Originally Posted By HyperTyper I don't know what took me so long, but I believe I've figured-out what I've been missing in animated movies (Disney's, Pixar's and other's) in the last decade or so: True imagination and immersion in other worlds. Stop and think about it: Every animated film in recent memory deals with familiar, modern settings and topics: Bugs, toys, cows, fish, superheroes, etc. Few to none of them have taken us to far-away places and times. Only Shrek attempted it, but it was so riddled with modern-day references it seemed more like an extended Saturday Night Live skit with cartoons than a true fantasy or fairy tale. "Monsters Inc." was a step in that direction, but again - Monstropolis was simply a parallel of the early 21st century - populated with monsters. What I'd like to know is when someone is going to dare to take us on a fantastic, imaginative, foreign and totally unique ride. Where are the "fairy tales?" Where are the big epic adventures? Stories of science fiction and magic? We eat it up. Look at the success of "Lord of the Rings" and "Narnia." I hear Disney is putting together something called "Rapunzel Unbraided," but it sounds like it may be an answer to "Shrek" instead of a truly immersive adventure that makes us forget about everything familiar. My one complaint about Pixar: It seems that they probably get their ideas for movies by stepping out of the office during lunch, pointing to the first thing they see in the parking lot ("Hey, look! Ants!" "Check it out ... Cars!") and basing a movie around it. Sometimes, it seems they don't even make it out to the parking lot, but take inspiration from their office: "Oooooh ... a Slinky!" "Hey, let's do a short about a desk lamp!" It's time to push the creativity a little more, and really take us on some amazing adventures. Now that the Pixar / Disney soap opera seems to have a happy ending, I hope Disney takes a few risks, and really takes us places, as in the good ol' days of "Snow White," "Cinderella," "Mermaid," "Beauty," "Aladdin" and "Lion King." THEN the magic will truly be back.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Treasure Planet was a pretty fantasy-laden movie that didn't move people at the box office. I'd like to see the creativity pushed more...but Pixar was on to something. Kids identified with ants, toys, fish, monsters, cars and so forth.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I don't know what took me so long, but I believe I've figured-out what I've been missing in animated movies (Disney's, Pixar's and other's) in the last decade or so: True imagination and immersion in other worlds.>> I think you made a giant leap of statement, from saying what's missing for you and what's missed by everyone else. <<Every animated film in recent memory deals with familiar, modern settings and topics: Bugs, toys, cows, fish, superheroes, etc.>> Every one of those films was a hit. <<I hope Disney takes a few risks, and really takes us places, as in the good ol' days of "Snow White," "Cinderella," "Mermaid," "Beauty," "Aladdin" and "Lion King." THEN the magic will truly be back.>> I notice your list does is exclusively traditional animation. Coincidence, or is THAT what you truly miss? Personally, I say it's the story that matters most. If an audience doesn't connect with the characters and get caught up in their fate, the place or the medium won't matter one iota.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Dont worry with Disney Feature Animation set for a MASSIVE revamping soon Disney animated movies will return to greatness.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I think PIXAR pushed the envelope to have one movie ( Nemo) take place almost entirely underwater. I remember there was a lot of hub bub before it was released if that was going to work or not.. yes Lotr and Narnia and Harry Potter work very well, but todays audience / kids and adults expect all the gee whiz special effects that appear real to add to the magic of these movies. The real difference I feel is people around my age (50 ish) grew up with Grimm Bros. fairy tales....and the like and they were engrained in our culture -- which is why Snow White / Cinderella / Pinocchio etc work so well for us.....they were part of our culture before the animated movies Kids today aren't ( for better or worse ) reading the same matter we did, and their 'culture' is based on other things. Many of the writers and animators now are young enough to be my kids and they see things in a different light.
Originally Posted By u k fan One thing I did notice, talking cows, fish and ants are out, but lions are fine!!!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Your point is well taken, Hyper Typer, duckling. My sisters and I know exactly what you're saying and even agree with it. There IS still a love for traditional fairy tales. The fact that the Disney princesses are still so very popular among youngsters around the world is proof enough of that. ORWEN: SHREK was a lot of fun but we, too, hate to see Disney playing a copy-cat game that may mean all future Disney fairy tales--such as RAPUNZEL--will be nothing more than parodys of themselves. It's the more serious tellings of these stories--with comic relief, of course, that seem to satisfy the widest range of audiences. That's what makes such stories as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty timeless...
Originally Posted By HyperTyper >>> Treasure Planet was a pretty fantasy-laden movie that didn't move people at the box office. Treasure Planet's story was weak, and the characters weren't all that likeable. That's why it tanked. >>>I think you made a giant leap of statement, from saying what's missing for you and what's missed by everyone else. I don't believe I said "everyone," but those I talk with likewise wonder what happened to the wonder. Talking toys and fish are cute, but I'm really missing the entire foreign worlds Disney used to build many of its stories (and theme park settings) on. >>> Every one of those films was a hit. Yes, because they were entertaining. But do they meet the success of, say, "Beauty and the Beast?" Are the characters as unforgettable? Are the settings as breathtaking and art-filled? Is the music as memorable? Not quite. Financially and in the sight of history, Pixar's movies aren't quite there. No doubt, they are excellent, but it's been about a decade since we've had a true "classic" from Disney ... or anyone. Understand, I'm not knocking Pixar's work. Their movies are fantastic. I'm just saying it would be great if they branch-out, and really make a true classic that can bring Disney back to it's "epic" (for 90-minute animation) roots. I'd hate to see Pixar get into a rut. Remember, Disney's oft-mentioned ruts began as big successes that they just couldn't let go of. >>> I notice your list does is exclusively traditional animation. Coincidence, or is THAT what you truly miss? True, I miss the hand-drawn stuff. But I"m warming-up to CG quickly. I believe the tools aren't so important as the story and the characters. >>> Kids today aren't ( for better or worse ) reading the same matter we did, and their 'culture' is based on other things. Many of the writers and animators now are young enough to be my kids and they see things in a different light. Oh, I don't know about that. Today's younger kids are still watching the "old school" Disney films and loving them. Older kids do want more sophisticated characters and stories, but no doubt... they do love to be taken other places, far beyond where the everyday imagination goes. Teaching sixth-graders, they just want a good story that isn't dumb or condescending. >>> lions are fine Except for the language of the characters and some modern references, "Lion King" bore very little resemblance to our everyday life. It was set in Africa, was filled with a cast of exotic animals, and every bit was new and different. "Nemo" was very good, and similar to "Lion King." But now we have cars. It will be cute, and fun, and witty, and a technical achievement, no doubt. But it sure would be nice to go, once again, to another time, another place, another world. It's been a while. >>> we, too, hate to see Disney playing a copy-cat game that may mean all future Disney fairy tales--such as RAPUNZEL--will be nothing more than parodys of themselves. Well-said. Fairy-taies are still read and loved in the schools, even by older children. There are still many, many great legends and folklore begging to be told in the way only Disney can do...
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 As long as there is a good story and characters you can care about, these films can be about any subject they want.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I think Tarzan was breathtaking and beautifully filmed, and I thought the music was great. The opening sequence is one of my favorite parts of any Disney film. I think there were moments of brilliance and beauty in Fantasia 2000 as well. Now that Lasseter has said flat out that traditional animation isn't dead at Disney, I think we'll see another traditional fairy tale in the pipeline fairly soon. And I can see Disney making one of those every year or every other year while letting the "smaller" or more modern stories go to CGI.
Originally Posted By basil fan I like (almost) all of the Pixar films, but I think there is a certain sameness about them. Not the plotlines, but the "universe" in which they take place. Boy, when I started typing this, I realized how hard it is to put into words exactly what I mean... It almost seems like someone went through a list of insects & thought up all the gags & bits of business that could be derived from comparing the bug to something in our world that sounds similar. Stick Bug--a stick! Flea--a flea circus! Ladybug--let's turn it around & make it a man! Now what about fish...crabs can be crabby, swordfish should swordfight, sharks...let's do the opposite & make em vegetarians... I almost feel like I can predict the dialogue from the upcoming Cars. Will some character have a hoodache? Will they order gasoline like it's a cocktail? Or maybe have a leak...oil leak, that is. We already know the VW bus is the 60's leftover. What other car models will be compared to human types? Not that these types of gags can't be funny, It just seems so predictable. And the movies *are* good ones (mostly). Now, Monsters Inc was a little more imaginative, probably because the kinds of monsters used didn't exist, but had to be fabricated from the filmmakers imagination. I can just see what a film about vampires , werewolves & mummies would've been. Vampires drinking bloody marys, werewolves using hair-care products, mummies' tombs compared to boudoirs... Now, Incredibles did not take this route at all. It was a pretty straight super-hero tale, not our world with heroes superimposed on it. Oh, and Treasure Planet has a great story. It has been beloved for over 100 years (as Treasure Island, essenially the same story). I also like the characters a lot. All of this is, of course, only MHO. Tarzan's Dictionary <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/etc/tarmangani.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ etc/tarmangani.html</a>
Originally Posted By electra <<<<My one complaint about Pixar: It seems that they probably get their ideas for movies by stepping out of the office during lunch, pointing to the first thing they see in the parking lot ("Hey, look! Ants!" "Check it out ... Cars!") and basing a movie around it. Sometimes, it seems they don't even make it out to the parking lot, but take inspiration from their office: "Oooooh ... a Slinky!" "Hey, let's do a short about a desk lamp!">>>> lol, thats hilarious! I agree with you a bit, I would like to see them do something that- a-isnt set in the modern world b- takes that world seriously (unlike Shrek) thats what I enjoyed about Atlantis, Brother Bear, & Treasure Planet... which is funny cuz I remember during Disney's 90's golden era when they were making fairy tales & epics thinking back to how much I liked Oliver & Company & wishing they'd make another film set in "modern times"... In the meantime, I highly recommend Corpse Bride & Howl's Moving castle (or anything Miyazaki)if you want stuff that takes you to magical far away places.
Originally Posted By HyperTyper >>> I almost feel like I can predict the dialogue from the upcoming Cars. Will some character have a hoodache? Basil Fan, that's so true. You know exactly what I mean. I'm glad I'm not the only one! There is nothing really wrong with Pixar's approach. Problem: Disney will carve itself a rut out of anything. Case in point: Aladdin was a wonder of a movie. I absolutely loved it, as did most everyone else. Sadly, that was the film that started-off this hip, wisecracking pop-culture spoofing trend that we've seen in nearly every animated film since, to a lesser or greater degree. It gets so tiresome. Then there is Disney under Eisner (well, really everyone else since Walt's death), which has this penchant for grabbing onto successful ideas like a pit bull onto a chew toy. Churning-out retreads and sequel after sequel, they squeeze and wring every last drop of juice until there is nothing left but a mangled heap of leftovers that is so old, tiresome, smelly and yesterday, the only way it's funny anymore is when it makes fun of itself. I wish Disney would stop overstaying its welcome, and change the water in the tank every now and then, so-to-speak. One year, a CG sci-fi adventure. Another year, a fairy-tale musical. Another year, a corny comedy. It's all about VARIETY, and avoiding Walt's #1 nightmare: Repeating one's self.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: There are LOTS of ducklings out there who understand and agree with your point of view, you Hyper Typer sweetie, you!
Originally Posted By basil fan Actually, one of my favorite things about Disney animation is, as you say, the variety. Some tales are modern, some from the past, some serious, some comedies, some feature animals, some people, some are huge and lavish, some are small & intimate, some are musicals, some are fairy tales...Sometimes they unfortunately get similar films a little too close together, but when you take the body of work as a whole, it is really varied. I personally like pop-culture references as jokes; I think they are funny. But they're only funny *because* they are references. There are other types of jokes that are funny because they are funny. That's true wit. Zurg saying he is Buzz's father is truly funny, but only because it comes from Star Wars. The line isn't funny in and of itself. Anyhow, anything can be overdone. Scooby-Doo Glitches <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/glitch/sdglitch.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ glitch/sdglitch.html</a>
