Summer of Magic- "Finding Nemo"

If Toy Story was the film that started Pixar, Finding Nemo was the film that began Pixar's dominance of the box office and the animation industry. The studio had already established itself as a force to be reckoned with for years to come, but with this underwater masterpiece, they officially took the world by storm. Finding Nemo is a genuine classic, and one of Pixar's best films to date. I was eight years old when this film was released, and I still remember seeing it in theaters with utter amazement overtaking me. I was transfixed by the gorgeous animation, deeply invested in these iconic characters, and totally compelled by this powerful story. Simply put, Finding Nemo is Pixar at its finest.

As is normally the case with Pixar films, characters are the key, and Finding Nemo stars a whole host of classic characters. Our story begins with Marlin and Coral anxiously awaiting the birth of their children. The following sequence is one of the most heartbreaking scenes in Pixar history as we all know that Coral is taken away from Marlin along with most of their children. There is only one child that survives, and due to the request made by Coral, Marlin names him Nemo. Then, he tenderly informs the unborn Nemo, "I promise I will never let anything to happen to you." Thus, the characterization begins. Marlin is portrayed as a worrywart (by the incredible Albert Brooks), constantly looking out for trouble so he can shield Nemo from the world's inevitable dangers. Nemo, on the other hand, is a free spirit, continually searching for adventure and daring to explore. This contrast in character is an excellent set-up for the entire film as both Marlin and Nemo experience tremendous character evolution over the course of the film. For Marlin, he learns to accept that parents cannot protect their children from danger forever. In fact, part of growing up is independently experiencing the world. It is by no means an easy realization to grasp for Marlin, but it is certainly a necessary one. For Nemo, he realizes that Marlin's oftentimes overbearing tendencies are present simply because he loves his child with all of his heart. When he commands Nemo to be safe, it is coming from a heart of love and genuine care. Through these two amazing clownfish, we can learn quite a bit about parenting, protection, and life in general.

The rest of our characters are equally classical. The film's standout is Ellen DeGeneres's Dory. She enters the story early, and she firmly makes her presence known. I'll reveal more of my love for Dory below, but let me just tell you that I think Dory is one of Pixar's greatest characters. Of all the casting choices in Pixar history, bringing in DeGeneres to voice Dory is their best choice yet. Furthermore, the scene-stealing Tank Gang is superb, and once again, the cast shines. Gill (William Dafoe), Bloat (Brad Garrett), Peach (Allison Janney), Gurgle (Austin Pendleton), Bubbles (Stephen Root), Deb/Flo (Vicki Lewis), and Jacques (Joe Ranft) provide sensational comedic relief while also offering some legitimate dramatic moments as well, especially the heart-to-hearts with Gill and Nemo. The rest of the ensemble is essentially featured in glorified cameos, but Pixar somehow makes it work and makes every single character a classical one. Crush (expertly voiced by director Andrew Stanton) is the one hundred and fifty year old sea turtle just about anyone would love to hang out with, as is the adorable Squirt. Our recovering fish addicts, Bruce, Chum, and Anchor, star in one of the film's best sequences from a story and animation standpoint. Then, of course, you have the pelican, Nigel, who is voiced by Geoffrey Rush, and last time I checked, Geoffrey Rush makes everything better,

Pixar has always been able to fully immerse the audience into their film's world, and the greatest example of that just might be with Finding Nemo. Pixar has exquisitely captured the majestic nature of the ocean while not avoiding the obvious dangers as well. We are shown legions of fish from all around that are beautiful and colorful just as much as we are shown such perils like jellyfish, sharks, and trenches ("Swim through it, not over it.). There are some moments in the film that look as if Pixar has seemingly trained fish to talk because the animation is so real and distinct. Additionally, Thomas Newman's score is sublime. Finding Nemo was the first Pixar film not to be scored by Randy Newman, and with a brand new Newman, Pixar found its finest score of their first five films. Every musical note is painstakingly placed at the perfect moment in the story and within the action of the characters. However, the score is never bombastic, oftentimes being completely silent or dimly played during the film's most crucial scenes such as Marlin and Dory's goodbye. That is the mark of a phenomenal score.

You will start to notice a trend developing in my praise of Pixar's films. With the exception of one film (*cough* Cars 2 *cough*), my critiques of the studio's films will be extremely limited to nonexistent. I consider most of Pixar's films to be masterpieces, and Finding Nemo belongs in the conversation for not only Pixar's best film, but animation's best film. Its vibrant characters, lush animation, beautiful score, and powerful messages are the reasons we keep coming back for more. I have watched Finding Nemo more times than I can count, and it still never ceases to amaze me.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: This is one of those stories that if it isn't true, it should be. Director Andrew Stanton reportedly convinced Pixar chief John Lasseter to greenlight the project during an hour-long session in which Stanton used elaborate visuals and a variety of potential character voices. Once his presentation was complete, Stanton asked Lasseter what he thought, to which Lasseter simply replied, "You had me at 'fish.'" His character voices were apparently spot on because Stanton would go on to voice Crush in the film. He never intended to do so as he would usually just provide Crush's lines during production for the rest of the cast and crew and for the film's rough cut. His voice was so well-received during test screenings, though, that he eventually recorded the lines for the final version. Stanton claims that he recorded all of Crush's lines from a couch inside his office. Also, it is worth mentioning that as of 2015, Finding Nemo is the world's bestselling DVD, selling over forty-one million copies.

Behind the Scenes: Pixar animators wanted to completely immerse the audience in this underwater environment, so in order to create the ocean with animation, they immersed themselves into various environments for inspiration and investigation. The production crew visited many aquariums while also taking a few diving sessions off the coast of Hawaii and Monterey. Pixar even used its own twenty-five gallon fish tank for studying (why Pixar has a twenty-five gallon fish tank is beyond me, but I digress.). The result, as you know, is one of Pixar's most beautiful films to date. Furthermore, the filmmakers were concerned about Ellen DeGeneres's ability to perform Dory's dramatic scene towards the end of the film because they had never truly seen DeGeneres in a non-comedic role. One day after recording had ceased, the crew asked DeGeneres to record a trial run of the scene with the intention of telling her to go home and work on it for the next day's recording. However, DeGeneres blew them out of the water (no pun intended). This trial run recording is the recording that was used in the final cut of the film.

Favorite Character: Long before Dory was given her own film with her own incredible backstory, the famous blue tang has long been not only my favorite character from Finding Nemo, but one of my favorite characters ever, Pixar or otherwise. I have always held Robin Williams's performance as Genie in Aladdin as the greatest voice acting of all-time, but Ellen DeGeneres's performance as Dory is a close second in my book. From the moment she makes her debut, Dory is a character for the ages as she constantly makes us laugh while also providing an emotional punch near the film's end. DeGeneres has obviously always had the ability to be hysterical, but what makes Dory such an iconic character is her ability to show Dory's vulnerabilities in the film's dramatic conclusion. Pixar's decision to give Dory short-term memory loss is an ingenious one as it is used to garner big laughs from the audience clearly, but it is also used to be the driving force behind Dory's quest to find a family and a home (and eventually her own film). DeGeneres truly shines in this role she was born to portray. I remember walking out of the theater as an eight year old endlessly quoting Dory's lines, and thirteen years later at age twenty-one, not much has changed whatsoever.

Favorite Scene: I referred to this scene in the previous section briefly. My favorite scene from Finding Nemo is the emotional moment between Marlin and Dory near the end. At this point, it is believed that Nemo is dead, leaving Marlin and Dory with one hopeless journey back home. The problem is that Dory doesn't have a home or a family for that matter. As Marlin thanks Dory for the assistance and begins swimming home, Dory attempts to convince him that they must stay together because when she looks at him, she's home. I mentioned earlier that this cast is one of Pixar's best, and Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres are the film's highlights. This scene is some of the best vocal work you will ever witness. DeGeneres breaks our heart with every word, and Brooks embraces the situation Marlin finds himself in to deliver a heart-wrenching moment of despair and loss for the downtrodden father. In a film filled with so many fantastic comedic sequences ("Just keep swimming"/Nemo's first encounter with the Tank Gang/the scene in the EAC), this emotional moment is the scene I keep returning to as my favorite. Pixar has done it again.

Updated Ranking: This is where ranking Pixar films becomes unfair to an extent. You know how much I raved about Toy Story 2, and yet it finds itself at number four out of five!

1. Toy Story
2. Finding Nemo
3. Monsters Inc.
4. Toy Story 2
5. A Bug's Life

Tomorrow, I'll have not just one review, but two reviews. It's a double dose of the Summer of Magic next with Brother Bear and Home on the Range!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Treasure Planet"

In my review of Dinosaur, I claimed that I was obsessed with the film in my childhood, seemingly watching it at least once a week. When I wasn't watching Dinosaur, though, I was watching Treasure Planet. Like with Dinosaur, I absolutely loved Treasure Planet. This animated science fiction tale about pirates, cyborgs, and treasure was everything a young boy could possibly want in a film. However, unlike Dinosaur, Treasure Planet has held up quite impressively as I have grown up. In fact, I believe it is one of Disney's most underrated films ever. Sure, it's not up to the level of such classics from this era like The Emperor's New Groove or Lilo & Stitch, but Treasure Planet is a fantastic film that deserves another viewing from folks who may have dismissed it upon its initial release.

Say what you want about the potential downfalls in Disney animation during this time period, but you cannot criticize the casting choices in these films whatsoever. Even in the studio's lesser offerings from the early 2000's, the cast was not to be faulted, and Treasure Planet boasts one of the best cast ensembles of the modern Disney era. The cast includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Jim Hawkins), Brian Murray (John Silver), David Hyde Pierce (Doctor Doppler), Emma Thompson (Captain Amelia), Laurie Metcalf (Sarah Hawkins), and Martin Short (B.E.N.). This cast does a splendid job of bringing their unique characters to life in such a fresh manner. In science fiction films, it is easy for the characters to get lost in the effects and action, but due to the filmmaker's attention to character and the cast's extraordinary work, the characters in Treasure Planet are the highlights of the film.

Jim Hawkins is our leading character, and he is a great one. Jim is an adventurous, yet flawed individual. His desire for adventure oftentimes lands him in some trouble, but when he is afforded the opportunity to track down the legendary Treasure Planet, Hawkins shines and so does Treasure Planet. This film works because we find ourselves genuinely caring for Jim and his journey. His is not just some spoiled, troubled kid looking to get rich; he is a determined individual trying to prove his personal greatness to the world. Helping him along that journey, John Silver becomes the film's highlight due to his role of Jim's father figure. I'll discuss Silver's characterization in more detail below, but he is truly one of my favorite characters from this era because of the numerous layers and dimensions brought to the ruffian. Additionally, the film's best scenes often occur when Doppler and Amelia are together butting heads and leading the way. Pierce and Thompson are superb together, flawlessly executing their character's role within the film.

Obviously, the story of Treasure Planet is simply classical. Robert Louis Stevenson's original novel, Treasure Island, even caught the attention of Walt Disney as Treasure Island became Disney's first live-action full length film in 1950. I wholeheartedly applaud the studio for taking that legendary story and updating it with the science-fiction element. The script is sublime, paying homage to Stevenson's original masterpiece while also allowing Disney to create something new for this generation. I know some folks were turned off by the stark setting change, but for me, it provides a chance for the studio to put their own unique stamp on Stevenson's work that has never been seen before or since. Plus, the setting of space allows the animators to really show-off and stretch their legs. I'll discuss this in more detail below as well, but the animation in Treasure Planet is absolutely breathtaking, as is the case with most Disney films. From the characters to the galaxies, the animators truly outdid themselves with this one.

So what's missing from Treasure Planet? Quite frankly, not much as It comes extremely close to being a perfect film in my book and therefore worthy of a full ten out of ten on my rating. However, I must admit that I wanted more action on Treasure Planet itself. When the scene finally does shift to this setting, the following sequences are spectacular, but I wanted more exploration and discovery to take place. This also means that I wanted more from B.E.N. In his limited screentime, B.E.N. is a superstar (he even sings a section of "Yo Ho! A Pirate's Life For Me!"), but he comes in about two-thirds into the film, which is simply far too late to introduce such an integral character. When you have Martin Short in your cast, I want him to be everywhere, but instead, B.E.N. never gets much of a chance to make a lasting impression.

That being said, those are minor quibbles at best. As I have stated, Treasure Planet is a remarkable film that just misses out on obtaining classic status. Thanks to its characters, cast, animation, and story, this film is quite the undervalued gem in the Disney canon.

Rating: 9/10

Historical Significance: John Musker and Ron Clements are perhaps the greatest directing duo in Disney history, having helmed such films as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Princess and the Frog with Disney's newest musical due out this fall, Moana, also being directed by the two. Treasure Planet had always been a passion project of sorts for the duo, and they attempted to convince Disney to greenlight production on this film for quite some time. Musker and Clements first pitched the idea for the film during production of The Black Cauldron, but they were eventually assigned to direct The Great Mouse Detective. After they had completed The Little Mermaid, they once again tried to get Treasure Planet off the ground, but Disney assigned them to another project: Aladdin. Then, after Aladdin, they thought a third time would be the charm, but instead, they were asked to direct Hercules. The duo agreed on one condition. They would direct Hercules only if their next project could be Treasure Planet. Disney agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Behind the Scenes: To date, Treasure Planet is Disney's biggest financial loss. It cost the studio approximately $180 million while only bringing in about $109 million at the worldwide box office. One reason for the high budgeted cost was due to the advanced nature of the animation. While all of the characters were hand-drawn, Treasure Planet also incorporated the latest computer technology for Silver's mechanical arm and B.E.N., and they also brought back Disney's deep canvas technique for the shots featuring the RLS Legacy (Side note: "RLS" may look familiar to you fans of the original novel, Treasure Island. The ship in the film is named after Robert Louis Stevenson.). The deep canvas technique was popularized in the Renaissance and was characterized by majestic sweeping shots such as the ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast and the stampede in The Lion King. In the scenes in Treasure Planet set on the ship, all three methods of animation are at play, and the results are spellbinding.

Favorite Character: The character of John Silver has always fascinated me, so he is my selection for favorite character in Treasure Planet. While Jim Hawkins is an excellent leading man, Silver truly drives the narrative and the action in the film. Disney has done a sensational job with Silver to never outright reveal what he is really thinking and believing. His allegiances are always hidden, constantly leaving us questioning. When Jim first steps foot on the Legacy, Silver is the humble chef with a tough exterior, but throughout the next few scenes, it seems as if Jim has softened this pirate into a fantastically lovable character. Then, Treasure Planet's biggest twist arrives when the pirates start a mutiny against Captain Amelia and her crew, revealing that Silver was only ever after the treasure to begin with. However, when it looks like Silver has plunged off the deep end, we see his humanity rise to the surface in his unwavering affection towards Jim as his psuedo-son. This ultimately leads to him sacrificing his coveted treasure in order to save Jim's live. That is one of my favorite character arcs of all-time, and that is why Silver is my favorite character from Treasure Planet.

Favorite Scene: It came down to two stellar scenes for my selection in this part. I almost continued my love for Silver and Hawkins by choosinf that phenomenal final scene between the two as Silver prepares to depart once and for all, but instead, I'm going with the film's lone musical sequence in which Jim's backstory is revealed to the tune of "I'm Still Here." From the start, we know Jim's father is out of the picture, but in one incredibly animated and edited scene, not only do we see why and how his father left in the past, but we are also presented with the further development of Silver and Jim's relationship as Jim sees this cyborg as the father he never had. Sometimes, backstories are not necessary, and if this scene would have been exclusively devoted to Jim's past, it would be a waste of time and an interruption to the film's flow. However, Disney's decision to mirror Jim's past with his present results in an immensely powerful scene that provides the heart and soul of the entire film.

Updated Ranking: I urge you to give Treasure Planet another viewing if you have not visited it in a while or maybe have never seen it to begin with. I think of it along the same lines as The Great Mouse Detective in the sense that it seems as if people simply forget it exists, but when they watch it, they leave thoroughly entertained. Hence, my ranking.

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. The Lion King
3. Aladdin
4. The Little Mermaid
5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
7. Peter Pan
8. Cinderella
9. The Jungle Book
10. Sleeping Beauty
11. Lilo & Stitch
12. Hercules
13. Mulan
14. The Emperor's New Groove
15. Tarzan
16. Pinocchio
17. Lady and the Tramp
18. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
19. Alice in Wonderland
20. Dumbo
21. Bambi
22. 101 Dalmatians
23. Pocahontas
24. Treasure Planet
25. The Great Mouse Detective
26. Fantasia
27. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
28. The AristoCats
29. Fantasia 2000
30. The Rescuers Down Under
31. Fun and Fancy Free
32. The Fox and the Hound
33. Robin Hood
34. Dinosaur
35. Melody Time
36. The Three Caballeros
37. Saludos Amigos
38. Oliver & Company
39. The Rescuers
40. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
41. The Sword in the Stone
42. Make Mine Music
43. The Black Cauldron

Tomorrow, we are going back under the sea, but this time not with Disney, but with Pixar. Finding Nemo swims our way next!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Lilo & Stitch"

The Film Stage recently ranked the The 50 Best Animated Films of the 21st Century Thus Far. Today's film, Lilo & Stitch, made their list at #41. They ask the question, "What other film can pull off starting with an all-out sci-fi adventure and transition into a heartful ode to culture and family?" Answer: only Lilo & Stitch could accomplish such a feat. Insanely unique and supremely entertaining, Lilo & Stitch is a wholly original animated classic featuring legendary characters, old-fashioned animation, an endless amount of repeatable quotes, and a message that will stay with you long after the credits finish rolling.

Our titular characters are two for the ages. Lilo is only six years old, but she certainly has been through a lot in her short lifetime. By the time her characterization even hits full throttle, we are aware that her innocence is gone due to the loss of her parents. Additionally, we see that life with her sister, Nani, is not all that glorious, but in the midst of this dreary picture, Lilo finds hope when Stitch arrives on the scene. As we follow Lilo's journey from brokenness to triumph, we witness one of Disney's most complete and emotionally satisfying character arcs to date. Experiment 626 is a wonder to behold. Stitch is the star of this film from beginning to end. I don't know how Disney did it, but they made this destructive alien with an impenetrable facade one of its most unique and iconic characters. Matching Lilo's arc, Stitch's story begins with his sole focus of destroying everything he comes in contact with. By the film's end, Stitch has discovered that there is more to life than just doing what you are expected to do. It's about family, belonging, and uncovering your true purpose. Therein lies the magic behind Lilo & Stitch. Not only are our two main characters thoroughly entertaining (the scene in which Lilo shows Nani that Stitch can act as a record player is an all-time favorite of mine), but due to our emotional investment into these characters, the payoff at the end is immense as pure Disney magic appears on screen.

Our supporting characters are given excellent chances to shine as well. Nani drives the family theme home more than any character in the ensemble, especially when the social worker, Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames for the win!), threatens to take Lilo away from her if their life does not improve. Nani is forced into this parental role for Lilo, and every step of the way, we feel for her and root for her wholeheartedly through the ups and the abundant downs. Our extraterrestrial characters are superb, oftentimes providing the comedic relief for the film. Jumba and Pleakley together are riots as they are tasked with returning Stitch to the Galactic Federation. Every scene they appear in is fantastic, especially when the endangered mosquitoes choose Pleakley are their host and, well, Pleakley discovers what mosquitoes really do to their hosts. Captain Gantu and the Grand Councilman are great counterparts to the rest of the ensemble as well, providing narrative, intimation, and a little tenderness in the end.

The animation in Lilo & Stitch is absolutely gorgeous as Disney returns to a tried-and-true method. Disney used watercolor-painted backgrounds for the first time since Dumbo in 1941, giving Lilo & Stitch an intentional, old-fashioned look. It contains only five shots that are entirely computer generated, and the result is one of Disney's most visually pleasant films ever. As much as I love computer animation and applaud its role in innovation for the industry, it is always a treat to see Disney remembering their roots. Furthermore, the music in this film is spectacular. Alan Silvestri has crafted a score that deftly blends his own unique style with the incredible culture of Hawaii. That is another aspect of Lilo & Stitch that I love. The way it pays respect to this amazing Polynesian culture is inspirational. From the animation to the music to the characters to the cast, this is a film made for Hawaii and its people.

Of the films produced by Disney in the 2000's, Lilo & Stitch is one of their best and my personal favorite. This film never ceases to put the biggest smile on my face every time I watch it, and I have watched it countless times. There is just something about its message of family that really clicks with me and always challenges me. "'Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten." That's a message worth shouting from the mountaintops.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: The promotion for Lilo & Stitch is probably my personal favorite ad campaign in Disney history. In addition to the typical trailers and TV spots, a number of spoofs starring Stitch were used to promote the film. The theme was Stitch crashing some of the most iconic scenes from the Disney Renaissance. For The Little Mermaid, Stitch was shown riding a wave that eventually crashed into Ariel during the "Part of Your World" reprise. For Aladdin, Stitch steals Princess Jasmine away from Aladdin during the magic carpet ride. Stitch forces Beauty and the Beast to be a radically different film when he causes the chandelier to fall and ruin the ballroom dance between Belle and the Beast. Finally, Stitch takes Simba's place in The Lion King as Rafiki triumphantly presents Experiment 626 at Pride Rock. You can watch all of these great promotions here.

Behind the Scenes: The Emperor's New Groove and Atlantis: The Lost Empire eventually lost the studio quite a bit of money, so CEO Michael Eisner took a play out of Walt's gameplan to counter this problem. Eisner ordered the studio to make a smaller, much less expensive film, akin to the move Walt made after losing money with Pinocchio and Fantasia when they made Dumbo. Lilo & Stitch was the answer. According to Box Office Mojo, on a budget of approximately $80 million, the film grossed nearly $275 million at the worldwide box office, giving the studio one of its few critical and financial successes of the 2000's. Furthermore, the 2003 Academy Awards were extremely kind to Disney in the Best Animated Feature category. Of the five nominees that year, three of the slots were filled by Disney: Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet (tomorrow's film, as an aside), and Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away (financed/released by Disney). Spirited Away would go on to win the Oscar.

Favorite Character: Stitch is one of my absolute favorite characters in the Disney animated canon. A character who begins the story as a destruction-obsessed alien that ultimately evolves into an irresistible member of an amazing family is a character arc that nobody anticipated, but it truly works on every level. Chris Sanders, the voice of Stitch and co-director of the film, deserves a ton of credit for bringing Stitch to life and making him a character truly unlike any other. Oftentimes without any assistance from words, Stitch is an instant legend. Then, when he does begin speaking, whether in his native language or in English, he is either making us laugh hysterically or cry uncontrollably. Stitch is a character that, by all accounts, should be totally unrelatable, but leave it to Disney to make us genuinely care about a character that picks his nose with his tongue while possessing four arms as well.

Favorite Scene: The scene in which Nani and Lilo must finally face the fact that they cannot live together anymore is utterly heart-wrenching. Nani doesn't give some show-stopping speech and there are no desperate pleads from Lilo. Instead, they simply embrace one another, completely aware of their dire situation and willing to accept whatever comes next. Meanwhile, occurring simultaneously, Stitch is slowly coming to understand what it truly means to belong to a family and have a legitimate purpose in life beyond simply destroying things. As Stitch looks on to the scene transpiring with Nani and Lilo, a family of ducks interrupt his gaze, which of course is yet another emotional moment given Stitch's love for The Ugly Duckling. It is a simple moment, but it surely brings out the emotion in us all. When Stitch realizes that it would be best for Lilo if he left, he finds himself in the middle of nowhere, leading him to hopelessly proclaim, "I'm lost." Everything going on in this scene works together for one of Disney's most emotional sequences in its history, and it is a wonder to behold.

Updated Ranking: Like I wrote with The Emperor's New Groove, Lilo & Stitch is one of my favorite Disney films, and this ranking will probably surprise some folks.

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. The Lion King
3. Aladdin
4. The Little Mermaid
5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
7. Peter Pan
8. Cinderella
9. The Jungle Book
10. Sleeping Beauty
11. Lilo & Stitch
12. Hercules
13. Mulan
14. The Emperor's New Groove
15. Tarzan
16. Pinocchio
17. Lady and the Tramp
18. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
19. Alice in Wonderland
20. Dumbo
21. Bambi
22. 101 Dalmatians
23. Pocahontas
24. The Great Mouse Detective
25. Fantasia
26. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
27. The AristoCats
28. Fantasia 2000
29. The Rescuers Down Under
30. Fun and Fancy Free
31. The Fox and the Hound
32. Robin Hood
33. Dinosaur
34. Melody Time
35. The Three Caballeros
36. Saludos Amigos
37. Oliver & Company
38. The Rescuers
39. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
40. The Sword in the Stone
41. Make Mine Music
42. The Black Cauldron

One of Disney's more underrated films is on deck! Disney gives a classic tale a brand new look in Treasure Planet!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Monsters Inc."

Pixar never ceases to amaze me with their outstanding, wholly original stories. They set an extremely high bar in 1995 with Toy Story, and they have continually raised that bar ever since. In 2001, they brought one of their most fascinating, cleverly ingenious stories to life with Monsters Inc. Featuring legendary characters, gorgeous animation, and Pixar's signature emotional payoff, this is one of the studio's finest films. I am always in awe when I watch Monsters Inc. How Pixar could tell such a unique story with so many genuine laughs and dramatic moments is nothing short of miraculous.

Following in the footsteps of Buzz and Woody, Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are two excellent characters that belong near the top of everyone's favorite Pixar duo list. From the instant that they first grace the screen with their presence, Mike and Sully are immediate icons. Our introduction to the dynamic duo is one of the film's best scenes and one of my personal favorites as well. The way Mike hilariously wakes Sulley up before leading him in an intensely funny workout regiment is Pixar perfection. Billy Crystal and John Goodman turn in career-best performances here, flawlessly blending comedy with drama. Crystal delivers each line with his trademark wit and energy while Goodman carries the emotional weight of the film on his shoulders while also having plenty of opportunities to shine with the comedy as well. Pixar films rise and fall with their characters, and Mike and Sulley are two of the studio's bests.

The rest of the character ensemble and cast is equally as superb. Mary Gibbs's Boo is perfectly characterized as Boo works her way into our hearts without ever formulating an entire coherent sentence. Steve Buscemi is a casting stroke of genius as he effortlessly brings Randall to life to create a worthwhile antagonist for Mike and Sulley. It is always a pleasure to watch Frank Oz work his magic, and as Fungus in Monsters Inc. with limited screentime, he is predictably incredible. James Coburn is an excellent Waternoose, impeccably balancing innocence and vileness with this complicated character (Side note: I was totally floored by Waternoose's twist during the first few times I watched this film. Given, I was six when it came out, but still.). Finally, one cannot discuss the characters of Monsters Inc. without mentioning Roz, brilliantly voiced by Bob Peterson. She is barely in the film, but you will undoubtedly finish watching it and immediately begin quoting Roz's lines. Pixar clearly had a blast creating these characters, and the results were extraordinary.

As we have come to expect from Pixar, the animation in Monsters Inc. is exquisite. The amount of detail that goes into every shot is remarkable. Creating a whole new world is no easy task, but Pixar accomplishes it swimmingly. Monstropolis is a visual treat as the film completely immerses us into this city that I instantly want to visit. The factory itself is also supremely creative, especially when the the scaring begins and we witness how these monsters travel into the human world. The climatic scene featuring our main characters jumping from door to door inside the factory is absolutely spellbinding. Plus, the character animation is breathtaking as well. Fifteen years later, I still am not sure how they were able to properly animate Sulley with all of his hair!

Pixar's unrivaled ability to create genuine, raw emotion in its films is on full display in Monsters Inc. I'll discuss this scene in more detail below, but the scene in which Sulley and Boo part ways gets me every time, and if you don't feel some sort of emotion after that scene, I question whether or not you have a heart or a soul. That emotional payoff works, though, because of the build-up to that moment with the characters and situations. Lead director Pete Docter crafted a tremendously entertaining film with Monsters Inc., further establishing Pixar as the superior animation studio in the business.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: According to original storyboards, the film's characters were initially suppose to look quite different. In one early version, Sulley was not a scarer; in fact, his name wasn't even Sulley. His name was Johnson, a monster with brown fur who was a lowly worker in the factory. Additionally, Mike was Randall's assistant in this same version with the name of Ned. In yet another version, Sulley was named Barrymore and acted as Ned and Randall's assistant (an assistant to an assistant? I guess that's why they changed it.). In most early drafts of the story, George Sanderson, the monster constantly being bombarded by the CDA in the final version, was to be the main character. He was a monster that could not scare a child until one day when a young girl would teach him how to be scary. The George Sanderson seen in Monsters Inc. possesses the same fur and body type as was originally designed in these early drafts.

Behind the Scenes: Boo was originally intended to be an older girl, but Pixar decided to make her younger in order for her dependence on Sulley to make sense. They hired Mary Gibbs to voice Boo, and when they would bring her into the recording studio, she had a difficult time standing behind the microphone and delivering her lines due to her rather short attention span. To remedy this predicament, the filmmakers would allow Gibbs to roam the studio as she played with all of the toys and thoroughly enjoyed herself. As she did this, the filmmakers would follow her with a microphone to record whatever she said, and with that, they pieced together Boo's dialogue for the film. Furthermore, John Goodman and Billy Crystal often recorded their lines together instead of in separate rooms, which was a rare occurence for animation at this time. Steve Buscemi and Frank Oz would follow suit as well.

Favorite Character: It is truly a tough decision for which character to go with here between Mike and Sulley, but I am choosing Sulley because of his character arc. Mike is hilarious and a character for the ages (and he'll be my selection in a couple of weeks when I watch Monsters University), but Sulley is the heart and soul behind Monsters Inc. I have already mentioned how perfect this vocal cast is, and John Goodman is the unquestioned highlight from the ensemble. The animators obviously deserve a ton of credit for the way they brought Sulley to life in every scene, but without Goodman's performance, all of that artistry is rendered useless. Sulley is able to deliver great comedy while also providing the film's most emotional moment as well (more on that just below). The film starts with Sulley solely determined to break the scare record, and by the time the credits roll, his life has forever changed and he has saved the company. Sulley belongs firmly in the conversation for Pixar's best character.

Favorite Scene: Beginning with Toy Story 2, you will begin to see a theme developing with my favorite scene selections from Pixar films. More often than not, my favorite scenes will be the film's emotional moment, and Montsers Inc. is no exception. When Sulley is finally able to return Boo home, one of Pixar's most devastatingly beautiful scenes in its history. Once again, Goodman steals the show, especially when he simply states, "Kitty has to go." That line is enough to reduce me to ugly crying. Then, though, on top of that, Boo's subsequent moment when she leaves her bed, opens her closet in hopes of seeing her friend one last time and simply exclaims, "Kitty," causes me to lose it every time. Scenes like this are why Pixar is the best. Only they can make me genuinely care for a monster's relationship with a small child so much.

Updated Ranking: Henceforth, it is going to impossible to rank these Pixar films. It is essentially the toughest task a fan of the studio will ever undertake because I love every single one of these films (except Cars 2, but we'll get to that one later).

1. Toy Story
2. Monsters Inc.
3. Toy Story 2
4. A Bug's Life

Tomorrow, we are introduced to another kind of monster: Experiment 626. Lilo & Stitch awaits!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Atlantis: The Lost Empire"

Originality is the heartbeat behind Disney animation. Even with stories that are steeped in legend, the studio has always had an uncanny ability to breath new life into these iconic stories. On rare occasions, though, Disney's quest for originality can be its downfall as the stories become too convoluted and oftentimes incoherent. Thus is the case with Atlantis: The Lost Empire. I applaud Disney for attempting to tell such a uniquely fascinating story based in legend and mythology, but ultimately, the execution is anything but uniquely fascinating. On paper, Atlantis should be yet another classic in the Disney canon with its stellar cast, intriguing story, and successful directors (Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, directors of The Lion King and The Hunchback of Notre Dame), but in the end, I cannot help but feel underwhelmed when the credits begin to roll.

Not all is lost in Atlantis, however. In fact, the aspects that work in this film really work. Our main character, Milo Thatch, is a solid character, and that is all due to the excellent performance by Michael J. Fox. His trademark energetic spirit is on full display as Milo informs and entertains with the best of them. Milo's journey is also wholly relatable (more on that later), which provides a nice message to this tale. Also, since I alluded to it earlier and have just mentioned Fox, the cast in Atlantis is superb. Any flaws this film might possess are by no fault of its cast. In addition to Fox, Jim Varney, Corey Burton. James Garner, David Ogden Stiers, and Leonard Nimoy lend their voices to these characters and do their absolute best to save this film from the mires of mediocrity.

Unfortunately, as great as this cast is, the script does them no favors in regard to character development. The crew charged with travelling to Atlantis is given one nice scene in the entire film to develop their character, and even then, only Audrey and Vinny are given the opportunity to make much of an impression. Burton's Mole is our intended comedic relief, but because we know literally nothing about him, the physical comedy and jokes often fall flat. Kida and King Nedakh are the film's most interesting characters, but neither one is given enough screentime to become memorable. Therein lies another complaint I have about Atlantis. The film spends so much time focusing on the journey to Atlantis that by the time they finally arrive in the Lost Continent, there is no time for exploring this legendary civilization. The backstory we are afforded in an attempt to explain how Atlantis operates the way it does is so rushed and confusing that it is virtually impossible to understand it without multiple viewings.

In a film about Atlantis, we simply do not spend enough time in Atlantis, which is extremely disappointing. I think that is the crux of my complaints with Atlantis. There is so much potential in a story like this that I feel kind of cheated out of a potential genuine classic. If Disney would have narrowed their focus to Atlantis exclusively and not try to make some moral tale about humanity, this could have been a thoroughly entertaining film. Instead, however, they get bogged down in the details and fail to deliver the goods. I liken this film to The Sword in the Stone in the sense that both stories are set-up to be classics, but eventually fall way short of achieving greatness. I guess that is why Trousdale and Wise have not directed a Disney film since.

That being said, though, once again, Atlantis is by no means Disney's worst film. I have certainly seen worse (yes, still looking at you, The Black Cauldron). The animation in Atlantis, for one, is phenomenal, especially when the scene shifts underwater and into Atlantis itself. The cast is incredible, and there are some moments of bonafide extravagance. I just wanted more, and unfortunately, Atlantis constantly delivers less. A more cohesive story and focus would have greatly benefited this film as well as some more developed and memorable characters. How it stands today, though, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a regretful example of what could have been, a glorious opportunity sacrificed on the alter of mediocrity.

Rating: 6/10

Historical Significance: In 2002, it was reported that Disneyland's Submarine Voyage was going to be re-themed to create an Atlantis attraction. However, due to the film's negative reception from audiences and critics, that idea was quickly scrapped. Luckily, one year later, Pixar would release another underwater film that would lend itself to the popular attraction. Furthermore, the language spoken by the Atlanteans was created by Marc Okrand, the creator of such iconic fictional languages as Vulcan and Klingon from the Star Trek series. I guess it is only appropriate that Leonard Nimoy, best known for portraying Spock in the original Star Trek films and television show, would voice King Nedakh in Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Behind the Scenes: Atlantis is certainly a different film for Disney, especially when compared to their Renaissance films. In order to exhibit this difference, the production crew often wore shirts that read, "ATLANTIS- Fewer songs, more explosions." Additionally, these following facts are quite random but somehow fascinating as well. Atlantis is one of the last Disney films to feature a character that prominently smokes (nice going, Packard). It is also the first time for Disney that an African-American is featured as an important supporting character with Audrey. Atlantis is a rare film for Disney in regard to the time and setting as it is one of Disney films to take place in an actual year (1914, in this case). Finally, Atlantis is the first Disney film since The Black Cauldron in 1985 to receive a PG rating.

Favorite Character: Like in Dinosaur, our main character is really the only one in the entire ensemble worth mentioning for this section. Milo Thatch is the sole character from Atlantis that experiences any resemblance of a character arc. We are introduced to his motivation for finding the Lost Continent early on when we discover that this quest had always been a passion for his grandfather. This provides a nice heart and soul behind the film because every single of us can connect to that desire to honor their lost loved ones. Plus, when his entire crew is turning their back on him in pursuit of riches, Milo stands firm in what he believes is the right thing to do: protecting Atlantis and its inhabitants. It is a rather powerful moment that challenges us all.

Favorite Scene: With no musical numbers or great character development scenes, my selection for this part is based solely on the impressiveness of the animation. The climatic battle between Commander Rourke and Milo/Atlantis is quite a spectacle to behold, deftly blending computer animation with hand drawn artistry. You can clearly see that Disney is getting a firmer grasp on how to use computer animation while also never fully abandoning the classic way of doing it. Once again, there's nothing truly sensational going on in this scene in regard to characters, but this sequence is just a feast for the eyes.

Updated Ranking: While I applaud Disney's willingness to once again push the envelope with their story ideas, Atlantis: The Lost Empire feels like a missed opportunity. It should have been a touchdown, but instead, we have to settle for a solid five-yard gain on first down.

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. The Lion King
3. Aladdin
4. The Little Mermaid
5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
7. Peter Pan
8. Cinderella
9. The Jungle Book
10. Sleeping Beauty
11. Hercules
12. Mulan
13. The Emperor's New Groove
14. Tarzan
15. Pinocchio
16. Lady and the Tramp
17. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
18. Alice in Wonderland
19. Dumbo
20. Bambi
21. 101 Dalmatians
22. Pocahontas
23. The Great Mouse Detective
24. Fantasia
25. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
26. The AristoCats
27. Fantasia 2000
28. The Rescuers Down Under
29. Fun and Fancy Free
30. The Fox and the Hound
31. Robin Hood
32. Dinosaur
33. Melody Time
34. The Three Caballeros
35. Saludos Amigos
36. Oliver & Company
37. The Rescuers
38. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
39. The Sword in the Stone
40. Make Mine Music
41. The Black Cauldron

Luckily, Pixar is here to make 2001 a solid year for Disney/Pixar. Monsters Inc. is on deck!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "The Emperor's New Groove"

Every now and then, Disney will release a film that is so uniquely distinct that it just finds a way to stand out in your mind. I think about Alice in Wonderland in 1951, a story that is unlike any story Disney had ever told up to that point. Hercules also comes to mind as in the midst of the Disney Renaissance, Disney tells a mythological tale filled with pop culture references and sarcasm. However, perhaps the most incredibly delightful and offbeat film in the Disney animated canon is The Emperor's New Groove. On paper, this film should simply not work: an emperor is turned into a llama as that llama joins forces with a peasant to evade an evil woman and her clueless sidekick who are determined to end his life. It is such an outlandish story, and yet, that is why The Emperor's New Groove is one of my absolute favorite Disney films of all-time.

The script for this film is the star of the show. Every time I watch The Emperor's New Groove, I catch a brand new joke or gag that I have never noticed before while also thoroughly enjoying the classic jokes and one-liners as well ("I'm sorry, but you've thrown off the Emperor's groove."). Not only does the script offer immense hilarity, but it also develops four tremendous characters. Kuzco experiences the greatest character evolution from start to finish, maturing from a selfishly spoiled ruler to an understanding, rather compassionate one. David Spade may just turn in the greatest performance of his career in this film as the voice of Kuzco as he effortlessly makes Kuzco's dialogue legendary. Whether he is the Emperor or the llama, Kuzco is a star, both in his own mind and in ours as well. His devoted partner, Pacha, is a spectacular character, and once again, it's all about the casting. Before voicing Sully in Monsters Inc., John Goodman gives an equally fantastic performance as the peasant who is just looking out for the well-being of his village and family. When Kuzco and Pacha are on screen together (and luckily for us, that happens often), The Emperor's New Groove truly thrives.

Not to be outdone by their phenomenal counterparts, Yzma and Kronk are legends in their own right as well. This duo rivals any iconic duo created by Disney or  Pixar over the years. In physical appearance alone, Yzma is a sensational villain, but when she begins to speak, she becomes one of Disney's best. Casting Eartha Kitt is one of the most brilliant choices of all-time as she frightens and entertains like a champ. Her loyal companion, Kronk, is just as awesome as Patrick Warburton provides the perfect voice for this irresistible brute. Most likely, you will finish watching The Emperor's New Groove and will immediately begin quoting Kronk's lines ("The poison. The poison for Kuzco, the poison chosen especially to kill Kuzco, Kuzco's poison. That poison?"). The film earns its spot among the Disney greats in my rankings primarily because of its characters and script. Both aspects are just flawlessly executed.

Underneath the incredible hilarity, however, lies an important message about friendship and family. Through the journey of Pacha, we see his fierce devotion to his family and home even in the face of certain destruction at the hands of Kuzco early on. It would have been understandable for Pacha to just give in and allow his home to be destroyed and therefore move his family elsewhere, but Pacha never wavers. His family has lived on that hill for six generations, and that will not end with his generation. Even though Kuzco has all the power in the world, Pacha stands up for what he believes in, and that is such a powerful challenge to all of us. Furthermore, Kuzco discovers that you can have all the power and riches in the world and still be missing something. In his case, he was missing true friends and a loving family, something he acquires by the end of the film in the form of Pacha and his family. Leave it to Disney to challenge us in such a film as The Emperor's New Groove.

This film is exquisitely wacky and relentlessly entertaining. I will go as far as to say that The Emperor's New Groove is Disney's funniest film to date. The script is marvelously wonderful, and its cast is supremely talented as it has an case for being Disney's greatest cast of all-time. In a period of Disney history that is often defined by mediocrity, The Emperor's New Groove is one of the unquestioned highlights, and it is still one of Disney's finest efforts.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: The Emperor's New Groove was originally intended to be a vastly different film. The initial concept was for the film to be a dramatic, sweeping musical (akin to The Lion King) entitled Kingdom of the Sun, which would essentially retell The Prince and the Pauper story in an Incan setting. Disney brought on Roger Allers (co-director of The Lion King) and Mark Dindal (a longtime Disney effects animator) to direct the project which would include original songs from Sting. The original cast included Owen Wilson, Carla Cugino, and, of course, David Spade. The film was halfway complete when the studio began test screenings. The reaction was extremely poor and production was almost immediately suspended. Allers left the project to work on Lilo & Stitch because he believed the project was dead. However, Dindal remained as the remaining crew completely overhauled the entire project by taking it in a totally different direction. The two biggest additions to this version was in the character department as Pacha and Kronk were added to the ensemble while Kuzco and Yzma were given entirely new personalities. Only one of Sting's songs from the original project made it into the final cut, and it is the song played during the ending credits, "My Funny Friend and Me," which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2001.

Behind the Scenes: During the overhaul period, the animators were essentially at a loss for what to do with this unusual abundance of down time. Roger Allers's crew was extremely loyal to him, so when he left the project, so did they. The remaining animators were then recruited by Eric Goldberg to work on his passion project, Rhapsody in Blue, one of the segments from Fantasia 2000. Obviously, Goldberg wanted to complete this segment for his own satisfaction, but a secondary motivation was to ensure that this group of animators stayed together while the film was being worked on behind the scenes. If Goldberg had not done this, it would have been likely that production on The Emperor's New Groove would have been shutdown permanently. Furthermore, David Mamet, two-time Academy Award-nominated writer (Wag the Dog, The Verdict) called the script for The Emperor's New Groove "one of the most brilliantly innovative scripts Hollywood has produced in recent years."

Favorite Character: I could honestly pick any four of the main characters in this film and create a compelling argument to why they are my favorite, but due to the fact that I have to pick just one, I am going to go with Pacha. In the pantheon of excellent Disney role models, Pacha is one of the best. His character is absolutely exemplary even when he has every right to act otherwise. When Kuzco threatens to destroy his home to build his Kuzcotopia, Pacha could have very easily turned his back on the Emperor when he comes to Pacha as a llama asking for help. Instead, Pacha selflessly and rather heroically assists Kuzco on his journey back to the palace even when Kuzco decides to degrade him again as Pacha is helplessly hanging from the bridge. He is a much better man than me because I would have thrown in the towel way before that even occurred, but that is why Pacha is one of Disney's greatest creations. He goes against the grain in the best way imaginable every single time.

Favorite Scene: There are so many classic scenes in The Emperor's New Groove that it is extremely difficult to pinpoint just one as my favorite, but I have to go with the scene inside the diner when Kuzco must disguise himself in order to receive service. The primary reason for me selecting this scene as my favorite is due to all four of our leading characters making an appearance and making an impression. Kuzco and Pacha's interaction with one another as the waitress takes their order is hysterical, and when Kronk and Yzma arrive on the scene, the situational comedy and irony take over like never before. This entire film is perfectly wacky and downright hilarious, and this scene is the epitome of that identity. It never ceases to amaze me how much I laugh out loud during this scene, especially when the diner staff wishes Yzma a happy, happy birthday.

Updated Ranking: The Emperor's New Groove is one of Disney's best films, and one of my personal favorites. This ranking may shock some folks.

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. The Lion King
3. Aladdin
4. The Little Mermaid
5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
7. Peter Pan
8. Cinderella
9. The Jungle Book
10. Sleeping Beauty
11. Hercules
12. Mulan
13. The Emperor's New Groove
14. Tarzan
15. Pinocchio
16. Lady and the Tramp
17. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
18. Alice in Wonderland
19. Dumbo
20. Bambi
21. 101 Dalmatians
22. Pocahontas
23. The Great Mouse Detective
24. Fantasia
25. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
26. The AristoCats
27. Fantasia 2000
28. The Rescuers Down Under
29. Fun and Fancy Free
30. The Fox and the Hound
31. Robin Hood
32. Dinosaur
33. Melody Time
34. The Three Caballeros
35. Saludos Amigos
36. Oliver & Company
37. The Rescuers
38. The Sword in the Stone
39. Make Mine Music
40. The Black Cauldron

Tomorrow, we venture out in search of the Lost City in Atlantis: The Lost Empire!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Dinosaur"

When Dinosaur was released in 2000, I was a mere five years old. As you might expect, I loved everything about dinosaurs at that age, so when my parents took me to see a Disney film about dinosaurs, I was in heaven. Dinosaur quickly became one of my favorite films as a child; in fact, when I recently watched this film on my old VHS player, the picture was often fuzzy due to my overplaying of the film (I have since invested in the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack). However, as I have revisited Dinosaur as I have grown up, my once unquenchable love for this film has been tampered quite significantly. Therefore, I am trapped in how to review it. Should I approach it with a strictly critical mindset or allow nostalgia to influence my rating? Maybe the best way to review Dinosaur is to allow both nostalgia and critiques to shine in this review simultaneously.

I'll start with the bright spots, the aspects of Dinosaur that endure from my childhood to this day. Our main character, Aladar, is the highlight of the entire film. He is truly an underrated character in the Disney canon as he exudes all the qualities one could desire to possess. Yes, he is a dinosaur, but we can all learn a thing or two from his plight about bravery, selflessness, and determination. In a character ensemble that does not make much of an impression (more on this unfortunate fact in a moment), Aladar is the unrivaled star. Furthermore, the music in Dinosaur is absolutely stellar. The score swelling during the scene showing the journey of Aladar's eggs near the beginning of the film, in particular, is spell-binding. With that standard set, the rest of the score follows suit. Bravo, James Newton Howard.

While the characters are less than superb, it is through no fault of this rather great cast in which every member does their very best in order to save this film from mediocrity. D.B. Sweeney, Julianna Marguiles, and Samuel Wright are standouts in particular with Alfre Woodard, Hayden Panettiere, and Max Casella also turning in fine performances. Additionally, Disney's first foray into computer animation is (mostly) a success. While some scenes show the infancy of this technology with the studio, most of the sequences exhibit some fantastic animation, especially the meteor scene and the revealing of the sanctuary for the first time.

Now for the critiques of Dinosaur. I have alluded to it already, but outside of Aladar, the characters are quite unmemorable, mainly because no one other than Aladar is given much to do. The lemurs shine early on, but once the meteor strikes, they are relegated to glorified cameos. Aladar's travelling companions, Baylene, Eema, and Earl, are not afforded enough screentime to make much of an impression (although Baylene does offer the film's defining moment, to her credit). Kron is our villain, but his naivety makes his villainous ways seem laughable. Aladar's love interest, Neera, is never developed into anymore than a love interest, which is quite disappointing because Marguiles provides an excellent voice for Neera. You know me: weak characters equal a weak film. Also, the story is too predictable. There are so many different ways Disney could have taken this story, but instead, they settle for something that we have seen before time and time again. Once again, I expect more from Disney in every facet of filmmaking, but especially when it comes to story. Dinosaur fails to live up to that glorious standard.

Dinosaur is not Disney's worst film by any stretch (still looking at you, The Black Cauldron), but contrary to what a five-year old version of me would say, it is also a far cry from the studio's finest hour. I will continue to watch Dinosaur in the future because of the emotional, nostalgic bond I have with it, but if that bond is ever broken, my Dinosaur viewings may become extinct.

Rating: 7.5/10

Historical Significance: In order to differentiate Dinosaur from The Land Before Time from 1988, the original plan was for the film to be completely devoid of dialogue. However, Disney chief Michael Eisner insisted otherwise, advocating for the inclusion of dialogue. Taking this idea and running with it, the filmmakers originally intended for the dialogue to be in the background with none of the characters actually moving their lips (think Homeward Bound). Luckily, that idea was amended. This act obviously raised the budget for the film as Dinosaur would end up costing Disney about $130 million, placing it atop the list for most expensive film from 2000. Factoring in worldwide grosses, the film was a moderate success, though, as it grossed nearly $350 million at the international box office.

Behind the Scenes: More people are probably more likely to recognize Aladar from the attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World than from the actual film itself. The attraction was originally slated to open at the same time as the film was released in order to provide some synchronicity among the various departments within the Walt Disney Company. However, due to the new technology being used in the film, the release date had to be changed even though the attraction was ready to debut. The attraction opened eighteen months before the film's release and was called Countdown to Extinction. After the film was released, the name was changed to Dinosaur.

Favorite Character: Aladar is the one character from Dinosaur that is a well-developed character. This is the ultimate underdog story as we follow Aladar from birth to triumph. We find ourselves cheering for Aladar even in the midst of an oftentimes predictable story. Whenever he stands up to Kron, we cheer him on; when he is assisting Baylene and Eema, we applaud his heroic actions; and when he finally leads the herd to the nesting grounds, we rejoice. The reason I keep coming back to Dinosaur beyond my nostalgic purposes is because of Aladar. The way Disney is able to humanize this massive creature is incredible and undoubtedly the highlight of the entire film.

Favorite Scene: There are not a bunch of remarkable scenes from Dinosaur, but the most impressive from an animation standpoint is the meteor shower scene early on in the film. We all know that the fateful meteor is going to strike at any moment, and when it does, it is a spectacle to behold. Sometimes in Dinosaur, Disney's unfamiliarity with computer animation shows, but not in this scene. The detail on display here is phenomenal as Disney offers a view at what may have in fact been the scene when that meteor originally struck millions of years ago. Plus, we see Aladar's heroics come out in full force during this sequence as he desperately attempts to save his family.

Updated Ranking: I am completely torn about where to rank Dinosaur. Nostalgia is telling me it deserves to be higher, but my critical side is saying that it should actually be lower. Therefore, I compromise with a ranking somewhere in the middle.

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. The Lion King
3. Aladdin
4. The Little Mermaid
5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
7. Peter Pan
8. Cinderella
9. The Jungle Book
10. Sleeping Beauty
11. Hercules
12. Mulan
13. Tarzan
14. Pinocchio
15. Lady and the Tramp
16. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
17. Alice in Wonderland
18. Dumbo
19. Bambi
20. 101 Dalmatians
21. Pocahontas
22. The Great Mouse Detective
23. Fantasia
24. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
25. The AristoCats
26. Fantasia 2000
27. The Rescuers Down Under
28. Fun and Fancy Free
29. The Fox and the Hound
30. Robin Hood
31. Dinosaur
32. Melody Time
33. The Three Caballeros
34. Saludos Amigos
35. Oliver & Company
36. The Rescuers
37. The Sword in the Stone
38. Make Mine Music
39. The Black Cauldron

One of the few bright spots from the early 2000's is on deck in our Summer of Magic! The Emperor's New Groove is next!

-Cody Fleenor