12 Things That Rub Us the Wrong Way in Modern Disney Movies
Disney is one of the biggest production companies, and not just like any other company, it's goddamn Disney. The company that shaped our childhoods with countless incredible movies. They knew how to entertain both grown-ups and kids without being condescending. They created timeless stories and characters we could admire and relate to. They've been creating movies and TV Shows since the 1930s, and they keep making more and more. But some Disney fans wonder if they care more about making a lot of content than making it good.
Things change over time, and that includes the movie industry. Modern Disney movies are made for a new generation of viewers, but they don't always live up to the beloved classics. Some modern movies just don't hit the mark. There could be a few reasons for this, like using the same ideas over and over or having boring characters. Today let's uncover the moments where Disney might have accidentally misplaced its roots.
12. Predictable Stories
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Ever noticed how Disney's new movies seem to follow a predictable pattern? It's like they're on autopilot! Don't get us wrong, family-friendly and fun is great, but when you can guess what's gonna happen next, it's as dry as a desert. No doubt the hero will triumph in the end, right?
Take "Raya and the Last Dragon" for example, it's just another tale of saving the world from evil. Yawn! When the ideas start feeling too familiar, it's like reading the same bedtime story over and over.
11. Focus On Franchises
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Recently, Disney has been turning its movies into franchises. Many of their modern stories, especially the popular ones, have at least one sequel. This prevents the opportunity to create new and exciting stories. Frozen, for instance, started as a single story about self-acceptance and sisterly love but turned into two movies and several shorts.
Frozen's popularity opens the door for live-action versions, merchandise, and more content. These things contribute to the film's success and create a cycle of reusing the same material. The first movie would have been great on its own, but its success led to more content instead of new stories being created.
10. Lack Of Nostalgia
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Some adults who grew up watching classic Disney movies make a part of the audience. Their childhoods were shaped by the 2D animations and memorable musical numbers. These movies bring back nostalgic feelings for older fans and keep them coming back to Disney.
Modern movies don't have the same appeal as the classics. Times are changing, and as Disney moves forward, older audiences may lose interest in the flashy new movies. The Princess and the Frog is a good example. It is one of the last 2D animated princess stories and stands out from the classic films that came before it.
9. Live-Action Remakes With No Benefits
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Some movies work well as live-action, but not all of them. Disney tried a new approach with live-action remakes, aiming to introduce new fans to old stories while appealing to older audiences. It's a commendable effort, but some classic Disney tales like The Jungle Book don't fit well in the realistic live-action style.
The animated Jungle Book had vibrant visuals, catchy songs, and unique character designs. These elements contributed to its popularity, but they are missed in the live-action version, where the animals are portrayed realistically.
8. Lack Of Musicals
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While Encanto and Frozen offer some seriously good music, Disney musicals are not as frequent as before. The beloved songs that adults still hum today are not as prominent in newer Disney films.
Making musicals is challenging, but they carry a special kind of magic that no other movie genre can replicate. It's nice to see Disney exploring different formats, but many fans miss the excitement and joy of experiencing and singing along to a Disney musical for the first time.
7. Lack Of Coming-of-Age Stories
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Despite being aimed at younger audiences, many modern Disney films don't explore the theme of growing up. Classic movies like Peter Pan and The Fox and the Hound had significant themes of change and personal growth. They always had an element of maturing and taking responsibility.
In contrast, only two modern films stand out when it comes to portraying the challenges of childhood: Inside Out and Turning Red. Both are distinct stories about young girls going through life changes. Other modern films often focus on big adventures or larger conflicts, leaving the audience yearning for stories they can personally relate to.
6. Same 3D Animation Style Again And Again
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Modern animated movies from Disney have been using a similar 3D style for over ten years. They feature characters with big eyes and exaggerated features. This animation style was first seen in the 2005 film Chicken Little, and Disney has stuck with it ever since.
While the 3D style was unique in Chicken Little, it has become repetitive when used in multiple movies like Frozen, Tangled, and Big Hero 6. The characters in these films look strikingly similar due to the reused animation style.
5. Heavy Plotlines
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Recent Disney movies have tackled deeper and more serious topics, trusting the audience with meaningful messages. While the lessons are valuable and skillfully incorporated into the story, these movies can sometimes feel emotionally burdensome.
The important content is commendable, but it can weigh heavily on viewers who already carry their own burdens. It's good to be moved by a children's animated movie every now and then, but sometimes people want lighter stories about heroes and heroines, like the old Disney movies.
4. Fewer Absurd, Cheering, Fun Songs
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Along with the scarcity of musicals, there is also a shortage of "fun" songs. Many songs in current Disney musicals are filled with intense emotions, often making listeners overwhelmingly sad.
These emotionally charged songs are necessary to balance the story and highlight poignant moments. However, it feels like the majority of today's Disney songs are heartbreaking in one way or another. Fans especially miss villain songs, as they were always the most enjoyable parts of many older Disney films.
3. Too Many Sequels
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When a movie is successful and loved by the audience, it often leads to a sequel. Disney follows this pattern by making sequels to many of their great films, even when they're not necessary. They have recently made sequels to older movies like The Incredibles 2 and Finding Dory, but the most glaring example is Toy Story.
The unique story about toys' lives has expanded into four movies, shorts, and spinoffs. The franchise must be doing well to have so many continuations, but it leaves little room for something new and exciting, like the original Toy Story in 1995.
2. Lack Of Memorable Disney Villains
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Scar, Hades, and Ursula are well-known Disney villains, but modern movies struggle to introduce equally memorable villains. Lately, the main conflicts in Disney films come from internal struggles rather than external forces. Encanto is a great example, with conflicts revolving around family relationships instead of a traditional villain.
Encanto initially portrays Uncle Bruno as the villain, only to reveal that he isn't bad at all. The conflicts then shift to Maribel, her family, and how their troubled relationships affect the Madrigal's powers. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but many stories, especially adventures, benefit from having two opposing sides.
1. Forced Female Empowerment
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One of the positive aspects of Disney's newer films is the increasing number of female protagonists. However, it has also become a point of contention. While having more non-romantic female leads is great, some feel that the female empowerment portrayed feels forced.
Instead of flawed heroines overcoming personal obstacles, many of these female characters are already perfect from the start. Their journeys often lack depth, and their character development is minimal or nonexistent. While there are exceptions, many fans believe that Disney is pretending to empower their female protagonists by simply making them heroines without meaningful growth.
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