I know that it was done for pacing reasons to get us to the story's conclusion, but in-universe, the characters should have made the most of their chance.
3. The video game for the Super Nintendo is one of the most fun movie adaptations I've played.
Now, on to the highlights:
-"Friend Like Me"
-"A Whole New World"
-The Genie, whose wackiness and heart really elevate the movie to the next level
-Carpet
-The camel collapsing from the heat or exhaustion after "Arabian Nights"
-Aladdin's journey in and almost out of the Cave of Wonders
-The villainous pair of Jafar and Iago
-Jasmine pretending to be crazy
-"Prince Ali"
-"He can be taught!"
On the Platinum Edition DVD, the centerpiece is "A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin." I like the three different viewing options, and the documentary itself is very meaty. The only parts I would skip are "Rough Stuff #1-3" and "Jafar Goes to the Birds." Also noteworthy are the two audio commentaries, deleted scenes and songs, "Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man," "Art Review," trailer, "The Genie World Tour," and the self-guided tour on "Inside the Genie's Lamp."
Next up: The Lion King
Wow, I predicted your "best" picks pages ago.
Does it bother you - at all - that the movie you're selecting as the best disney animated film takes time out if its climax for Taxi Driver and Chalkboard Jungle pop culture references? That cheap and easy jokes are thrown in to remind the audience, "Hey, don't take this seriously, it's a cartoon."
That doesn't bother you at all? The Lion King is based on a false premise -- it MIMICS drama as opposed to CREATING drama. The film punctures its own balloon at every possible moment. If they don't take it seriously, why should you? The Lion King is to the film it rips off (Bambi) what Tim Burton's Batman is to Chris Nolan's. It's a joke. Sure it's fun. Burton's Batman is fun. But it's a joke, and because it lacks the ability to take itself and its own premise seriously, it has no right to be ranked ahead of Bambi, and has no right to be ranked anywhere near the best of the modern features, to say nothing of Walt's animated films.
Does it bother you - at all - that the movie you're selecting as the best disney animated film takes time out if its climax for Taxi Driver and Chalkboard Jungle pop culture references? That cheap and easy jokes are thrown in to remind the audience, "Hey, don't take this seriously, it's a cartoon."
That doesn't bother you at all? The Lion King is based on a false premise -- it MIMICS drama as opposed to CREATING drama. The film punctures its own balloon at every possible moment. If they don't take it seriously, why should you? The Lion King is to the film it rips off (Bambi) what Tim Burton's Batman is to Chris Nolan's. It's a joke. Sure it's fun. Burton's Batman is fun. But it's a joke, and because it lacks the ability to take itself and its own premise seriously, it has no right to be ranked ahead of Bambi, and has no right to be ranked anywhere near the best of the modern features, to say nothing of Walt's animated films.
Last edited by Rudy Matt on Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.