Week 21 brings us to 1981
1981 was tough. The following:
Amy
Dragonslayer
The Devil And Max Devlin
Were not available. So it left me with one choice. That I did not want.
The Fox And The Hound.
The Fox And The Hound may be one of the most debated movies ever released. It seems from reading boards it is love it or hate it and no in between. Going in, I remember just hating it. I watched it with my little boy years and years a go thinking it was mean. Plus uncomfortable to watch it with him.
However, it was my only option so here I go.
Quick run down. It is a story of a fox named Tod (voiced by Keith Coogin-younger Tod and Mickey Rooney-older Tod) who is taken in by a lonely widow. Living nearby is Copper a dog (voiced by Corey Feldman-Younger Copper and Kurt Russell-older Copper), who is owned by Amos Slade, voiced wonderfully by Jack Albertson (Grandpa in Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory). The fox and dog become friends. However as they get older they find out they are not suppose to be friends and outside forces push them apart.
I think what throws the "hate" crowd off is the tone. A room full of fox skins. Shooting at a car that Tod is in and the widow. Dropping a fox, raised by humans off in the wilderness and pretty much saying good luck. I think when you watch a Disney movie you do not expect all this. The movie, in truth deals with issues in 1981 and pushing through today. Tod deals with the type of things kids growing up deal with. Two close friends growing up, start to separate as they get older. One loves the stage and acting, the other one likes sports. They find their own crowd. Is there still a middle ground for them to still be friends? Now Tod and Copper are different. One may have to kill the other.
Now I have to say, watching the movie for the first time in like 15 years I liked it a lot more. I cannot help but think it was because I did not have a little boy with me watching it. I think I focused more on the movie other than worrying about what frightning scene is coming next. I felt for the pain and the confusion that Tod had (and I guess also Copper). I loved the exciting ending (and the "can't we all just get along ending"). Which makes me wonder if this movie is suppose to be for teenagers/and adults, not children. There is a short on the DVD which I will get into later, I was hoping they would touch on that a bit, sadly they did not. I think some people would agree with me here and plenty will not. I think that is what this movie does. It is such a different Disney animated movie.
I couple quick notes. Pearl Bailey as Big Mama The Owl. Really! Really! Just fantastic. I was singing "The Best Of Friends" all day. Also we have Peter Pan herself Sandy Duncan playing the female fox Vixey.
Fun and not so fun facts
This was the last Disney animated feature to finish with The End. The next animated feature The Black Cauldren was the first one with closing credits.
This was the last Disney feature for Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. If you decide to get this DVD out make sure you watch the short, Passing The Baton. It is under Special features. It visits Frank and Ollie's last stand. Also how the "new" guys were moving in. Sort of like Copper and Chief in the film. Who rides in the front?
Well anyway 15 years ago I would have given this 1 Mickey. Now, I would give it 3 1/2 out of 5 Mickeys. I am glad I gave it another look.
Quick note. There is a small movie out there playing in limited release. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. A very good film. May be my favorite movie I have seen this year. Funny, whimsical, plus a little crying also. Kind of a corny, Disney like ending..but that is always ok. If it is near you take a look.
Quick thanks to the service people and their families for the sacrifice yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend
Safe Travels.
1981 was tough. The following:
Amy
Dragonslayer
The Devil And Max Devlin
Were not available. So it left me with one choice. That I did not want.
The Fox And The Hound.
The Fox And The Hound may be one of the most debated movies ever released. It seems from reading boards it is love it or hate it and no in between. Going in, I remember just hating it. I watched it with my little boy years and years a go thinking it was mean. Plus uncomfortable to watch it with him.
However, it was my only option so here I go.
Quick run down. It is a story of a fox named Tod (voiced by Keith Coogin-younger Tod and Mickey Rooney-older Tod) who is taken in by a lonely widow. Living nearby is Copper a dog (voiced by Corey Feldman-Younger Copper and Kurt Russell-older Copper), who is owned by Amos Slade, voiced wonderfully by Jack Albertson (Grandpa in Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory). The fox and dog become friends. However as they get older they find out they are not suppose to be friends and outside forces push them apart.
I think what throws the "hate" crowd off is the tone. A room full of fox skins. Shooting at a car that Tod is in and the widow. Dropping a fox, raised by humans off in the wilderness and pretty much saying good luck. I think when you watch a Disney movie you do not expect all this. The movie, in truth deals with issues in 1981 and pushing through today. Tod deals with the type of things kids growing up deal with. Two close friends growing up, start to separate as they get older. One loves the stage and acting, the other one likes sports. They find their own crowd. Is there still a middle ground for them to still be friends? Now Tod and Copper are different. One may have to kill the other.
Now I have to say, watching the movie for the first time in like 15 years I liked it a lot more. I cannot help but think it was because I did not have a little boy with me watching it. I think I focused more on the movie other than worrying about what frightning scene is coming next. I felt for the pain and the confusion that Tod had (and I guess also Copper). I loved the exciting ending (and the "can't we all just get along ending"). Which makes me wonder if this movie is suppose to be for teenagers/and adults, not children. There is a short on the DVD which I will get into later, I was hoping they would touch on that a bit, sadly they did not. I think some people would agree with me here and plenty will not. I think that is what this movie does. It is such a different Disney animated movie.
I couple quick notes. Pearl Bailey as Big Mama The Owl. Really! Really! Just fantastic. I was singing "The Best Of Friends" all day. Also we have Peter Pan herself Sandy Duncan playing the female fox Vixey.
Fun and not so fun facts
This was the last Disney animated feature to finish with The End. The next animated feature The Black Cauldren was the first one with closing credits.
This was the last Disney feature for Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. If you decide to get this DVD out make sure you watch the short, Passing The Baton. It is under Special features. It visits Frank and Ollie's last stand. Also how the "new" guys were moving in. Sort of like Copper and Chief in the film. Who rides in the front?
Well anyway 15 years ago I would have given this 1 Mickey. Now, I would give it 3 1/2 out of 5 Mickeys. I am glad I gave it another look.
Quick note. There is a small movie out there playing in limited release. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. A very good film. May be my favorite movie I have seen this year. Funny, whimsical, plus a little crying also. Kind of a corny, Disney like ending..but that is always ok. If it is near you take a look.
Quick thanks to the service people and their families for the sacrifice yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend
Safe Travels.