Knowing of Rodrigo’s love for the animated Disney ‘Robin Hood’, Widget and I were excited to find it available on Netflix. Having not seen the flick since its theatrical re-release in the 80s, I was pleased to find that it held up quite well, despite mixed reviews and several internet wags who have labeled it “worst cartoon EVURRRRR.” Luckily for me, my brain immediately shuts down and ignores that particular bit of hyperbole, preferring to focus on the more positive aspects of… Well, pretty much anything. When it comes to Disney’s various theatrical cartoons, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for ‘101 Dalmations’, but my vote for best might have to go to the trippy visual of ‘Alice In Wonderland.’ Of course, this sort of this is always subjective, which in turn begs today’s query…
The MS-QOTD (pronounced, as always, “misquoted”) can’t believe they even put baby raccoons in irons, asking: Which Disney animated offering holds the most charm for you?
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I am partial to Mulan myself, it’s the one I most clearly remember seeing in theaters, and can still quote today.
Previously, I would have said Fantasia even Snow White, but I now am tipping towards Frozen which I actually took my children to see in the theater 2x.
For me to take the family there once is tough for money reasons, but twice for the same movie is saying something.
Lilo and Stitch. As much as I love things like Aladdin and The Lion King, there is just something about Lilo and Stitch that lets me watch it 100 times (usually with friend’s kids I’m babysitting) yet not grow tired of it.
Plus it is probably the only Disney movie that spun off direct-to-video sequels that I actually enjoy, and the first TV series actually added nicely to what was established in the movie rather than being your typical spinoff series (I can’t really vouch for the anime as I’ve only seen a total of two episodes).
But the original movie on it’s own is my favorite Disney film, and it even surprises me how much I still enjoy it even after all these numerous viewings.
Im gonna cheat a little and name two. Fantasia, especially dancing brooms and Black Cauldron. Main villain was terrifying to me as a 6 year old. those two I also seeing in the theater with my mom and aunt. (Fantasia must have been some re-run, it was first shown 1949 in Finland.)
Wow. Someone else who likes Black Cauldron. I thought I was the only one. The ending was super sad then happy. The dip there was something you don’t get in many movies.
It’s a princess movie, so I get flack when I mention this as my favorite Disney movie, but for me it’s Tangled.
My fave is still Aladdin.
Fantasia 2000 is my favorite. My wife loves Flamingos and I love the 1930s segment.
I had to weigh my favorites, but for outright charm, Aladdin wins out. It beats out Lilo and Stitch and Tangled for having better musical numbers. For some reason musical interludes equate directly into charm.
I remember loving The Aristocats as a child. I haven’t seen it since I was about 9, but I’m going to go with my younger self’s judgement and assume that it is still my favorite movie.
Tangled or Wreck It Ralph
As usual, I over-analyze this type of thing:
I break my Disney Movies down into ages somewhat like my comics:
The Golden Age: Running from “Snow White” to “The Jungle Book.” For Golden Age Disney movies, I’ve got to give it to “Sleeping Beauty” on the strength of the absolutely gorgeous backgrounds, although both “Peter Pan” and “Alice” pull in at a close second and third.
The Silver Age: Running through most of the 70s. Not the greatest movies that Disney made, but they still hold a special place in my heart. “Robin Hood” is the number one movie for me from that timeframe.
The Slump of the 1980s: I know a lot of people have strong feelings toward these movies, but they never really did it for me. Even “The Little Mermaid” grinds my gears. If I had to a name the greatest from this timeframe, it would be Mermaid, but the old-school fantasy gamer in me still fondly remembers “The Black Cauldron” for what it could have been and not what it was. The animation is fantastic for the time and, if you go back and watch it, you can almost feel where a great musical number should be, but is missing.
The Revival: Disney gets back on their feet after the success of “The Little Mermaid.” Can’t get enough of “Beauty And The Beast.”
The Digital Age: Enter Pixar and the changes to Disney Animation, where even the “traditionally” animated movies have a computery-animated flare to them. “Frozen” was fantastic. Looks real pretty. Great story. And I was happy to bring my daughter to a movie that didn’t involve the female lead falling in love and being rescued by a guy I would chase out of the house if she brought him home.