Deconstructing Disney

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel dive into a discussion of Finding Nemo (2003), the box office splash that enthralled audiences and critics alike. This movie about fish offers a surprising amount to wade through in terms of environmentalism, gender politics, and ableism.  Episode Bibliography Al-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender hegemony and flo...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel explore Treasure Planet (2002), the biggest flop in Disney animation since The Black Cauldron . The hosts discuss what went wrong with this pet project of veteran directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker, beyond just the usual misogyny, that is.  Episode Bibliography Aguilar, C. (2022, December 28). ‘Treasure Planet’ at 20: Disney’s failed space odyssey deserved to soa...

Episode Summary Much like family dynamics and intergalactic diplomacy, Lilo & Stitch (2002) is a complicated movie. Erin and Rachel surf through the topics of Hawaiian culture and representation, colonialism, and Elvis.  Episode Bibliography Bell, J. (2023, August 13). The Meaning Behind The Song: He Mele No Lilo by Disney . Old Time Music. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://oldtimemusic.com...

Erin and Rachel sing their way through a March madness-style bracket to determine the best Disney song of all time!  Listen to the official playlist of songs in the bracket (all "Sweet 16" of them) on YouTube Music .  Watch the Our Last Night cover of Surface Pressure on YouTube . 

Episode Summary Join Erin and Rachel on the Scare Floor for a discussion of Monsters, Inc. (2001). The impressive animation, clever world building, strong performances, and high joke density adequately compensate for some outdated fatphobic, classist, and misogynist beats. Under director Pete Docter, Pixar has officially hit their stride with this critically acclaimed box office smash.  Episode Bi...

Episode Summary Making sense of the plot of Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) proves almost as difficult as locating a lost civilization in the Atlantic Ocean. Erin and Rachel muddle through the complicated lore of this box office flop and manage to find some positive depictions of gender roles and racial diversity.  Episode Bibliography apneax3n0n. (2015, May 9). Nadia vs Atlantis - The More You K...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel try not to throw off the emperor’s groove with their critique of the cultural appropriation and homophobia in this cult classic from 2000. Ultimately, the memeable humor and nuanced portrayal of masculinity make The Emperor’s New Groove a palatable offering from a studio that was floundering post-Renaissance.  Episode Bibliography Borthaiser, N. (2010). Brave New Am...

Episode Summary Disney animators combined computer generated animation with live action background scenery to create the visually stunning Dinosaur (2000). Unfortunately, the boring plot and lackluster characters leave Erin and Rachel wishing that these dinosaurs would hurry up and go extinct.  Episode Bibliography Aguilar, C. (2020, May 26). Celebrating the risk-taking greatness of Disney’s Dinos...

Episode Summary Originally planned for a direct-to-video release, Toy Story 2 (1999) was deemed too good for the small screen and instead enjoyed a theatrical release that was met with rave reviews. The addition of a plucky heroine with a tragic backstory mitigates some of the toxic masculinity from the first installment, but ableism and fatphobia manage to sneak in.  Episode Bibliography ABC News...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel swing to the end of the Disney Renaissance with their discussion of Tarzan (1999). The hosts fault the filmmakers for their choice of racist, misogynistic source material, but applaud the stunning visuals, quotable script, and catchy soundtrack.  Episode Bibliography Abbott, J. (1999, June 7). A FRESH TARZAN . Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from http...

Episode Summary Despite competing with a similar insect-themed offering from DreamWorks, Pixar’s sophomore feature film, A Bug’s Life (1998), earned positive reviews at the box office and solidified the reputation of the animation studio. Although misogyny, racism, and fatphobia are sprinkled throughout, Rachel eagerly celebrates this movie as a depiction of Marxist class revolution; Erin is less...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel explore the mess of gender and culture in Mulan (1998), Disney’s adaptation of an ancient Chinese legend. The plucky heroine promotes the “Girl Power” feminism that has fueled the female protagonists of most Disney Renaissance films, but does so in a way that manages to completely misrepresent Chinese culture and values. Spoiler alert: Chinese audiences did not love...

Episode Summary Unlike its eponymous protagonist, Hercules (1997) is more “zero” than “hero.” Erin and Rachel discuss the film’s rampant misogyny and obnoxious product placement. Compelling vocal performances and soaring musical numbers–the last of Alan Menken’s contributions during the Disney Renaissance–can’t rescue this box office disappointment from the River of Death. Much like Achilles, it j...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel spend a lot of time wringing their hands over the mature themes in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Disney’s animated film about a bell ringer in medieval France. The film underperformed at the box office; apparently, a children’s movie about adult sexuality is a bell you can’t un-ring. The depictions of disability and race induce further cringing that the dazzli...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel travel to masculinity and beyond in their discussion of Toy Story (1995), the first feature-length entirely computer-animated film. After a thorough discussion of the history of Pixar and the technology of computer animation, the hosts delve into the world of boy toys and wrestle over the problematic representation of female and disabled characters.  Content warning...

Episode Summary In pursuit of another Oscar-worthy animated feature, Disney chose a culturally significant protagonist and pumped up the romance for Pocahontas (1995).  Unsurprisingly, good intentions didn’t prevent a group of white men from creating a hugely problematic film, rife with gross historical inaccuracies, racism, and misogyny! Pocahontas underperformed at the box office, and the only O...

Episode Summary Another critical and commercial success of the Disney Renaissance, The Lion King (1994) was a beast at the box office and on home video. It was also the first animated Disney animated film set in Africa. Despite (relatively) diverse casting and the incorporation of authentic African music, there's still plenty of racism to discuss, with some homophobia and questionable political co...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel travel to the (problematically) imaginary land of Agrabah to discuss Aladdin (1992), debating whether this film can overcome its staggering orientalism to be the diamond in the rough we’d all like it to be. Highlights include Robin Williams, Howard Ashman, and Ottoman Empire fashion.  Episode Bibliography Addison, E. (1993). Saving other women from other men: Disney...

Episode Summary A smashing success at the box office and awards shows, Beauty and the Beast (1991) confirmed that the Disney Renaissance had indeed arrived.  Despite its technical and narrative achievements, this film garnered heavy criticism from the feminists it sought to appease with a spunky heroine. Erin and Rachel discuss how Belle and her suitors reinforce that gendered violence is a tale a...

Episode Summary Travel to Australia with Erin and Rachel, where they’ll dissect The Rescuers Down Under (1990), a film full of native flora and fauna, but absolutely no native people. This box office flop was created using the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), but it’s impressive animated sequences couldn’t redeem the irregular pacing and lackluster characters.    Episode Bibliography C...

Episode Summary Join Erin and Rachel under the sea for the first princess film in 30 years! The Little Mermaid (1989) marked the beginning of the Disney Renaissance, a period of renewed investment in animation at the Disney Corporation. With musical numbers from Broadway dynamos Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the film smashed the box office, but did Princess Ariel smash the patriarchy? Episode Bib...

Episode Summary Once upon a time in New York City, a movie about dogs brought up a lot of questions about class, race, and gender. Erin revisits one of her favorite childhood films in this episode about Oliver & Company (1988), while Rachel remains steadfast in her stance that the lone kitten is the only good part.  Episode Bibliography Abramovitz, M., & Hopkins, T. (1983). Reaganomics and the wel...

Episode Summary Thanks to its impressive technological innovation and astounding attention to detail, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) achieved commercial and critical success under the Touchstone Pictures film label. Erin and Rachel debate whether the clever script and filmmaking can adequately compensate for offensive content. Importantly, they also consider whether Jessica Rabbit is actually bad,...

Episode Summary Amid mounting pressure from new leadership, Disney animators ushered in a new era with its first ever computer-generated image (CGI) sequence in The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Erin and Rachel discuss their attraction to Disney characters and their puzzlement with the lengthy cabaret sequence in this Sherlock Holmes-inspired adventure film. Episode Bibliography Black, R.S., & Pre...

Episode Summary In an episode bubbling over with Disney history, Erin and Rachel dive into The Black Cauldron (1985), also known as, “the film that almost killed Disney animation.” Amid corporate restructuring, another animator’s strike, and increasing competition at the box office, The Black Cauldron totally flopped. Erin and Rachel liked this film about as much as 1985 audiences did, and not jus...