MovieChat Forums > The Fox and the Hound (1981) Discussion > Dinky and Boomer weren't really necessar...

Dinky and Boomer weren't really necessary

posted 16 years ago by trisp
17 replies | jump to latest

They were entertaining. But what purpose did they serve? The only main thing they did was help Big Mama get Tod to Widow Tweed and yes, they also demonstated what Amos does to the animals. But were they really needed? Because their pursuit of the caterpillar didn't really figure into the story at all. Even a couple of read-alongs have not even mentioned them (they mentioned once in one of them but only that they were pursuing a caterpillar). Perhaps if they had come to Tod's rescue during the bear fight, that would have made them more necessary. On the other hand, it might've ruined an already greatly animated scene.

"HOPSCOTCH!"

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nestordonkey 16 years ago

I agree with starspangled, it is rather dark and they bring out some comic effort.

I'm a CHRISTIAN, and PROUD OF IT!

[–] trisp 16 years ago

Yes. Indeed they do. But they still serve little purpose in the story. I think they're the only comic relief in Disney movies that are like that.

I mean, look at the following examples:
If it weren't for Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio wouldn't have become a real boy.
The mice in Cinderella not only made her a dress, they rescued her from the tower.
The 3 good fairies made it possible for both Aurora and Prince Philip to overcome Maleficent.
Abu not only causes destruction of the interior of the Cave of Wonders, but also manages to steal the lamp thus unleashing another important character and setting the rest of the story in motion.
Gurgi sacrifices himself to the Black Cauldron saving Prydain.

You see what I mean?

"HOPSCOTCH!"

[–] nestordonkey 16 years ago

Your exactly right, Trisp.

I'm a CHRISTIAN, and PROUD OF IT!

[–] cutepiku 16 years ago

I feel like they were telling Copper and Todd's story, but in a more humourous way.

They really, really wanted to eat that caterpillar, but when he turned into a butterfly, they lost all their desire to eat him.

Copper really, really wanted to kill Todd, but when Todd saved his life, Copper lost all his desire for revenge.

See what I mean? Parallel plots just to kill some of the gloom, and give us another perspective on what was happening.

[–] trisp 16 years ago

You mean just like Meeko and Percy resolving their conflict in Pocahontas much the same way the Natives and settlers resolve their conflict?

"HOPSCOTCH!"

[–] aleusong 16 years ago

I honestly thought that Dinky and Boomer scenes were really dull and boring even for their purpose as comic relief. Too Tom and Jerry like for my case. The movie wouldve been better if they had more involvement in the main storyline or if they were just taken out all together, IMO.

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[–] StartingAllOver14 16 years ago

I'll rather say "melancholic" and dramatic than gloomy. But hey, that's my opinion.

I liked Dinky and Boomer, they were adorable enough, but I got tired watching them chasing the catterpillar after the third time.

[–] beckhamstar 16 years ago

The whole plot is very very sad and not really Disney-material, even though it is a wonderful story about friendship. So I am happy, that they put in Dinky and Boomer to cheer us up, otherwise you would cry through the entire movie.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] stefkate14 16 years ago

I think Dinky and Bommer were hilarious XD

But if I still believe you love me, maybe I'll survive...

[–] MetFanMac 16 years ago

All Disney films need some element of comedy otherwise they'd be rather "blah".

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

[–] stefkate14 16 years ago

Exactly! I agree, they would be boring without element of comedy.

Can't think of a signature at the moment lol.

[–] semperscriptira 16 years ago

I thought their role was just to act as another viewpoint, that not all hunters are bad, that it's just a cycle or whatever. They're the only other ones that eat (or at least try to eat).

Other than that, yeah, they weren't all that needed.

"Come Fly With Me" - Frank Sinatra

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cairn6 12 years ago

Comic relief my friend...comic relief. I actually thought they were rather funny with their fruitless chase of the little bug-guy. Their best scene was them trying to get him out from under the power-pole circuit cover...a big boom, a pair of jolted birds, and a glowing caterpillar. Even funnier is the night scene a few frames later where you see Amos' house lit up with a candle...the electricity not yet fixed as they probably shorted out the entire grid!

[–] MetFanMac 12 years ago

Rewatching this movie with a more experienced eye I've concluded that while I still like the characters it's extremely obvious that they're there just to pad the movie and really add basically nothing to the plot. Maybe if there were more scenes of them interacting with other characters instead of chasing the caterpillar it wouldn't feel so forced.

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