Disney
Don’t mess with Disney. The House of Mouse is one mean mutha. And you’d be surprised just how much it’s
responsible for. Ask a child who made The Little Mermaid and they’ll either say they don’t know, remind you they’re four and promptly scream for their parents, or they’ll answer: Disney. Not Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote the bloody fairy tale. Ask your mate what they’re watching tonight. Desperate Housewives? Owned by Disney. Scrubs? Disney. Lost? Yes, you would be without Disney…
But the heart of the late Walt’s conglomerate business has always been its 2D animations. It’s done itself a huge favour by acquiring Pixar to pick up the 3D-slack (getting nominated for Oscars and such), but Disney’s own greats are films of princes and princesses, unconventional and extremely effective storytelling and awe-inspiring visuals. Anime can be gorgeous, but Disney never fails. The sheer amount of talent that goes into each of its productions ensures this. The Princess and the Frog, reviewed opposite, demonstrates that this medium of storytelling is as timeless as it is beautiful. The Princess reminds us of Disney’s reach when it comes to location as well – from deep beneath the sea, to the African wilderness, to New Orleans in the midst of the Jazz Age – each one hand-drawn to perfection. It is for this reason and so many more that Mickey holds a piece of our hearts in his big, white-gloved mouse-hand. The first film I can remember seeing at the cinema was The Lion King, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It may have had its day, but Disney isn’t done, and it will continue to set the bar for animation, it would seem, for quite some time yet. Hmm, I’m a few words short. Hakuna matata!
Tom Martins
Anime
It’s not an easy task defending Hayao Miyazaki’s masterworks to the globe conquering Disneys that dominate most people’s childhood. However I’m not talking about the box office success or the huge franchises that Disney controls. I’m talking about the creative genius of his works, particularly Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Sure, works such as Beauty and the Beast are incredible artistic animations but Spirited Away takes you to a world where characters and scenes are so imaginatively realised that you can’t help but be awestruck. In Spirited Away alone there are stink Gods, babbling kimono clad frogs, soot beasts, Haku the glorious, noble river dragon, and many more. All weird and wonderful beasts that are rendered in a minute detail that’s astounding.
Miyazaki’s old-school hand drawn characters and scenes are so meticulously rendered, that more than one viewing is essential. The detail is especially mind blowing considering that out of the 144,000 cells that made Princess Mononoke, 80,000 were attended to by Miyazaki. Yet Miyazaki’s films aren’t all style and no substance. For example Princess Mononoke’s story has simplicity and force with captivating images to back a gutsy narrative. It’s also a story that ends in reconciliation; a more subtle finish than your typical good triumps over evil. My Neighbour Totoro is bound to pull on heart strings as Mei and Satsuki escape to Totoro’s world of innocence, a contrast from the real world where they are forced to grow up.
So Disney may be the mainstream favourite but Miyazaki’s films are underdogs that should not be dismissed. The very fact that all Studio Ghibli films are not funded by multiple franchises or merchandise can only be a good thing. As Miyazaki’s art keeps its surprising and original flair instead of the Disney characters that we are continually bulldozed with. There’s no need for catchy songs or gimmicks, as these captivating narratives and stunning visuals keep you going back for more.
Jenny McLarney
“Studio Ghibli films are not funded by multiple franchises or merchandise can only be a good thing”
Well, they kind of are. Studio Ghibli’s films are dubbed and distributed by Disney in the west…
Thanks for your comment chris, what i meant was that ghibli is funded film to film with no merch i.e. no Totoro happy meals and no franchise notions, rather than the sale of their own films.
The primary difference between the two film franchises which wasn’t mentioned in the debate is really the light they cast women in. Despite my childhood love of disney films they repeatedly subjected examples of women who are entirely dependent on men to rescue them. In Aladdin Jasmine is literally made a slave to villain Jaffar, in both Snow White and Sleeping Beauty the kiss of a man is needed to save paralysed female leads and in Cinderella her dream is to marry a prince. In contrast in Studio Ghibli we’re given the opposite, strong female leads who manage to show vulnerability whilst also often saving male characters.
Yes but snow white and cinderella were made in the 30s and 50s (compared to studio ghibli that was founded in the mid 80s) when women weren’t given the same equality, maybe these cartoons are more influenced by society than disney being particularly sexist, plus disney started for children and therefore used old fairy tales which typically puts the female into the weaker role to be saved by the man. Yes i agree with aladin, there are some more modern disneys that still take this road, however they also have also produced films such as Mulan that counter this it as well.
Of course films are in some way of their time and you have to take into account the market for such a film, your absolutely right about Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. I do think though that if you compare the two franchises through the same period of time that disney still ultimately underachieves on strong female characters. Some of this might be to do with the fairytales they have chosen to base their films on, but Disney has never had real problems making significant changes to fairytales or stories to suit their needs. Although they present stronger female characters such as Belle, Meg and Nala, they ultimately continue they ultimately are dependent on male characters to save them and hardly hold a candle to Princess Monoke, Kiki or Chihiro…. Sorry rant over!