Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, minus its flaws, was a charming return to the heyday of Disney animation—that of the wonderful hand-drawn style. Like I’m sure a lot of you, I grew up with these types of cartoons, and Disney churned out a whole army of classics in that format. The success of The Princess and the Frog, now a genuine hit for the studio (if not exactly a blockbuster—that would sadly be the Alvin and the Chipmunks “squeakuel”) might just mean more 2-D animated films down the line, and I couldn’t be happier. With that (and with a big thanks and tip of the hat to my friend/ brilliant-idea-man, Daniel), I thought it’d be a lot of fun to whip up a list of my favorite hand-drawn Disney features. I only had two rules for this:
1) This might seem obvious, but these had to be 2-D animated. Thus, as much as I love them (and most of these would have been good contenders for my #1), I couldn’t include Pixar’s stuff, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or even Enchanted, which was part 2-D animated and just as entertaining as some of my picks.
2) These had to hold up to repeat viewings, especially from a more “grown-up” perspective. This was a biggie for me—I grew up on Disney classics, and I could still watch films like Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, and Cinderella with a big smile. However, story-wise (and even character-wise, like the more recent, still-entertaining The Little Mermaid), a good number of these leave a lot to be desired, and so I had to scrap those off my list of favorites.
And, so, with those guidelines, I set off on an enormously fun few weeks of catching up on some of my most beloved Disney memories. The result? These 10 reliable favorites, all great bits of entertainment to this day. The ones here might not all be qualified masterpieces, but, to me, they’re all excellent examples of the Disney brand at its peak, offering up films that spark the childhood imagination, while still providing clever writing that speaks to all ages.
With that, let’s get to the list. Here are my Top 10 all-time favorite Disney cartoons… [Top 10 List after the jump]
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10. “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986) - Premiering just before Disney’s creative “renaissance” with The Little Mermaid, this is a somewhat overlooked effort. Well, now couldn’t be a more perfect time to re-discover it—amidst all the Sherlock Holmes fever around Robert Downey Jr.’s turn as the great detective, I really recommend checking out Disney’s excellent mouse-ified version. I’ll give that the animation is a bit dated, and the songs (what little there are) are instantly forgettable. Nonetheless, the characters here are great fun, and the entire mystery actually quite clever once it unravels. Interestingly enough, our main hero, the sprightly, quirky, gloriously odd Basil of Baker Street is more Holmesian than a good majority of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective’s big screen incarnations. Minus the cocaine addiction, of course (which, frankly, I would love to see Disney try to squeeze in), Basil is a huge, intelligent bundle of energy, one that loves to slip on disguises, but still falls into sweeps of depression and melancholy violin-playing when his cases run out. Sound familiar? I love that it took a mouse on 221 ½ B, Baker Street to bring back some of Holmes’ wonderful weirdness. (Robert Downey Jr.’s take also reclaims all of Holmes’ more out-there characteristics that got lost in the public eye). Basil's sidekick, Dr. Dawson, is very enjoyable as well, as the noble, curious man that gets caught up in a big adventure…and ends up loving it (the scene where he’s undercover in a seedy bar as a scruffy sailor, but still can’t resist ordering a “nice sherry”, is one of the big highlights of this film for me). And, of course, the flamboyant, over-the-top Professor Ratigan, the esteemed foe of our brilliant detective (horror icon Vincent Price, doing a gleefully manic version of Professor Moriarty) makes for a memorable villain. He’s not as developed as some of the ones that will appear later in this list, but his dastardly plan actually makes sense, and his peeve about being called a “rat” gives way for a series of very good callbacks. He’s a good match for Basil, and their final confrontation on top of the Big Ben clock tower is one terrific, gorgeously animated sequence. Not Disney’s strongest film, but still a very entertaining one. It’s actually too bad this never became a franchise—here were two durable and very likable characters, ones that I would have gladly followed through a whole series of adventures and mousy-Victorian-London mysteries.
9. "The Brave Little Toaster" (1987) - I forgot how much I loved this one. It was on heavy TV rotation when I came to America, and it’s still one of my favorites to catch. Following one courageous, always-noble toaster and his talking-appliance buddies (the blanket, in particular, is easily one of the most adorable Disney characters) in a cross-country search for their old master, this one packs a lot of heartfelt moments and a great deal of charm. Moreover, it mines similar territory to the Toy Story movies—the bonds we form with inanimate objects when we’re younger. It might sound ridiculous, but there’s a truth here, and a bittersweet one at that—there is always some attachment to our favorite toys, old scraps of clothing, or even a silly thing like a spiffy little toaster (but one that makes the absolute perfect toast). This film explores that, including, with a surprising emotional punch, how those objects might feel when we outgrow and replace them. I love that story element, and, even better, I love how this film plays out those ideas, with a resolution that’s appropriately heartwarming. An absolute gem of a cartoon.
8. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) - Probably the most challenging material Disney ever embraced—I couldn’t get through Victor Hugo’s original novel, and, from the glimpses I got, its ghastly elements never exactly screamed a “family-friendly animated adaptation”. But it works…and wonderfully so. The animation is striking, and the music lovely throughout. There’s also plenty of mature, dark themes, such as the power-hungry, racist villain Frollo’s obsession with the gypsy Esmeralda (the woman who saw the obvious goodness in our hunchback hero, Quasimodo). I think the source material was transformed for the better, adding a great deal more warmth, while never shying away from the cruelty and hatred that Quasimodo endured. Inspiring and powerful, often in ways that resonate long after the movie ends. And, finally, major props to the filmmakers for (SPOILER ALERT) having the hero not get the girl, and having that resolution make perfect sense in the context of this story.
7. "Mulan" (1998) - Disney’s official “girl power” movie, and a welcome one at that. The Chinese legend of a girl who impersonated a soldier is beautifully re-told (the invading Huns sequence is deservingly famous), and Mulan herself, who rejects society’s rules for a woman, is one of their most rounded, well-written characters. I love the songs, as well as the subtle romance between Mulan and her acting captain, Shang (who’s actually the more shy and awkward of the two). Points off for having a bland villain, though—Shun-Yu, for all his brooding, is just a one-dimensional baddie with a tiny shred of motivation. On the flip side, bonus points for Eddie Murphy’s wonderful vocal work as the feisty, fast-talking dragon, Mushu (an odd story element that works surprisingly well), and casting “Pat” Morita (Mr. Miyagi himself) as the Chinese emperor.
6. “A Goofy Movie” (1995) - A very pleasant surprise, and one of the most rewarding upon repeat viewings. It almost seems like a happy accident—there’s no villain, and barely a love interest that needs to be won by the end; instead, it’s a sweet story of a father and his son, bonding over the worst fishing trip imaginable. It also asks a question that I’ve always wondered when watching Goof Troop (from which this movie spun off) on weekday afternoons: what if Goofy was your dad? What if you parent was the well-meaning, ahh-yucking, clumsy, sweetheart of a goof? All of this is handled with a lot of heart and good laughs—I’m sure most (if not all) of us could relate to being embarrassed by our parents and wishing to look “cool” to someone we like…and failing miserably. Goofy, for all his earnest mistakes, is really just a dad trying to make his son happy, especially as his son develops other interests (hint: girls) and hits the age where he’s not quite comfortable with who he is. The movie nicely tackles such issues of growing up, especially that of a father and son finally learning to communicate again. I love Max’s big crush on Roxanne, his best buds PJ and Pauly Shore’s Jewish-surfer/whipped-cheese-lover, Bobby Zimmeruski, and, of course, Goofy and Max’s changing relationship, the delightful clincher to the whole film (“Hi, Dad” soup, anyone?). Plus, those Powerline songs are incredibly catchy! One of my favorites to re-watch.Fun Fact: This was directed by Kevin Lima, who went on to helm the wonderful Enchanted, itself a great riff on the classic hand-drawn fairy tales of Disney’s past. He’s currently circling a remake of The Incredible Mr. Limpet, with none other than Johnny Depp potentially attached to star. At this point, with two great films under his belt, I think he’s a genuine talent, and I’m really interested to see what he’ll do next. And while I’ve never seen the original Mr. Limpet (not exactly a beloved classic), the offbeat combo of him and Depp sounds mighty interesting.
5. "The Lion King" (1994) - Lots of people I know consider this the best cartoon in Disney’s history. While my top pick is something else, it’s hard to argue with them—this is probably Disney’s strongest drama. Essentially Hamlet in the Savannah, young Simba’s journey from coward cub to heroic lion is lovely, the big set-pieces gorgeously animated, and the emotional elements hit just right the notes. There’s good laughs sprinkled throughout as well (Timon and Pumba, really one of the best talking-animal duos Disney has ever done, are an ever-clever spin on Hamlet’s Rosencrantz & Guildenstern). And, of course, who could forget that Elton John-Tim Rice soundtrack? This is in full contention with Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin for my favorite Disney score. And last (but certainly not least), in Scar, the film has the most deliciously evil villain (voiced with oily, Shakespearean brilliance by the great Jeremy Irons) outside of my #1 pick. A deserving phenomenon, and a fine example of the kind of top-notch storytelling Disney could accomplish.
4. "Hercules" (1997) - Zippily paced and very funny, this is another film that seems to be kind of underrated. It’s also (and I might be alone on this) one of the best stabs at Greek mythology on film. Sure, it’s a very sanitized version (you try making a G-Rated version of these stories, especially the Hercules one), but it captures the grandeur and massive scale of this world (beasts, gods, titans, et al), with a quirky animation style not too removed from Aladdin’s. It’s also a very well-written script, with lots of clever references (anyone catch the blink-and-you-miss-it Oedipus joke?), while still retaining both the epic tone of this legend as well as the right emotional kick to the rest of the story. And, of course, James Woods’ Hades steals pretty much the entire movie, comfortably taking his place among the best villains in Disney animation. With an improvised, mile-a-minute energy, it’s clear that Woods relishes this part, and, in turn, his Hades is equal parts vicious and utterly hilarious—as perfect a foil for a hero as one could wish for. The action sequences are fantastic, the moral (“a hero is measured by the strength of his heart”) sweet and unpretentious, and the central romance is a delightful one, with Hercules’ love, Megura, as a perfect, sardonic “standard D.I.D” ("Damsel in Distress"). Overall, it’s just smart, great entertainment, and I’m surprised it doesn’t get more attention.
3. "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000) - How is this one not more popular? It could be because the whole adventure is kind of slight, at least compared to the ultra-serious life-and-death stakes that Disney movies are known for. But, honestly, I couldn’t care less about that. This is easily the funniest film on this list, and one of the most sharp and witty things ever to come out of the House of Mouse. There’s no love story, and, in its place, we get a hip, sarcastic, lively-animated story of friendship—that between the spoiled, selfish, extra-quippy Emperor Kuzco (a brilliantly cast David Spade), and his roly-poly sidekick, Pacha (John Goodman, who could do this kind of good-hearted role in his sleep). The laughs are fast and furious, and, as weird as this sounds, Kuzco lets David Spade do some of the best acting of his career. It’s a perfect tweak of Spade’s own smartass persona, but one that allows him to show some of the begrudging sweetness and depth that marked his Emmy-nominated turn on Just Shoot Me. It’s inspired voice acting, on par with both James Woods’ Hades and Robin Williams’ Genie. As for the film itself, buried under all the well-done snark and loony set-pieces, there’s a charming lesson of the importance of actually caring about people, one that never feels overdone. Plus, in addition to Kuzco, all of the characters are memorable, with special mention going to the dim, though very well-meaning crony/talented cook, Kronk (Patrick Wharburton, the movie’s breakout vocal star) and Yzma (Eartha Kitt, clearly having a ball), the old and “scary beyond all reason” baddie, one of Disney’s all-time greats (the “great…great…great…great…aunt” scene is just priceless!).
2. "Beauty and the Beast" (1991) - What a coincidence that its main character’s name means “beauty”, huh? Of all the Disney fairy tales, this is simply the most gorgeous, best seen in the showstopper ballroom dance sequence in the middle (now so iconic and beautifully spoofed). Also, this might just be the strongest soundtrack on this list—almost every song is memorable, from the opening “Belle” to the classic “Beauty and the Beast”, sung by the amazing Angela Lansbury. Taking place in a quirky part of France where the candlesticks are rascally Frenchmen and the teapots are British, this is some of the best storytelling in Disney’s history—major props for having a smart, capable heroine (who loves to read—kudos, Disney!), a complex, interesting lead in Beast, and a killer supporting cast (particularly Lumiere—ah, how I love that charming candlestick…with a thing for French maids!). Oh, and Gaston, the conceited, moronic, but supposedly “beautiful” town hero, is a phenomenal villain—one of the few who’s just as funny as he is dangerous. There are some lovely themes in this as well, from being true to yourself to the value of kindness and tolerance, something that Belle, the ever-great role model for young girls, personifies. An all-around superb effort; this was the first cartoon ever nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, and the honor is very much deserved.
1. "Aladdin" (1992) - There might be more complex films on this list. Or more epic. Or more dramatic and deep. But, for me, nothing beats Aladdin. For a sheer movie experience, this is Disney magic at its best. I watched this for the first time when I was seven in Ukraine, and it blew me away. Years later, I think it watches even better. All of the elements are here: a great love story (with two likable, well-developed leads), an exotic, ancient setting, and a grand adventure that ably mixes thrills, laughs, and emotion. But Aladdin’s lightening-in-a-bottle energy and pizzazz wouldn’t be possible without two key essentials: Robin Williams’ Genie and my all-time favorite Disney villain, Jafar. Williams, in particular, was a man born to do animation. His rapid-fire thinking and amazing improvisation skills matched so perfectly with the quick-transforming Genie that the result was pure animated bliss. He revolutionized voice acting, and I think we are all the better for it. Plus, his Genie is a character for the ages—always shifting and spewing tons of pop-culture references, and yet you can’t overlook his great, big, proud, silly heart. His relationship with Aladdin, the first master to actually care about him, is really the soul of this movie, and it’s a partnership that only gets better the more you watch it. And, of course, Jafar is a masterpiece of a creation—angular, deeply acerbic (and actually pretty witty—his comeback of “ecstatic” to the first meeting with “Prince Abu Bu” kills me every time), armed with a killer Serpent staff, and, yeah, pretty much all-out evil, he is a villain that you just love to hate. He lights up the screen, and coupled with his scene-stealing partner-in-crime, Iago (another piece of brilliant voice casting—comedian Gilbert Godfried’s finest hour, in my opinion), I can’t think of a better match for the scrappy and cool Aladdin. He’s so memorable, in fact, that I don’t blame Disney for resurrecting him in the lackluster Direct-to-DVD sequel, The Return of Jafar. Terrible film, yes, but it was great to see Jafar wreaking havoc again.
Overall, just a brilliantly-conceived film—everything works, from the animal sidekicks (who could possibly beat Abu and the wordless, but utterly charming, pantomiming Carpet?) to the huge set-pieces (the final confrontation with Jafar is just plain awesome). And, finally, this contains one of the finest collections of songs in movie musicals, with “A Whole New World” ranking as possibly the most romantic sequence I've ever seen. I love this film to death, and can’t wait to watch it again sometime soon.
P.S. Disney has made some awful Direct-to-DVD sequels over the years (Return of Jafar included), but Aladdin and the King of Thieves is a welcome exception. It not only marks the return of Robin Williams and the rest of the voice cast, it also stands as just a good character-based sequel. Lots of threads are resolved, particularly Aladdin’s never-spoken-of parents and our mysterious narrator from the first film (who oddly disappeared by the end of the first film), and, for a restrained budget, the animation is simply beautiful at times. Also, for all my ribbing of Return of Jafar, the one good thing to come out of it was the switcheroo of sides by Iago. It was a believable turn of events, and he’s such a great character that I’m glad he joined Aladdin’s posse…and popped up for this quite good third film. And that's it for my list. Now I turn the floor to you guys. What would you put in your Top 10 of Disney hand-drawn cartoons? Do you agree/disagree with my picks? Did I miss any of your own all-time faves? Sound off in the comments below!
Images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
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