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An amazing post... I totally agree that Disney went into a departure after "Tarzan."

The thing was...the movies were incredible, but then it wasn't just the movies -- it was everything. The teasers, the trailers, the music, even the people performing in them: everything spoke to story, concept, visual energy.

Disney could take simple children story or even a literary classic (like Tarzan) and create a truly honest and captivating experience. Pixar followed in their footsteps with their own style, but I agree the "hand drawn," really brought life to the characters.

Still...I love what Pixar has accomplished and hold great respect for Disney's streak of films that really did end with "Tarzan."

I'm told the reason for the change was unfortunately...money. The deals for all the animators came due, contracts were up and Disney (more Eisner really)chose to take Disney in a different direction creatively (and budget wise) so the incredible animators left after their contracts were finished. "Emperor's New Groove," brought attention, but you're right, is also looked incredibly cheap. A vast departure from the astonishing visuals that defined Disney's name.

I agree Disney never recovered after "Groove,"(outside of Pixar)and even a last ditch hope of return to hand drawn -- the debacle "Treasure Planet," didn't have the same professionalism as when the past animators held the reigns. Sadly, they've all moved on elsewhere.

Wow! Good post. I agree that Tarzan is probably the last "true classic" Disney movie, but most of the movies made since then were not all that bad--though I personally wouldn't mind it if they brought back the songs

Supermodels...spoiled stupid little stick figures mit poofy lips who sink only about zemselves.

I do agree with everything you said, shbomb, as well as some of what others posted too. I've seen a handful of the "post-Tarzan" animated movies, and I would have to say that Tarzan was the last of its kind as far as top-notch quality hand-drawn animation.

Of the ones I did see after '99, my reactions were mixed (and I have yet to see "The Emperor's New Groove"):

-Dinosaur (2000): I think, but I could be wrong, that this was Disney's first attempt at a CGI film without Pixar -- and it shows. The animation is pretty amazing, but the story leaves some to be desired.

-Atlantis (2001): Just okay. I liked the stylized animation, but that was about all that was going for it. Poor Michael J. Fox could have used his time to do something that better served his talent.

-Lilo & Stitch (2002): I actually enjoyed this. I hoped that Disney was trying to redeem themselves for some of their recent failures, but apparently I was wrong. It was all downhill from here.

-Brother Bear (2003): Again, not much to the story; but I enjoyed this. Most of the time when Disney has talking animals as their main characters, there's a certain amount of charm to them. Besides, bears are powerful, some would say even majestic, creatures, and I thought they were animated well, even the "cartoon-y" versions when we, the audience, see & hear them speak. Plus, the moose stole the show!

-Chicken Little (2005): I saw this on cable, so I didn't pay to see it...and that was a good thing. Again, the CGI was well-done (and kudos to Zach Braff doing a voice), but the story didn't really do much for me, even though it was based on a classic fable.

It was disappointing to hear that Disney was closing its hand-drawn animation department when CGI movies started to become big hits, but they still shouldn't attempt to do them on their own. I've seen every Disney/Pixar film so far, and none have let me down like the "solo" Disneys (although some were better than others). Disney should just stick with Pixar all the way, if possible. At least the stories will be worth it.

You know what I've realized when reading this?

One of the fantastic things I've loved about disney my whole life, is how i had the feeling of broadway in my livingroom. And now? That feeling is gone with the new disney movies. Sure, I'm entertained. But I dont feel the emotion that disney once held with classics like (and my personal favorite), Beauty and the Beast. And it's sad.

One of the reasons, I think, that disney has gone downhill, is that it doesnt prepare for these movies like they used to, besides the whole 3-D format. The creators would spend months in either Africa, or China, ect ect to make sure every detail drawn stayed true to the culture. They've lacked that passion in about the past 10 years. And that passioned showed in the voices of the actors, and more than anything, the art of the hand-drawn animation. That passion needs to come back to Disney, or else it isn't Disney at all.

Walt Disney himself is rolling over in his grave right now, I'm sure of it.


(and i apologize for bad grammer. Its 2am here. haha)

You are right, except for the fact that Brother Bear was also the same musical style as Tarzan and the other 90's movies.
Same applies to the sequels to the 90's movies, like The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, Tarzan 2 and Mulan 2 (even though the songs in Mulan 2 sucked ass).

I agree with you 100%

I agree with some what your saying. I didn't think Tarzan was a great movie but it had some stunning visuals and was probably the last time we saw a high standard of Disney's traditional animation. Sadly it seems they have now abandoned blue canvas which was probably the best way of merging new 3D technology with traditional animation.

I wasn't pleased by the merger of Disney/Pixar. While Pixar are responsible for work like the truly outstanding Toy Story, animation as a visual art, in my opinion, is disappearing. The wonderful brush stroke effect shown in Beauty and The Best, The Lion King, Tarzan etc. will no longer be seen in Disney films. Animation's only hope may be Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli!

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