MovieChat Forums > The Fox and the Hound (1981) Discussion > second rate Disney

second rate Disney

posted 16 years ago by boydegg
20 replies | jump to latest

Just watched this last night for the first time as an adult.

I loved it as a kid, but this time around I felt that it just isn't in the same league as classics such as Jungle Book, Lion King, Robin Hood, Snow White, Aladin, Little Mermaid etc

As mentioned in another thread, the woodpecker and other bird don't really have a point in the story ... they're just add ons.

The thing that struck me most though was the dreadful songs. Disney films usually have excellent songs. The songs in Fox and the Hound are so awful!!

I guess I should have left it as a happy memory of my childhood ... nowadays I'd rate it 3 or 4 out of 10.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] BrwnEyedGirl 16 years ago

No, it is definitely not in the same league as "Robin Hood" and thank goodness for that.

I have to agree with that, and personally I never really liked The Jungle Book.

During the making of The Fox and the Hound, things were not going so well at the Disney studio. There were a lot of set backs, like when many of the animators left to join Don Bluth. I think the songs are good enough though, and 'Goodbye May Seem Forever' has got to be one of the saddest songs ever. Not every Disney movie has to have a hit song.

Snow White is a classic because it was Disney's first, and films like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin were during Disney's big 'comeback' in the late 80's and most of the 90's.

The Apple Scruffs Corps, 07
"Love one another"

[–] boydegg 16 years ago

Maybe I'm remembering Robin Hood as better than it actually is too. I haven't seen it for 25 years or so.

[–] peace_love_gabey 15 years ago

i only saw it once and most of my attention was on how much the fox in this looked exactly liked robin in robin hood, and alot of the characters just looked the same as robin hood,
it was like one of the only disney movies that didn't have a perfect ending!

[–] dogsoldier_spoon-1 15 years ago

I don't know, I kinda agree that it's not in the same league as some other Disney movies but would not consider this to be second rate. It's a great and very moving film, no doubt about that.

as for the woodpecker and the bird, no offense but every Disney film has it's characters that don't or hardly have a point in the story. They were simply added for comic relief.

and I do agree that the film has weak songs. One of them is very beautiful (don't know the title though) but Disney has much better songs.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Slainmonkey 15 years ago

I completely disagree, of all the Disney films out there I believe this one takes the most mature themes of a Disney film, it not made to be a a light hearted romp like most of Disney's cannon as it goes for a more sombre tone as befitting the story it's trying to tell (excluding the comic relief with the caterpillar). I feel the bird story ark while unnecessary are there to ease the youngans into a film that tackles real life issues and that in it's way speaks less about animals and more about people and how innocence of youth is blind to prejudice and time can change people. It's IMO one of Disney's best films and is sadly underrated.

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 4 years ago

It’s funny, the beginning is over the top cutesy and very immature while the second half is dark and freaking heartbreaking

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] butterK 15 years ago

I love this movie. I don't care that the songs aren't as flashy as songs from other Disney movies, it's one of my favorite Disney movies.

[–] DrLenera 15 years ago

I wouldn't say it's second rate Disney at all, in fact I think it's the best animated film they made during their supposed 'weak' period from 101 Dalmations to The Little Mermaid. It has the best animation and the best story with strong themes and a brave ending. It does mimic Bambi though I must admit!

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] MetFanMac 14 years ago

Sure it's second-rate Disney, but that's like calling a silver medalist Olympian a "second-rate athlete" it's not the best but there's much that's far worse.

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

[–] Severedevil 14 years ago

Second-rate Disney my butt. This is Disney at its finest.

[–] 14 years ago

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