There are dozens of great animated Disney movies, many of which are enduring classics known to all. These popular films are held as iconic entertainment, and rightly so. However, we would like to bring to light a few of the cinematic gems you may have missed in your Disney adventures. The list you're about to read contains some of those masterpieces which sustain a devoted underground following, but never received the promotion that they deserve. We grew up with most of these movies, just as we grew up with Snow White, Aladdin, The Lion King, and many other well-known Disney classics.
The Rescuers (1977), The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
The Rescuers and its sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, feature a group of mice in an organization called the Rescue Aid Society. In both films, two mice from this organization, Bernard and Bianca, are sent on missions to rescue kidnapped children. These movies present one of the rare cases where a sequel is as good as its predecessor. (Hm...maybe it helped that they didn't try to crank out a direct-to-TV sequel right away?)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
This movie is an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes - sort of. Basil, the Great Mouse Detective, and Dawson, his compatriot, are clearly based on Sherlock and Watson, but Basil also happens to live underneath 221B, where Sherlock Holmes resides. At a couple different points in the film, silhouettes can be seen and voices can be heard which are clearly those of the human Sherlock and Watson. The case this story centers around involves a young mouse named Olivia, who seeks Basil's help in finding her kidnapped ("fathernapped?") father. Basil is originally uninterested in the case, until he learns that Ratigan, his arch-nemesis, may be involved.
Oliver and Company (1988)
Oliver and Company is very loosely based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist." It's set in New York City, and Oliver, as well as Dodger's gang, are represented by animals. Oliver is an unwanted kitten who gets lost in the city and is taken in by a man named Fagan and his dogs, of whom Dodger is the ringleader. Fagan is living in poverty, trying to repay a large sum of money to an evil man called Sykes. Oliver is swept up in the misadventures of his friends as they attempt to get the money by any means necessary. For us, one of the highlights of this movie is that Billy Joel voices Dodger and sings one of the featured songs.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
This movie is an example of the darker side of Disney (though it's not nearly as dark as the novel on which it's based). It tells the tragic story of Quasimodo, a bell-ringer who is cruelly treated by those in authority because of his disfigurement. The film follows his efforts to overcome this mistreatment in order to help a gypsy friend named Esmerelda who is also undergoing the persecution of society. Incidentally, Esmerelda is one of Disney's greatest female role models, though she has received little attention for it. She possesses qualities and a personality that we don't often get to see in the film industry, which is extremely refreshing. In addition, she sings one of the best Disney songs of all time (God Help the Outcasts). In fact, the music in this film is fantastic overall, and the villain is both intriguing and highly disturbing.
The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
The narcissistic Emperor Kuzco learns some valuable life lessons when he is turned into a llama by his recently-fired advisor, Yzma, who wants to take over the throne. To regain his original form, his dignity, and his leadership, he is forced to enlist the help of a peasant named Pacha, while being deterred at every turn by Yzma and her hilarious sidekick, Kronk. This film is filled with a brand of strange, self-aware humor that is atypical in Disney movies. We also enjoy the frequent use of one of our favorite cinematic devices: the shattering of the fourth wall.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
This is the story of a girl who adopts a "dog" who turns out to be an alien from outer space. Yes, you read that correctly. There are many awesome things about this movie, not the least of which is the relationship between the titular character Lilo and her sister Nani. (Katie would here like to say: while I love Elsa and Anna as much as the next Disney fanatic, my vote for best Disney sisters goes to Lilo and Nani, hands down. I could write an entire blog post on just this subject, and perhaps someday I will.) The concepts of family, being different, and seeking acceptance are big themes in this film. A Hawaiian setting, unusual plot, kooky characters, and the very realistic problems they face make this one of the most unique Disney films ever made.
If you haven't seen these movies, watch them! If you have seen them, let us know your own opinions! If you notice gaps in our list, enlighten us!
In closing, we just want to give you a heads-up that there will be a bonus post next week. Among other things, we want to let you know how our list of projects has been progressing. Thanks for reading!
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