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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Jan 29, 2008 1:32:41 GMT -5
Silver, your thought provoking posts help me better articulate and explain what drives my thought process on movies. In the end, there's a time and a place for both the serious films such as Million Dollar Baby and the happily ever afters of Disney.
I believe strongly that there are too many people who are in too much of a hurry to turn chlidren into adults so they demean the happy endings and make it sound as if they never happen.
I believe the greatest point Enchanted makes is that happy endings can and do happen, but in the real world they require a lot of hard work. The scene where the Bankses explain their change of heart to Robert is beautiful and powerful. In short, I believe it to be Disney's answer to their critics. Happily ever after does happen, but it requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
A lot has changed since Walt Disney's time. At the same time, his idealism is needed now more than ever. This presents a unique challenge for the Disney company as they try to make films that resonate with today's audiences, while also being something that Walt would look at and be proud of.
Your point about good writing captures what I've been attempting to say about strong story. In terms of Disney movies, a strong story is a well written story. And Frog will sink or swim based on good writing.
What could be very interesting to see is how Disney handles the princess aspect of this film. Discounting Enchanted due to it's fractured fairy tale story, Frog will be the first film since Disney went bananas with the princesses, turning them into a billion dollar a year industry(and almost ignoring the existence of the princes). If Disney isn't careful, they could wind up making the public think this film is very princessy. While a princess is obviously important to the story, Disney needs to make sure that the prince is more along the lines of Prince Philip than the respective Prince Charmings.
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Post by Silver on Jan 29, 2008 1:59:47 GMT -5
I agree that the Disney Company should focus more on the man and woman. If anything, I would really like to see a story about teamwork between the leads. And for them to not nessarily make a Prince & Princess concept but the love between a hero & heroine. (There arn't many Disney films that actually have the lovers rescue each other) I'd like to see a devleopment in friendship also. But one of my real wishes is that our leading lady is not a damsel in distress. Or as you mentioned, our leading man simply waiting to become the love interest. I'd like to see a bond form. Plus having a couple rescue each other is something viewers need so neither gender feels belittled. Especially in contemporary filmmaking.
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Jan 29, 2008 2:25:38 GMT -5
Beauty and the Beast is one film that I think did a nice job of having the couple rescue each other in the sense that Belle finally found someone who loved her for her soul, and she obviously helped the Beast become human again.
I understand that the princesses make a ton of money for the company. I get it that a lot of little girls dream of being a princess. I just don't want Disney to relegate the next generation of princes to Prince Charming status. Part of the appeal from Sleeping Beauty through The Lion King is that the male lead was equally important to the story. Part of me worries that in a "Disney Princess" world, they'll forget the fact that if not for a Prince, Snow White would be dead and Sleeping Beauty would still be asleep.
Your comment about not belittling either gender is important and Disney would do well to take heed. A story with more Prince Charming than Prince Phililp, especially today will likely be perceived(perhaps rightly so) as a chick flick. And I don't think Disney wants to be in the business of making chick flicks.
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Funkyk
Disney Grandmaster
Thump!!
Posts: 704
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Post by Funkyk on Jan 29, 2008 11:00:21 GMT -5
of corse theyt don't: they started out as a family film maker and they will always will be.
'A Dream Is What The Heart Makes'
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Post by dumboxthexelephant on Jan 29, 2008 11:14:28 GMT -5
I totally agree with you there Funkyk I m just reading the article Brair Rose prince has posted
i would agree with you Briar Rose's Prince or who ever else posted about the chickflick
coment i really hope Disney does not go down that route
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Post by Silver on Jan 30, 2008 11:42:05 GMT -5
Beauty and the Beast is one film that I think did a nice job of having the couple rescue each other in the sense that Belle finally found someone who loved her for her soul, and she obviously helped the Beast become human again. I understand that the princesses make a ton of money for the company. I get it that a lot of little girls dream of being a princess. I just don't want Disney to relegate the next generation of princes to Prince Charming status. Part of the appeal from Sleeping Beauty through The Lion King is that the male lead was equally important to the story. Part of me worries that in a "Disney Princess" world, they'll forget the fact that if not for a Prince, Snow White would be dead and Sleeping Beauty would still be asleep. Your comment about not belittling either gender is important and Disney would do well to take heed. A story with more Prince Charming than Prince Phililp, especially today will likely be perceived(perhaps rightly so) as a chick flick. And I don't think Disney wants to be in the business of making chick flicks. Well I'm glad to say Disney is starting to pick up on how it's a positive quality to show couples rescuing one another. Pocahantas, Mulan, Pirates of the Carribean, and even Enchanted have shown this in their characters. Both the men and women play a significant role in the other's life as well as the will to make grave sacrifices for the person they love more then life. Even the Broadway show of The Little Mermaid has taken an idea from this trait. They rewrote the ending so both Eric and Ariel can have their moments of bravery, as well as making their love for each other much more true. I'm hoping "The Princess and the Frog" will follow this lead. Yes the males don't seem to have as much attention, but I think Disney is starting to take this under consideration. Afterall in Tarzan,The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, and Aladdin , the stories were not just about finding their true love and sweeping her off her feet. It was about them finding their place in life and winning her heart through their best quality. Their selfless acts of heroism. I think our lead in Frog will be updated along with these brave men. Or at least I hope so. "No more chick flicks with a same old damsel in distress and men with the lack of substance!" I just want to see a film with characters who make sacrfices for each other and are not afraid to be strong physically or mentally. It's been done before, and I'd love to reconnect with those stories.
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Post by diznykid on Apr 16, 2008 23:33:13 GMT -5
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Apr 17, 2008 0:27:00 GMT -5
That looks like a close up of the shot that Bob Iger unveiled recently at some Disney function.
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Post by Butterscotch on Apr 17, 2008 14:14:14 GMT -5
Since D*zney Kid's pic isn't showing *coughdon'tdirectlinkit'sstealingbandwidth*
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Post by diznykid on Apr 17, 2008 22:21:53 GMT -5
Oh, oops sorry 'bout that ,Butters.
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Post by Shenzi on Apr 18, 2008 0:41:58 GMT -5
her name is Tiana! OMG My kid cousin is going to love this film, her name is Tiana too!
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Post by Silver on Apr 19, 2008 15:03:54 GMT -5
The image is astounding and beautiful! Even if this just a pre-show for what the animation will really resemble, it's still amazing! And the animator who will be supervising Tiana did a splendid job at capturing the physical comparisons with actress Anika Noni Rose. (Who will be providing the voice) That's the closest I've ever seen!
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Post by diznykid on May 3, 2008 22:31:09 GMT -5
I think I'm remembering Anika Rose from Fresh Prince of belaire. She's really cool! I haven't seen that show in forever. (If that was her)
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Post by diznykid on May 3, 2008 22:32:24 GMT -5
I agree that the Disney Company should focus more on the man and woman. If anything, I would really like to see a story about teamwork between the leads. And for them to not nessarily make a Prince & Princess concept but the love between a hero & heroine. (There arn't many Disney films that actually have the lovers rescue each other) I'd like to see a devleopment in friendship also. But one of my real wishes is that our leading lady is not a damsel in distress. Or as you mentioned, our leading man simply waiting to become the love interest. I'd like to see a bond form. Plus having a couple rescue each other is something viewers need so neither gender feels belittled. Especially in contemporary filmmaking. Actually, Mulan is partly like that ... But yeah. I'd like to see a film like that as well.
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on May 5, 2008 23:27:58 GMT -5
The image is astounding and beautiful! Even if this just a pre-show for what the animation will really resemble, it's still amazing! From what I've heard the real envelope pushing animation is coming in Rapunzel. Apparently, Disney is playing it safe in terms of animation for this film.
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