To me, Disney has a rather checkered record with science fiction and fantasy. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien hated Disney animation so much that they tried to forbid their books being adapted by these companies (Lewis failed posthumously, but Tolkien succeeded [also posthumously] through getting Ralph Bakashi to adapt the films). The Black Hole, Disney's main sci-fi film, had some great special effects, but it was a cheerless affair (one I am currently watching now). Sleeping Beauty had some great animation, but also contributed to gendered stereotypes of women. Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast were good in and of themselves, but not true fantasy or sci-fi as we understand it today. Perhaps my biggest problem with Disney adaptations, however, comes from Disney's atrocious handling of The Black Cauldron. The company butchered Lloyd Alexander's masterpiece, turning what should have been a sure-fire hit into a failure, one predicated on a combination of two books into one over-loaded plot. I fear that ultimately Tolkien and Lewis were right. No matter how well intentioned, Disney's additions to science fiction and fantasy have ultimately dumbed down the field.
thank you so much for this great informations !!! good job
ReplyDeleteThere was an interesting article on Slate about how "The Black Cauldron" was nearly the film that destroyed Disney's animation studio and in a lot of ways started the Pixar/Dreamworks movements.
ReplyDeleteWhile Disney often has very pretty animation its stories seem inseparable from safe, family friendly, homogenized, centrist, traditional, corporate formulae. All of which is no good for lots of stories that exist out there.
ReplyDeleteHey Nick,
ReplyDeleteYea, I think Fox and the Hound the only mildly daring thing they've done. At least it's honest about race relations, if only in parable form.
Steve,
Thanks for the info!
John
I challenge your assessment on Beauty and the Beast, the rest is dead on, but Beauty and the Beast may be Disney's best work, fantasy especially.
ReplyDelete