Renaissance Ranked

Well, folks, it's the end of an era. The Renaissance movies will forever remain the best of the best, in my Disnerd opinion. I'm sad that we're moving on, but I've really enjoyed the past 10 weeks! Hope you have to.

You can expect the blog to calm down a bit, but I hope you will still tune in. I've got some Renaissance Disnographics in the works, and believe it or not, there are still about 15 more movies to review! (Yup. That's about four more months, people.)

In case you are curious, here's how I personally rank the Renaissance films. Do you agree or disagree?

1. tie: Aladdin (review) & The Lion King (review)
Top question I've been asked in the past 9 months of Disnerding? "What's your all-time favorite Disney movie?" These two tie for first. They both seem to have that perfect blend of compelling characters, an engaging story, beautiful animation, and awesome music. Funnily enough they also typically get labeled as "boy" Disney movies. Like I've said before, I've never really been into the whole princess thing.  

3. Beauty & the Beast (review)
Just trailing those 2 is Beauty & the Beast, which also has the same quality elements I listed above. I also love the development of not one but two central characters. Their transformations are interesting and compelling.

4. Mulan (review)
The main reason this isn't higher on the list is because of the music. I do love the songs that are on the soundtrack, but somehow they leave me wanting. They're not as classic or memorable as some of the Menken/Ashman stuff. Otherwise though, it's a pretty awesome Disney movie. And Mulan is a pretty awesome heroine.

5. The Little Mermaid (review)
Despite my critique of the film's story, it's hard to deny that The Little Mermaid was instrumental in kicking off a magical era of animation. The movie's demonstration of creativity and fun outweighs its more annoying aspects. I dare you to watch "Under the Sea" and NOT sing and dance along!

6. Tarzan (review)
The relationships between the characters are what make me love this film. It's also beautifully animated and the sequences when Tarzan is flying/surfing through the jungle are impressive. Also, it's hard not to love a movie starring a muscular man in a loincloth.

7. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (review)
It's probably the darkest of the Renaissance films, but so interesting and unique for that reason. The Latin choral music-inspired score is pretty epic, and Quasimodo is one of the purest heroes ever.

8. Hercules (review)
As has been said, this film doesn't shine quite as brightly as the others, but it's definitely entertaining, heartwarming and fun. And I will always love Hercules' cinnamon bun ears.
 

9. Pocahontas (review)
Ehh. I think I've already said enough about this one.

10. Rescuers Down Under (review)
The only reason this falls after Pocahontas is because I've never counted it as an actual Renaissance film.

Stay tuned for more Renaissance wrap-up stuff: Disnographics, a summary of my fashion updates, and maybe some other stuff if I have time. :)

Fashion Update #2 - Rescuers Down Under

Creating outfits for this movie was a little more challenging because of the lack of human characters. (Can't wait for Lion King, oof.)

Miss Bianca: her main piece of clothing is a light purple shawl/cape thing. I don't know about you but I don't have any capes, purple or otherwise. So I went with this more simple look. I cheated and only wore the white pants for a couple hours since they get dirty so easily. I added the necklace (handmade by my sister!) because I think it's something Miss Bianca would approve of, being as feminine and cute as she is.

Bernard: the main thing to get right for his look is his hat. I didn't have quite the right one, but it's all I had! It was fun to have an excuse to wear it. (Note: red is another common color. You will be seeing this shirt a lot since it's the only red shirt I have!)

Jake: Again, not the right hat, but sort of the right color! I really like how my belt kind of looks like a boomerang. Gives it that extra Australian touch. Also, please excuse the wrinkly dress shirt, I didn't have time to iron it.

#29: Don't judge a mouse by his accent

(c) Disney

Rescuers Down Under, 1990
watched March 25, 2012

As I mentioned, this is the only sequel in the entire canon. Walt Disney was adamantly against sequels, which is why there were none until after his death. I have to agree with Walt on this one; I have yet to see a great Disney sequel. There are many I refuse to watch, on principle.

This one isn't bad, though. Let's be honest here, the Australian setting automatically bumps up Rescuers Down Under's cool factor. Kind of like guys with Australian accents. I mean, hello, Hugh Jackman? Chris Hemsworth?

Anyway. I digress.

This sequel further develops the story arc of our two main characters. In the first film, we see these two seemingly opposite mice meet and work together for the first time. Here in Down Under, they are still very much the odd couple, and yet there is now also mutual trust and affection. Giving Bernard and Bianca a second film provides the implication that they've built a relationship over a period of time, which we don't see in any other romantic stories. It's refreshing, as well as super cute and endearing.

And of course, as in most romantic plots, a threat to the relationship gets thrown into the mix. In this case, that threat comes in the form of a charming kangaroo rat named Jake. He embodies the adventure and suaveness that Bernard most definitely does not. (Not insignificantly, he also has an adorable Australian accent. Ahem...) When Miss Bianca appears to be quite taken with the new guy, only the audience sees Bernard's unwavering affection, and his frustration that he can't find the right moment to express his real intentions.

The most heartwarming line in the movie comes during the climax. Jake and Miss Bianca are trapped and unable to protect Cody, the boy kidnapped by villain poacher McLeach. The golden eagle Marahute's precious eggs are also vulnerable. When Bianca assures Cody that Bernard will help, Jake thinks she's just bluffing to make Cody feel better. But then Bianca's true feelings are revealed:

"You don't know Bernard like I do. He'll never give up!"*

Jake isn't a bad guy, but he is quick to assume that Bernard has nothing to offer. Bianca, on the other hand, sees that underneath his nervous exterior is a brave and determined mouse, reliable and trustworthy. That is the mouse she has grown to love.

In life we're often attracted to external qualities: charisma, good looks...Australian accents. But these are not the things which matter most. Bernard reminds us that the person who may not demand our attention is often the one whose character proves to be the deepest and richest. Bianca reminds us that one must be willing to spend some time in order to discover this treasure of a person.

So give that unassuming person in your life some time and energy. They may surprise you.

(*note: this quote may or may not be a paraphrase. I don't know this movie well enough to quote it word for word!)

Why Rescuers Down Under doesn't count

While this movie was technically released during the Disney Renaissance, I personally don't include it in my version of the list. Why? For a few reasons:

1) Rescuers Down Underis a sequel. In fact, it's the only sequel in the entire Disney animated canon. (Unless you count the latest Winnie the Pooh movie that came out last year, which I don't, because its story doesn't necessarily follow the '77 Pooh sequentially. Also, there are several other Pooh & Friends movies that were released straight to video between those years).

2) It is not a musical. All the other 9 Renaissance films are musicals - including Tarzan, though its characters do not sing. In my completely unbiased opinion, the music of the Renaissance is the primary feature that makes them the best films of the whole series.

3) It did not garner the same box office success as the other 9 films. While 8 out of the 9 other Renaissance films made over $100 million in their initial release (Hercules being the exception, which made $99.1 million), Rescuers Down Under made less than $28 million.

thanks to boxofficemojo.com for data

4) I haven't seen it a gazillion times. Okay, so this is a fairly unscientific reason, but this is my blog. I make up my own rules here.

So, although I do not count it as a Renaissance film, I'm still treating it as such since it's technically on the list. I just won't have as much to say since I don't know it that well, and, honestly, there isn't a lot to say about it!

Top 10 obscure Disney baby names (GIRLS)

This list comes from one of those ridiculous, yet genius, lunch conversations at work. Two of my coworkers, Matt and Sarah, are having a baby girl later this year. We've all been making guesses and suggestions as to what name this baby should have. I'd like to give my input on some lesser known Disney characters who would make great namesakes for the baby.

1. Cleo, goldfish in Pinocchio
Why it works: It's actually a cute name. Plus with the last name Kirk, it'll be alliterative. 
Suggested nicknames - Clee, O, fishy

2. Katrina von Tassel, love interest in the Ichabod Crane story
Why it works: Well, if you really want her to sound Dutch, this is the name for you. It must have the "von Tassel" in there though... perhaps as a middle name?
Suggested nicknames: Kat, Trina, Tassel, Tassy

3. Adelaide, owner of Duchess & kittens in The Aristocats
Why it works: These southern-sounding old lady names are quite trendy these days.
Suggested nicknames: Addy, Ad, Adsy, Lady

4. Eilonwy, princess in The Black Cauldron
Why it works: Forget Ariel, Tiana or Jasmine. This princess packs a punch. No one will ever be able to pronounce her name. But once they figure it out, they won't forget it!
Suggested nicknames: Ei (pronounced eye), Lon, Lonny, "A Long Way"

5. Hen Wen, magical pig in The Black Cauldron
Why it works: Why wouldn't you want to name your kid after a magical pig? 
Suggested nicknames: Hen, Henny, pig

6. Marahute, giant golden eagle in The Rescuers Down Under
Why it works: It's definitely unique, and quite fun to say aloud. Try it. (pronounced Mara-HOO-tay)
Suggested nicknames: Mara, Mar, Mary, Marie, Hute, Hutie

7. Sarabi, Simba's mother in The Lion King
Why it works: when you're cross with her, you can yell, "SaRAA-BEEEE!" like Scar does in one of the last scenes. Also, it'd be like Sarah the 2nd, Sarah B. Get it?
Suggested nicknames: Sara (pronounced Suh-RAH), Robbie, Bee, Bee-Bee

8. Nakoma, Pocahontas' best (human) friend
Why it works: Hello, multiethnicity!
Suggested nicknames: Kom, Koms, Komie, Koma?

9. Laverne, one of Quasimodo's gargoyle friends, in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Why it works: SURELY, this is a classic name.
Suggested nicknames: Lav, Lav-Lav, Verne, Vernie.

10. Arista, Attina, Adella, Aquata, Andrina, OR Alana, Ariel's sisters in The Little Mermaid
Why it works: "A" names are on their way back in, I'm sure of it.
Suggested nicknames: you could call any of these A, or, maybe "that other sister." Perhaps this would work better for a 2nd child. Clearly Aquata is the most timeless of these choices. Quats, Quattie?

Any requests for a boy edition? Anyone you know expecting a boy?

12 Days of Disnerd Christmas - 12th Day

It's the 12th and final day of Disnerdy Christmas! Again, there weren't exactly 12 of anything so I had to go with sidekicks. Also, I supposed "siding" isn't exactly an action verb, but that's kind of what sidekicks do right? They loyally side with their hero (or villain, though I didn't include any villain sidekicks here).

And since we're on our final day, here are all the other 11 days for review. My goal was to use as many different movies as I could; I think the final count is 28. 

I'll be resuming movie reviews next week, starting with where we left off - Sword in the Stone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 Days of Disnerd Christmas - 10th Day

9 princesses dreaming,

8 mice a-mending,

7 dwarfs heigh ho-ing,

 Six Lost Boys playing,
Five fairies' wings...

Four crooning birds,

Three handsome thieves,

Two hunny pots,

and Rafiki in his big tree!

Okay, so "rebirthing" probably isn't really a verb. But you know what I mean. We're about 8 weeks away from the Renaissance films and I am super excited! This is by far the most popular era of Disney animation among my generation. Which Renaissance film is your favorite?