Disney Classics that are good but you don't like

[Farerb]

Sleeping Beauty is really great IMO. There's so much elegance in its simplicity. The animation combined with the music. To me this film feels like the ultimate fairytale film.

[DC Fan]

Hercules is another one that I grew to enjoy. I'm also a fan of Greek mythology and I HATED the changes. Unnecessary ones as well. Disney could have just started the movie with Hercules found as baby and the story would be the same.

However, precisely because I love Greek mythology and this was another movie to represent it I forgave it. Also, Hades is my favorite God and most of the times forgotten so it was nice to made him the villain and not Ares.

[Marce82]

Interesting topic...

The first one that comes to mind is Finding Nemo (not a disney classic, but still). I know it's a good movie, and I hardly have anything bad to say about it (other than it feels episodic), but it just never connected with me, and I have seen it several times. Just doesn't link with me emotionally.

The other one is Bambi. I have GREAT respect for it... beautiful animation and backgrounds... but again, it doesn't connect with me. And I find the story a little thin. But I can tell it is a good film. Even the mother dying never hit me hard, even as a child.

[Disney's Divinity]

Snow White grew up one me. The animation is gorgeous but SW voice and singing is a pain to the ears. Aside from Oliver and Company is the only Classic where the time it was made is reflected on the movie.

Sleeping Beauty was similar to me. However, I didn´t like it because it was too slow paced and nothing much happens. However, the design and animation is amazing. Prince Phillip is the first prince to have a personality. Maleficent is Maleficent. The fairies are very entertaining. And I consider Aurora as the perfect Disney Princess.

Yeah, these are films I mentioned earlier that are flawed or bore me at points, but I still do like them. Sleeping Beauty is beautiful, but I've never been that enamored with it. I actually like the three fairies as protagonists unlike many people, I'm sure--except the obnoxious, insufferable Flora, bleh--and Maleficent is great, but I don't care about Aurora and don't really like Phillip at all. Hubert and Stefan are both annoying; they've always felt like much lesser versions of the King and Grand Duke Any scene that doesn't feature Merryweather, Fauna, or Maleficent is a chore to get threw.

I should feel the same way about Cinderella as SB and SW because of all the mice scenes, but I guess I find Jaq and especially Lucifer pretty hilarious. Merryweather and Fauna are almost as funny as they are. I don't care much for any of the dwarfs, tbh, although they have their funny moments. All three of the Walt princess films have a similar pattern, but Cinderella's the only one I'd say is a favorite of mine. I'd actually say SB is the weakest of the three even though I love Maleficent and Merryweather more than anything in Snow White and of course SB is beautiful to look at--because at least Snow White has an emotional punch at the end during the funeral scene. I guess it depends on what you want most out of a film really. And, while on the subject, an UO of mine I've always had is that Lady Tremaine is a better villain than Maleficent.

As for Moana, I definitely don't dislike it. The few things I criticize it for, I criticize it all the revival films for equally (the buddy roadtrip formula). It's better than WIR, Tangled, or BH6, imo. As for Miranda, I've never thought Moana was a bad soundtrack even if I don't like him overall. *shrug* I could never get into Hamilton like others, and there are still some great songs from it, too, like "It's Quiet Uptown." I think we all have a tendency to feel the forum hates the movies we like because we note the criticism more strongly when it's aimed at something we enjoy. I know I always felt that way about TP&TF and Frozen. It feels like I read nothing but hatred for them here.

(I’m still salty Princess Kaguya was robbed by BH6).

Oh, yes. BH6 is garbage next to Kaguya.

@DC Fan: I can't remember if I loved Greek Mythology or Hercules first. Hercules kind of drove my interest in Greek mythology, and that continues to today. I absolutely understand how Hercules can not be everybody's cup of tea.

[JeanGreyForever]

Sleeping Beauty is really great IMO. There's so much elegance in its simplicity. The animation combined with the music. To me this film feels like the ultimate fairytale film.

Exactly. One of my all-time favorites. I think Disney even refers to it as the ultimate fairy tale in one of their trailers.

[Disney Duster]

I think the crocodile is female now that you mention it.

I suppose so although Peter Pan is supposed to be anything but 18. He's not even supposed to have lost any of his baby teeth yet. Also doesn't have he have red hair in the movie, not brown? The pointed ears is another weird decision Disney made which I'm not sure about, alongside claiming that Tinker Bell is a pixie, not a fairy.

Because most often you'll hear people brand female characters Mary Sues whereas similar male characters are rarely ever labeled the male equivalent, Gary Stus. And usually if a female character who is being called a Mary Sue was a male, most fans wouldn't question anything about him. Somehow the character is too perfect or OP if it's a female though.

Yes, I've seen that thread but there's not really any discussion in it.

True, Peter Pan is not a teenager in the book, but in Disney's he either is a teenager or almost, and I guess I like that. I also like that they make him being like a fairy is what makes him forever young. I don't like that they changed Tinker Bell to a pixie, though.

Oh, I get what you mean about Mary Sues. By overpowered, does that mean they get too many powers?

Sleeping Beauty was similar to me. However, I didn´t like it because it was too slow paced and nothing much happens. However, the design and animation is amazing. Prince Phillip is the first prince to have a personality. Maleficent is Maleficent. The fairies are very entertaining. And I consider Aurora as the perfect Disney Princess.

Why is Aurora the perfect princess to you?

Sleeping Beauty is really great IMO. There's so much elegance in its simplicity. The animation combined with the music. To me this film feels like the ultimate fairytale film.

Exactly. One of my all-time favorites. I think Disney even refers to it as the ultimate fairy tale in one of their trailers.

They called it Disney's ultimate fairy tale in tons of promotional stuff, even the back of the case, at least all the way back to its first debut on Blu-ray. Strangely, they called Cinderella Disney's ultimate fairy tale in it's Signature Edition trailer, then went back to saying it was Sleeping Beauty afterward. I feel it rightfully belongs to Sleeping Beauty. Multiple fairies. A dragon. A heroic princes, a princess under a spell and a magical kiss.

[Mmmadelon]

The other one is Bambi. I have GREAT respect for it... beautiful animation and backgrounds... but again, it doesn't connect with me. And I find the story a little thin. But I can tell it is a good film. Even the mother dying never hit me hard, even as a child.

I feel exactly the same about Bambi. Love the art, I just don't like the story.

I also never liked Pinocchio. Same with Bambi: beautiful animation and art, but I never liked the story.

[JeanGreyForever]

I think the crocodile is female now that you mention it.

I suppose so although Peter Pan is supposed to be anything but 18. He's not even supposed to have lost any of his baby teeth yet. Also doesn't have he have red hair in the movie, not brown? The pointed ears is another weird decision Disney made which I'm not sure about, alongside claiming that Tinker Bell is a pixie, not a fairy.

Because most often you'll hear people brand female characters Mary Sues whereas similar male characters are rarely ever labeled the male equivalent, Gary Stus. And usually if a female character who is being called a Mary Sue was a male, most fans wouldn't question anything about him. Somehow the character is too perfect or OP if it's a female though.

Yes, I've seen that thread but there's not really any discussion in it.

True, Peter Pan is not a teenager in the book, but in Disney's he either is a teenager or almost, and I guess I like that. I also like that they make him being like a fairy is what makes him forever young. I don't like that they changed Tinker Bell to a pixie, though.

Oh, I get what you mean about Mary Sues. By overpowered, does that mean they get too many powers?

Exactly. One of my all-time favorites. I think Disney even refers to it as the ultimate fairy tale in one of their trailers.

They called it Disney's ultimate fairy tale in tons of promotional stuff, even the back of the case, at least all the way back to its first debut on Blu-ray. Strangely, they called Cinderella Disney's ultimate fairy tale in it's Signature Edition trailer, then went back to saying it was Sleeping Beauty afterward. I feel it rightfully belongs to Sleeping Beauty. Multiple fairies. A dragon. A heroic princes, a princess under a spell and a magical kiss.

I don't really understand the pixie change besides maybe Walt Disney felt that fairies were always fullsize (ex. Blue Fairy, Fairy Godmother, etc.) so a very small one would be a pixie?

Basically that a character is too powerful in an unrealistic manner, which is usually a criticism that female characters will get even if a male character is equally as powerful.

I'm glad Disney markets it that way. I didn't realize they've said it about Sleeping Beauty on so many different things which only makes it even more unfortunate that they botched Sleeping Beauty in live-action. Which reminds me that another film that some people consider good but I can't see the appeal for at all would be Maleficent. That's neat that Cinderella gets the title in the Signature Edition. I suppose for many people, it's what they think of when they hear "fairy tale."

[Disney Duster]

Oh, you may be right about why Tinker Bell is a pixie. But then I find it odd both she and Peter have pointed ears.

Oh, so that's what OP means for Mary Sues. Yes, that's unfair.

Yes, I wish Disney made a live-action Sleeping Beauty. Maleficent really isn't a good movie. It's not even as good as Mistress of Evil to me. At least that movie had a kickass villain and was fun. Yes, I think when most people think of a fairy tale they think of Cinderella.

[DC Fan]

Why is Aurora the perfect princess to you?


She's not my favorite princess by any means. That goes either to Ariel or Jasmine.

But Aurora belongs to the ultimate fairy tale/Disney movie. Her design and dresses are "perfect". And this I can't put into words but to me she just irradiates royalty.

[JeanGreyForever]

Oh, you may be right about why Tinker Bell is a pixie. But then I find it odd both she and Peter have pointed ears.

Oh, so that's what OP means for Mary Sues. Yes, that's unfair.

Yes, I wish Disney made a live-action Sleeping Beauty. Maleficent really isn't a good movie. It's not even as good as Mistress of Evil to me. At least that movie had a kickass villain and was fun. Yes, I think when most people think of a fairy tale they think of Cinderella.

I think they were trying to portray him as a faerie or some form of fairfolk to explain his magical powers and why he doesn't ever grow up.

Maleficent II was only bearable because of Michelle Pfeiffer's character and it's definitely not a good sign when audiences are rooting for the villain to win over the protagonist.

Why is Aurora the perfect princess to you?


She's not my favorite princess by any means. That goes either to Ariel or Jasmine.

But Aurora belongs to the ultimate fairy tale/Disney movie. Her design and dresses are "perfect". And this I can't put into words but to me she just irradiates royalty.

My favorites are also Ariel and Jasmine. However, Aurora used to be my second favorite when I was a child because she was the quintessential princess to me. Her long blonde hair, pink dress, and golden crown really did make her the perfect princess. It's quite odd actually that out of the classic lineup of princesses, she was the only one with a crown.

[Disney Duster]

Yes, that may be for Peter.

I didn't want Queen Ingrith to win, but I did love her acting. But I liked Anjelina's too.

Aurora does look like the perfect princess and even in her animation she excudes beauty snd grace that says "royalty".

Snow White almost had a crown. She had it in her design for her wedding, both of which were never used.

[DC Fan]

For the longest time I disliked the over all design of Snow White. Her short hair. Her rosy cheeks. Her dress colors and design. She seemed off to me.

... however, the same way I learned to enjoy the movie now I get that her design makes her standout, and rightfully so.

Again, Aurora is the perfect princess but SW was the one that started it all.

BTW, I always enjoy seeing Aurora merchandise and when she is respected and fans like her.

As said before, her final design is perfect. Yet, equally pretty is her common dress and the fact that she also has a "variant" blue dress and her two names (both beautiful) makes her even more special.

Going back on topic Bambi is another movie that I can't never fully like. Find it slow and boring.

... yet, I really like slow pacing movies overall. More so if they're long. However, it seems I like that characteristic on live action movies and not on animated ones.

[JeanGreyForever]

Snow White almost had a crown. She had it in her design for her wedding, both of which were never used.

I always liked that wedding dress. I'm glad Disney uses it in merchandise.

For the longest time I disliked the over all design of Snow White. Her short hair. Her rosy cheeks. Her dress colors and design. She seemed off to me.

... however, the same way I learned to enjoy the movie now I get that her design makes her standout, and rightfully so.

Again, Aurora is the perfect princess but SW was the one that started it all.

BTW, I always enjoy seeing Aurora merchandise and when she is respected and fans like her.

As said before, her final design is perfect. Yet, equally pretty is her common dress and the fact that she also has a "variant" blue dress and her two names (both beautiful) makes her even more special.

Going back on topic Bambi is another movie that I can't never fully like. Find it slow and boring.

... yet, I really like slow pacing movies overall. More so if they're long. However, it seems I like that characteristic on live action movies and not on animated ones.

I'm iffy on her design. I would have preferred someone more drop-dead beautiful rather than Betty Boop cute and the short hairstyle is pretty dated. On the other hand, I do think Snow White has a very pretty face and it's really just the hair which makes her seem less gorgeous. However, her hair and overall design is pretty distinctive and one of the most iconic looks in cinema so it works for me at the end of the day.

It's funny how there are so many people who prefer Aurora in her Briar Rose peasant dress over her princess gown because of how good she looks in it. A lot of Disney storybooks from the 80s/90s tended to portray her as Briar Rose over her gown. I also like both of her names and wish Briar Rose was used more in merch because that's the name she's gone by for 16 years and Aurora would be practically a stranger to her. Not to mention, I imagine even Phillip would prefer to use the name "Rose" over "Aurora" since it seems that he spent all his life chafing at the idea of an arranged marriage to the Princess Aurora.

I don't mind Bambi's pace. It doesn't have much of a story for the first half or so but I like how that era had films which were slower in comparison and would let you really get to know the characters. We don't need nonstop action or frenetic energy boosting the pace.

[Disney Duster]

Wow, I must completely agree on Snow White's bad hair but rather stunning face, her gown colors could be better, Briar Rose's beauty stands out more in her peasant dress, I never thought of it but you gave good reasons why Aurora and Phillip would prefer the name Briar Rose. And so right about Bambi except I actually prefer the slow first half to the second because it's so beautiful and the most heartbreaking moment happens in the first half.

[JeanGreyForever]

She's so much prettier with long hair. Cinderella too for that matter. I actually like the colors of Snow White's dress. The rich navy of her bodice with the ruby red of her sleeves and cape, plus the pastel yellow skirt that is almost beige. What I hate is how the merchandise and DP franchise portrays her in bright blue and yellow because she looks like a primary color mess intended for the smallest of children just learning their colors. It's the same for Cinderella and Belle too who get reduced to monochromatic blue and banana yellow respectively.

What's interesting about Snow White's color combo is how it was one of the last things decided. On the Platinum DVD, there is a feature for color tests which show all the different color combinations planned for her and I think a few months before the movie's release, that was when they decided on her outfit for sure. There were so many variations like some purely blue, some yellow, some pink, etc.

I prefer Bambi's first half for the same reason as you. Although I do like the twitterpated scene from the second half even if I detest grownup Thumper's design.

[Disney Duster]

I have always preferred Cinderella's hair up. Only with the right dresses, of course, but I always thought she was prettiest with her hair up. I wonder how many people feel that way.

I haven't seen many images of Snow White with long hair, but they should have given her long hair to be more historically accurate.

White and blue are perfect for Snow White, because of her story, the red in her lips, and the blue kind of feels like snow or purity. I know the yellow could represent her sunny disposition, but red, yellow, and blue are a little too primary color for me, so I would have made the skirt white, or extremely light blue. But you are right, the shades of blue and yellow they use in the film aren't as primary looking and thus are not that bad. I forgot about those tests, and how close they were to the film's debut! Is there a video of those I can watch, so I don't have to dig out my DVD?

I am ok with grown-up Thumper's look. To be honest all of their grown-up designs and voices are jarring to me, but the girl bunny is so funny and I like Faline. The fight with Ronno and "I Bring You a Song" are also so arty and beautiful.

[JeanGreyForever]

I have always preferred Cinderella's hair up. Only with the right dresses, of course, but I always thought she was prettiest with her hair up. I wonder how many people feel that way.

I haven't seen many images of Snow White with long hair, but they should have given her long hair to be more historically accurate.

White and blue are perfect for Snow White, because of her story, the red in her lips, and the blue kind of feels like snow or purity. I know the yellow could represent her sunny disposition, but red, yellow, and blue are a little too primary color for me, so I would have made the skirt white, or extremely light blue. But you are right, the shades of blue and yellow they use in the film aren't as primary looking and thus are not that bad. I forgot about those tests, and how close they were to the film's debut! Is there a video of those I can watch, so I don't have to dig out my DVD?

I am ok with grown-up Thumper's look. To be honest all of their grown-up designs and voices are jarring to me, but the girl bunny is so funny and I like Faline. The fight with Ronno and "I Bring You a Song" are also so arty and beautiful.

I don't like short hair or hair up which is part of the reason that Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle never appealed to me very much just based on their physical aesthetics when I was younger. That and the garish blue and yellow used for their dresses in the lineup. So Aurora was my #2 princess in part because her hair was long and down. This might also be why I was particularly forgiving of Cinderella's pink dress which I know a lot of people hate, because I liked her hair being down.

I'm okay with the short hair not being accurate because it makes sense that the Queen would be jealous and force her hair to be chopped off to an unflattering length. It would have been the ultimate punishment for a woman in that time period, particularly a princess entering the prime of her beauty. So the short hair actually works story-wise, regardless of Walt's intentions.

I always like Snow White to wear either red, white, or blue. Yellow is not a color I particularly like but the very light, almost beige shade, works imo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqh_HzYMcDM
Here are the color tests posted to YouTube! I remember they said that before her final color scheme was finalized, they were going to go with a bright yellow bodice and a blue bow.

Flower at least looks like a bigger version of himself and Miss Skunk looks almost identical to young Flower. Miss Bunny has a really cute design and she's huge in Japan but grownup Thumper looks really awkward imo especially compared to his baby design. There's a reason that Disney only ever promotes the child version of Thumper even when marketing him alongside Miss Bunny. I've had a better impression of Faline ever since rewatching the film recently.

[Disney Duster]

I think everyone prefers long hair on girls and women, which is why most girls have long hair, and I think most people like hair down for girls and women. But hair up is considered classy and sometimes is really beautiful. I had no idea how you felt about Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle just based on their looks! I actually think Belle has perfect hair, because part of it's up while the rest of it's down, and it's a more beautiful mimic of 18th century hair styles.

I like Cinderella's pink dress, too, but I like it more in the way it looks in the shot of it as the birds open her dressing screen. It looks different there if you ever noticed.

Your idea for the Queen chopping off Snow White's hair works and is so brilliant, I wouldn't mind if they did that in the live-action film!

Thank you for the video! Pink doesn't fit Snow White's personality at all. It's too powerful. The blue one is better but it still needs to be different shades like the dark bodice, lighter sleeves, and a lighter still skirt. I agree with you about red, white, and blue are best for any Snow White, and also how the yellow beige they use works, I just would prefer a white/extremely pale blue skirt.

I didn't know that about Miss Bunny and Japan. I like that. I think it's weird to have Miss Bunny but young Thumper together, if she's an adult and he's still a kid!

[JeanGreyForever]

I don't think everyone prefers long hair on women. I know many women who prefer short hair, even some who would consider themselves ultra-feminine. And just look at many of our top celebrities who are considered some of the most beautiful women and they sport short hair. And more and more actresses rock the headlines with "breaking news" that they've chopped off their locks for a pixie cut. And even a lot of men do like short hair on women. However, historically long hair was considered more beautiful for women, and depending on the time and culture, even for men.

I agree that some updos look really nice and they are generally considered formal, especially for brides, but I'm simply not a fan. I felt that way about those three princesses when I was younger, not anymore luckily. I'd hate to be that superficial like the crowd that the Disney Princess franchise caters to. I can see what you mean about Belle's hair but it was still too short for me back then lol. I noticed that even before the redesign of the princesses, Belle's hair was depicted as longer and longer in clipart, almost like they knew that most little girls would like her even better that way. I probably would have had I been the target age group by then.

It has more details like a top layer of skirts if I'm correct. Some merch of her in that dress depicts it that way.

I wouldn't mind if they use that to justify Snow White's short hair either in the live-action film. It also explains why despite being said to have skin as white as snow, in the actual movie her skin is fair but not literally snow white. Working outside all day in the sun would color her skin, something the Queen probably also intended. That's why in that comic I told you about (and the picture in my signature), Snow White has been redrawn to look more like how she is described in the fairy tale so longer hair and skin that is actually snow white.

I actually don't mind the pink from those color tests. I might be biased because I love pink and the 50th anniversary poster put her in pinkish purple.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1416/ ... 1551803059

Also the Enesco holiday figurine released recently has her in a dark pink, almost red color, which I think she looks gorgeous in.


I agree that her dress needed different shades of blue. I'm surprised they didn't use a white skirt for her final design instead of the pale yellow. I'm not sure I would like the final design with a pale blue skirt though. It just seems odd for some reason but probably because her color scheme is so iconic and ingrained in my head that I can't imagine anything else would look good even if it does.

Yeah, Miss Bunny is super popular in Japan and you'll find stuff for her just about anywhere, including in the Disney Parks. Characters like Marie, Clarice (the female chipmunk paired with Chip 'n' Dale), and Angel (Stitch's pink love interest) get huge amounts of attention in Japan alongside the Disney Princesses. Their Fantasmic show even cuts Cinderella and Belle in favor of some of these animal female characters. I agree that it's weird to feature Miss Bunny and kid Thumper together, but Disney does that all the time, not just in merch but in the Disney Parks too. I guess Thumper's design is too iconic to change for his adult version (would anyone really buy Thumper products where he has whiskers, buck teeth, and an elongated neck on a skinny body that is most certainly not cute and round anymore? He looks like the bunny equivalent of an awkward kid going through puberty!) and Miss Bunny would look pretty much the same but smaller as a kid so it's easier to market them this way.