Rating the Disney Films

10/10

This is the film that started it all. It's the fairy tale film that provided the template from which all other Disney films, and other animated films, worked off of. On top of that, it's wonderfully animated, but what makes this film so great is that it's timeless. Not a single influence from the '30s or pop culture has made it's way into this film. Snow White or the Dwarfs don't sing popular songs of the time, nor do we see characters that we're supposed to recognize from our daily lives. It's entire world is self-contained, and anyone, whether viewing it in 1937 or 2012, can garner the same joy from watching it.

10/10

Not only is Pinocchio one of the most adventurous of Disney films, it's also arguably the most frightening, with some bleak moments sprinkled throughout as the film builds towards a joyous conclusion. Pinocchio, being a stand in for the film's target audience, offers children an outlet in which to both have adventures and learn some valuable life lessons, though most of these come as the expense of meeting some rotten, selfish people. This is where it can get pretty scary for children, with the Pleasure Island sequence being the darkest Disney has ever gotten. Still, being Disney, things do end in the resounding positive, and that's why the film is one of Disney's best: it has magic, it has adventure, it has laughs, it has thrills & scares, it has valuable lessons learned, and it's all done through the eyes of a character kids can relate to.

10/10

This is Disney at its most creative. There's no narrative or character arc that stretches for the entire 2 hours, but rather a series of animated shorts born out of various pieces of classical music. What makes Fantasia stand out from all the other film's Disney would produce, narrative and characters aside, is the target audience. Specifically, who is the target audience of this film? Is it strictly for kids? I wouldn't say so, as not all kids will be taken with the format. If anything, this film is intended more for adults. This is not to say that other Disney films don't have elements that will interest adults, but this is the strongest production where you get the sense of Walt Disney as an artist, and not just an entertainer. The freedom, creativity, and ambition that accompanies this film, the sheer amount of effort and imagination that went into producing images that still hold up to this day, is nothing short of astounding.

7/10 - SPOILERS

Dumbo is the most colorful film Disney has produced up to this point, but it's kind of a hard film to get into. There's some enjoyable bits here and there, and the pink elephant scene is still one of the most imaginative Disney has ever done, but a strong majority of the film involves the title character being abused and humiliated in a number of ways. He's dragged through the mud, is excommunicated from the other elephants, gets laughed at during a performance after he's forced to dress as a clown, and has to be saved by his mother from unruly children, of which she is locked away in confinement. This leads to one of the saddest scenes in a Disney movie when Dumbo goes to visit his mother in a cage, and while Dumbo does find his calling in the end, the ending itself is too abrupt (the film is an hour and a bit). I also have an issue with the kind message the film is saying about acceptance, but nevertheless, while not one of Disney's best films, if you can get into it I don't think you'll be disappointed.

8/10

This is one of Disney's best animated films, putting a large focus on the realism of the forest and animals while still finding spots to inject a little bit of style. There isn't really too much of a story, though, as the entire film simply follows Bambi's growth from a fawn to a buck, and all the experiences and tragedies that come along the way. Most of these tragedies come via Man, a particularly effective villain considering you don't see them at all but rather their actions as experienced through the eyes of the main character. That said, some of the dialogue and voice acting doesn't sound too good, and while I appreciate the steady pace, the argument can certainly be made that it is a tad too steady. Still, I think it's a step up from Dumbo, and on the whole a good film.

8/10

This is Disney's return to the fairy tale/princess formula they established in Snow White, albeit some noticable changes. The animals play a larger role and are more anthropomorphic, being involved in key moments in the plot as well as the humor. Cinderella takes on the Snow White role, except with minor changes to her personality and tragic past. As well, Lady Tremaine is a step up from The Queen, as she is more involved Cinderella's suffering, though she goes about it in a more quietly menacing way. In some of these ways, it makes the film and improvement on the formula, but there are still some issues. The prince is woefully underdeveloped, the animal characters aren't always funny, and the imagery just isn't quite as striking. Still, Cinderella is a good film for the most part.

9/10

This is one of Disney's most creative films, and the most enjoyable adventure since Pinocchio. What makes the film work for me is the combination of creative ideas and humor, of which I think this film has plenty of. I've enjoyed other Disney films past and present without really laughing a lot, but this is one of the few that actually does get a chuckle out of me. I also enjoyed most of the characters, especially Alice, who at this point is probably the most enjoyable lead character in any Disney film, and I loved watching her journey as she discovers just how valuable a world of reason is. All in all, one of the most entertaining Disney films.

7/10

Peter Pan is another adventure film, and yet I can't say I was that thrilled by it. There's some great stuff between Hook, Smee and Peter, and I did enjoy the Darling kids, particularly Kathryn Beaumont as Wendy, but something just felt off about the pacing and the story. It certainly wasn't for a lack of energy, as this is one of Disney's most energetic films. Call it a personal preference, I suppose. One thing I do know for sure is that outside of his encounters with Captain Hook, I just wasn't that entertained by Peter as a character. I found him to be a bit of a brat, and couldn't understand why people revered him so much. Was it more to do with what he represented, as the eternal embodiment of youth and adventure? Perhaps, but as a character he just wasn't my thing. Still, there are some laughs, the fight scenes are great, I enjoyed the Darling kids & the other supporting characters, and it's well animated. Not one of Disney's greatest, but not bad by any means.

8/10

This film isn't the first to use anthropomorphized main characters, and it's also not the first to have a love story at the center of the film, but if you ask me it's the first to have a believable love story. This is pretty much the one focus of the film, and the one thing I was most surprised about was the lack of any real villain. Sure, you have the Siamese cats, Aunt Sarah, the Dog Catcher and a rat, but those are more nuisances than villains, providing the necessary obstacles along the way that give our main characters something to fight for, but the entire film is about Lady and Tramp's relationship and how they fall in love. The process itself isn't perfect or even great, but the characters themselves are fleshed out and they're a joy to be around. For a film that isn't particularly funny or energetic, the main characters kept my attention.

8/10

There's a lot of things to like about this movie, even if the main character isn't all that great. The animation is noticeably different though manages to stay familiar; on the whole, I liked it. I think the 3 fairies are also really fun characters, providing the most enjoyable moments of the film. I also really like Maleficent as a villain; over-the-top but not in a super comical way like The Red Queen or Captain Hook. She cackles, her costume is theatrical, she uses her magic as a weapon, and the entire plot of the film is brought on by a lack of an invitation to Aurora's birthday, as if she's just looking for any reason to do evil. As for Aurora herself, she's really nothing special. Nevertheless, there's a lot to love in this film, and as far as princess films go it's definitely the most fun so far.

7/10

This is the first rescue mission type film that Disney has produced, and for what it does, it's a relatively enjoyable adventure. This is due to all the characters being likeable, as well as Cruella DeVille being one vicious villain. That said, I do have some issues. The animation is alright, though after something like Sleeping Beauty I was expecting the quality to be of the same level (though it does fit the tone of the film). The film also isn't that funny, though it is very cute at parts. On the whole, outside of Cruella, there isn't very much that's memorable about the film, though I did enjoy myself while I watched it

3/10

This is the first truly mediocre, if not down-right bad Disney movie. The animation doesn't fit the subject matter, doesn't pop off the screen or wow, it's just all very bland. The characters are also equally bland and neither Merlin or Wart offer anything truly funny or memorable. The entire story, in fact, just isn't very exciting. I know I've given good ratings to other films that didn't have the best of characters or the strongest of stories, but there was enough in each of them that I was able to enjoy myself and/or be satisfied with where they ended up. That said, there are a couple of good things I liked. The squirrel segment was kinda cute and the wizard battle between Merlin and Mim was creative, but other than that, this is just one forgettable Disney film.

8/10

A great upgrade from the underwhelming Sword in the Stone, this film has everything that film didn't have: beautiful animation (especially the look of the jungle), fun, likeable characters, lots of fun songs, and Shere Khan works as a dangerous villain who is rarely ever seen, and when he is he uses words to intimidate (at least up until the climax). That said, I can't say the story moves at the right pace, nor is it as adventurous as I think it could've been. Still, this is one of the more entertaining and enjoyable films, and seeing as Walt Disney died during the film's production, it's a pretty nice film to have left on.

No Rating

I really wanted to review this movie, but my VHS tape isn't working and I can't find it online. I'm in no position to rate it without a recent viewing, but I can give my impressions of it from when I saw it as a child. Though I forget a lot of what this movie is about, I gather it's similar in some ways to Lady and the Tramp, this time with cats, and a lot of money at stake. The one scene that does stand out for me is when O'Malley takes Duchess and the kids to meet & jam with the other alley cats. It was a fun, colorful scene from what I remember, and my favorite part of the movie. How much would these impressions have changed on seeing the movie now? I don't know, but if I ever do get the chance then I'll update this slot with a proper rating and review.

7/10 - SPOILERS

This film is colorful and comical, using anthropomorphic animals without any regard as to their animal origins. There's a lot of energy to this film and a lot of likeable characters, especially Robin Hood, who's used in the way I hoped Peter Pan would've been used: not just a hero because he fights the bad guy but because of what he does for the other good guys. I also really liked how the film was building Robin and Marian's romance, even including a very nice song as they walk through the woods, but much like the film's plot, everything escalates way too fast. Once they confess their love to each other, they start talking about getting married and having kids, even though it's implied that they last saw each other when they were kids, and to top that off Mariam disappears for the final 30 minutes, which is a shame if just because I really liked her character. As well, the plot kicks into high gear way too fast, like when all the residents of Nottingham flee for the woods, and then a scene later they're all suddenly in jail. There's also some egregious recycling of animation from Snow White and The Jungle Book. While these flaws do stick out, the film is enjoyable enough that I'm willing to give it a pass, because indeed it is a fun movie.

9/10

This is a personal favorite of mine, and I like it if just because of how innocent and whimsical it is. It doesn't try to tell one large story or deal with any character arcs, it's more of a personal invitation into the imagination of Christopher Robin as he shares & part-takes in the adventures of all of his stuffed animals. The characters are instantly likeable and the adventures, while not grand, create a similar feeling to that of having a pleasant stroll through the park; there is no set destination, but if something happens to come about along the way, then why not check it out? Topped-off with some decent animation that's a pleasure to look at, while it may not be a masterpiece, as a viewing experience it gets more right than any other Disney film has in years.

8/10

This film seems to have fallen out of favor since it's release, described by some as bland or mediocre, but it's one that I really do enjoy. The animated style is a step up from previous efforts, though still crude and unrefined, but it fits the darker tone of the story and works exceptionally well during the night time scenes. I've heard many people call Penny obnoxious or cutesy for the sake of it, and while I do agree to an extent, she's still a character that I've come to feel for, one that really does need help and one I want to see make it. Another major plus is the affectionate main characters, who're likeable, reassuring, and very endearing. That said, their are some issues. Most of the scenes with the hick mice family are too silly for the tone the film establishes, and while Medusa is just as nasty as any other Disney villain she doesn't have any real memorable quality to her; effective to an extent, but borderline forgettable. All this said, this film is one of my personal favorites for what it does right, and a strong candidate for most underrated Disney film.

No Rating

Not only does my copy of the film not work, but I can't remember anything from when I first saw the movie. I'll try to get a new copy soon.

1/10

A completely joyless experience. In some ways it's very comparable to The Sword in the Stone, but at least that film tried to have some fun and at the very least provided a couple of fun moments. This film feels like it's so focused on trying to be this huge epic a la Lord of the Rings that it loses all sight of having the kind of fun that's been with most, if not all of Disney's previous efforts in some capacity. This is a film that aesthetically looks like it wants to be Disney's darkest feature yet but provides no credible situations or antagonists that really takes us there. The villains, especially, are all shrouded in dark, dull colors and misty shadows, and yet they're too silly looking to be scary nor silly enough to laugh at; just all around neutral. On top of that, the main character is a big-headed brat who fantasizes about being hailed a great hero without having done anything credible, and the film's comic relief Gurgi is designed to be the snugly Disney creature but only comes off as annoying. In short, an altogether forgettable experience, with nothing likeable, exciting, or moving to keep us engaged.

9/10 - SPOILERS

A great improvement from The Black Cauldron, this film not only sports the best animation for Disney in years (the clock tower scene has one of the first uses of CG, and one of the best in the company's history), but also a lot of the elements that the previous film was lacking. This includes a darker atmosphere mixed with lighter, comedic elements, likeable characters such as the brilliant yet eccentric Basil, the quiet Dawson, the adorable Olivia, and Basil's reliable dog Toby (whom responds much better to Olivia's commands). The film also has a fun, dastardly villain in Ratigan, a rat who prefers to be called a big mouse. The film also has a couple of nice songs and quite possibly the most exciting climax since Sleeping Beauty (as well as the most brutal fight in a Disney film at the time), and while I think it's a very solid Disney film, it doesn't quite put itself over the top. Most of this has to do with the story, which is fun but nothing exceptional or memorable. Nevertheless, this is another favorite for me, and along with The Rescuers one of the more underrated/overlooked of Disney films.

5/10

The final film before the Disney Renaissance doesn't go out with a bang, and while it's more of a whimper, it isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. For one, I didn't mind some of the characters; that is to say, their personalities. Neither of the character's are fleshed out that well and while certain ideas (however obvious) are implied, they're never really taken any further than that, but for the duration of the film, some of the characters were enjoyable, though not up to Disney's standards. As well, while the animation takes a step back and the CG isn't used as well as it was in The Great Mouse Detective, New York really does look and feel like New York. The major issues, however, is a plot that feels very foreign to Disney, songs that while catchy are entirely forgettable, and a setting that is just too modern. Overall, it's alright at best, but for the most part it doesn't really feel like a Disney film.

8/10

With this film, the Disney Renaissance is now into full gear, with several improvements coming in this film. The animation is the best it's been since Sleeping Beauty, with a smoother image and greater fluidity & energy in the movements of characters. The princess paradigm is also given a bit of an upgrade, most noticeably the inclusion of 4-5 catchy if not memorable songs (with at least one for the hero, the villain, and the side characters). All of these are done really well, and while Ursula isn't the greatest of Disney villains, she is fun to watch. The major issue, still, is the princess and the prince characters. Ariel, for what it's worth, is probably the best developed princess at this point, but the major issue lies in her desire for Eric. I can buy her wanting to live with humans, but when your reason for loving Eric is because he's handsome then no matter how well they've built your character up, there's still some work to do. Same with Eric, who decides that he wants to marry the mysterious girl with the beautiful voice because... she has a beautiful voice? Right. Regardless, for the stuff this movie does well, it's very enjoyable, and a promising beginning to a new era for Disney.

8/10

Though technically part of the Disney Renaissance, this film often gets overlooked because not only does it not conform to the same formula as the other films that would follow, but it's more of a straight-up adventure than a fairy tale, and that's a real shame because it really is a great one. Though not up to The Little Mermaid's use of animation, the film still provides exhilarating use of it, mixing cel and CG to create breathtaking scenery and energetic movement, especially in the flight scenes. It's also great to be back with the main characters, who are just as sweet and endearing as in the original, topped off with an entertaining villain who's more iconic than Medusa, if not as mean-spirited. That said, I do have some problems with the film, mainly in relation to the original. I really loved the darker, more gritty tone of the original, which I think suits the material nicely. While Cody has better voice work than Penny (even though he doesn't have an Australian accent), I can't say I was as engaged or moved by his cry for help as I was with Penny. There's also some minor things, such as the lack of any songs (though it does have a kick ass score), and Wilbur's scenes are more annoying than funny. So while I personally don't think it's a better film than the original, it's a more than worthy sequel, and probably the best sequel Disney has ever produced (outside of the Pixar films). Just a shame we won't be seeing any more Rescuers adventures...

10/10

I'm so happy! This is the first perfect rating I've given to a Disney movie since Fantasia; in real time, that's a 50 year gap! But seriously, I'm gonna get straight to the point: this is one of Disney's best movies, if not THE best. It simply gets everything right. The animation is at it's best; the perfect blend of cel animation and CG. All the side characters are enjoyable and funny. Every song is well written, beautifully sung, and overall just memorable. And best of all, they've finally fixed the central problem with these films: the main characters. Not only are Belle and Beast fleshed out well, but their relationship is the best constructed out of any of the Disney films. To top all this off, not only is this a princess film through and through, but it also takes the time to lampoon it's own formula whilst simultaneously improving it. All in all, while I would probably still count Fantasia as my favorite Disney film, this is definitely the best narrative film they've done throughout the company's entire history, bar none.

6/10

Most people I talk to cite Aladdin as one of their favorite Disney films, if not their favorite, but for me it just doesn't do much. But first, the good things. Disney continues to improve their animation, both in terms of the quality of the image as well as the scope of each setting. Most of the songs are also very catchy and very enjoyable, enhanced moreso by the vibrant energy of the animation. Jafar, as well, is a deliciously over-the-top villain; more comical than sinister, but still a ton of fun. Outside of that, there's not a lot else I love about the film. One of the major issues for me, which is contrary to what a lot of other people love about the film, is Robin Williams and all those pop culture references. I'm not a big fan of Williams comedy, and while he has a few moments here, the experience lessens for me with each viewing; being a huge aspect of the film's comedy, it's a major blow for me. I also feel they've taken a step back with the main characters, specifically in the development of their relationship. Overall, not one of my favorite Disney films.

8/10

This is another quality film to go along with Beauty & the Beast and The Little Mermaid, though I don't think it's as good as I once did. First, the good. The animation takes another huge step forward, arguably the best it's ever been. The story itself is also very engaging, including some of the most fun, memorable songs in any Disney film, as well as a lot of fun, well-voiced characters, from Mufasa to Scar and even minor characters like the Hyenas. My major issues, though, come after Simba has been banished. For one, I don't like Timon and Pumbaa, at all. I think they're very annoying, their references & breaking of the 4th wall lame, and Hakuna Matata, while catchy, can be a little grating over time. I also don't care for Matthew Broderick's voice work as Adult Simba, and find it a little weak that after Simba's fear takes over again very soon after Scar confronts him about his father's death; I thought he was supposed to confront his past, not let Scar back him off Pride Rock. Still, there's plenty of good to love in this film, and it's certainly in my top 3 for the Disney Renaissance.

5/10

This is a film that, honestly, didn't seem too exciting to me, and in some ways that was proven true, but there are times where I did enjoy myself. For one, though the animation isn't up to the standards of the other films, it's still done rather well, with some beautiful scenery at several moments. I also liked the Pocahontas character, the one song she shares with John Smith, and thought some of the jokes, particularly the ones involving Meeko. Other than that, there's not much else to like. Though the animation in general is done well, the character designs and characterizations are bland. The remainder of the songs aren't that memorable, and the villain is one of the dullest Disney has ever produced. As well, the themes are very heavy-handed, in both the dialogue and the songs themselves; it's amazing they made it into the final product. Still, I didn't have a bad time and did enjoy some parts, but it just struggles to reach the standards of the others.

8/10

In my other list I touted this film as not only the most underrated Disney film ever, but the best of the Disney Renaissance. As of this viewing, I've changed my mind on both counts. It certainly doesn't reach the perfection of Beauty & the Beast, and while it's much more powerful than a film like The Great Mouse Detective it isn't nearly as much fun. Nevertheless, there's still a lot to love in this film. The animation is top notch, the characters are great, the music is great, and Frollo, the film's main villain, is one of the most evil, complex of all Disney villains; if he's not #1 then he's definitely top 3. Obviously I have some issues, though some are minor. The humor, for example, isn't as funny as I remember it. The pacing and transitions between some scenes is a little weird, not really allowing some of the drama to sink in. Most of all, you really get a strong sense of the filmmakers wanting to tell a more mature story, and while getting some of those elements in there does happen, you can tell some of it has taken a hit in order to appeal to children. But once again, the film as a whole doesn't suffer too much and it still remains one of Disney's most underrated, and arguably their last great film.

4/10

As of this point, Disney's best years are behind them. Hercules is okay entertainment, but a majority of it is mediocre at best. First, the good, and there's really only a couple of things. There's a nice song or 2, though nothing really memorable. What I really enjoy is any scene involving Hades and his henchmen, Pain and Panic. These side characters are the funniest since Beauty & the Beast, and Hades, though not sinister, is very enjoyable and fun to watch. He's almost like the standup comic version of a villain, and while that doesn't always sit well with me, I liked it here. And... that's pretty much it. There's nothing really powerful, or even just good about the story, which is mostly a retread and very, very basic. The "prince"/"princess" characters have, once again, regressed. And what's with the stylistic choices? A gospel choir singing about Greek myths? Modernized merchandizing? The normalization of these epic heroes, to the point where heroics are viewed more as a show/entertainment than a genuine effort to save someone's life? I really don't get this choices, and even if they were making fun of these hero characters/stories, it just isn't funny; more lame than anything. So overall, the villains are fun characters, but that's really it. Everything else is basic, which Disney has done before but, IMO, done better.

8/10 - SPOILERS

I guess I spoke a little too soon in the Hercules review. Honestly, and I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't expect to like this film as much as I did. The animation is classic Disney while adapting styles of Eastern animation in order to reflect Chinese culture. The title character is one of the more pro-active females in any Disney film, going out of her way to do more than sit around and dream about love or a better life, and the actual reason for going to war, to protect her father's life, is not only a refreshing motivation for Disney (as well as a small callback to Belle's sacrifice in Beauty) but also touches on a themes such as honor and duty. In addition to this, all the side characters are fun (even Eddie Murphy, who despite being completely wrong to portray a Chinese Dragon still provides some laughs), there's a lot of great songs, and the "prince" in the film is a bit more developed than what we're used to. That said, there are some issues. The ghost ancestors are just plain dumb (even slipping in a dance sequence at one point) and the villain is completely forgettable. Still, this film is a pleasant surprise and I can't wait to see it again.

8/10 - SPOILERS

And here's another Disney film I didn't know what to think of, but as soon as I saw it I was, once again, pleasantly surprised. The animation, as always, is great, especially the use of color and those great shots of Tarzan surfing the trees; it's way cooler than it sounds. What I like best about the film is just how much time we spend with Tarzan. Though there are moments where I felt the pacing could've been improved, we spend a great deal of time with him through his infancy up to an adult, showing him trying to carve a little place for himself in the jungle. It gets even better when Jane arrives, because not only does she become fascinated with Tarzan & teaching him about human life, but this leads to both of them embracing each other's lifestyle. This populates a good part of the film, which I think it's better for. It also helps in developing the love story between them, which is better than most in the Disney canon. There's only a couple of things that really bother me. One is the villain, who just isn't that interesting though he can be a real jerk at times, and the substitution of diegetic songs for a series of Phil Collins' songs, which are just too on the nose; it might as well have been a voice over or inner-monologue. But still, this is another pleasant surprise that I can't wait to revisit.