Deconstructing Disney

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel follow Lightning McQueen and Mater around the globe in this discussion of Cars 2 , a spy-themed sequel with a convoluted plot and disappointing politics.  Episode Bibliography Abg 13. (2021, February 21). Cars 2 Tokyo Race Lap One w/ Film Maker Commentary (Subs Included) . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB-qsiCs6us&list=PLkVBJymkFErmVjGA_sJvZwr7CFirexCaa&i...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel discuss Tangled (2010), the 50th animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and one of Rachel’s favorites. Based on the fairytale of Rapunzel, this coming-of-age tale features songs from Disney veteran Alan Menken and impressive computer animation. Although Erin and Rachel disagree about the viability of the romantic plot, they agree that Mother Gothel is an e...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel discuss Toy Story 3 (2010), the third and allegedly final installment in the Toy Story franchise. Despite some minor misogyny and heteronormativity, the film manages to delight (and emotionally devastate) the hosts.   Episode Bibliography Bianculli, D. (2011, February 4). The People Behind Pixar's 'Toy Story 3' . NPR. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/133471041?storyI...

In this very special episode, Erin talks to Rachel and her research assistant, Grace, about a study they recently published about the portrayal of fat characters in Disney animated films. Spoiler alert: the depictions of fat characters are rife with harmful stereotypes, and the hosts have something to say about it!  Rachel's and Grace's article "'You're Getting a Little Big for This': Fat Characte...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel hop on down to 1920’s New Orleans, where Disney’s first Black princess spends most of her time as a frog in the Louisiana bayou. The Princess and the Frog (2010) provided much needed representation, but leaves a lot to be desired in terms of its race, class, and gender politics.  Episode Bibliography The 82nd Academy Awards | 2010 . (n.d.). Oscars. https://www.oscar...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel wallow through an elderly man’s grief journey with Pixar’s critically acclaimed Up (2009). They argue the beautiful art and cute sidekicks aren’t enough to redeem this (admittedly beloved) film, especially since the (admittedly moving) love story invokes the classic “dead wife” trope. We’ll keep sailing our balloon house onto the next one, please and thank you.  Epi...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel discuss Bolt (2008), a lesser known film about a dog who thinks he’s a super hero. Under new leadership, Disney Animation Studios starts to come out of their slump with this film that some people found boring (Erin) and others found heartwarming (Rachel).  Episode Bibliography Amidi, A. (2006, December 18). Chris Sanders No Longer Directing American Dog . Cartoon Br...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel travel 700 years into the future to discuss WALL-E (2008), Pixar’s robot romance with an unintentionally anti-capitalist message. Fatphobia and misogyny make this dystopian tale unwatchable despite its endearing protagonist, striking animation, and moments of nostalgia.  Episode Bibliography The 81st Academy Awards | 2009. (2009, February 22). Oscars.org. https://ww...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel discuss Ratatouille (2007), a Pixar film about a French rat who wants to be a chef. Their discussion includes a fine stew of food politics, meritocracy, and sexism with a garnish of fatphobia. Bon appetit!  Episode Bibliography Baker, J. (2005, January 17). Dan Lee . James Baker. https://www.james-baker.com/news/dan-lee/ Bird, B. [@BradBirdA113]. (2020, July 13). Th...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel travel to a frenetic future to discuss Meet the Robinsons (2007), a fever dream of a film that performed poorly at the box office despite intervention from John Lasseter, newly seated Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Sexist and fatphobic content are only minimally present, but that doesn’t mean Erin and Rachel enjoyed this chaotic whirlwind o...

Episode Summary In this episode about Cars (2006), Erin and Rachel take a road trip to Radiator Springs, discussing Pixar history, environmentalism, and masculinity and masculinity along the way. Ka-chow!  Episode Bibliography The Amazing Double Life of Jorgen Klubien . (2013, October 15). FLIP. https://flipanimation.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-amazing-double-life-of-jorgen.html Arnold, W. (2006, Jun...

Episode Summary Chicken Little (2005), the modern retelling of the classic folk tale, will make you wish the sky was falling so the movie would end. Erin and Rachel discuss the gender dynamics and fatphobia in this story about a father and son (and also baseball and aliens).  Episode Bibliography Åström, B. (2015). The symbolic annihilation of mothers in popular culture: Single Father and the deat...

Episode Summary Family superhero saga, The Incredibles (2004), was another smash hit for Pixar. Although fun to watch, the focus on a middle aged male protagonist leads Erin and Rachel to ask once again, who is this movie really for? Episode Bibliography Al-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender hegemony and flows of masculinities in Pixar animated...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel venture to the Old West to discuss the oft forgotten 2004 flop Home on the Range . The convoluted plot, juvenile humor, and unsympathetic characters make for a frustrating viewing experience. Most critics and audience members seem to agree this movie would be best put out to pasture.  Episode Bibliography #26. A Conversation with John Sanford . (n.d.). Fülle Circle...

Episode Summary Welcome to our family time! Erin and Rachel discuss Brother Bear (2003), another entry in the canon of Disney’s flop era. Despite disappointingly little effort on the part of the filmmakers to ensure cultural authenticity, Brother Bear manages to tell a sweet story with surprisingly little offensive content.  Episode Bibliography Alaska Travel Industry Association. (2024). Yup'ik a...

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...