The Walt Disney Animation Studios, based in Burbank California is responsible for fifty-four Disney feature films. The first is a must see Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, hitting the silver screens in 1937. The most recent, Big Hero 6, released in 2014.
Disney movies cover numerous genres, including catchy musicals (Jungle Book (1967), Frozen (2013)), traditional folk stories (Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959)), historical biographies (Pocahontas (1995), The Hunch back of Notre Dame (1996)), and cute, feel-good animal tales (The Lady and the Tramp (1955), The Aristocats (1970)). Each genre is treated in a distinctly Disney manner making each a for kids and adults.
Disney also produces movies where actors and animated characters interact together with such legendary movies as Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews as the erstwhile nanny. This movie is infamous for the worse English accent in movie history, thanks to Dick Van Dyke. This in itself is interesting as the writer of the original Poppins books, had insisted all actors in the film should be English.
Another classic live action/animation movie was Bedknobs & Broomsticks made in 1971, with Angela Lansbury as a student witch, where they could travel to Naboombu on their bed with a witch and a con man. So many kids in the mid-70s turned their bed knob and hoped it would work.
Disney movies appeal to both children and their parents, although naturally the biggest hits are those that appeal to adults as long-suffering parents are forced to watch these movies on a daily basis. A long list of A-list celebrities show their support for Disney by providing their voices for the characters. For example no one can forget the lively performance of Robin Williams in Aladdin (1992), or Whoopi Goldberg in The Lion King (1994).
A typical "What is your favourite....?" question concerns animation and everyone has their favourite. With such an extended history of film-making, a favourite is not always a film from childhood. Simply a film that has spoken to them for whatever reason. For great songs a classic is Jungle Book (1967), and I defy anyone not to dance to I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo. The most recent movie with annoyingly catchy tunes is Frozen (2013), where Let it Go has been used in TV adverts in the UK, played hundreds of times a day in December 2014. Although perhaps not the most spectacular example, everyone should see Frozen just so they are able to join the discussion.
Adventures are approached by Disney regularly and one of the most endearing and colourful example is Peter Pan with the ticking clock and the crocodile, and lots of flying and bounding through trees. No one can discuss Disney without mentioning the romances, which are many, although the one that sticks out as special is The Little Mermaid (1989) which tells the story of a man who falls in love with a mermaid and all the singing, and adventure that ensues. Beautiful, colourful scenes Under the Sea and some lovable characters.
Disney addressed a different, more teenage audience with The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) which appealed to kids, teens, adults or goths. This is the story of Jack Skeleton the Pumpkin King who is fed up with scaring people and wants to take over Christmas. A dark, deliciously macabre movie with great (if dreary) songs. It is distinctly un-Disney which is its appeal and it is not surprising it is more of a cult movie than a hit.
No list is set in stone and will change and not just because new movies are to be released. The intended audience will inevitably mature and their favourite movie will change too. With 54 movies at the moment, there will always be some that stand out.
Disney movies cover numerous genres, including catchy musicals (Jungle Book (1967), Frozen (2013)), traditional folk stories (Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959)), historical biographies (Pocahontas (1995), The Hunch back of Notre Dame (1996)), and cute, feel-good animal tales (The Lady and the Tramp (1955), The Aristocats (1970)). Each genre is treated in a distinctly Disney manner making each a for kids and adults.
Disney also produces movies where actors and animated characters interact together with such legendary movies as Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews as the erstwhile nanny. This movie is infamous for the worse English accent in movie history, thanks to Dick Van Dyke. This in itself is interesting as the writer of the original Poppins books, had insisted all actors in the film should be English.
Another classic live action/animation movie was Bedknobs & Broomsticks made in 1971, with Angela Lansbury as a student witch, where they could travel to Naboombu on their bed with a witch and a con man. So many kids in the mid-70s turned their bed knob and hoped it would work.
Disney movies appeal to both children and their parents, although naturally the biggest hits are those that appeal to adults as long-suffering parents are forced to watch these movies on a daily basis. A long list of A-list celebrities show their support for Disney by providing their voices for the characters. For example no one can forget the lively performance of Robin Williams in Aladdin (1992), or Whoopi Goldberg in The Lion King (1994).
A typical "What is your favourite....?" question concerns animation and everyone has their favourite. With such an extended history of film-making, a favourite is not always a film from childhood. Simply a film that has spoken to them for whatever reason. For great songs a classic is Jungle Book (1967), and I defy anyone not to dance to I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo. The most recent movie with annoyingly catchy tunes is Frozen (2013), where Let it Go has been used in TV adverts in the UK, played hundreds of times a day in December 2014. Although perhaps not the most spectacular example, everyone should see Frozen just so they are able to join the discussion.
Adventures are approached by Disney regularly and one of the most endearing and colourful example is Peter Pan with the ticking clock and the crocodile, and lots of flying and bounding through trees. No one can discuss Disney without mentioning the romances, which are many, although the one that sticks out as special is The Little Mermaid (1989) which tells the story of a man who falls in love with a mermaid and all the singing, and adventure that ensues. Beautiful, colourful scenes Under the Sea and some lovable characters.
Disney addressed a different, more teenage audience with The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) which appealed to kids, teens, adults or goths. This is the story of Jack Skeleton the Pumpkin King who is fed up with scaring people and wants to take over Christmas. A dark, deliciously macabre movie with great (if dreary) songs. It is distinctly un-Disney which is its appeal and it is not surprising it is more of a cult movie than a hit.
No list is set in stone and will change and not just because new movies are to be released. The intended audience will inevitably mature and their favourite movie will change too. With 54 movies at the moment, there will always be some that stand out.
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