Deconstructing Disney

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...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel unpack The Fox and the Hound (1981), the most expensive Disney animated film up to that point, due largely to conflict amongst the film makers. They discover that even a movie about the best of friends isn’t immune to racism in the form of Black stereotypes and underlying messages about segregation.  Episode Bibliography Associated Press. (1977, July 19). A New Gene...

Episode Summary In the third and final mini-episode (for now!), Erin and Rachel wrestle with the definition of "classic" literature and identify possible source material for the next great Disney animated film! 

Episode Summary For their second mini-episode, Erin and Rachel each identify their picks for best villain, best love interest, and best animal sidekick from the films they've reviewed so far. 

Episode Summary In this first miniature (or Minnie Mouse?) episode, Erin and Rachel each pitch an idea for a new Disney Park attraction based on the films they've watched so far. Episode Bibliography Olson, J. (2021, April 1). For the first time, all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are led by women. 10 Tampa Bay. https://www.wtsp.com/article/entertainment/walt-disney-world-led-by-women/67-86180d33...

Episode Summary In their deconstruction of The Rescuers (1977), Erin and Rachel discuss orphans, alligators, and confederate symbolism. This film seemingly represents the first attempts of the Walt Disney Animation Studios to represent racial diversity and gender equality in any intentional or meaningful way, but how successful are they? Episode Bibliography Caroll, T.W. (2019). Revisiting second...

Episode Summary Venture into the Hundred Acre Wood with Erin and Rachel as they discuss the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh , the 1977 feature-length film that compiled three previously-released featurettes about a willy nilly silly old bear. The conversation touches on issues of gender and racism, but Rachel’s biggest qualm with this movie is the fat shaming directed at our favorite tubby...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel travel to Sherwood Forest and discuss Robin Hood (1973), the first Disney film to feature a cast entirely composed of anthropomorphized animals! Although their qualms with the film include the limited agency of female characters and the derision of fat characters, they also enjoyed the exciting plot and folksy music.  Episode Bibliography Asher-Perrin, E. (2018, Apr...

Episode Summary Released three years after Walt Disney’s death, the 1970 animated film The AristoCats (yes, the “C” is capitalized!) marked the beginning of a new era for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Join Erin and Rachel as they discuss the tough questions such as, does everybody want to be a cat?  Episode Bibliography The Aristocats . (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved December 22, 2020, from https:/...

Episode Summary Join Erin and Rachel as they journey to the jungles of India to discuss the 1967 classic, The Jungle Book . Based on the book by Rudyard Kipling, a champion of British Imperialism, the film demonstrates more implicit racism and sexism than colonialist themes.  Episode Bibliography Biography.com Editors. (2019, October 21). Rudyard Kipling biography. Biography. https://www.biography...

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel discuss the classic hybrid film, Mary Poppins . Although Julie Andrews’ famous nanny may be “practically perfect in every way,” the co-hosts find plenty of flaws in the 1964 film’s messaging on family values, gender roles, and classism.  Episode Bibliography Coate, M. (2014, August 27). Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: Remembering “Mary Poppins” on its 50th anniv...