Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID509870.asp" target="_blank">11/28/05 Jim on Film: Disney Thermometer</a>
Originally Posted By Dis-Philip Can't we all be more optimistic for once?! One of these days, the Disney company will stop being a "follower" and go back to being a "leader". It'll have to happen anyway!
Originally Posted By u k fan I can't comment on the specifics of Chicken Little because it's not released here yet, but I do wonder if the reason that Disney was a leader for so long is because they were the only ones producing full length animation at all. That's not to say that the films they produced weren't amazing feats of creativity, but you can't follow what isn't there. I'm sure that for many years they would have led either way, but in the 70's and 80's had there been any serious competition would they still have been leaders? In the early to mid nineties when other studios began to produce their animated offerings then yes Disney led the pack and were very rarely equalled. There's only so long that any studio can keep that going though before they'll eventually start to recycle their own ideas and burn out and as we've seen now with Pixar that's when creative people who have studied past leaders get their chance. Had there been big budget competition in the 70's recycled fayre like The Arisocats would probably have not led the way. The same thing happened once Disney began making cookie cutter movies whether that be musical epics, comedies or action pictures for boys all of which have been produced one after the other by Disney in recent years. It's probably not a coincidence that of recent years Disney's most successful film has been Lilo & Stitch a film that fits none of those catergories. Blasphemy I know, but maybe Messrs. Musker and Clements' next idea for a film wasn't very good. I love Treasure Planet, seriously, I would shout from the rooftops about how much I love it, but it died at the box office and as their pet project maybe this made Disney execs wonder about whether or not they were moving in the same way as the publics' perception of an animated feature film. Of course that's all second guessing, but everyone has bad ideas every once in a while. I'm pleased that The Disney Channel shows are singled out for praise as they are exceptional programming for kids and families though!!!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: The only way that current management at Disney will EVER be a success again is when they start believing in fairies and the magic of pixie dust again. The great master, Walt Disney, set down an example to follow. However, hard hearted business types are blind to follow such a lofty example as that. It's a shame but it's the result of too many villains in charge of a company that used to shine above the rest. ORWEN: At least there's still quite a wonderful legacy of films left behind for the young at heart to appreciate. But, with so many old toads out there--who are jaded beyond belief--it's getting harder and harder for an inspiring idea to find its life. ORDDU: And--if any inspirational ideas ARE allowed to flourish in the future--they'll most likely come from an unexpected source. An source as unexpected as Uncle Walt, himself...
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 I'm surprised there was no mention of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. All signs are pointing to this be a creative,critical and financial hit.
Originally Posted By Mickeylover8383 Great article!!! I deffinately agree with the part of the article saying "That So Raven" and "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody" are possitive shows. Unlike a lot of others shows I've seen, these Disney sitcoms depict its characters not in stupid stereotypes, but in comecial roles that serve the subject of the espisode and that offer a lesson to not only kids but parents as well. The criques of the movies are also informative. However, I disagree with the crique of Chicken Little. While I respect Jim's oppinion, I feel that Chicken Little, while a bit untraditional in the sense that it's the first CGI film done without Pixar, the story and characters are endearing and heart-warming. After all, Dumbo and Fantasia were originally considered failures by box-office standards when they were first released and now they're timeless classics. I'm sure Chicken Little will be come a modern day classic eventually.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Dumbo wasn't considered a failuer--ever! Fantasia, on the other hand, had to wait many years before it was considered a success--financially, at least. By now it has a cult following. ORWEN: As for Chicken Little ever becoming a classic, I'd be surprised. It may be a temporary financial success, but it's certainly not 'timeless' the was Bambi or Dumbo are.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Exactly! I mean, after a while, Chiken Little will come off very badly dated. ORGOCH: All I know is--fer a witch with failure written across her dang forehead, ya'd think a tramp like Orddu'd know how ta spell the word right by now!!
Originally Posted By Sapphire I have to agree with the Witches about the future prospects for "Chicken Little". It did do pretty well at the box-office ($125 million), especially compared to most of the recent hand-drawn films, but "Dinosaur" actually did a little better back in 2000 - and who thinks about that movie anymore? And audiences at large didn't seem to embrace this movie the way they do the Pixar films. I think Disney execs are glad this film didn't belly-flop, but I'm sure they wish it had done better...and maybe that it had been a better film.
Originally Posted By u k fan As much as I despise the film and I hate to say it Shrek is set to be a classic movie and could already be considered a modern classic. Sorry folks, but that's the truth. Pop culture references and fart jokes cannot be used as an argument against classic status, even The Lion King had both of those!!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 And Shrek is not completely filled with pop culture jokes ? re- watch and listen to the Eddie Murphy spiel-- if that is 'classic' animation - I am going to be ill.
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm not sure you got the point I was making. Right or wrong Shrek will go down in history as a classic animated film and if Shrek can anything can, even Chicken Little!!!
Originally Posted By electra well I think modern films nowadays become classics in a very different way then films of the past did. It seems that nowadays the studios themselves force which films they want considered classics on the public by marketing them that way. Whereas in the past, films like Wizard of Oz, Its a Wonderful Life, & Bambi became classics gradually, thru repeated tv airings or theater releases...
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: The passage of Time is the true test as to what shall become a classic--as opposed to what is merely a flash in the cauldron...
