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 the 'live actor with animated character' genre well with such classics as Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews as the title character. Ironically, the author of the Poppins books, upon which the film was based had insisted that all the actors should be English. One wonders how Dick Van Dyke was able to slip his atrocious English accent past her.
Another classic live action/animation movie was Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) where the lucky kids got to travel to Isle of Naboombu on their bed. I can't have been the only kid who turned the knob on my bedpost and hoped.
Disney movies however, generally fall into two categories; those enjoyed only by children and those enjoyed by both adults and children. Naturally for long-suffering parents who watch these movies on a daily basis, it is the latter that generally become big hits. The popularity of the block-buster Disney movie can be seen in the long list of celebrities who provide the voices for some of the colourful characters. No one can fault Robin William's exuberant performance in Aladdin (1992), and Whoopi Goldberg's performance for The Lion King (1994).
Everyone loves Disney and can choose a favourite (whether they care to admit it or not), and it is not necessarily from their own childhood. Often just one that for whatever reason spoke to them amused them or made them feel good. A definite must see is Jungle Book (1967), with wonderfully catchy songs which have aged well. No one can resist dancing(or at least tapping their toes) to I wanna Be Like You. The most recent musical, although not the best, is Frozen (2013), and Let it Go has been played constantly in the music charts and TV since its release. Everyone should see Frozen just so see what the hype is about and 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.
Not everyone will agree with the choice of movies presented here, and in a year's time perhaps the list of must-see Disney movies would be different as, as the audience matures their choice of movies changes although it is inevitable that of the fifty-four movies there will always be a favourite that stands 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 the 'live actor with animated character' genre well with such classics as Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews as the title character. Ironically, the author of the Poppins books, upon which the film was based had insisted that all the actors should be English. One wonders how Dick Van Dyke was able to slip his atrocious English accent past her.
Another classic live action/animation movie was Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) where the lucky kids got to travel to Isle of Naboombu on their bed. I can't have been the only kid who turned the knob on my bedpost and hoped.
Disney movies however, generally fall into two categories; those enjoyed only by children and those enjoyed by both adults and children. Naturally for long-suffering parents who watch these movies on a daily basis, it is the latter that generally become big hits. The popularity of the block-buster Disney movie can be seen in the long list of celebrities who provide the voices for some of the colourful characters. No one can fault Robin William's exuberant performance in Aladdin (1992), and Whoopi Goldberg's performance for The Lion King (1994).
Everyone loves Disney and can choose a favourite (whether they care to admit it or not), and it is not necessarily from their own childhood. Often just one that for whatever reason spoke to them amused them or made them feel good. A definite must see is Jungle Book (1967), with wonderfully catchy songs which have aged well. No one can resist dancing(or at least tapping their toes) to I wanna Be Like You. The most recent musical, although not the best, is Frozen (2013), and Let it Go has been played constantly in the music charts and TV since its release. Everyone should see Frozen just so see what the hype is about and 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.
Not everyone will agree with the choice of movies presented here, and in a year's time perhaps the list of must-see Disney movies would be different as, as the audience matures their choice of movies changes although it is inevitable that of the fifty-four movies there will always be a favourite that stands out.
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