Writer's Block: The happiest movies on earth

[yukinoomoni]

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Mulan. Say what you will about the historical inadequacies and the cheesy songs, I enjoy it because it's that perfect mix of cheese and epic. I don't watch it for its history - although Mulan as a historical woman is much more badass - I watch it for the gorgeous animation and silly jokes and wonderful characters.

I would have said Beauty and the Beast, but the wolf scene always ruins that movie for me.

When I try and think about any other movie, the next one that comes to mind is actually Tarzan. It's underrated and incredibly silly, but it's also very heart-wrenching, and the music sometimes chokes me up with its beauty. I usually don't like characters like Jane, but with her, she actually grows up and into a wonderful and strong woman. And yeah, if you can get me to watch a movie with apes and monkeys in it and still feel moved by it, you know you've done an incredible job.

The end.

Comments

[dorknessrising.livejournal.com]

Can I just say Clayton's death was the second most horrific Disney death ever, second only to Scar?

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

You can, because I agree.

[dorknessrising.livejournal.com]

Frollo comes in a very close third because lake of goddamn molten copper, but still. Hanging yourself by accident. Fuckin' ouch, man.

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

Hanging yourself by accident, in the middle of a temper-tantrum, while your enemy is trying to stop you and save you...that would suck.

[quorothorn.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. ...yes.

(Though after watching Atlantis, I'd put the death of that movie's villain up on a similar level as Clayton's--though not Scar's, because seriously.)

[quorothorn.livejournal.com]

Oddly, this topic was just on my mind because I saw Atlantis: The Lost Empire for the very first time last night. (And The Black Cauldron a night or so earlier, but that wasn't as good from my perspective.)

The characters and humour are also what I like about Mulan (of course, characters and humour are generally what I latch on to in general for media I like, as far as I can tell). I enjoyed Mushu more than I thought I might, and the early Matchmaker scene is one of those scenes that reduced me to incoherent laughter during my first viewing. Also, that ending sequence(s): amazing.

What about the wolf scene takes B&tB down a few notches for you, do you think?

My most vivid memory of Tarzan from my first viewing of it is when Sabor first attacks in the treehouse. Odd how these things work.

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

I found the wolf scene a poor excuse for moving the plot along. Basically, I tire endlessly of movies and TV shows constantly perpetuating the myth that wolves are man-eaters, when anyone with a brain knows that they aren't. And the worst is that those who constantly feature this myth are totally unapologetic about it. That, and Gaston's needless death in the end is what usually ruins the movie for me.

That first scene sets the tone of the whole movie nicely.

[quorothorn.livejournal.com]

I thought it might be that, since it's an issue I often have with media, too. In situations like that I can sliiightly pass it by by thinking it's a really, really bad winter and that pack was desperate, but it doesn't quite fly even in my head as an explanation/excuse.

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and sometimes I can say that to myself, too. But I really doubt that that's why it was included. To me, it was a cheap plot ploy to show that the Beast was more beast than a bunch of wolves were, and we all know how beastly and evil wolves are, don't we? *annoyed face*

[dorknessrising.livejournal.com]

And The Black Cauldron a night or so earlier

Dude. Forget that abomination. You need to read the books it was based on, like yesterday.

[quorothorn.livejournal.com]

That was pretty much what the friend I was watching it with said/implied. She's read the books before, and repeatedly was commenting on how this or that moment or character was better in the books. So, yes, I need to get on that.

[dorknessrising.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Hell, there were some awesome characters that were completely left out of the film (and I'm kind of grateful because I wouldn't have wanted to see them butchered the way Eilonwy was).

I remember even as a kid thinking The Black Cauldron was pretty horrible film, even completely divorced from the books. It was clunky and confusing. The only good thing about it was that the Cauldron-Born were made scary as hell.

[faelariel.livejournal.com]

The books are my childhood.
I love them.
In fact, I need to go reread them.
lol

[kuruccha.livejournal.com]

Actually, Tarzan is at the top of the list of my favourites Disney movies, closely followed by Peter Pan. But hey, I absolutely loved Peter Pan books by Barrie, so that's probably why.
As for Tarzan... Tarzan *_* It's awesome. :D
/insert fangirl joy here

[faelariel.livejournal.com]

I love Mulan!!!! My favourite part is when the captain comes out and sees her sitting on the top of the pole!
Win!

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

That is always one of the best scenes, I find. Especially since she kept trying as often as she could. She was the only one who did!

[faelariel.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

FUCK YEAH WE HAVE THE SAME TOP 3.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

Jane is one of my favorite Disney heroines.
Instead of being disgusted by the jungle life, she embraces it!

AND THESE ARE MY TOP THREE AS WELL.