"Man is in the Forest"

Bambi (1942)

In 1942, Bambi premiered to a world wrought with strife, still in the midst of World War II. In a way, it's tale, set in a world far away from the one we know, couldn't have come at a better time. Despite beginning work on the feature, well before America's involvement in the war, Disney's film about a young deer's life growing up in a grand forest, was a welcome escape from the horrors of the world in the 40's. And although it's initial disappointing box office sales, it received glowing reviews.
Honestly, Bambi is one of the few Disney movies I don't remember too vividly. Obviously, the stand out moments of certain characters and scenes come to mind, but I knew, the movie as a whole, would be a fresh retelling as I settled in to watch it after so many years.
Immediately, as the title sequence begins, the first thing I notice is the beautiful theme of "Love is a Song," I remember the tune as it plays from my childhood, but as an adult, the lyrics begin to stand out, and I can see it for how powerful it is.
"Love is a song that never ends

Life may be swift and fleeting
Hope may die yet love's beautiful music
Comes each day like the dawn

Love is a song that never ends
One simple theme repeating
Like the voice of a heavenly choir
Love's sweet music flows on"

Frank Churchill, who composed the music for this film, died shortly after it's release, and one of his last requests before his death, was that this song be dedicated to his wife. That fact, in itself, is enough to solidify the theme and message of not only this song, but also the movie. 

Obviously, the biggest memory most people have of this film is the traumatic death of Bambi's mother, which most film buffs rank high on the list of saddest moments in film. The fact that Disney decided to not even show the villain of this movie, was a truly brilliant decision. 'Man', became this strange foreign force of nature that was so far removed from the balance of this world we got a glimpse of, that it allowed us, probably for one of the first times in movie history, to see our impact on the world around us. It opened our eyes to the true destructive nature of us as a species, ironically, at a time in history, when we were fully at our most violent. Maybe the status quo couldn't see it at the time, but looking back now, it shows how much pop culture and films are impacted by the current times. 

Allowing us to connect to these innocent woodland creatures that don't fully understand who or what we are, when we come in and kill them for sport, could easily upset certain members of society. Which, many people I know, have been.

Easily, this movie could be written off as the message being how bad the human race is to mother nature. But, when I began to put it into mind, along with the entirety of this movie, I truly saw the message at the core of this film.

This movie is truly about the resilience and strength of life itself. The movie begins with a birth, the passage of time is shown, with all the seasons and the impact they bring, characters die, others grow, love is kindled, destruction comes, and life renews and the cycle begins again....

One animated movie running in a only 70 minutes long, encapsulating the true cycle of life, and how insignificant we truly are in the grand scheme of it all. Yet, the moments where we connect with one another, and our ability to love, is something that continues on throughout our short lifespans, in one form or another.....

Needless to say, I was pretty blown away when I came to this conclusion as the movie ended. In a way, it makes the death of Bambi's mother rather a small point in the movie, which in itself, is a big point! Pretty clever stuff, Walt.......

As Bambi grows, and experiences moments that we can relate to; discovering the world around us, making friends, the loss of our parents, becoming 'twitterpated'..... We become drawn in, and that's what makes those traumatic scenes all the more powerful, and the overall story more strong with an impact.

As I continue to watch these movies, I can't decide if these powerful messages I walk away with, are the result of reading too into them due to my lifelong Disney enthusiasm, or if they truly are the morals intended for audiences to leave with.... Regardless, so far, I am thoroughly cementing my fondness of these movies, and I will continue to suggest a revisit to all of my friends and family to them, and hopefully see them as I have.

"When I see an Elephant Fly..."

Dumbo (1941)

Only a short three months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, ushering in America's involvement in the second World War, this gem was released in theater's with the intention to help Disney recover from this dismal box office sales of Fantasia. Despite it's incredibly short film length, only clocking in at 64 minutes long, Dumbo's initial release earned the Disney studio more than both Pinocchio and Fantasia's theater releases combined! And until the day of his death, Walt called it his favorite film ever made by his team.
Dumbo holds a special personal place in my heart, mainly due to the fact that I was lucky enough to grow up along side a real life elephant, owned by my grandmother. And yes, that is a real fact. So, the connection I had with the plucky pachyderm in the movie was probably deeper than most other kids. As I would watch the movie and sing along, so would my grandma, who would recount her own personal experiences traveling for a brief time with a circus, and say what was accurately portrayed in the movie by her accounts.
Of course, watching the movie today, comparing it to what is deemed acceptable for child eye's, PETA would have a field day with this movie if it were to be released to the movie-going public of today. It's really debatable for me. I see so many news articles and stories of public protests against the cruel treatment of animals in traveling circuses. When the experience I had, watching my grandmother and her elephant's incredible bond that transcended to my whole family seeing her as an extension of us, beyond just an exotic pet. It's hard for me to comprehend how other elephants fair with their trainers, when what I saw was pure love and care.
Anyway, back to the movie, despite it's questionable depiction of animal treatment in the entertainment industry, this movie has some positive messages to take home. Obviously, the loudest message being that of turning negatives into positives, and taking the parts of us that drag us down and making them carry us skyward in the face of our biggest critics. However, the true nature of this story is that of unconditional love. The relationship between Dumbo and his mother is so deep and depicted so beautifully, especially considering both of them are pretty much mute the whole movie, letting their actions speak for them to tell the tale. It was pure brilliance.
The relationship all of us have with our parents is usually what shapes us the most in life, and sets the pace for who we are as we face the trials of adulthood. When Dumbo's enormous ears shot out of his head to the obnoxious amusement of the peanut gallery of Mrs. Jumbo's peers, all he was to her was perfect, and beautiful just as is. And with the help of his one true friend, he went on to shove those jeers down all those bully's throats as he flew over their heads in the big climax of the movie.
Initially, I went into this movie remembering some things that probably would bother me as an adult. One of which being the collection of black crows that teach Dumbo to fly, with their blatant racial undertones. However, after watching it, I must say, there was nothing truly negative about the characters, honestly, they helped Dumbo achieve his full potential, only after a few pokes of fun after seeing the strange sight of a elephant and mouse asleep in a tree. And also, it was a very different time we lived in when this movie was made.
The other thing I was skeptical about was the drunken rager Dumbo and Timothy Mouse go on in the "Pink Elephants" sequence. Now, this was one of my favorite scenes in the movie as a kid. I didn't see the alcohol when I was young, I thought they were both just being silly and playing with bubbles. Also, a lot of people I've talked with remember the sequence as being scary. Just goes to show you, everybody's different.
Drunk animals aside, this is a great movie. And most of the stuff I thought would bother me by today's standards were lost in the innocence of the story. It's short 64 minute length has some great long lasting messages to walk home with, and Dumbo himself is probably the cutest animated animal ever to grace the silver screen. Definitely rewatch this, and get ready to cheer for a flying elephant.

"Maestro, please......."

Fantasia (1940)

After wetting my whistle with Disney's first two classics, I now move on to the double black diamond slalom of Walt's mountain of animated canon. Fantasia remains to be one of those movies where you either adore it, or hate it. In my case, being the former. It really fits in a genre all it's own, despite it's huge influence on today's Disney established culture.
Fantasia is the perfect example of one very overlooked, but important trait of Walt Disney, which was his innovative tendencies. Throughout his entire career, Walt was always pushing the envelope with flagship ideas that were revolutionary for his time. In this case, pairing a night at the symphony with a night at the movies. For the art world, it was a moment of brilliance........ for the movie-going public.....not so much. And the box office sales spoke that loud and clear. It was another 30 years until it really gained popularity with it's psychedelic imagery striking a chord with the hippie movement of the late sixties.
When I was finally introduced to Fantasia, it opened my young aspiring artist eyes as wide as could be. It was strange and entrancing with imagery that was narrated purely by orchestral music. It, more than any other movie from my childhood, instilled and awakened the artist within me. Every time I watched it, which I'm not ashamed to admit was hundreds of times, I did so with paper and pencil in hand, ready to translate each form of inspiration that it would create while I watched. Revisiting this movie was honestly like seeing an old friend.
It's mind blowing to think that a movie such as this, came out in a pre World War II America. It just goes to show how ahead of his time Walt was. Surreal imagery, dancing zoo animals, even two animated pieces showing science's prehistoric earth and the infamous "Night on Bald Mountain" with it's demonic imagery. It's crazy to think this came out seventy four years ago.
To me, this is, arguably, Disney's masterpiece. It was way ahead of it's time, and paved the way for a future where animation could be seen as art. And inspired a whole new generation of kids, like I was, who saw the potential of where a piece of paper and a pencil could take you when you let your imagination run wild.
Although some of you readers may groan at the thought, I highly recommend taking another look at this movie that you most likely passed over as a child. Despite it's reputation as being a little too out there, you would really have to be a fool not to admire some of the fantastic works of art contained within it's two hour span. And if you're a music lover, you'll already have common ground.
I had a laugh out loud moment while watching, as the narrator introduced "The Nutcracker Suite" as a piece of music from a ballet that is 'hardly performed anymore.' Clearly, the 1940 world of ballet was not what it is today, since that piece of music is what almost anyone would associate with it. Once again, showing how much of an influence Disney had in shaping today's culture.
Fantasia is a journey through your imagination with a symphony at the steering wheel, waiting to lead you to some pretty fantastic places. So take a chance, and go somewhere outside the standard box. You may even like it.

"Always let your Conscience be your Guide"

Pinocchio (1940)

After winning his honorary Oscar for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney took the opportunity to tell the audience about his next animated movie, which held the entire academy captivated for 25 minutes. And three years later, Pinocchio went one to actually win Disney two academy awards in competitive categories. The first animated movie to ever do so.
Pinocchio, for me as a child, was a mixed bag. I loved the imagery it held. Magical wishing stars that turned into beautiful fairies, wood shops filled with intricate clocks and toys, and songs I could sing along to.
Watching the movie today, after so many years, brought some of those emotions back to me. And there was a lot of stuff that as an adult I loved. Particularly the relationship Gepetto had with his pets. Disney pretty much perfectly encapsulated the simple yet complicated relationships pets have with their owners. I loved how Gepetto does what all cat owners do, which is constantly troll their feline friends with a hint of endearing love behind it. As a matter of fact, Walt's favorite character in the whole movie was Figaro, the original grumpy cat, insisting, halfway through production, that his role in the movie be somewhat bigger, and even going on to create a series of cartoons starring the furball.
Having said all this, one thing remains about this movie....... it's terrifying! Walt was not out to sugar coat anything when it came to showing Pinocchio the harsh realities of bad life choices. Scary Gypsies, evil men who turned bad behaving boys into donkeys, and giant ship-eating whales showed me as a plucky wide-eyed youth what happened when you did the wrong thing.
Not going to school = bad.
Smoking cigars and drinking alcohol = bad
Letting your father get swallowed by a whale = VERY BAD.
At first glance, these lessons seem simple and do nothing but continue to push the stereotype that children's movies paint a very black and white image of the world. That on your way to school, you'll meet two types of folk; blue-winged angels sent from heaven, or the spawn of Satan himself.
But looking deeply into this movie, beyond the magical thinking that wishing upon a star will make everything right happen, there is some themes and messages with their feet firmly planted in the ground.
First off, the message of 'always let your conscience be your guide' seems to be the REAL lesson to walk away with. The Blue Fairy didn't just appear and make it easy for Geppetto and Pinocchio. All she did was open the proverbial door. She left it up to Pinocchio, if you work hard, and do the right thing 'MAYBE someday you will be a real boy.'
RIGHT THERE, one of the toughest lessons we, as adults, must face in our everyday realities.
Things don't always work out, and there's a lot of temptations we face every single day, weather it's the shortcut to 'easy street' where all we wanna do is throw our school books out the window and join a traveling gypsy wagon, or instead of facing our problems, we'll just go to Pleasure Island and get wasted with our friends until we all sound like jack-asses. However, if we work hard, and listen to that small voice of our conscience, desperately trying to be heard and keep up with us as we stumble through life..... MAYBE things will work out, and when they do, we'll dance the night away to the music of cuckoo clocks.
Pretty powerful stuff for a seventy four year old animated Disney movie... and a pretty timeless message too. Especially when it's paired with such a killer soundtrack. As a matter of fact, the score and the original song "When You Wish Upon A Star" were what won the Oscars for this movie. Which, watching it now, makes perfect sense. It complimented the story perfectly. Being dreamy and magical when it needed to be, as well as dramatic and scary when appropriate.
Overall, this movie packs a punch. Strong imagery, beautiful orchestrations, and a message to write home about, it's well worth taking another look at again. Perhaps it's only flaw is some of the rampant racist imagery that it's age can probably only be the real excuse for. And again, I probably speak for most children when I say this movie is pretty darn scary. Nonetheless, consider this my official recommendation.

"Hmphf........Mush."

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

One of my earliest memories of this movie, is one my family constantly reminds me of.
Whilst watching this movie the countless times I had as a young child, during the scene where Snow White eats the poison apple, in a moment of pure unbridled childhood empathy and passion, I shout at the top of my lungs, "UGH! Every time, I tell her NOT to eat the apple, and she does anyway!!!!"
Needless to say, I think that was when my parents began to truly notice my passion for Disney. Although, truth be told, it wasn't one I watched nearly as often as some of the other classics. Nonetheless, I was anxious to watch the movie that started the legacy.
When Walt Disney first began production on this classic, most of Hollywood, and even some of his team of animators, thought he was crazy. Even going as far as to nickname the project "Disney's Folly." The though of a full length animated movie was unheard of, up to that point, animated projects were simply done as short cartoons that showed before full length live-action movies, pure anecdotes of humor and whimsy, nothing else. Although clearly, as we all know now, Disney knocked it out of the park. Not only is it still the highest grossing animated movie of all time (adjusted for inflation), it went on to win Disney an honorary Oscar, including seven smaller companion Oscars. It was even Hitler's favorite movie.
So, how does it hold up for me as an adult??? Pretty well actually.
I must say, I was truly impressed by some of the animated sequences. Small things, like Snow White's reflection in the stream as she strolls past, or when the birds pull her along by her cloak. Also, the imagery could just be stunning at times! The scene of her sleeping in the coffin, with the animals, and dwarfs looking on as the sunlight shown through the canopy was just gorgeous! It's hard to believe how old this movie is, because to me, it holds up even in this day and age.
One thing about looking this far back in the animated vaults, is how much Disney didn't shy away from the terror and frights. Unlike most animated movies in this day and age, scary imagery was the norm. Animated movie were truly geared towards a universal audience. The sequence of Snow White running through the creepy forest were the stuff of nightmares for me as a kid. And honestly, I'm thankful for it!  I could stand on my milk crate and spend the rest of this post ranting about my thoughts on the need for scares in kids movies to emphasize the stakes at hand, to help impact the message of the story, and also to generally toughen kids up to the hardships of life, but I'll spare you.
Over all, I was happy to stroll back into this movie, and most of it held up, except for one thing.....
Snow White.
I must say, the evolution of the Disney Princess over the years has been interesting, and most of the progress has been good. And truth be told, Snow White is just so..... gosh darn.... sweet! Too sweet! Everything from her, bird-like, sing-songy voice to her sappy goals of meeting the man of her dreams, who she met for a brief period of time after he snuck into her yard and scared her to death.... It made me miss our current reigning princesses with their flaws and take charge attitudes. I scoffed in agreement with Grumpy during Snow White's rendition of "Someday my Prince will Come" when he said, "Hmphf....... Mush." But, mind you, it's only a small critique.
And the soundtrack itself! There are some overlooked songs that are worth listening to. In a way, it makes me sad that the most memorable songs (Hi-Ho, Whistle While You Work, etc), are honestly the weakest. There are some solid standards in there that I would gladly hold in a vinyl collection.
Overall, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is still a solid animated movie in this day and age, and I say still worth a watch for young and old, despite it's lack of a real message or strong characters. It's a true classic that stands the test of time.
 I give it a solid 4 out of 5 sing-songy princesses.

"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome!"

I have a confession to make.....
Well, it isn't much of a confession unless you know me personally, but here it goes anyway.
I am a Disney Fanatic.
Much of who I am today has been due to the influence of the Walt Disney Collection of movies, cartoons, and parks had on my childhood. And a lot of that enthusiasm has remained with me through all the trials of being an adult.
However, in the usual hustle and bustle of adulthood, my memory of those movies that meant so much to me as a kid, has simply remained so. It has been years since I've seen many of them, and a part of me has always wondered how the stories I held so dear would hold up now through the filter of my adult eyes. Which brings me to this blog!
Unlike the usual New Year's resolutions of getting thinner, being healthier, or simply being a nice person, I have decided to set a goal for myself that is a bit more fun.
I plan to watch, and review EVERY Disney animated movie over the course of this year in chronological order! And I plan to document my nostalgic journey on this very blog.
Maybe this isn't a very lofty goal to most people, yet for me, I see it as a way of honoring who I am today by looking back on what I loved as a kid, and recounting the memories I had watching them, and what still stands out to me about each one. Maybe even with a few pieces of trivia thrown in with each review.
So, as this new year of 2015 begins, I will thrust myself down the path of sweet, animated, cartoon memories. And maybe I'll have some of you follow me too! Below you'll find the full list of the movies I'll be reviewing, in case you want to challenge yourselves too!
Walt Disney Animated Movies
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Pinnochio (1940)
Fantasia (1940)
Dumbo (1941)
Saludos Amigos (1942)
The Three Caballeros (1944)
Make Mine Music (1946)
Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
Melody Time (1948)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Cinderella (1950)
Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Peter Pan (1953)
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)
The Jungle Book (1967)
The Aristocats (1970)
Robin Hood (1973)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
The Rescuers (1977)
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Black Cauldron (1985)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Oliver and Company (1988)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Aladdin (1992)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Lion King (1994)
Pocahontas (1995)
Toy Story (1995)
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Hercules (1997)
Mulan (1998)
A Bug's Life (1998)
Tarzan (1999)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Fantasia 2000 (1999)
Dinosaur (2000)
The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Monster's Inc. (2001)
Lilo and Stitch (2002)
Treasure Planet (2002)
Finding Nemo (2003)
Brother Bear (2003)
Home on the Range (2004)
The Incredibles (2004)
Chicken Little (2005)
Cars (2006)
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Ratatouille (2007)
WALL-E (2008)
Bolt (2008)
Up (2009)
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Tangled (2010)
Cars 2 (2011)
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
Brave (2012)
Frankenweenie (2012)
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Monsters University (2013)
Planes (2013)
Frozen (2013)
Big Hero 6 (2014)

**** Might I note, that after listing all these movies, I had a mild panic attack...... I forgot how many there are......