Walt Disney. Who has never heard the name of this man who is at the origin of most of the cartoons of our childhood? This producer, director and screenwriter would have celebrated his 115th birthday on December 5, 2016!
The Walt Disney Studios Foundation is now the world's leading entertainment group! Known for its amusement parks or live-action films, the foundation owes its notoriety above all to its animated films. Here are the top 10 JustFocus animated feature films produced by Walt Disney Studios!
10. Hercules
Released in 1997, Hercules is the 50th Disney animated feature film. Based on Greek and Roman mythologies, the film focuses on the character of Hercules. The young man in question will seek to reach Olympus to find his parents, the gods Zeus and Hera (who is actually not his real mother, but mythology is very complex). He will have to oppose Hades, god of the Underworld, who will do everything to block his way and take control of Mount Olympus. Hercules is one of those films that have not inherited a very great notoriety with the public and it's a shame! Of great aesthetic quality, the film transports the viewer to the heart of a distant era and overflowing dream. Admittedly, the script does not follow precisely the original story of the Greek hero, but it is appreciable that the writers have taken liberties to develop the imagination around the film. Touching scenes, wonderfully worked dialogues, Hercules translates just as well as the other films the magic of Disney!
Why we love: For music, because gospel is quite rare in cartoons. For Hades, because such a sarcastic villain appeals to children and adults alike. For the mythology side, because it's a very good idea to follow ancient legends to develop your general knowledge!
9. The New Heroes
Released in February 2015 in France, The New Heroes is the 101st Disney animated film. Hiro Hamada, a young boy whose brother has died, one day awakens Baymax, the prototype robot nurse his brother had built. This big white and fluffy balloon that is Baymax will take care of Hiro's well-being, treating his small injuries and especially his post-traumatic depression. Together, the two characters will try to save their city from a villain with a kabuki mask (theater mask from Japanese folklore). The New Heroes is an extremely poignant film, which will touch the sensibilities of a children's audience as well as an older audience. What child has never dreamed of having a robot best friend who would take care of him? The relationship between Hiro and Baymax is very beautiful, they are both very endearing. It is a film at the crossroads of manga and American superhero cartoon, which plays on the situation comedy.
Why we love : for Baymax, because it's the biggest, fluffiest and most caring robot we've ever seen. For the quality of the animation, because the images are fluid and aesthetically very beautiful.
8. Kuzco, the megalomaniac emperor
Released in 2000, Kuzco is the 68th Disney animated feature film. The greedy and immature Emperor Kuzco finds himself at the heart of a plot set up by the infamous Yzma and his minion Kronk. Transformed into a lama by an evil potion, the emperor will have to rely on the help of Pasha, a peasant whose family and home are threatened by plans for an amusement park in Kuzco's honor. Colorful, Kuzco is a film with humor that is both simple and deranged. It offers a fairly strong moral about developing friendship and compassion despite differences in opinions and goals. It also illustrates social problems in the confrontation between the imperial power and the lower people.
Why we love : for jokes, because they never run out, even if we see the movie dozens of times. For Pasha, because he's a simply good character, who you can relate to. For the final morality, because we discover that the most execrable man in the world is always able to change in contact with others.
7. Aladdin
Released in 1992, Aladdin is the 40th Disney animated feature film. Aladdin is a petty thief rampant in the streets of the great city of Agrabah. He finds himself in possession of a magic lamp from which a genie comes out to grant three of his wishes. Aladdin will then see his life totally changed to conquer the heart of Princess Jasmine, while trying to escape the schemes of the evil Jafar. Inspired by the tale Aladdin or the Wonderful Lamp and the film The Thief of Baghdad, Aladdin is the first Disney animated film to take us to the Middle East. Between flying carpet, magic lamp and sandstorms, we find characters both endearing and funny. Magical objects and animals (the parrot Iago and the monkey Abu) play a lot in the humorous aspect of the film, as silent comedy is often appreciated in stories aimed at children.
Why we love : for the music, because the soundtrack was awarded an Oscar and it deserves it. For the genius, because the character is hilarious and his voice in the original version is that of Robin Williams. For geography, because the Middle East is under-represented in films released in France, especially children's films.
6. Mulan
Released in 1998, Mulan is the 54th Disney animated feature film. Fa Mulan is a young Chinese woman who decides to change her destiny and not get married. When war broke out between China and the Huns, she took her father's place in the army by disguising herself as a man. At his side, a clumsy guardian dragon of the Fa family named Mushu and a lucky locust, Cri-kee, will try to help him go unnoticed. The animation of Mulan is generally very successful, even if it was rather criticized by a press unaccustomed to this genre during the release. Inspired by the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, the plot is powerful: we are talking about a young girl who seeks both to save her father and to upset social codes. Funny and moving, Mulan has become a must-see Disney film!
Why we love : for Mulan, because she is a strong and emancipated young woman in a culture that goes in the opposite direction. For the music, because the influences of Asian music are felt and really bring beauty to the soundtrack. For martial arts, because it's still nice to see them from time to time.
5. Robin Hood
Released in 1973, Robin Hood is the 27th Disney animated feature film. Robin is a fox and his way of life is simple: steal from the rich to give to the poor. When his head is put at a price, Robin, alongside his friend Little John, will set about ridiculing Prince John, who has taken his place on the throne of Nottingham. Robin will seek to free the people from the yoke of this tyrant, while seducing the beautiful Marianne. Inspired by the legend of Robin Hood and the stories of the Roman de Renart, the animated film is one of those that stand out the most when talking about Disney. For the year of realization, the animation is successful, relatively fluid. But above all, the story is catchy: someone who steals from the rich to give to the poor, it necessarily attracts generous souls as well as the curious.
Why we love : for morality, because the poor sometimes deserve as much or even much more than the rich. For the animals as main characters and their meaning, because each character is in his place and the presence of each has a meaning in this society.
4. Pocahontas: An Indian Legend
Released in 1995, Pocahontas: An Indian Legend is the 45th Disney animated feature film. Based on the real-life story of an Indian child, Pocahontas tells the story of a young woman who refuses to marry the man promised to her by her father, the chief of the Powhatan tribe. At the same time, English settlers arrived on their land. The Indian Pocahontas will then meet the civilized John Smith. Pocahontas: An Indian legend raises important and pertinent questions about the diversity of peoples and how colonizations took place. The story seems relatively close to the child who inspired her, except for Pocahontas' age and the relationship she had with John Smith. Colorful, lively, poetic, Pocahontas is one of the most beautiful Disney animated films.
Why we love : for the soundtrack, because the sounds are simply mesmerizing. For Grandma Foliage, because there is no better counselor than an old woman in the form of a tree. For the social message, because it is important to convey the acceptance of cultures and communities drastically different from ours.
3. The Jungle Book
Released in 1967, The Jungle Book is the 24th Disney animated feature film. Mowgli, a little boy raised by wolves and friend of the panther Bagheera. He is forced to return to his human village to escape the terrible tiger Shere Khan. On his way, he will meet many jungle animals, such as the Baloo bear, the Kaa snake or the orangutan Louie, the king of the monkeys. The Jungle Book is taken from the book of the same name by Rudyard Kipling and follows fairly faithfully the story recounted. It also happens that this film is the last on which Walt Disney himself was involved in directing, since he unfortunately died 10 months before its release. Presenting the first tropical setting for Disney, we can admit that the challenge is very well met.
Why we love : for the lyrics of the songs, because it doesn't take much to be happy. For King Louie, because he does beatbox and the character is very funny, even if sometimes a little crazy. For the message of friendship, because Mowgli and Baloo are too adorable.
2. The Aristocats
Released in 1970, The Aristocats is the 25th Disney animated feature film. Three kittens and their mother are named heirs to the fortune of an old Parisian lady. But unfortunately for Marie, Toulouse, Berlioz and Duchesse, the butler does not hear it that way and will do everything to get his hands on this heritage by making the cats disappear. The Aristocats marks the beginning of an era of decline for Disney Studios, yet it is today among the most popular and beloved Disney animated films. Considered at its release too common compared to other Disney productions, the film was nevertheless the last scenario initiated by Walt Disney. The Aristocats was originally intended to be a live-action feature film when it was offered to Disney Studios, but one of Walt Disney's subordinates refuted the idea and so the film became an animated film. And they did well, because today, The Aristocats has become a must, to the point of finding itself on the second step of our ranking!
Why we love : for kittens, because they are really cute, we are not going to lie. For the songs, because Everyone wants to become a cat is a song that has become cult and anyway, jazz music always goes well. For the scenario, because a butler who seeks to outdo cats in the will of his boss, it is still quite ridiculous.
1. The Lion King
Released in 1994, The Lion King is the 43rd Disney animated feature film. You've been waiting for it, here it is: the inevitable number 1 Disney. The Lion King is the story of a young lion cub, Simba, son of King Mufasa. Simba finds himself confronted far too soon with the painful loss of his father and goes into exile to hide his guilt under the advice of his uncle, the greedy Scar. But life will place encounters on his way, which will not fail to bring him home soon. Very touching, very sad at times, the film with its colorful and joyful looks actually has a relatively dark background. The Lion King deals with the question of family, friendship, the taste for adventure, honor and so many other things. As with Robin Hood, the studios chose to stage animals, but this time in the natural conditions of savannah animals.
Why we love : for the music, because it is composed by the great Hans Zimmer and the influences of African instruments give a brilliant dimension to the musical universe.For Rafiki, because this more than strange monkey gives good advice while talking in a very funny way. For the story, because the Lion King is an adaptation of Hamlet and these savannah animals are extremely great.
Walt Disney is at the origin of the dreams of our childhood thanks to the creation of the Disney studios. Originally in collaboration with his brother, Walt Disney appropriated the foundation, but it was ultimately to the delight of children of many generations.
