The 'Worst' Disney Film Opening Ever

[Super Aurora]

It's funny you say he wasn't smart enough, usually it is the ones who don't use their heads, but their physical force, that you should fear more.

I will have to say I disagree with this statement. Your minds/brains is far more dangerous. it is your mind that give idea of invention of weapons or nukes, it is your mind that lead path to corruption, it is your mind that give thoughts that could lead you astray or to manipulate other to your personal desire and leave them to suffer.

Your brain is way more dangerous of a weapon than you realize.

[Disney's Divinity]

I feel the same way as pap64, in that it's hard to really think of a worst opening. The only ones I can think of that I remember not liking (or that left bad impressions on the rest of the films) are Lilo & Stitch and Brother Bear.

With L&S, it was all the sci-fi. Disney's just not good at doing aliens. They always go psycho-crazy and make random designs (same thing as in Treasure Planet, where I also hate the aliens). The movie also seemed to start off a little too overdramatic to me, and some of the dialogue left a bad impression ("Naughty!" Really?). I like where the film picks up with Lilo beneath the waves much better. This is really the only film where I don't like the beginning, but I end up liking most of the rest of it.

I could be wrong about Brother Bear, because my dislike for the rest of the film might just make me remember everything badly. I just really hate the dialogue (mainly the old brother at the very start talking about "magic" and "spriits," and then the convo.s between the three brothers later) and I think it's not only too modern for what the film tries to be, but at the same time it's not very entertaining--just irksome. And Kenai--or whoever the main brother is, I can't remember because I don't want to watch the film again--gets hit in the head by an elk in one of the opening scenes. Like his brains wouldn't be splattered across the screen. Besides, that elk run is just a repeat of the Lion King stampede and the Mulan avalanche battle. It fails to awe anymore. And the whole "what a beautiful world" beginning reeks of Lion King, only less well-done. Tina Turner? Honestly? Not that Tina Turner sounds bad with the song, but her voice doesn't gel with the opening. She'd have been better left on the soundtrack or as an ending theme.

As for Sword in the Stone mentioned earlier, I talked about how the intro. doesn't really fit with the tone of the rest of the film in the other "openings" thread. But, regardless, it's hard for me to think of it as a "worst." Maybe because the seriousness of that scene (and later ones, as when he goes to get the sword for Kay) seem to be a reminder of what he would grow up to be, beyond the movie. I don't think they wanted the film to be serious, but they didn't want to completely dismiss Arthur's legacy either. And maybe it's nice that he would have a light-hearted childhood with Merlin and his education, before everything else that the audience knows will happen.

I won't really comment on the Rescuers vs. Rescuers Down Under debate, except to say that I always did like the sequel more than the first, personally. I just always loved Marahute (the eagle) and Joanna. And I had always felt that Medusa was a rather ineffective villain, and so preferred McLeach--though neither really stick with you like Lady Tremaine or Cruella de Vil. (And I know it sounds mean, but I never really liked Penny, except in the "She's a child, so I should be sympathetic" sense). Tbh, it's been a while since I've seen either. This thread made me want to watch them last week, but I couldn't find my mom's tapes. *sigh* As a sequel though, I always felt Down Under portrayed Bernard and Bianca rather clumsily. But I don't think it mars the characters like the DTV sequels do, so on those terms I found it decent (I always found Bianca to be unlikable [though I always loved Duchess from The Aristocats], so the development with Jake didn't surprise).

[nomad2010]

Most people will completely disagree with me, but I despise the opening of The Little Mermaid. It is one of my favorite Disney films, but the opening scene on the ship with the sailors does nothing for me. I completely understand why it is the way it is. The dull colors, the misty looking, bleak day, the human/manly stereotype. It all is set up so there is a very strong contrast between the pale surface life, and the colorful, vibrant sea life. But to me, the song is boring and stereotypical, the colors are either too dull or not dull enough, and the animation is shoddy. I look at it and have no desire to watch it or listen to it. Most of the time, I fast forward through it because I feel the movie would be complete without it. There isn't enough contrast between the surface and the sea life. It may just be the transfer that is on the platinum edition, but the colors really bother me. I don't see a big difference when the film heads below the surface. I still feel like it's dull and the colors don't pop enough. It puts me to sleep every time. I can even remember not being thrilled with it as a kid. Although back then, I probably just cared that I wasn't seeing mer-creatures swimming around. Either way, I think it is a completely unnecessary song and scene that is incredibly dull and bland looking.

In contrast, I think my favorite opening (other than Beauty and the Beast's stained glass opener) would be 101 Dalmatians. I love how simple and efficiently realized it is.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm kind of conflicted, in that I agree with you that the ship scene is really dull (I always fast-forwarded as a child, too! ), but I couldn't call it the worst, because I adore the underwater side of the introduction. I actually talked about that in the other "openings" thread. But don't feel bad, it's okay if people disagree!

I think it goes along with the only flaw I feel the film has, that the above world lacks the magic, color, or liveliness of the underwater world. But maybe that's supposed to emphasize why exactly Eric and Ariel work together, because she makes that world brighter.

Btw, nomad2010, I adore your banner! Simple, but elegant.

[ajmrowland]

............I cant really think of the "Worst" opening ever. Or maybe the movie was so bad I forgot it?

Actually..............Chicken Little. Even the Live Action openers surpass that.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Off topic, but I'm really liking both of your sigs nomad and Divinity!

On topic, I don't really dislike any film opening really.

And I like both Rescuers movies.

[Lazario]

See see see see see. That's all I'm reading from you. But that's not what Disney is or has ever been.

Did you hear anything during that scene? Feel anything?

If you read back I also said I don't like the music either.

Can't you just leave it that I don't like the opening and find it boring? -__-

Oh very well for you to say that now (which feels like your way of covering yourself), but that's not what it sounded like you were saying before. It sounded like you were saying: the scene is "everyone happy for new baby," so Disney's job is to make you happy about the baby too. As though there is only one way the scene is allowed to play through.

I will only concede that perhaps I read you wrong. But if I did, you expressed yourself poorly.

And I'm sure a lot of people agree with you that it is boring. But I don't think they really get the purpose of the film's Gothic and Persian influences. It's not just something they did to make the animation look different. It's an attitude that carries through into the feel of the movie as well. Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

[Goliath]

Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

I beg your pardon?!

The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron are 'criminally undervalued films'. Sleeping Beauty gets all the 2-disc dvd sets (twice) and BluRay sets and gets featured in all of Disney's marketing and merchandise. How is that 'undervalued'?

[pap64]

Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

I beg your pardon?!

The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron are 'criminally undervalued films'. Sleeping Beauty gets all the 2-disc dvd sets (twice) and BluRay sets and gets featured in all of Disney's marketing and merchandise. How is that 'undervalued'?

I'm with Goliath.

Maleficent is constantly hailed as one of THE best villains ever put on film. The characters appeared on the House of Mouse, Princess Aurora is part of the Disney Princess franchise and has a ton of merchandise under her name, we have SLEEPING BEAUTY'S CASTLE at Disneyland, Maleficent appears as one of the main villains in Kingdom Hearts, and Birth by Sleep has a Sleeping Beauty world. Sleeping Beauty appears a lot on the Disney on Ice shows, on the parades at the theme parks, and a TON of other things.

[Sotiris]

Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

I beg your pardon?!

The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron are 'criminally undervalued films'. Sleeping Beauty gets all the 2-disc dvd sets (twice) and BluRay sets and gets featured in all of Disney's marketing and merchandise. How is that 'undervalued'?

Don't forget Hercules and Hunchback. Hey, even The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron got new DVD releases recently while Herc and Quasi are still left with those same "Gold Collection" releases.

[Super Aurora]

Oh very well for you to say that now (which feels like your way of covering yourself),

No, it cause when I made my opinion on answering the OP's question, you and duster who obviously like SB did not agree with my statement so you respond back asking why. I gave my answer why.

but that's not what it sounded like you were saying before. It sounded like you were saying: the scene is "everyone happy for new baby," so Disney's job is to make you happy about the baby too. As though there is only one way the scene is allowed to play through.

The song give the impression that everyone(or majority) is happy about the newborn baby. The song starts "On that Joyful day".

I will only concede that perhaps I read you wrong. But if I did, you expressed yourself poorly.

I don't understand how i explain it poorly. What I said was pretty self explanatory and clear.

And I'm sure a lot of people agree with you that it is boring. But I don't think they really get the purpose of the film's Gothic and Persian influences.

I do get their intention of those two influences. (they practically drilled that into your skulls over and over before to make that clear enough)

but art style influence still shouldn't limit them from the other stuff they could implant.

Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

LOL WAT?!

[Disney Duster]

Super Aurora, yes, well, it's debatable as to which is more of a weapon. But when it comes to what can kill you faster, quicker, and more, it is usually brute strength and those who work on the physical, especially since death is physical. Well, that kind of death.

Divinity thanks for the input! And I love your new avatar and banner, in fact...may be the best one yet (may be between batb, cinderella, and alice and this one. I forget what mermaid's even looked like), but I think this is your most creative banner yet. It's so artsy I never expected such a composition or choosing of scenes. But I must ask, what is that picture between horny (lol) and the bloody cauldron? Looks like Taran holding the sword but...doesn't look like him.

nomad yes that is an awesome banner, making all those posters blend so well, dang good job! Perfect. As for the opening...I love the colors, I love the dreariness. It makes me feel like it's dark, and like a real see. And I like the manliness. I like the force of the ship, practically about to kill those dolphins. I definately think the opening adds something. I really like it, song, Eric, and all.

Lazario, I feel the kingdom is like "man, finally a baby, we really need this, to rule the kingdom, and, in this dark world, too. This is really important" and they're acting all noble and everything, and, I don't know, the art, and the music, it makes this mood that isn't light happiness. It's like...important matters, "baby is a miracle" happiness. Also, the fact that all these people are charging towards a castle towards a baby...I dunno...that feels interesting. And...all these people for a baby? That's one special baby. So, there's a lot going on there.

[Chernabog_Rocks]

I've always enjoyed the Sleeping Beauty opening. It's so...coloful and visually fun, the various horses and riders in all those styles. The song is sorta meh for me from what I remember of it.


Bad openings? That'll take some thought.

[jpanimation]

Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

I beg your pardon?!

The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron are 'criminally undervalued films'. Sleeping Beauty gets all the 2-disc dvd sets (twice) and BluRay sets and gets featured in all of Disney's marketing and merchandise. How is that 'undervalued'?

Not to mention it has a huge F*ing castle in the middle of Disneyland and Malificent is a central character in Kingdom Hearts and the major Disneyland nighttime show; Fantasmic. While I'm still not fond of the movie (especially the opening), there is no denying the mark Sleeping Beauty plays on pop culture and the popularity it enjoys.

[Wonderlicious]

I beg your pardon?!

The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron are 'criminally undervalued films'. Sleeping Beauty gets all the 2-disc dvd sets (twice) and BluRay sets and gets featured in all of Disney's marketing and merchandise. How is that 'undervalued'?

Not to mention it has a huge F*ing castle in the middle of Disneyland and Malificent is a central character in Kingdom Hearts and the major Disneyland nighttime show; Fantasmic. While I'm still not fond of the movie (especially the opening), there is no denying the mark Sleeping Beauty plays on pop culture and the popularity it enjoys.

I have to agree with Goliath and jpanimation on the status of Sleeping Beauty. Needless to say, I can perhaps see where Laz is coming from. From what I've read, Sleeping Beauty didn't really have that large a following or appreciation for many years. The film apparently sunk into the background somewhat after it was released and didn't receive as much attention as, say, Snow White or Cinderella in the parks (when it comes to walk-around characters and general reference outside of the castle, that is), in merchandise, or within the general public mindset.

Having said that, over the past two decades or so, the film has definitely become very popular and can definitely be taken out of the underrated category. Sleeping Beauty really can be considered a classic not just on its age but on its popularity and level of appreciation. The generation of the 80s and 90s came to really appreciate the film, and one could argue that it is surely one of the more appreciated and popular films made during Walt's time thanks to them (or should I write "us"? I am part of that generation, after all ). The current animators and artists at Disney, with their more public presence, have voiced their praise for the film, elevating its status even more. Eyvind Earle's work on the film is beloved, Maleficent is viewed as the ultimate Disney villain (probably even more so now than the Queen/Witch from Snow White), and Aurora has become one of the most popular princesses. The film now equally has a stronger presence in the Disney theme parks than a number of Disney films, including ones involving princesses. Disneyland Paris in particular pimps out the film to the max. Sleeping Beauty featured heavily in the original parade and has continued to do so with each new daily procession. The castle quite consciously links itself back to the animated film (as opposed to the Californian one, which quite frankly was called Sleeping Beauty Castle just as a promotional device), with a walk-through depicting the story in stained glass and tapestry AND a walk-through featuring an animatronic dragon inspired by the one Maleficent turns into, not to mention other little design features. Sleeping Beauty also has received two great two-disc DVD editions, not to mention a spectacular Blu-Ray, each with fabulous bonus features and dazzling picture quality.

So, whilst it is a shame that for many years Sleeping Beauty was underrated, I don't think today it could be considered so. I suppose its status parallels the actual story; dormant for so long, but kissed back to a more splendid life.

[Lazario]

Sleeping Beauty is a criminally undervalued film.

I beg your pardon?!

The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and The Black Cauldron are 'criminally undervalued films'. Sleeping Beauty gets all the 2-disc dvd sets (twice) and BluRay sets and gets featured in all of Disney's marketing and merchandise. How is that 'undervalued'?

I'm not talking about popularity (knowing how against Beauty and the Beast I am, why would you think I'd be impressed by how both that film and Sleeping Beauty received double-disc treatment?). I'm talking about the film being undervalued as a serious artistic achievement, not as a popular product on the marketplace. And people who find it to be a weaker film. People whom always compare it to the other Disney animated films when people like Earle were trying to make this a different kind of fairy tale in nearly every respect. I'm saying I don't think the film is being fairly judged by people like Super Aurora, you, and others here who continue to try and rip the movie to shreds without a very strong argument on any occasion. I don't honestly think people plug into it the right way. They start off with clouded expectations or wild feelings of entitlement: to be given a traditional Disney treatment of a fairy tale. When this film is highly radical in most regards.

By the token of popularity, Sleeping Beauty would only be about as good as Beauty and the Beast and Lion King - hollow, dumb films that just sit there looking good and approximate quality instead of executing unqiue quality animated filmmaking. There is a good deal more to Sleeping Beauty than that. And I won't back down from that statement just because a large percentage of the frequent vocal UD'ers think Maleficent is a weak villain. Or that the animators made a mistake by not making the people of the kingdom more lively. That is the style Earle and company chose. Earle didn't do it deliberately because he was clueless or anticipating that some Disney fans would find it problematic. I think it was genius- and not just because it looked good. I've said before several times that I believe the animation, music, and simplistic storytelling come together perfectly- that all three are in exceptional form here. And that the mix itself brought me to the peak of every important feeling a Disney animated film has pulled from me.

If things seem to not be working to some - and remember that this is a much more heigtened stylistic atmosphere than many a Cinderella or Snow White, so who's to say that the characters here really are weaker rather than in harmony with their surroundings?? - why should we think the fault lies in the fact that the film isn't the same as other Princess films? Why isn't its' uniqueness celebrated by everyone, for reasons other than visual aesthetic? Because- I've heard your reasons in the past and have told you I think they're bunk. How can you feign shock-smiley and tell me you're surprised?

Back to what SUPER AURORA said - you will notice that, throughout the entire film, the people in the kingdom are usually flat and lifeless. Therefore, the focus is on something else. Which confirms suspicions I've had since I was a kid- that this is a movie about sensory depth, not deep story. Besides, I always felt the point of the tone of songs like "Hail to the Princess Aurora" was to be grave or dark in tone and not joyous. If you don't like that, WOOPIE for you. But the fact is, you can't hold what you expected against the film. Sorry. What you seem to be saying is that - no other Disney film did this, so therefore Sleeping Beauty can't. (That sounds childish to me - but then again, so did your argument, SA.)

[Super Aurora]

I found it more childish that you seems to take it in so personally that I (or anyone for the matter) disapprove of something in SB. The way you sees things isn't way I see things and thus its seem you're giving the impression that "your interpretation" is superior and correct over mine.

But in case you're wondering or didn't realize, I do not hate Sleeping Beauty. In fact I love many bits about it that I did love. But that won't hold me down from criticizing parts that I did find in the movie.

You seems to imply that if you like something, you must like every bits about it.

[Trumpet Joe]

I'm talking about the film being undervalued as a serious artistic achievement, not as a popular product on the marketplace.

Well, even this is debatable. The Platinum Edition pretty much beats you over the head about the artwork, what with the Eyvind Earle featurette and the fact that the making-of focuses on virtually nothing but the artwork.

[Lazario]

I found it more childish that you seems to take it in so personally that I (or anyone for the matter) disapprove of something in SB. The way you sees things isn't way I see things and thus its seem you're giving the impression that "your interpretation" is superior and correct over mine.

But in case you're wondering or didn't realize, I do not hate Sleeping Beauty. In fact I love many bits about it that I did love. But that won't hold me down from criticizing parts that I did find in the movie.

You seems to imply that if you like something, you must like every bits about it.

No- that's not what bothers me. You're reading this completely wrong. It's that in your responses, you didn't give a thought to: maybe the scene was trying something different. You didn't spend a second looking beneath the surface. You were taking it for granted. That just because the scene in question looked like one thing, that it couldn't possibly have another meaning to it.

I can appreciate someone with a differing opinion. But how can I value the opinion of someone who seems to be preaching conformity? That's eliminating the possibility that there's more than one way to do something. That's the only reason why I'm taking this personally- I can't believe you could be the person you seem to be in this instance.

Especially on an issue such as a scene of joy over a baby's birth. Perhaps a Disney movie, for once, decided to go anti-Bambi. Babies are born all the time- we don't need to indulge in the moment to know it means a lot to the story / characters. The lyrics communicated that all by themselves. I say the film decided to use this scene instead to show us the world, the style, and get us prepared for the grave, emotionally detached feel to the movie with a scene that is emotionally detached from the getgo.

If you don't like it, that's one thing. But I feel you're misrepresenting it. That's why I haven't just let it go.

[MagicMirror]

I'll put in a defense for 'Sleeping Beauty' for a change, as I saw the DVD recently and was utterly charmed by parts of it. Colour-wise I think it's excellent, and the scenes with Maleficent are particularly beautiful. It works wonderfully with the Tchaikovsky score as well. The atmosphere that Lazario describes, I have to admit, I don't see - but the film as a whole has grown on me. That said, I don't think that the script's many faults add to the style and I don't think that improving the writing would have compromised the art of the film. No way is the film under-appreciated - it's divisive.

Out of the 'book openings' I like 'Sleeping Beauty' the best, with those beautiful Eyvind Earle illuminations. But of the actual animated openings in these fairy tale films, 'Snow White' is my favourite, with its eerie, quiet mood.

But I've also got to defend the opening of 'The Rescuers Down Under' - I remember it better than any other part in the film and it certainly made an impression on me as a young viewer.