A Short Conclusion

Well, we've/I've reached the end. 38 movies have been finally watched. For a while, it seemed like I wasn't going to finish, but I did. And despite not being on time, I am happy to have had this experience these past few months.

This conclusion should be more or less focused on the reviews themselves and my general feelings of the Disney Classics in the 20th century. It serves no purpose but to kind of add closure to this project, so I can finally look at this page and say, "it is finished. It is complete."

I believe the history of the Disney Classics in the 20th century can be divided into five phases: The Golden Age, the Package Age, the Silver Age, the Muddy Age, and the Renaissance. Each of these stages were unique in that they each showed us a different side of Disney-- a different way of seeing the world of animation and entertainment.

The Golden Age began with, of course, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and ended with Bambi. That's only five films, but they are five of the most treasured films in the entire collection. The animation was raw; the comedy was very low brow, but very amusing; the music was vintage and cheerful; and these films stole our hearts indefinitely. Looking back on these movies, I can only label them as the most open. That is to say that they could hit any demographic with ease and give them something to enjoy and love forever.
Best films from this age: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, Dumbo

The Golden Age was followed by six films all following the same format: 70-minute features broken into segments ranging from five minutes to forty. The effects of the war on the animation became obvious: less dynamic characters and a downsized general effort into the works of art. By Disney's standard, they were not at all fantastic movies. They could function as television shorts if produced three decades earlier, but they could hardly suffice as cinema classics.
Best films from this age: Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

After muddling through the 40s, Disney resurfaced in 1950 with Cinderella, launching the Silver Age of animation. The Silver Age would dominate the next 25 years or so, producing an assortment of phenomenal princess tales and family films. This, without a doubt, is my favorite of the five stages. The stories are incredible from Sleeping Beauty to 101 Dalmatians to The Jungle Book, and they produce what I believe to be the best characters of the whole series. Music illuminates these wonders, the best songs coming from The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, and Cinderella. Never again would Disney see something as incredible as the Silver Age. This, despite the title, was its prime.
Best films from this age: Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, The Aristocats

What came next was a Disney era with no defined united characteristic. That's why I call it the Muddy Age-- not because all films produced during this time were terrible, but because the quality was inconsistent. For example, some films, though nothing compared to the Golden/Silver Age films, were pretty darn good. Others stooped to lows unseen since the Package Age. So while this era was a short and undefinable one, it still exists because I know for a fact the films included belong neither in the Silver Age nor the Disney Renaissance.
Best films from this age: The Fox and the Hound, Oliver & Company

And then we come to the Disney Renaissance, the "rebirth" of all good things Disney. And what a rebirth it was. I still cannot believe how amazingly super-fantastically drastically the animation quality increased. That is the beauty I saw in films like The Lion King and Tarzan. The Renaissance is also noted for being the turn into the modern era of entertainment of Disney. This change is most reflected, undoubtedly, in the soundtracks. New age pop songs became the standard, best exemplified in Hercules. In general, the films became more musical-- Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, and Aladdin, all largely reliant on the music. So while I only put a few of these films up there with Silver/Golden Age films, I don't deny that the changes made were revolutionary and overall a great step up for Disney.
Best films from this age: Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Hercules

So there you have it! The Disney Classics Project has come to an end, I hope you enjoyed it. I know it required patience, but I hope you thought it was worth it. If you have any comments, questions, or requests for another project, e-mail me at citycolour@live.com.

And now I look at this site and I say with a smile: It is finished. It is complete.

#38 Fantasia 2000

Title: Fantasia 2000

Release Date: December 31st, 1999

Cast (if you call it a cast): Steve Martin, Penn and Teller, Bette Midler, Angela Lansbury, Quincy Jones

Plot (if you call it a plot): Fantasia 2000 is a "sequel" to the early Disney film Fantasia that follows the same concept: several (eight) segments of classical music set to animated pieces.

Review: I guess you wouldn't think it to be ironic that the night I posted my last entry (the regrets), my computer crashed and everything was wiped clean. It took till about Wednesday to get everything back the way I wanted, even though it's still far from the way it was before. That event, combined with two big assignments this week and my birthday, made it difficult to find room for Fantasia 2000: the last film of the project. But I did.

It sure brings back memories of the early days of this project, but that's nothing I want to bore you with. Although, I do want to say that I just took a look at the Fantasia review, and I realized how long it was, so I'm going to condense this a bit. It works, though-- my feelings were generally the same throughout the whole film.

The film is very, very artsy, just like its predecessor. But yes, it's extremely, extremely boring. While the producers tried to deliver segments worthy of commendation equal to the first, they went overboard on the artsiness. There's a fine balance: avant-garde beauty on one side, entertainment on the other. I'd say seven out of eight segments fell to that first side. The one that didn't: "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from the original Fantasia. That still remains a classic as ever.

Don't get me wrong: the animation is stellar, of course. It's the late 90s, and Disney has come a long way in 60 years. But that's nothing new; the last several films produced by Disney had fantastic animation of the same calibre. So while I praise this film for wonderous art, I can't help but feel it can only be beyond great in anything other than IMAX.

I guess if any segment had to follow "The Sorceror's Apprentice" in the muddled heirarchy of quality, it'd be either "Rhapsody in Blue" or "Pomp and Circumstance"-- the first because of a jazzy, innovative song choice and the second because of Donald Duck. That's probably as close as Disney got to being entertaining. In other places, they wasted time showing me yo-yo tricks and flying whales. No, thanks.

It's a shame I had to give this last film such a rating, but I have no choice. As both a standalone film and a sequel, I think I am being generous in giving it a...

Bare Necessities

Please stay tuned; there will be a conclusion in the future!

7 Things I Wish I Could Have Done Differently

Well, we're nearing the end of this project, and it's time to state regrets. Please note that I don't regret doing the project as a whole, but how I did it. If I could do it again, I have a few things off the top of my head that I would have changed.

7. Proofread
Probably 95% of the reviews I posted were not proofread. As soon as I added in that last bit, I would save, publish, and go on to something else. A few times, my friend had to correct me on this. Other times went without such notifications, and, after reading over a random few just now, I noticed a good amount of typos and grammatical errors. Harmless, yes, but still something I could have done better.

6. Went More In Depth
Now, I do believe that I was not guilty of this for most of my reviews. I tried to get in a few good paragraphs for each that efficiently explained how I felt about the film in several aspects. However, there are certain reviews that lacked substance. The most recent, I believe, was Aladdin, a review which exists in short fragments and an effete disappointment. Sorry to any of you disappointed by this.

5. More Frequent Updates
Yeah, definitely. As you can see right now, I'm posting on probably on a one-film-a-week basis. That really disappoints me, and I'll explain that in a later item on this list. There was one time, I believe in early August, where my reviews came pretty frequently. However, in July, and especially in September, I was less dedicated. Granted I took two vacations in July, but I still believe I could have posted more frequently.

4. More Features
Oh, how this saddens me. This was one of my goals for this project from the very beginning. And I'm ashamed to say that over the course of this project, I only produced one feature. Just one. To me, that's extremely pathetic. Towards the end of this project, I was (and am) more concerned with just getting reviews done. Features were not necessary, so I kept focusing on the reviews. Unfortunately, that was a mistake.

3. No False Promises
I can think of two big ones in this category: features and two-a-day reviews. I feel really bad about this one, guys. It would be a different thing completely if I didn't even mention it, but I told you they would come, and they never did. I just couldn't keep up with everything, and August and September just got crazier. My sincerest apologies.

2. Started Earlier
I almost combined this item with the next item, but they are actually two different ideas. I started this blog in late June, if I recall correctly. I got off of school in early June, mind you. For the few weeks following that, I had absolutely nothing but free time on my hands. I chose to start this project at the end of that period of free time, just right before my summer classes were to start. Had I started earlier, I think I could have knocked out maybe 5-10 movies in that time. Sigh.

1. Finished On Time
Ah, the big one. I regret this more than the other 6 combined. When school started in late August, I had seven films left. It is now October 4th, and I still have one film left. What a pity. I completely underestimated how little time I would have left for this project, and as you can see, it went downhill. Extremely unfrequent updates and lacking reviews are the byproduct of not achieving a deadline. I cannot even explain to you how difficult it is to keep this going with school.

For all of this, I apologize. Please, stay for the last review and my conclusion. HOPEFULLY, they will be coming soon.

#37 Tarzan

Title: Tarzan

Release Date: June 18th, 1999

Voice Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Rosie O'Donnell, Glenn Close, Brian Blessed

Plot: A feral child, Tarzan, is raised by gorillas in the wild jungles of Africa. He has two primary friends, Terk and Tantor, a gorilla and an elephant respectively. He is close to his mother, Kala, but is resented by Kala's husband, Kerchak, who believes Tarzan does not belong amongst them. One day, three British explorers arrive in the jungle to study the gorillas. They are Professor Archimedes Porter, his daughter, Jane, and their bodyguard, Clayton. Tarzan meets them after saving Jane, and they teach him how to be human while Tarzan and Jane build a relationship. Through these bonds, Tarzan brings the three closer to his home-- but Clayton has disastrous intentions.

Review: The Disney Renaissance is a curious thing to me. It is supposed to be the second golden age of Disney animation, but I feel differently. Most people note Tarzan as the last film of this era, which is particularly why I initially chose to have it as the last film I reviewed.

But on to the good stuff. I walked away from Tarzan, honestly, not knowing what impression it landed on me. There were plenty of goods and an interesting bad, but I don't feel it deserves a "Hakuna Matata" for whatever reason. I think what I enjoyed most about it was its unpredictability. In nearly every moment, I could not tell you where the story was going in five minutes or fifty. And that's what makes me want to watch a film, especially in animation. That's what kept it going for me.

I can't help but compare Tarzan to the early Renaissance film The Lion King. It's the easiest way to describe and evaluate the setting and soundtrack of this movie. If you recalled, I praised those elements of The Lion King on high. This is not to purposely make negative comments about this film's setting or score by creating high standards. Let me just say this: both elements play entirely different roles then they did in The Lion King. In L.K., they had a synchronicity that created for an overall foreground motif that was extraordinary. Here, they take back seats, but these back seats are leather massage chairs. The intricate setting was amusing in its own right. More specifically, watching Tarzan weave his way through streams of vines and trees gives you a feeling of "I wanna do that!". The soundtrack, composed by the legend Phil Collins, was a heartfelt, semi-narrational cushion for the story to lean on at the appropriate times. And to my surprise, it worked in 1999.

There's only one negative, and it isn't as defined; it's more conceptual. I realized a difference between Disney Renaissance films and Golden/Silver Age films. I cannot deny that Disney has reduced its demographic to almost completely children. Think about it. Who enjoyed such works as Snow White, Cinderella, or even Pinocchio? Now, they werent films meant for adults, but they were at least meant for everyone. I feel that since the 70s and 80s, Disney has been shifting gears. Honestly, if it weren't for Phil Collins, how many adults would care for the childish humor that is found nearly everywhere in this movie?

Oh well. Y'know what? I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Under the Sea (Darling, It's Better!)

#36 Mulan

Title: Mulan

Release Date: June 19th, 1998

Voice Cast: Ming-Na, Eddie Murphy, B.D. Wong, Miguel Ferrer

Recap: The Huns, led by Shan Yu, have invaded Imperial China. Mulan, a young Chinese woman, cannot seem to find her place in life after repeatedly dishonoring her family. In order to stop her weak father for going to fight for China, she goes in his place, disguised as a man. She is soon accompanied by Mushu, a petite dragon who claims to be sent by Mulan's ancestors. With Mushu's help, she impresses Captain Li Shang and becomes an excellent soldier. However, her position as a woman compromises her stance in the army, and it soon becomes a major issue.

Review: Mulan starts off well. There's an intriguing plot set-up, a few chuckles here and there, and already a star song. Unfortunately, the rest of the film treads on dangerous water, approaching complete dullness though, luckily, never quite reaching it.

No, the rest of the film isn't just bad. It's just par compared to the beginning's birdie, which promises a potentially great film. The excellent comedic timing fades away, and the humor falls flat throughout the middle of the movie. Eddie Murphy's performance is slightly funny, but nowhere near as good as his other work in animation.

The soundtrack remains steady for the most part. It's a risky move to put the best song in the beginning "Reflection" has a heart-grabbing chorus with a melody the likes of "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid. "Honor to Us All", also in the beginning, makes an efficient musical filler-song, and "I'll Make a Man out Of You" does contain a surprising deal of excitement.

It's the screenplay that breaks the film-- the speed, namely. Certain scenes are two or three times the length they need to be. In the big picture, the story works, just not when broken down. Thank God the feminist motif was always there to add some uniqueness.

In all fairness, I wasn't disappointed by Mulan-- just disappointed with the introduction implied. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it only as an "okay" film.

Hakuna Matata (It Means 'No Worries!')

#35 Hercules

Title: Hercules

Release Date: June 27th, 1997

Voice Cast: Tate Donavan, James Woods, Susan Egan, Danny DeVito, Rip Torn

Recap: Strait from Roman/Greek mythology, Hercules is the story of a demigod (the son of Zeus and Hera) who at a young age was adopted by two humans after Hades made an unknowingly unsuccessful attempt on his life. In his life on Earth, Hercules finds himself to be socially awkward due to his superhuman strength. He finally learns the truth of his parents, and goes to Zeus to become a god. Zeus sends him to Philoctetes, a retired trainer of heroes. Philoctetes finally agrees to help him, and the two set out to make themselves known. Enter Megara, a damsel in distress who is actually a servant of Hades. Hercules saves Megara, who then informs Hades that Hercules is well alive. Hades uses everything in his power to stop Hercules so that he can take over Mount Olympus, but soon Meg refuses to help him after falling in love with Hercules. That is when Hades realizes that Hercules' true weakness is none other than Meg herself.

Review: I don't know if you knew this, but Hercules was what prompted this project in the first place. I watched it back in June and thought it was so wonderful that I wanted to watch more Disney movies. 3 months later (unfortunately), here we are. So you already know this is going to be a good review.

I suppose I should start by saying that I love Greek/Roman mythology when simply compacted. Hercules is the epitome of great story-telling, and I could watch myth-based Disney movies like this to no end. What I love most is the modern twist Disney throws into the film, particularly in characters like Megara and Philoctetes (gotta love Danny DeVito). But the best part about the modernization of this story is not the characters.

Did you guess it? The music. Oh, oh, oh, the music. Plain in simple: "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)" is my favorite Disney pop song before. It's wonderfully composed, beautifully sung, and packed with romance. The Muses as back-up singers are delightful, not just in this song but in the score motif. "Go the Distance" is terrific, too. As is everything else, of course! Which is odd, considering most don't consider Danny DeVito to be too musical. (Gotta pay the troll toll... who'll catch that reference?)

In short, Hercules is flawless, and can be enjoyed by all. (Awwwwwwwwwwww.) It's good to see a good Renaissance film given the last two disappointments. I just hope the three that are left can be as good!

Under the Sea (Darling, It's Better!)

#34 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Release Date: June 21st, 1996

Voice Cast: Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, Kevin Kline

Recap: In 15th century Paris, a disfigured bellringer, Quasimodo, lives a lonely, blissfully ignorant life in the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. His master is Judge Claude Frollo, a vicious man who is adamant about keeping Quasimodo away from the rest of the world as well as eliminating the gypsies from Paris. One of these gypsies, Esmeralda, befriends Quasimodo along with one of Frollo's sympathetic knights, Phoebus. Pheobus and Quasimodo team up to save Esmeralda from Frollo, but there is a conflict of interest-- both have a romantic interest for her.
And here's the kicker: Frollo's got a little thing for her too.

Review: This is probably the most difficult review I've ever written. Even the recap was challenging to write, and I'll tell you why. Well, I'll try to explain to you why. My thoughts are so jumbled on this film that it's near impossible to judge what needs to be judged.

I think that is, in part, due to the fact that the story is all over the place. I couldn't stop and analyze one element of the movie because within moments a whole new element took over and the old one was abandoned. So I suppose that means style is all over the place too. But here's the thing: I didn't hate any of it, or dislike any of it significantly.

In fact, I don't think I was moved in either direction by what was going on in the film. Sure, I could pick out a few things if necessary. For example, I didn't care for the character of Quasimodo. Now, before you start going off on some notion of prejudice, let me say this: the abuse of Quasimodo is so dark that I felt uneasy watching it. And since we're heading in THAT direction, I might as well say the whole film is like a dark opera. Just listen to the motif in the score. And the song "Hellfire" would give me a nightmare or two if I was a kid.

I absolutely loved one thing about this film, though. It's not something most people would notice, but I sure did. The character Phoebus-- I urge you to go to another Disney film and pick a character who has a role like his. All the love stories are the same: a guy and a girl, usually against the world. Phoebus was an interesting spin into the work; he got the girl, and he's not the protagonist. Of course, I can't thank Disney for that. (Hats off to Victor Hugo.)

Diving into the idosyncrasies, I'll just give you some brief grades:
Music: C- Very, very disappointing except for the angry opera motif in the score, which was badass.
Animation: A It's a Disney Renaissance film for goodness sake. As darkness goes, this has got scenery nailed.
Story: B- Detail was a problem. Overall, it was pretty great. But when you break it down, it gets messy.
Characters: B Phoebus!!!
Voice Acting: C+ I give props to Jason Alexander and Tony Jay.

So uh, yeah. I can't be sure if I liked or disliked this film. And as I believe, when in doubt, aim for the middle.

Hakuna Matata (It Means 'No Worries!')