Disney Animation getting out of the "Princess" business

[Krack]

The Hollywood Stock Exchange (which, in my opinion, is about as good a predictor as you can get regarding how much money a film is going to make - particularly when you get close to the release date) is predicting Tangled to make about $95 million domestic. That'd be 10% less than the Princess and the Frog; which I have to believe Disney would consider a disaster. Personally, I think that number makes a lot of sense - Harry Potter is likely to suck up every kid dollar until Narnia and Tron in two or three weeks from now (and it might even steal a significant amount from those two films).

I think even Disney knows Tangled is in trouble - every decision they have made (changing the title, marketing it as a "Flynn Ryder" film, not even mentioning the name Rapunzel in commercials, releasing it a week after Potter) signals to me that Disney believes this is a film that people don't want to see right now (rightly or wrongly).

 

[wishesjake]

The Hollywood Stock Exchange (which, in my opinion, is about as good a predictor as you can get regarding how much money a film is going to make - particularly when you get close to the release date) is predicting Tangled to make about $95 million domestic. That'd be 10% less than the Princess and the Frog; which I have to believe Disney would consider a disaster. Personally, I think that number makes a lot of sense - Harry Potter is likely to suck up every kid dollar until Narnia and Tron in two or three weeks from now (and it might even steal a significant amount from those two films).

I think even Disney knows Tangled is in trouble - every decision they have made (changing the title, marketing it as a "Flynn Ryder" film, not even mentioning the name Rapunzel in commercials, releasing it a week after Potter) signals to me that Disney believes this is a film that people don't want to see right now (rightly or wrongly).

Yep, this film is going to bomb. I'm sure it will be critically acclaimed, but that's not enough for the suits. With a (rumored) 260 million budget, this will be an unmitigated disaster. Clear heads will realize this is a combination of things. 1. people aren't interested in princesses or sincere fairy tales any more 2. people aren't interested in musicals 3. disney animation no longer has the pedigree it once did. With pixar, ghibli, and dreamworks, you know what you are going to get. What is the identity of disney animation currently? Neil Gabler said, "in order to make art, you have to have a sensibility." WDAS has no prevailing sensibility and are struggling for an identity, and people don't know what to expect from them.

 

[TheBeatles]

Based on the previews, 'Tangled' looks and sounds like a Dreamworks movie.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[imagineer boy]

I think the main issue with both Tangled and PatF is that in the previews they focus way too much on the princess aspect. Look at Beauty and the Beast, that movie does not focuss on the princess aspect at all. Instead its a movie about a woman trying to tame a beast, not become a princess.

 

[elfshadowreaper]

I really want to like this movie but I don't have high expectations because the previews already make me dread seeing it. I love animated Disney movies but this doesn't seem like a Disney movie.

Now, I'm basing this solely on the previews, but it seems like it doesn't take itself seriously and everyone is too busy making sarcastic jokes and getting hit by tree limbs and getting launched in the air. That humor is funny a few times but after that it just takes me out of the experience because it's become too much of a comedy. Fairy tales shouldn't be comedy.

When every character, even the VILLAIN, is comic relief, the formula is wrong. I don't want to laugh at the villain, I want to despise him/her. I don't want to laugh at the hero, I want to rally behind him/her. I want to laugh at the little sidekick who pipes in every now and then to keep the movie lively.

I guess you can sum my issues up with this: Disney has seen the success of the Shreks and all those other CGI clones and is trying to mimic them. I don't mind CGI(even though I prefer hand drawn) but I really hate the humor because somehow it diminishes the epicness of the film.

That aside, the animation does look gorgeous and I hope that because my hopes for this film are so low, I'll end up loving it.

 

[MAF]

Tangled it gonna be big. I will be shocked if it's not. I wanted to meet the Tangled characters so bad in the World but the lines were longer that and hour and a half every time. The only reason why it MAY not do well is because Harry Potter is only going to be in it's second week...

Sorry but long lines at WDW to meet a character have no bearing on whether a film will be successful or not. Let's not forget all of the people who claim that PatF merchandise is "flying off the shelves" even though the film was considered a flop. I don't really see this movie doing any better than say Bolt or Chicken Little. I haven't heard of anyone, kids or adults who have been talking about wanting to see it. I've barely even seen any ads for it and doesn't it come out this week? I hate to say it, but Disney knows they have another flop on their hands and that's why this article was released beforehand. As a way to soften the blow and say "oh well it was our plan all along." BTW this is all my own opinion so let's not fly off the handle people. :wave:

 

[the-reason14]

I really want to like this movie but I don't have high expectations because the previews already make me dread seeing it. I love animated Disney movies but this doesn't seem like a Disney movie.

Now, I'm basing this solely on the previews, but it seems like it doesn't take itself seriously and everyone is too busy making sarcastic jokes and getting hit by tree limbs and getting launched in the air. That humor is funny a few times but after that it just takes me out of the experience because it's become too much of a comedy. Fairy tales shouldn't be comedy.

When every character, even the VILLAIN, is comic relief, the formula is wrong. I don't want to laugh at the villain, I want to despise him/her. I don't want to laugh at the hero, I want to rally behind him/her. I want to laugh at the little sidekick who pipes in every now and then to keep the movie lively.

I guess you can sum my issues up with this: Disney has seen the success of the Shreks and all those other CGI clones and is trying to mimic them. I don't mind CGI(even though I prefer hand drawn) but I really hate the humor because somehow it diminishes the epicness of the film.

That aside, the animation does look gorgeous and I hope that because my hopes for this film are so low, I'll end up loving it.

I agree with this. I think thats why movies like the lion king and aladdin did so well. It's ok when Pixar does it because they're good at being funny and having a heartfelt story at the same time. Like UP. And Meet the Robinson was good imo, it's just them trying to be funny every five minutes and failing was annoying. It seems Tangled will be the same as that. A good movie, but a forgettable and one that tries to be funny too much and often, and fail.

 

[ChrisFL]

Perhaps Disney's own ideas of what's considered a "flop" is skewed.

For example, if they make $200 million, but it costs $250 million, then from an economic standpoint it IS a flop, however it's popular.

Also, do they take merchandising into account when deciding what is a flop and what isn't?

 

[JustInTime]

Sorry but long lines at WDW to meet a character have no bearing on whether a film will be successful or not. Let's not forget all of the people who claim that PatF merchandise is "flying off the shelves" even though the film was considered a flop. I don't really see this movie doing any better than say Bolt or Chicken Little. I haven't heard of anyone, kids or adults who have been talking about wanting to see it. I've barely even seen any ads for it and doesn't it come out this week? I hate to say it, but Disney knows they have another flop on their hands and that's why this article was released beforehand. As a way to soften the blow and say "oh well it was our plan all along." BTW this is all my own opinion so let's not fly off the handle people. :wave:

And this is all speculation. We will see the numbers in about 6 months. Personally, I am rooting for it. I want it to do well.

 

[Krack]

And this is all speculation. We will see the numbers in about 6 months. Personally, I am rooting for it. I want it to do well.

Actually, you'll have a pretty good idea of the numbers in about a week. Here's a secret Hollywood uses ... multiply the amount of money made opening weekend by 2.8 - that will be a pretty close approximation of what the film is going to make domestically during it's entire run. In other words, if it makes 40 million opening weekend, then it's probably going to make pretty close to 112 million over it's entire run. That's why the industry can declare things as a "hit" or a "flop" after opening night - they already have a pretty good idea on how much it will eventually make.

 

[JustInTime]

Actually, you'll have a pretty good idea of the numbers in about a week. Here's a secret Hollywood uses ... multiply the amount of money made opening weekend by 2.8 - that will be a pretty close approximation of what the film is going to make domestically during it's entire run. In other words, if it makes 40 million opening weekend, then it's probably going to make pretty close to 112 million over it's entire run. That's why the industry can declare things as a "hit" or a "flop" after opening night - they already have a pretty good idea on how much it will eventually make.

Well, I was talking about international results. For example, the Golden Compass.

 

[imagineer boy]

I really want to like this movie but I don't have high expectations because the previews already make me dread seeing it. I love animated Disney movies but this doesn't seem like a Disney movie.

Now, I'm basing this solely on the previews, but it seems like it doesn't take itself seriously and everyone is too busy making sarcastic jokes and getting hit by tree limbs and getting launched in the air. That humor is funny a few times but after that it just takes me out of the experience because it's become too much of a comedy. Fairy tales shouldn't be comedy.

When every character, even the VILLAIN, is comic relief, the formula is wrong. I don't want to laugh at the villain, I want to despise him/her. I don't want to laugh at the hero, I want to rally behind him/her. I want to laugh at the little sidekick who pipes in every now and then to keep the movie lively.

I guess you can sum my issues up with this: Disney has seen the success of the Shreks and all those other CGI clones and is trying to mimic them. I don't mind CGI(even though I prefer hand drawn) but I really hate the humor because somehow it diminishes the epicness of the film.

That aside, the animation does look gorgeous and I hope that because my hopes for this film are so low, I'll end up loving it.

Agreed 100%. It seems virtually every animation studio (and unfortunately including Disney) is trying to make each of their animated films copy the Shrek and Pixar formulas (though mostly Shrek I think) and inject obnoxious humor and bill their films as "the comedy event of the (insert time of year here)."

 

[MAF]

So true! This movie looks like Shrek part 5.

 

[JEANYLASER]

thanks for the info!

 

[Thumbelina]

Tangled looks so good.
I hate that they are talking about taking princess out of the picture.
I heard a while back that they were gonna make a cartoonw itht he princess.
I was looking forward to that.
I know they havent been making lots of money off their movies but how about all the princess outfits and dvds and such. I know that is making lots of money.
Yes I would love to see more stuff for boys.

 

[StitchRox]

Based on the previews, 'Tangled' looks and sounds like a Dreamworks movie.

I hope I'm wrong.

Oh you are, don't believe the previews. I was fortunate enough to see a sneak preview of the film and it has the wonderful joy and beautiful music of the Disney films from the 90s and the contemporary, sophisticated humor and beautiful heart of every great Pixar film.

This is a must see film for every single person on this board who has loved every piece of Disney and Pixar animated film.

 

[yeti]

So true! This movie looks like Shrek part 5.

No,no,no,no,no. Not at all.

A personal philosophy of mine is that you should never judge a film by its trailer. It's been said before and I'll say it again: trailers tend only to cater to very specific demographics. Their sole purpose is to broaden the appeal to a targeted audience, regardless of whether or not the film itself meets that audience's expectations. To fulfil this tactic, trailers tend to manipulate cinematic footage and edit it into a format that makes the advertised film look like something it's not. It's publicizing at its finest.

In turn, it is important to remember trailers may or may not be representative of the finished film. To play on the safe side, I prefer to restrain judgement of a movie until I go to the theatre and watch the movie from start to finish.

All that being said, Tangled will be a nice gem of a fairy tale, but not a game-changer. It won't be the next Lion king, but it certainly won't be Shrek. 5.

 

[Computer Magic]

This doesn't suprise me. We read here how Disney was worried about FL being to girly driven. So this falls in that line. Many people, including myself, thought Disney was focusing too much on girl power and leaving the boys out.

I always thought and posted it here before that Pixar was boy focused. So John L is now moving away from the princess.

The problem I see is Disney has been riding the princess too far to the point of trying to make Tinker Bell a princess. John is right to back off princess' for the time being.

 

[TinTinV12]

I just got home from my midnight showing of the film & I have to say that Tangled met all my expectations & then some!

So cute, adventurous & sincere. A must see, indeed. Disney doesn't need over the top characters, complicated stories or epic set pieces for a film to work. Being simple can sometimes be the best thing for Disney & this movie proved it. Title change aside, I absolutely loved this movie & will see it again soon.

I saw so many faces in the theater with their jaws dropped, reaching for the screen. I found myself smiling from ear to ear as "I See The Light" came alive in 3D. For the first time in quite a while, I felt the magic that is Disney inside of me & that, dear friends; is a success of it's own.

This film doesn't need a parade, it needs it's own show at WDW - NOW!

 

[MotherOfBirds]

I just got home from my midnight showing of the film & I have to say that Tangled met all my expectations & then some!

So cute, adventurous & sincere. A must see, indeed. Disney doesn't need over the top characters, complicated stories or epic set pieces for a film to work. Being simple can sometimes be the best thing for Disney & this movie proved it. Title change aside, I absolutely loved this movie & will see it again soon.

I saw so many faces in the theater with their jaws dropped, reaching for the screen. I found myself smiling from ear to ear as "I See The Light" came alive in 3D. For the first time in quite a while, I felt the magic that is Disney inside of me & that, dear friends; is a success of it's own.

This film doesn't need a parade, it needs it's own show at WDW - NOW!

I agree. I saw it today and it was great. The animation was gorgeous as was the score, they script was well done and the laughs were good, not cheap. Also, they threw in a little easter egg: At the end of the musical number in the Snuggly Duckling,a CGI Pumba can be seen in the center-right.