Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID512630.asp" target="_blank"><b>LP Column: 3/2/09 Jim on Film: Remember Remember the Titans</b></a> Has Disney live-action once again lost its way? After a long string of successes Jim wonders if the good times are over.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Nice article Jim. Some random thoughts here.... It's interesting that when I read the names of some of the movies 'Holes' 'Bridge to Terabithia' 'Chronicles of Narnia' -- I did not realize that Disney had anything to do with them. In another era, time and place, both 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' would have been Disney movies. When I look back at some of the Disney live action movies from the 60s ('The Moon Spinners' - 'The Three Lives of Thomasina' - 'Swiss Family Robinson'), they're so interesting and engaging, and certainly not squeaky clean 'kids' movies. It's hard to imagine that Disney could make movies like that today, and put their name on them. The 70s had some real stinkers. 'That Darn Cat' and 'The Ugly Dachshund' are borderline awful. 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' 'The Strongest Man in the World' 'Now You See Him, Now You Don't' (these were the 'kids' movies I went to see when I was a boy), and even 'The Apple Dumpling Gang' -- not so good. 'Night Crossing' 'The Watcher in the Woods' 'The Black Hole' 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' in the early 80s sort of shook the dust off the old-school 'Walt Disney Productions Presents' monicker. But 'Disney' meant something different back then, and frankly, 'Disney' has become a bit misinterpreted in my opinion when it comes to movies. Even back in Walt's day, having 'Disney' on the movie poster meant quality product, not necessarily G-Rated fun for the whole family. More recently, I was glad that 'Pirates of the Caribbean' was released under the 'Walt Disney Pictures' banner.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Good observations Jim. When Disney is at it's best, the films, animation or attractions are epoch making. Sadly, there does not seem to be a focus on quality anymore. There have been some good Hollywood Pictures, Touchtone and Disney releases over the decade, but just like the child minded tripe rolled out to the resorts, we see yet more child minded tripe going to the silver screen. It is ironic that the company of innovation and creativity cannot seem to pull it out of the bag anymore. If it is bought in (a.k.a. Pixar or ABC), it seems to be ok. But the internals of politics and bottom line mentality seems to produce tripe. Sadly, when my kid brother who hates Disney as a form of rebellion comes up with a critique, more often than not, I have to agree with him. It is sad that they have fallen so far. So instead of paying out money to take my kids to the movies, I will pop in a copy of Treasure Island or 20K under the Sea. That is a shame. In the late 90's, early 2000's, Disney was exciting. Now it is a meh from me.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And we can forget edutainment. Synergy is far more important. Our society seems to be in decline.
Originally Posted By BillyJ51 Hey Jim, great article. I used to be one of Disney's greatest fans, but have not went and seen a Disney movie since Enchantment. Even the Disney Channel has lost it's way. It somehow seems that the Disney Channel is aimed at the 2-10 year old audience, when it used to be a great family channel. It was on in my home 80% of the time, and now, it's rare that I ever watch it. When they aired the old Disney movies, the original episodes of The Mickey Mouse Club, and showed classic movies that were not from Disney, and they really had some high quality made for Disney Channel movies, such as Back Home, the Parent Trap sequels, Avonlea, Return to Hannibal, Brother's Harmony, and during the 80's and 90's was such a wonderful channel, then they put on these mindless series, and the movies left so much to be desired. Also, you would think they would cast some of the older stars like Hayley Mills in their movies. But they tend to ignore the equation of what brought them success in the past, and try to go with the mainstream. It would be nice to see films like The Journey of Natty Gann, Pete's Dragon, The Fox and the Hound, The Moon-spinners, Summer Magic, The Happiest Millionaire, White Fang, Iron Will, Eight Below, in the theatres again. I'm still in shock that the studio would ever attempt a remake of the classic, The Parent Trap. That should have remained untouched, and if they wanted to release it to a new audience, they should have released the original with Hayley Mills...it's timeless, and yes, kids today still love that movie. The computer animation is another thing. I want to see Disney animated films, the way they have always been released before. The computer animation takes something away from the magic of the film. When I seen the touring production of the stage show, The King and I, with Hayley, I was sure someone from the Disney studios would catch it and see that Hayley still has that Disney magic, and would have made a remake of the musical and a great comeback vehicle for the lovely and muti-talented Miss Mills. If only Walt were still alive, then the studio would still have that magic when it comes to enchantment and pure talent. As for me, I will continue to enjoy all those old classics on dvd and hopefully someday on Blu-Ray, but until the Disney studio takes it's mind off the 2 - 10 year old crowds, and returns to put the magic in film...such as Enchantment was as close to that magic as you can get...it would be hard to get me to go to the theater and see another Disney film or cartoon. What Disney needs to do, is Find the Sherman Brothers, and put the songs back into the films. There always used to be actors performing at least one or more songs in most Disney movies...not that anoying background music they play a few lines, and include it in the soundtrack. When Disney gets back to their roots, then I will go back to the theater. Until then, it's only the dvd's and live theatre where there is still magic
Originally Posted By Dlmusic <<The 70s had some real stinkers. 'That Darn Cat' and 'The Ugly Dachshund' are borderline awful.>> Both of those movies were made in 60s. And while I agree The Ugly Dachshund is not particularly good I happen to like a lot in That Darn Cat. I would have to say that I would happily watch both films (especially That Darn Cat) quite a few times before watching The Game Plan or College Road Trip again.
Originally Posted By basil fan I never saw Game Plan, but College Road trip wasn't worth watching, IMHO. If I hadn't been given a free copy, I never would've seen it. I like both That Darn Cat (original, of course) and Ugly Dachshund, but I LOVE Apple Dumpling Gang. Donald Duck's Family Tree <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/donald.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/...ald.html</a>
Originally Posted By magnet I want to throw in my support for That Darn Cat. I may be in the minority, but I still liked that darn movie!
Originally Posted By brotherdave I'll throw my vote in for the Apple Dumpling Gang. I recently rewatched it and it seemed better than I remembered it.
Originally Posted By BillyJ51 I have much abandoned Disney movies. Ten years ago, The Disney Channel was on all the time, now I only see it when I pass it looking for good quality channels. I think the channel is only for 2-11 age group. Disney live action and this computer animation really stink. Enchanted was the last Disney film I went and seen...still had a touch of that Disney magic in it. Most of the veteran stars are still around...Hayley Mills, Julie Andrews, Kurt Russell. Dick Van Dyke, etc. They need to get them back in the studio, as Disney has all but lost it's over 40 crowd. In fact, I think theyve lost anyone over 13. Disney movies used to have a couple of memorable songs that the actors performed in the movies, and on the soundtrack during the movie you get a few bars of a tune. Yes, Disney has lost it's magic in both live action and animation. Thank goodness I collected all those wonderful WALT DISNEY films when the were released on dvd! Disney magic is now only a memory
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Well, today's tweens are tomorrow's parents. Most of the movies Disney made in the 70's weren't great. I know, some of them have their fans, and if you enjoyed Cat from Outer Space, who am I to rain on your parade? I've slowly come to realize that I am no longer Disney's prime target audience (I didn't want it to be true). They're building a huge following with the High School Musical and Hannah Montana franchises. They've managed to be relevant to that whole tween age group -- something they truthfully were not back in the 1970's. In the 1970's, they were stuck in the 1950's, producing a lot of movies that seemed dated and cheap, especially after "Star Wars". So while a lot of the new stuff isn't for me, they're building a huge following amongst a very difficult to please age group. That's no small feat, and it will pay off when those tweens grow up and have their own kids.
