Man Tangled is the 50th Animated Disney Movie.... It looks like a really good movie and I'll probably find some excuse to watch it sometime.
But I'm not going to talk about Tangled today. I'm going to put my thoughts down about Disney and how I grew up with it and what I think of it now.
Disney Then
I was lucky to be born into the 90s and in a period of time for Disney called the Disney Renaissance (1989-1999). There were some pretty great, underrated animated films that came out early than that, but this is when Disney was at its prime.
I was pretty young watching all the films from Aladdin, The Lion King, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, etc. and they were the best. I think that what makes a great movie in my opinion. One that captures you as a child, teen, and adult. I just remember being made fun of for watching anime or "kiddish" shows, but when it came to those Disney it was different.
What Disney movies did was hit the right chord for both kids and adults. It still had the innocence, joy, humor, and fun of a cartoon, but also the humor, drama, and plot for an adult. Take Hunchback of Notre Dame. I had barely any idea about the plot when I was little except that Quasimodo "Good", Judge Frollo "Bad". Watching it again as a teenager, my mouth dropped. The movie became captivating in a different way. I still loved the charming kid parts, but I was drawn into the more mature themes and drama. The song "Hellfire" was a scary song when I was little because I had no idea what he was singing about, just the scene with the robed figures and other visuals. But now it's scary and dark in a different way about sexual desire that you wouldn't believe would be a children's film let alone an animated film.
I cherish every Disney animated film in the past and the memories that came with them. But as I grew up Disney began to go in a direction that I don't really like.
Disney Now
Okay timed to bash Disney a bit *Ahem WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU DISNEY?!!!
I'll try not to rant, but it's a really disappointing to me what is happening to Disney.
Okay I barely have any idea when Disney starting changing from cartoon and animations to Hannah Montana, High School Musical, whatever. I can see the goal they're going for is aiming for what's hot in new generation in kids and obviously its not cartoons anymore. I don't mind that. I just feel Disney lost their focus from what they've originally done to focus just on profit.
I'm so surprised that kids still know who Mickey Mouse is because well... have you ever seen Mickey Mouse on T.V. or the movies anymore? I've only seen him in a toddler show and that's pretty much it. Disney Channel is basically 90% kid sitcoms and barely cartoons anymore.
I really don't think kids should be watching these sitcoms kind of stuff that are really supposed to be for teenagers (my opinion challenge me if you will). I feel like these new generations of kids want to be like teenagers and I say NO......... don't throw away your innocence now! I believe kids (approx.) 12 and under (you need -teen in your age to be a teenager). Should be more worried about running around, having tea parties, watching cartoon, playing games, dressing up in silly outfits, well kid stuff! Then wanting to go to High School, gossip, well more teenage stuff you can think of because High School and being a teenager ain't what Disney or any other company is portraying it as!
The only good thing going for Disney (to me) is Disneyland (obviously) and Pixar.
Pixar
Pixar is pretty much doing the same exact thing Disney was doing in the 90s. It's what I wanted Disney to do now (which they kinda of are...? Princess and the Frog, Tangled). A Bug's Life, Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Ratatouille, the Incredibles, WALL-E, UP, Toy Story!! Ya I named them all because they're all great movies! Toy Story 3 is totally describing my rant right now. What Andy as a child and Bonnie were doing is what childhood is all about!
I'm like Andy going to college soon. He gave the joys of his childhood to a younger generation. I want to give the joy I had to a younger generation.
I grew up with Pixar as well and cherish each movie as well. I loved Toy Story as a kid because I did the same exact thing like Andy when I was a kid. The one that got me the most recently was WALL-E. I'll admit it I cried in scenes in the movie because it really touched me what true love really is. Those kind of movies are memorable in so many different ways.
Can High School Musical really do that?
Conclusion
The old Disney animated films grow up with you. They charmed you as a child and touched you with nostalgia and plot as an adult. If you watched the clip above you know you got goosebumps seeing at least several of those films come up. That's why I cherish those moments and that's why I'm disappointed in Disney now. I don't think High School Musical will have that everlasting effect that Toy Story 3 had, which do you think you will remember the most?
I gotta admit it's probably me just overreacting over this whole thing. I know I'm a bit young and I'm trying to sound like an adult, but again I just want future generations of children especially mine to watch and enjoy those movies like I did. I want kids to be kids they can enjoy being teenagers later.
If you made it down here thanks for reading and if you don't agree with me even better! Just comment below and I would love to have a good conversation with you!