Ah, Disney! The brand that made it cool to be a kid and great to sing along to animated movies. Nobody is too old for that stuff. In the course of having your daily dose of Disney goodness, favorites cannot be avoided. But we will limit it to 5. I will make it random too because choosing among them is already too much to handle, what more if we rank them.
– Toy Story
The story of Woody and Buzz serves as a reminder to kids about pride and prejudice. And first born children with self-esteem issues can relate. Whenever a new kid arrives in the house, it becomes the center of everyone’s attention, not you. You’re still a kid but the new kid is, well, new. It’s the same self-esteem issue that Woody felt upon the arrival of Buzz Lightyear. Woody is still the same toy. He is still fun to play with for his owner and cool to hang around with for his fellow toys even if he barely concealed his disdain for Buzz. Also, Buzz’s talents that Woody lacked just worsened the bitterness. When 2 “co-workers” find themselves in the same situations, they are forced to cooperate with one another. They end up discovering each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It took forever for Woody to realize that but at least they found great friends in each other.
– Finding Nemo
Nemo, just like some kids, got fed up with his dad who constantly told him that he can’t do much without him. Sure, Nemo’s Dad will forever be scared of what could possibly happen to his half-finned son. But every parent discovers their inner courage every time their offspring is in trouble. Nemo used to be embarrassed of his dad’s cowardice or lack of self-confidence in him. But, like some relatives, the only way they get to prove each other wrong is when catastrophe strikes. And also, Dory. She’s not as useless as you think she is. It’s her short-term memory loss that might even endeared her to some viewers. Getting voiced by Ellen DeGeneres is a major factor though.
– The Lion King
According to some critics, “The Lion King” is this generation’s “Bambi”. Mufasa’s death was a rude awakening to some kids as to how their recklessness can cause death of a parent. While Simba found solace in the “Hakuna Matata” lifestyle, the fact that his uncle’s crime of killing his father has yet to be brought to justice. Of course he had to take responsibility over the death too. While he may never bring back his father’s life, the best he could do is restore the kingdom to its old glory by facing his uncle head on. As to why some writers compare it to Hamlet, it’s more about the father-son vs uncle dynamic. Remove the madness quotient and everything else is kid-friendly.
– Wall-E
If ever there would be one film to recommend to parents with toddlers that can’t speak yet, it would be Wall-E. With 75% of the movie having no dialogue and just dependent on the characters’ action to get the story going, it served as the best homage to silent films without having to go black-and-white cinematography-wise. It was on second viewing that some fans realized its slight anti-technology statement where all humanity has
relocated to a different planet and become totally dependent on machines. And it all started when Wall-E found a seedling that might be a tree if nurtured well. With the help of another robot, EVE, they end up exploring how humanity needs to be restored, not overpowered, by technology. If that sounds like the best statement against films like “I, Robot”, then I don’t know what else could be.
– Frozen
Disney’s most famous animated film to date where girl power is best expressed. It also served as the best balance between the gender roles. Our lead female characters here, Elsa and Anna, are still princesses in distress. There are men available to save the day for them – the prince and the ice vendor. There are almost no wasted characters in this film because almost everyone served a purpose including that pesky monarch. In fact the pesky monarch ended up becoming a story device in how princes are portrayed in the past – the kind of man who can save the day by marriage to the princess. The safest spoiler that I can share here is it’s one of those Disney movies that did not end with the prince and the princess getting married.
How about you? What are your favorite Disney films so far? You may have your reasons for picking them from gender sensitivity, honesty about technology or how it hit some nerves in your personal life. Also, a little favor. Please like my official Facebook page, Kuya Manzano Fan Club, and follow me on Twitter @kuyamanzano. Muchas gracias.