Return of the King

 

The Lion King (1994)

Rated: G

Runtime: 88 minutes

Princess/Heroine: none

Prince/Hero: Simba

Sidekicks: Mufasa, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Sirabi, Zazu

Villain: Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed

Music: “Be Prepared”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Circle of Life”, “Hakuna Matata”, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 4 ears. 1 for Simba, 1 for Mufasa/Timon/Pumbaa, 1 for Scar, and 1 for the music.

I worked at a movie theater when this came out and it was extremely popular. Simba is a great hero, but only after being lazy for most of the movie. Nala should have been the hero of the movie, but she wasn’t allowed to be because, well, she’s a girl. Mufasa is pretty awesome but he is only around for a short time. Timon and Pumbaa are a funny duo and at times steal the show. Scar is one of the best villains ever, and the trio of hyenas are solid as well. The music has to be considered one of Disney’s best; the “Circle of Life” opening is amazing!

Back story: I ruined this movie for 200 people during one of my days working at the local theater. I bumped the projector and caused the movie to break during Simba’s dramatic scene after defeating Scar. Some people were in the lobby getting drinks and didn’t get back to their seats before we fixed and restarted the movie ... sorry. This movie will be a heavy favorite in the bracket.

Diamond in the rough

Aladdin (1992)

Rated: G

Runtime: 90

Princess/Heroine: Jasmine

Prince/Hero: Aladdin

Sidekicks: Genie, Abu, Magic Carpet, Sultan, Radja

Villain: Jafar, Iago

Music: “Friend Like Me”, “One Jump Ahead”, “Prince Ali”, “A Whole New World”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 5 ears. 1 for Aladdin, 1 for Jasmine, 1 for Genie, 1 for Jafar, and 1 for the music.

Fun, excitement, scares, romance ... this movie has it all. Aladdin is a smooth criminal and a big hit with the ladies. Jasmine can hold her own and won’t settle for just anyone. Abu is a funny pal, and Magic Carpet is there whenever Aladdin needs him. Jafar is a snake (literally), and Iago is a faithful partner in crime. The music is great and the magic carpet scene is breathtaking. But the best part of the movie is the Genie. He is hilarious and does a good job of not being over the top.

I started working at a movie theater in 1992. I remember this movie being extremely popular. It played forever. I bet there was at least one guy who took several girls on movie dates and this film was the film of choice for at least 2 months. This will be an extremely popular movie in the bracket, and I bet that guy who went on all those movie dates to Aladdin will pick it to go very far. Good luck Rick ... or whatever his name might have been.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Rated: G

Runtime: 84 minutes

Princess/Heroine: Belle

Prince/Hero: Beast

Sidekicks: Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Maurice

Villain: Gaston, Lefou

Music: “Be Our Guest”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Belle”, “Gaston”, “The Mob Song”, “Something There”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 5 ears. 1 for Belle, 1 for Beast, 1 for Lumiere/Cogsworth/Mrs. Potts, 1 for Gaston, and 1 for the music. Yay! Another movie to earn all 5 ears.

There are so many amazing things about this film. Belle is fantastic. She reads, takes care of herself and her Papa, and knows the difference between a good guy and a jerk. Beast is a bit scary at first, but it’s just a cover for his sweetness. Lumiere and Cogsworth are a great duo, and Mrs. Potts keeps everything together. Gaston is a big chuckle-head, but his evilness is top-notch. The music is easily some of the best to date, and the movie has the famous ballroom dance scene which gets better every time you watch it.

I hate to bring it up; there is only one small thing wrong with this movie and I am pretty sure everyone agrees with me. The Beast is awesome; the Beast turning into the Prince at the end is not. If only there was a way he could have learned his lesson and Beast and Belle could have made it work. But all that aside, this movie will be a huge favorite in the bracket and should go very far.

Not Penny's Movie

The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

Rated: G

Runtime: 77 minutes

Princess/Heroine: Miss Bianca

Prince/Hero: Bernard

Sidekicks: Cody, Wilbur, Jake, Marahute

Villain: McLeach, Joanna

Music: none

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 1 ear. For the eagle. All you need to know.

I had high hopes for the original movie. I had higher hopes for this one after I heard it had an awesome eagle. Unfortunately, the eagle was not enough. The tandem of Miss Bianca and Bernard were the same not-that-great duo. The eagle, though awesome, wasn’t in the movie that much. McLeach was a very boring villain. The only positive thing was that this movie, unlike the original, didn’t have any uncomfortable songs that I had to listen to.

I had read positive reviews online, just like the original received. I don’t understand what these people were watching or if they just have a low expectation of movies. The Rescuers or The Rescuers Down Under might somehow sneak into the bracket but there is no way they will do well ... right?

It's hotter under the water

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Rated: G

Runtime: 83 minutes

Princess/Heroine: Ariel

Prince/Hero: Prince Eric

Sidekicks: Sebastian, Flounder, Scuttle, Max

Villain: Ursula, Flotsam, Jetsam

Music: “Kiss the Girl”, “Les Poissons”, “Part of Your World”, “Poor Unfortunate Souls”, “Under the Sea”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 5 ears. 1 for Ariel, 1 for Prince Eric, 1 for Sebastian/Flounder, 1 for Ursula, and 1 for the music. Finally a movie to earn 1 ear for each category!

Wow. This movie is so good. After all these years it still holds up. Ariel is a great role model and she collects cool stuff. Prince Eric is loyal to his dog Max. Sebastian knows how to jam, and Flounder, though sometimes scared, is always by Ariel’s side. Ursula is absolutely evil. The music ... 4 great songs that rival almost any Disney song up to this movie. This movie is pretty much flawless. And it got people back in the theaters watching animated movies. Huge deal for Salty Chewbacca ... and for kids of all ages.

I am pretty sure this will be a popular pick in the bracket and it should be. It hits high marks in all categories, and is fun and scary. Oh, and my girlfriend cried like every 5 minutes which means I probably cried too ... probably. Don’t be afraid to pick this gem to go a long way in the tournament ... or cry.

New York State of Mind

Oliver & Company (1988)

Rated: G

Runtime: 74 minutes

Princess/Heroine: Jenny

Prince/Hero: Oliver, Dodger

Sidekicks: Fagin, Einstein, Francis, Georgette, Rita, Tito, Winston

Villain: Sykes, Roscoe, DeSoto

Music: “Good Company”, “Once Upon a Time in New York City”, “Perfect Isn’t Easy”, “Streets of Gold, “Why Should I Worry”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 2 ears. 1 for Oliver/Dodger, and 1 for Einstein/Francis/Georgette/Rita/Tito.

Oh Billy Joel.... Has he ever done anything that is really good? Jenny is ok as the rich girl that takes Oliver in. Oliver and Dodger are a decent duo that knows their way around a hot dog stand. Einstein, Francis, Georgette, Rita, and Tito are a good way to round out your gang. Sykes ... well, he has huge hands. The music is catchy, but in a bad way. The songs are not that good, yet you can’t get them out of your head. With all this not-so-goodness, it’s hard to see how this movie has such a big following.

This was a disappointing start to the second half of the 52 Disney movie adventure. I am guessing the higher-up people spent the summer discussing how to make Disney movies better for the upcoming decade. This movie probably won’t do well in the bracket. Sorry Billy Joel, you will have to stick to your day job ... unfortunately.

221B Baker Street

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Rated: G

Runtime: 74 minutes

Princess/Heroine: Olivia Flaversham

Prince/Hero: Basil

Sidekicks: Dr. David Q. Dawson, Hiram, Toby

Villain: Professor Ratigan, Fidget, Felicia

Music: “Let Me Be Good To You”, “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 3 ½ ears. 1 for Olivia Flaversham, ½ for Basil, ½ for Dr. David Q. Dawson, 1 for Professor Ratigan, and ½ for the music.

This is the best mouse detective movie ever; it’s a fantastic adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. Basil is really funny and smart. Olivia is cute and sweet. Dawson is great as Basil’s partner. Professor Ratigan is a fun yet evil villain. The music is pretty good; “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” is a decent song for the bad guys, and “Let Me Be Good To You” is a bit naughty. It was an all-around good movie that should have received higher praise than The Rescuers.

I like me a good Sherlock story. I am excited that I am officially halfway to my goal of 52 Disney movies in a year. The next 3 ½ months are going to be crazy as I watch 26 more movies and get ready for the bracket challenge. As for this film, it is extremely underrated and I hope that it catches a few breaks in the bracket.