Movies that you don´t like but try to.

[DC Fan]

For starters, if you don´t like a movie (or anything) you just don´t. No other reason. Much less force yourself to like it.

However, are there Disney movies that you want to like because you see that others like them or that there´s potential on them?

I´m not saying that you have to end up loving the movie but at least enjoy it more than you do. And take in mind I´m saying movies that you want to like because there´s something there that you want to like. I´m not saying movies that you just don´t like and won´t ever because you know.

For example, I can´t see myself ever liking The Fox and the Hound (lack of care in the animation, awful soundtrack, too depressing) or The Princess and the Frog (I don´t hate it but every time I watch it again and again loose interest when they reach the swamp).

For me these are the ones and the reasons why I want to like them and why I don´t like them; in no particular order:

-Oliver and Company; Many people like it and it was a hit (as established in the Making Of The Little Mermaid) plus it´s a movie from the 80´s.

...Don´t find the characters likable. Aside from Why Should I Worry? I don´t like the rest of the songs. As much as I love the 80´s I don´t think it fits on a Disney movie.

-Atlantis; Really like the comic book design, the characters and the (very few) action sequences.

...The movie was a disappointing to me after the trailers made it look as if the whole idea behind was the adventure of finding Atlantis.

-Meet The Robinsons; Favorable reviews. People say the movie is charming.

...Don´t find any charm on it. I can´t seem to like the characters. The pace is frantic at the middle. The villain is just stupid. Some jokes are just EXTREMELY lame (the frogs and the dinosaur for example).

-The Aristocats; It was the last project that Walt approved. The only movie where the cats are protagonists. I like cats.

...Don´t like the characters. Edgar is the worst Disney villain ever; yes, even compared to Alameda Slim and few others and that´s saying something.

-Chicken Little; Zach Braff. As horrible as an idea was to imitate Dreamworks´animated comedies just because it ended (thank the gods) being the only one like this I´d like to give it a pass. In order to have it to complete my Disney collection I had to pay full price for it.

...The jokes are just lame and the soundtrack filled with pop songs is not just bad but is forced.

Pixar:

-Cars 2; The animation. The action. The races. The spy theme.

...Cars in real life have never been my thing. Even though I don´t love the first one and the whole Route 66 doesn´t do it for me at least you can see the emotional aspect to it. While Cars 2 lacks the whole emotional part at least offers a visual spectacle but I find myself getting bored and asleep with it.

[thedisneyspirit]

Mainly the Aristocats. I love the romance of Duchess and Thomas, the setting of 1910 France would give the film a unique and sophisticated style, but everything else is sooo awful. I hate the kids, and the geese, and the dogs, and the music...Ugh.

The Black Cauldron. I love medieval fantasies, but this film is just...like all the "fantasy cliches" rolled into one. And when they aren't cliches the characters are either annoying or useless. And it does have potential too, but the potential is lost amidst the annoying characters, the half-baked story, the stale cliches...Pfeww. I am liking it more as time goes on, but the flaws also are more apparent.

Brother Bear. It has good music, good setting and strong emotional moments, but the comedy is terrible (and sadly a big part of the movie, at least most of the second act).

[DC Fan]

I, myself, like Fantasia 2000 "better". But the only reason for that is that is a shorter movie.

Fantasia I have a really hard time watching it. You could skip the intros but if you do so you can´t get into context on what you´re about to see. It takes me quite a time of struggle watching it but then by half of it is when I start really enjoying the movie; especially the dinosaur segment. And by the end is when I felt it was time well spent.

However, I could only watch these movies on cloudy/rainy days. To me is the right time to watch them.

[Jay]

The Black Cauldron is the first to pop into my head. I love the books and the movie really had a lot of potential but it is just a mess. Taran and Gurgi are so annoying. Eilonwy is as bland as can be while she is just fierce in the books. John Hurt as The Horned King brings it up a bit but he isn't really given a lot to do to really be a top villain IMO. He looks cool and sounds cool but that's it. The ending is kind of cool but quick. But then all Disney endings are rushed. I've tried to give the movie a chance several times but I just can't bring myself to enjoy it having read the books and know what could have been.

[ProfessorRatigan]

Most of the package features... excluding The Three Caballeros and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. I just find them so dull.

Peter Pan. I hate every character in this film. And I LOVE Barrie's original novel. Disney just did NOT translate those personalities to film well at all.

Lady and the Tramp. I LOVE the animation. Gorgeous. One of the most BEAUTIFUL *looking* animated films of all time. But, again, it's just a snooze for me. I want to love this one, but I just can't get over how absolutely yawn-inducing it is for me. Still, I give it major points for the breathtaking scenery.

The Sword in the Stone. I just can't care about these characters. Archimedes and Madame Mim are the only two with any real POP. The story, or lack thereof, is another factor that keeps this one low on my list. Episodic and, ultimately, pointless, it doesn't really GO anywhere or ARRIVE at anything and always makes me feel like I just wasted 80 (or whatever) minutes of my life. The animation, also, isn't the greatest. Just a dull LOOKING film. And I don't have that problem with Dalmatians or Jungle Book or even, really, most of the xerox pictures. Just this one.

The AristoCats. Again, the characters are lacking, the story is lacking, the songs are lacking. Everything about this one seems by-the-numbers. Disney on Autopilot. Considering they were still reeling from Walt's death, I can cut it a little slack, but, it ain't one of my favorites.

The Black Cauldron. Do I even have to say anything? I like the animation, but, this film's a mess all around. It's a shame because there IS some good buried in here. I wonder how much of it was due to executive meddling?

Oliver & Company. Just an ugly, dated film. Hate the characters, hate the songs, hate the 80s setting. It's just...not Disney.

The Lion King. Aside from Scar, this film has always left me kind of underwhelmed.

Pocahontas. I've talked before about how I feel about Pocahontas... that it lacks focus, that the comic relief completely distract the audience and RUIN every quiet moment with their shoe-horned presence, that it's hollow and weak... But, again, I LOVE the animation. I LOVE the score and most of the songs. I wish the film weren't so problematic, because there is a lot worth liking here.

Mulan. Again, I've talked before about my problems with this film, so I won't take up too much time. Mushu, unremarkable songs, unremarkable villain, anti-climatic climax. All of the worst tropes of 90s Disney are here and I don't understand why this film gets a pass while other, better films, like Hunchback and Hercules, do not. Also: am pretty sick of the myth that this film made more than Pocahontas and Hunchback or that it continues to be more 'beloved' due to Disney's insidious marketing. (But, that's another rant.)

Fantasia/2000. I just feel it's completely unneeded. And it doesn't really DO anything with itself. It just...is. And it's pretty dull.

Frozen. Yeah, I said it. This film got entirely too much praise and too much attention. A mediocre effort that failed to impress me on any real emotional level. Seeing it multiple times now, my problems have only grown. Especially since this was declared (was there a vote taken? Because I didn't get to participate!) the 'OMGZ all-time greatest Disney movie EVUR!'*

*since the Lion King

[Tangled]

Dumbo, perhaps? I just never understood the appeal of a flying circus elephant, and even when I was little I could hardly sit through it. It sucks, because I actually really love "Baby Mine" for its emotional value and "Pink Elephants on Parade" for it's animation and general trippyness. But, other than that, I think that its short length makes it suffer in comparison to the three animated Disney movies that came before it. I mean, it was sandwiched between Fantasia and Bambi. Plus, the racism makes it really uncomfortable for me to watch.

Other than that, there are two other Disney movies that stick out in my mind that I feel similarly about. One is Treasure Planet. I really like the animation and design of it. It's a gorgeous film, but it just felt too gimicky and heartless. It just feels...clumsy, maybe? The story and setting ideas just didn't seem to meld very well. Still, I like the movie as eyecandy regardless.

Also, perhaps I'm stretching this choice, but The Princess and the Frog. Mostly everything was there. The characters were great. Tiana is in my top five Disney princesses and Naveen is by far my favorite prince. Ray and Louis were genuinely good sidekicks. The animation was perfection. The New Orleans setting was perfect for a Disney movie. The music was decent and suited the setting. Then...the plot. The plot was super contrived. I can't rewatch it without commenting on how over complicated (and kind of stupid) the plot was. The plot holes are pretty noticable. Now, I can't watch it without overthinking it. It's a really well-done movie that's also kind of a mess. Still, it's a beautiful, heartwarming mess, and I can awknowledge that.

There are way more movies that I could list, but most of them wouldn't count because I don't purposely try to like movies that I absolutely hate. If I notice that a movie has a large amount of redeemable qualities, then I'll try to give it another chance.

[Disney's Divinity]

I believe the only two movies I've tried to like despite not really enjoying them are Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and that was mostly because certain members here like these movies and I feel bad for not liking them. Otherwise, I don't really try to like something I don't.

I suppose there are films I like some things about very much that are stuck amid many things I don't like--such as Treasure Planet, where I love the Jim character but hate pretty much everything else, or The Princess and the Frog, where I love most of the film but wish there were less of the middle swamp scenes.

[sunhuntin]

for some reason, i cannot stand alice in wonderland. alice herself annoys me, but i love the mad hatter and co, and especially love the flowers singing.

fantasia would be another. i remember mum bought the vhs when we were kids and went on and on about how great it was. i think i watched the whole thing once, and that was under pressure lmao. have it on blu ray, but only cos i felt i should. havent watched it yet, and its been on the shelf for a few years now.

[DC Fan]

So guys, are you doing something in order to make these movies more enjoyable to you?

Not saying that you have to make yourself watch the movies every single time. Just wondering if in order to get to enjoy them more you actually try watching them whenever you can or you just don´t. Just watch them whenever and expect for a change.

I don´t watch them more than others. Just as much. The only difference being that I really try myself to let go and see if I get to like them a little bit more.

BTW, why does the Fantasia movies seem like such a struggle for most people to watch?

I mean, we used to watch the Roadrunner´s and Tom & Jerry cartoons that were silent. Or whenever we watch a musical (Disney in fact) we do have to listen to the song and don´t care.

If I have to guess it would be that: 1. We don´t have the proper home theaters/TV; I know I don´t at least and 2. It´s not the same and listening in person.

I had this girlfriend that knew hot to play the piano. I gave her some sheet music from a movie and at the moment she played it I was in awe. It was amazing to listen to it.

[Avaitor]

Hmm, of the few DACs that I dislike, I'm actually rather glad that I don't like them, such as Pocahontas (banal racist trash) and Home on the Range (do I need to explain why this sucks?).

Although a couple do otherwise come to mind. I don't necessarily hate Hercules, but it's never been anywhere near my favorites. I love James Woods as Hades, and baby Pegasus is one of my favorite designs, but I just never found it that funny or likable, a couple of jokes aside. Atlantis is one that I like a bit more, but I do find it problematic, o I can't raise it too high on my personal list. I especially just can't take Michael J. Fox seriously as Milo. More than any other Disney voice acting, I can't hear the character, I hear the person. And for some reason, I can't buy Marty McFly as a part of the story.

I'm more favorable towards Cinderella, especially since there's some deep nostalgia in there for me, but I'm not in love with it as a film as I am a memory, which hurts a little. Especially since I think Cinderella is the most dynamic princess in terms of personality from Walt's time, and Lady Tremaine is a fantastic villain. The thing that holds the movie back for me, and ultimately makes it my least favorite of the 50's movies, are the mice, who I mostly can't stand. Comic relief is fine when they're to the side (Timon & Pumbaa were always my least favorite part of The Lion King, but they were never that apparent), yet they have almost as much screentime as Cindy. As a kid, I was probably more enthused about scenes such as Jaq and Gus' endeavor to collect beads from Lucifer, but now, I just get bored.

[MeerkatKombat]

The thing that holds the movie back for me, and ultimately makes it my least favorite of the 50's movies, are the mice, who I mostly can't stand.

I actually really like Cinderella but I have to fast forward the scene with the chicken feeding and the beads because of those darn mice.

Fantasia is fine but again, I fast forward all the speaking between the musical segments or it is just a ridiculously bloated length.

The movie I really want to love is The Lion King but I am not the biggest fan of animal films. (Not to say I dislike all Disney animal films).
I never had The Lion King on VHS and so it doesn't have the fortune of being upheld by childhood nostalgia. It isn't that I hate the film, but I dislike Simba and it makes it very hard for me to empathize with him. Scar is a fantastic villain.

So, I have at one time or another watched and at least kinda enjoyed all the canon films. There are still some that I've only watched once or twice my whole life but I made an effort to watch them when I got the DVD.

Sword in the Stone - I find this boring. To quote ProfessorRatigan, it doesn't really GO anywhere or ARRIVE at anything.
Some of the characters are very good and I can appreciate them but the rest of it is bland. There is nothing to keep me coming back for repeated viewings.

Fox and the Hound - I just could not get into this. I don't like the atmosphere of it and I remember it making me feel uncomfortable.

Oliver and Co- yep, ProfessorRatigan again to paraphrase - dated. Those scenes in downtown NYC are ugly and the songs not my thing.

Cars - I really wanted to love this, and I tried, I really did. Pixar had never done me wrong before but after this, I am still working my way to trusting them again several years later. I couldn't even finish this one. This left a really bad taste in my mouth.

[thedisneyspirit]

Princess and the Frog, Snow White, Hercules, Pocahontas...They all have good music, or characters, or animation, or ideas I like, but the bad just overtakes the good for me. Hercules seems unsure of its identity and the main leads gets lost amidst the wacky supporting cast, and Pocahontas it seems it's being interpreted by dolls.

[2Disney4Ever]

Oliver and Co is also quite forgettable. The animation is pretty ugly and the more time passes it becomes more and more dated. (i'm afraid Lilo and Stitch will suffer the same thing in a few years...). I like the songs though.

Oliver & Company is definitely a very 80's movie with a very 80's setting, but I personally have no problem with that just cause I like that era and love that era's music, though I can see why it might feel dated to some. Lilo & Stitch on the other hand isn't like that to me because that movie doesn't feel like it's set in any specific time. It's just set in Hawaii.

[DC Fan]

I found funny about the comment of Meerkat regarding animal movies. As I love animals but have to admit that like much more more the Disney movies that have human stories; with the exception of The Lion King, Dumbo, The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective and Brother Bear.

-Bambi is too boring.
-Lady and the Tramp puts me to sleep.
-101 Dalmatians never clicks for me.
-The Jungle Book I don´t find the charm or fun on it.
-The Artistocats just tries to copy 101 Dalmatians for the most part and fails.
- Fox and the Hound is too depressing.
-Oliver and Company never have liked.
-The Rescuers Down Under has nothing going for it.
-Dinosaur I´m starting to appreciate more.
-Chicken Little is just a bad movie on itself.
-Brother Bear is good but it can be too much sometimes.
-Home on the Range horrid.
-We could even argue The Princess and the Frog where, precisely, when they become frogs it´s when I loose my interest.

[Avaitor]

Actually, Lilo & Stitch has a pretty timeless feel to me. I don't really feel like I'm back in 2002 when I'm watching it, since there are very few direct references to present-day culture in it. I can see it hold up in coming years.

[DC Fan]

By the way, Why so many people like The Fox and the Hound?

My only guess is nostalgia. I think most people just remember the movie the first part when Tod and Copper are cubs. Because other than that:

-The animation is awful for moments (you can see incomplete parts).
-The soundtrack is horrible. In fact, it has very few songs. And those songs are too short and not well sung at all.
-It´s depressing. I guess that, aside from the cubs part the whole rest of the movie is EXTREMELY depressing. So, how come people place it among their favorites?

[Musical Master]

After re-watching and re-evaluating... Here they are.

Sleeping Beauty- Despite such great animation, music, and art directon... I can't get emotionally involved with this because of how much of a huge mess it is when story and character are concerned. The three fairies and Maleficent are okay as the archetypal good and evil of the movie but that's about it...

The Fox and the Hound- I don't get how people put this on their favorites either, it's depressing as all get out.

Hercules- I don't hate this movie as I did in the past, but the main character is still a rather boring one and the story is something we have all seen before countless times in other (better) movies. But Hades, Meg, the Muses, some of the songs and the really neat art directon is really good that allows me to watch it more than once.

The Princess and the Frog- Some things are really neat (like Charlotte and Ray) but a good amount of things feel very cookie cutter Disney movie that, like Sleeping Beauty, I can't get into it at all. Not to mention that Randy Newman's song score is a huge dissapointment.

To the people who really like them, keep on lovin' it!

[thedisneyspirit]

Agree with Fox and the Hound. It's just depressing, and when it's not it's ugly and dull. But, tbh, we can describe in that same manner almost all of the Dark Era films, tbh.

[MeerkatKombat]

The whole animal film thing...Just to prove I don't hate all of them but they do lose something for me.
I actually really enjoy Bambi and think it has the best atmosphere of any Disney Film.
Dumbo can be a bit boring but thankfully it is short. 'Baby Mine' is the highlight of this film.
I have always liked 101 dalmatians and the xerox style really works.
Aristocats is one I loved as a child but it doesn't hold up so well now I'm older. Yep, too much like 101 dalmatians.
The Jungle Book - I do like this one and the music is some of the best. I don't watch it often.
The Rescuers and Rescuers Down Under - always preferred Down Under as a kid but can't say I'm enamored with it now. I have grown to really appreciate the first film. Penny is sooo cute and Madame Medusa is so fabulously voice acted.
Dinosaur and Brother Bear - own them and haven't seen them. Not too fussed about watching Dinosaur but I will get around to BB.
Chicken Little and Home on the Range - I can't bring myself to put myself through them. I have no intention of buying them either.
Princess and The Frog - yes, this loses it when Tiana transforms into a frog for me. It seems like they are the Bayou for ages and I can't stand Ray. Really truly cannot stand him.

I love Basil the Great Mouse Detective - it is a wonderful film and I also have a major soft spot for Robin Hood. I could listen to Monica Evans voice all day. These are animals in Human roles and I wonder if that is why I feel differently.

I haven't heard many people speak highly about FatH. This thread certainly rates it low.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm surprised at so much The Fox and the Hound hate. I personally think it's on par with Hunchback and Pocahontas as far as Disney films with sad endings that are severely flawed. Bambi is better, of course, but Bambi is better than most Disney films. TF&TH is very popular where I live, but that might just be regional bias (sort of like how The Aristocats is popular in France...). I would probably say there's more I don't like about it than I do like, but somehow I always enjoy it when I watch it. Also, I disagree with thedisneyspirit that the film is depressing for no reason.

I also prefer "human" films. Somehow the storylines have more tension and end up more climactic (for me) in general. I have to admit that I also prefer films with interesting female characters and/or some form of magic involved.