jt04
Well-Known Member
I agree. Disney just announced they are building a new animation building. I really don't think they would be doing that if they did not see something positive in the current situation and the future of the division.
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Princess and the frog a failure?
- Thread starter ILLmaticS0ldier
- Start date
I agree. Disney just announced they are building a new animation building. I really don't think they would be doing that if they did not see something positive in the current situation and the future of the division.
MousDad
New Member
More aggravating news. This is a crock ruling:
[After nominations ballots and reminder lists for the Original Score category were mailed to members of the Academy's Music Branch (on December 28), questions were raised regarding the eligibility of the score of "The Princess and the Frog."
On Monday, January 11, the Music Branch Executive Committee met to discuss the score's status. Based on the committee's interpretation of the rules, it was determined that the film is not eligible in the score category, though four songs from the movie remain eligible for consideration.
The relevant language is contained in Rule 16, Section II, Paragraph E: "...scores diluted by the use of tracked themes or other preexisting music, diminished in impact by the predominant use of songs, or assembled from the music of more than one composer shall not be eligible".
The tabulators at PricewaterhouseCoopers have been instructed to disregard any votes cast for the Original Score of "The Princess and the Frog." The movie remains eligible in all other categories for which it qualified.]
[After nominations ballots and reminder lists for the Original Score category were mailed to members of the Academy's Music Branch (on December 28), questions were raised regarding the eligibility of the score of "The Princess and the Frog."
On Monday, January 11, the Music Branch Executive Committee met to discuss the score's status. Based on the committee's interpretation of the rules, it was determined that the film is not eligible in the score category, though four songs from the movie remain eligible for consideration.
The relevant language is contained in Rule 16, Section II, Paragraph E: "...scores diluted by the use of tracked themes or other preexisting music, diminished in impact by the predominant use of songs, or assembled from the music of more than one composer shall not be eligible".
The tabulators at PricewaterhouseCoopers have been instructed to disregard any votes cast for the Original Score of "The Princess and the Frog." The movie remains eligible in all other categories for which it qualified.]
Disneyfanman
Well-Known Member
Lots of markets still viable overseas. Looks like we are going to end right around 100 mil domestically. Another 100 M overseas.
Very disappointing but not a disaster. I have to believe that PATF underperformed even the most conservative estimates.
Hopefully these features will trend up in BO.
I am not buying the argument that they under-marketed the film. I saw stuff for PATF everywhere. They did a huge premiere. They marketed it in the Theme Parks.
It simply didn't appeal to enough folks.
Looking forward to Pooh.
Very disappointing but not a disaster. I have to believe that PATF underperformed even the most conservative estimates.
Hopefully these features will trend up in BO.
I am not buying the argument that they under-marketed the film. I saw stuff for PATF everywhere. They did a huge premiere. They marketed it in the Theme Parks.
It simply didn't appeal to enough folks.
Looking forward to Pooh.
MousDad
New Member
Yeah, to poo-poo TWDC's monetary expectations for this film is just denial.
Again, I agree. WDFA films are never undermarketed, even the bad ones.
In fact, John Lasseter's extra marketing push gave me the impression that he was staking all his clout and reputation on it. I admire the guy putting his neck on the line, don't get me wrong. But if I'm JL, I'm looking at what happened to D. Cook and getting a little sweaty under the hawaiian print, if you know what I mean.
Here's where I disagree. The film was not undermarketed, as you said, but it was mis-marketed.
The film as marketed didn't appeal to all folks, whereas the movie would have and does. It's the same stupid mistake they made with MTR and Bolt. They market these films like they are Home on the Range and The Wild, even though they are not, and wonder why the preschool set (in this case, preschool girl set) only shows up.
Why in the name of Walt's ashes can't they just market the story, beauty and emotional power of these films? You know, like Pixar does, on their way to $300M.
Disneyfanman
Well-Known Member
Maybe. To me the issue remains that I enjoyed it but it wasn't anything special from a story perspective. My family (all Disney freaks) all felt the same. It felt like an average, well made film. I still agree with John Lasseter's comments about the medium being less important than the story. The story wasn't compelling enough for repeat viewings, or the fanatical word of mouth that makes a film a "must see".
It wasn't a lack of effort, and it wasn't a lack of marketing. It was pacing and appeal.
When I think about my favorite Disney animated films, this one doesn't rise anywhere near the top. It doesn't come anywhere near the finished quality of their best in the 90's. It was just an average, well made movie.
So Disney hasn't proved or disproved their theory on Traditional 2-D animation. An average movie did average box office. We will have to see how these films play out over time.
Just one man's opinion.
MousDad
New Member
I agree and disagree with this. I don't think the story was as ineffective as you do, but I do think that Bolt and MTR both had more compelling stories.
But the PATF story was compelling enough for it not to be a detriment, IMO.
radiohost
Well-Known Member
"Under the Sea", "Akuna Matata" "Be Our Guest" "Part of Your World" ect, ect, ect....
I did not leave the theater humming any of the tunes to this film (PATF). The score was fine, and Randy Newman made it jazzy for the setting...
But are any of the songs in PATF really that catchy??? I say no, there not....And to me that is one thing that hurt this film.
Folks left Little Mermaid, BATB, Lion King, ect talking about the story AND the music...word spread and they became instant blockbusters.
PATF was a great movie, but it just didn't reach to the level to be in the category of animated films as the ones listed above.
JMHO
I did not leave the theater humming any of the tunes to this film (PATF). The score was fine, and Randy Newman made it jazzy for the setting...
But are any of the songs in PATF really that catchy??? I say no, there not....And to me that is one thing that hurt this film.
Folks left Little Mermaid, BATB, Lion King, ect talking about the story AND the music...word spread and they became instant blockbusters.
PATF was a great movie, but it just didn't reach to the level to be in the category of animated films as the ones listed above.
JMHO
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
SirGoofy
Member
I agree. I heard the music, and had no desire to see the movie. Very bland and unoriginal, IMO.
imagineer boy
Well-Known Member
Agreed completely. In fact, I think Disney's entire marketing department (parks included) needs a big overhaul.
jt04
Well-Known Member
Hey, kind of like your postings. :lol:
Totally agree that it was mismarketed. And the commercials I saw on tv did not look at all interesting.
Saw it again yesterday with my daughter and we loved it as much as we did the first time around. We brought my mom along and she enjoyed it too. I know it's not a favorite around these parts but we love the soundtrack and play it pretty much every day. :shrug:
I missed the King Triton float (again) but my daughter did not. At least one of us got it. At 3, her eyes are a lot sharper than mine :ROFLOL:
Saw it again yesterday with my daughter and we loved it as much as we did the first time around. We brought my mom along and she enjoyed it too. I know it's not a favorite around these parts but we love the soundtrack and play it pretty much every day. :shrug:
I missed the King Triton float (again) but my daughter did not. At least one of us got it. At 3, her eyes are a lot sharper than mine :ROFLOL:
Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
I sure can't. My best guess is grown '80s babies who remember A&tC as one of the best things to ever happen to TV are now taking their kids, who like the movie enough to beg to go back a few more times.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
My wife, our 4-year-old daughter and one of her friends went to Princess and the Frog. Everyone liked it. The girls were a little squirmy during the third act. No one loved it.
My wife took our daughter to The Squeakwel a couple of weeks later. (Mercifully, I was spared as I stayed home and watched the baby.) They both loved it. We now have all 6 Alvin and the Chipmunks Happy Meal toys. My daughter talks about it non-stop and quotes it constantly.
Not saying The Squeakwel is a better movie (or even a good movie). But apparently it has a broader appeal.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Exactly, no matter how awful the film truly is, it's the one the kids want to see.
I wonder how much the McDonald's tie-in helped grabbed the kids' attention and made them want to see the movie?
Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
Heh. I think I see where you're going with that one. I remember when every Disney movie had a Happy Meal tie-in (or Burger King kids meal in some cases). I'm assuming that wasn't the case for P&F?
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Nope, no more McD relation with Disney as I recall. As much as I don't like the taste of their food and it's nice Disney wants to distance themselves from such things, it probably wasn't the brightest business move IMO.
It's not like the kids the toys/films are marketed to care about the calories they're consuming!
Then again, Up made hundreds of millions without the Golden Arches. However, that film had better reviews, more adult appeal and came from a company with a far more trusted brand name. Enchanted has also done better than Frog without fast food tie-ins, but like Up had better reviews and more adult appeal in it's story and casting IMO.
Disneyfanman
Well-Known Member
Disney gave up its exclusive contract with McDs awhile ago. They can still do individual deals with them if they desire, depending on the property. I work for a competitor and can tell you that these types of deals are much more desirable for the restaurant chain then Disney. McDs, BK, Wendys etc are constantly looking for properties that move the meals and pay big bucks for them. I haven't got a clue if it helps the film, but it lines the studio's pockets with a large licensing fee. Despite the poor publicity on obesity, these meals are an important part of the fast food world's business.