The Lion King 2

Length: 81 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? NOOOOOOOO. After The Lion King Disney actually wrote a follow-up series. Which they proceeded to ignore for this movie.

Best character: I actually really dig newcomers Kiara and Kovu.

But is it art? Not bad for a sequel. Gives us marvelous songs (one of those came for the story but stayed for the soundtrack sort of films); in fact it includes the incredible 'He Lives in You' aka The Clean-Up Song, aka My Ringtone, aka The Best Song in the Broadway Musical...

Major Flaws: Good Lord Simba, man up. You are not the king I know you would admire.

The Lion King

Length: 97 Minutes

I've seen this one... on occasion.

Is it loyal to the book? Not based on a book per se... Influenced quite a bit by Kimba (regardless of what Disney says), Disney's own movie Bambi, and Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Best character: HFIHRBNG

But is it art? YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES. So it turns out that this is my favorite movie. You may borrow it but if it is damaged you will be buying me a brand-new copy. Capishe? I was too young for this movie's original theatrical run, but I was first in line for the 3D re-release.

Major Flaws: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Kung Fu Panda

What do you mean that song is from a different movie? I thought it was from ALL movies?

Length: 95 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Shifu, Shifu, Shifu, Shifu

But is it art? I was not expecting big things from this movie. I ignored it. Then I rolled my eyes at the previews. I scoffed at the DVDs in the stores. Then I watched it. Holy. Dreamworks, I apologize, but if you hadn't advertised the darned thing as being Panda Shrek back in the day I might have bee more eager. After all pandas are my favorite.

Major Flaws: Besides the aforementioned advertising fail? There are a few instances of crude humor that I could have easily lived without.

Legend of the Guardians

Length: 97 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No. It is supposedly an adaptation of the first three books in the series, but you get an entirely different story if you want.

Best character: Ezylryb, Soren, Twilight, Gylfie, Digger, I can't decide, just like in the books!

But is it art? It is gorgeous, if they'd have stayed true to the movies I might have gotten more, but noooooo. If you missed this in theatres in 3D I feel bad for you. Even my mother, who normally is meh about effects, was oohing and awing over how gorgeous this film was in 3D. The owls are so lovely and someone obviously did their research, just look at the way they move!!! And the music - chills. There is also a lot of social commentary going on (though it was pretty heavy-handed compared to the books).

LOOK.

AT.

IT.

Major Flaws: Like I said, I could have gotten more movies if they had stayed true to the books, I'm sure of it.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Length: 90 minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: It has been a while since I've seen this one, but I do like several characters including the newly introduced villain.  Shifu was my favorite in the first film and he still rocks, but Mr. Ping and Po are great as well.

But is it art? The fight sequences are stellar and the father-son moments are among the best that film has to offer. The backgrounds call Chinese art to mind quite well and if you know anything about Eastern architecture you won't be disappointed.

Major Flaws: Not enough Shifu. He's seriously one of my favorite animated characters ever, and the only one I ever wanted to just pick up and give a big hug.

Just look at him, he's so cute.

Kimba the Lion

Length: Haven't a clue Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I don't think there are books.

Best character: Kimba.

But is it art? Consider this the unofficial inspiration for The Lion King. Disney will deny it until the company goes belly-up... but everyone knows it is true. Just look at these pictures and tell me any different.

There is a scene with a river that you can almost match up perfectly... but for some reason no one posts that.

Major Flaws: Certainly is early Japanese animation. Not really quite its own thing yet.

The Jungle Book

Length: 78 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No. Disney famously had people that hadn't read the book write the script after he didn't like the first one.

Best character: Bagheera is my favorite in both the book and the movie. In fact pretty much every incarnation of Bagheera rocks.

But is it art? It hardly gets any more classic than this. The backgrounds are gorgeous, the characters are memorable, and if you hear the songs and forget them forever you are an atonal robot.

Major Flaws: Not enough Shere Khan? Although maybe he is made more menacing by being the non-present.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

Length: 94 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: I like Diego, because he is a saber-toothed cat and I dig those.

But is it art? None of the Ice Age films are going to be candidates for films to send out on deep space probes. But as sequels go (even compared to preceding sequels) it isn't bad.

Major Flaws: You spend a good chunk of the film wondering how many of these they're going to make.

Horton Hears a Who

Length: 86 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? They've embellished a bit to make enough for a feature film.

Best character: I think the mayor is hilarious. But Morton the mouse is awesome as well. Ohmigosh I forgot about that vulture!!! Igor? Ivan? Somin' like that.

But is it art? Certainly went to prove that animated Dr. Seuss will always be better than live action *shudder*. Still has some really goofy moments that comes from having full-length movie based of a picture book.

Major Flaws: Nothing terribly major stands out as awful. I do think that the city council was a little unkind.

Homeward Bound

Length: 84 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I haven't read the book.

Best character: When I was little it was Sassy all the way. Now that I'm older I appreciate all three animals but really love the gentle wisdom from Shadow.

But is it art? Hmmm... the scenery is beautiful and the animals are superbly trained. Some people are annoyed by talking animal narration and they'd be wise to avoid this movie. I don't mind except when the dialogue tries too hard to be hip.

Major Flaws: The aforementioned hipness.

Ducktales

You sang it, didn't you?

Length:  22 Minute Episodes (Three Volumes)

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Definitely in the spirit of the comics.

Best character: Gotta love the miser with a heart of gold - Scrooge McDuck.

But is it art? As far as I'm concerned this is among the pinnacle of anything an animated TV show can obtain.

Major Flaws: Doofus and Webby are two characters I'd rather forget.

Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers

Length:  22 Minute Episodes

I've seen this one. (MANY times.)

Is it loyal to the book? No books.

Best character: Chip. But everyone else is pretty great as well.

But is it art? I won't even dignify that with a response.

Major Flaws: Come along, you belong, feel the fizz of Cooku Cola!

Brother Bear

Length: 85 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Kenai

But is it art? Yes, particularly the beginning, before the forced perspective shift. But the other parts (particularly during songs are good too). Watch the above video for what I am convinced is in the top ten cinematic moments of all time.

Major Flaws: Sometimes Koda is a bit too cutesy, but oh well.

Blinky Bill The Complete Series

Length: 22 Minute Episodes... or as my dad would say, "Too long."

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No. Maybe the first episode... no, probably not.

Best character: I guess Blinky Bill, although my dad is of the opinion that his voice could cut through reinforced steel doors...

But is it art? I haven't got much to compare it with, being relatively unfamiliar with Australian animation, but it is quite cartoonish by my usual standards.

Major Flaws: I don't like that I have three discs worth of Blinky Bill and only get the theme song ONE TIME. C'mon Australia, the theme song is the only thing that brought me back to Blinky Bill.

Benji the Hunted

Length: 89 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Ummmm. Benji? Let me be honest, there aren't really characters in this film in the traditional sense.

But is it art? Not really what I would call a great example of the art of film... but still enjoyable.

Major Flaws: You have to actually watch to know what is happening because this is one of those rare Disney animal films without narration. Is it worth it though? YES.

Bambi II

Length: 73 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No? The book Bambi does have a sequel (which this doesn't even pretend to be). But the original Bambi didn't follow the book and this follows the movie... got it?

Best character: The Great Prince (how's that for a name?) went from mysterious background figure to... well, mysterious foreground figure. But he feels a lot more genuine.

But is it art? The animation is pretty, and you can tell they definitely studied the original film, however this one comes off a little more cartoony than its predecessor.

Major Flaws: I'm not sure this film was really needed. Plus the climax has absolutely zero payoff if you've seen the original, because this isn't really a sequel, it is an in-the-middle-of-the-original-movie-quel. 

The Aristocats

Length: 79 Minutes

Yes, I have seen it.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Abraham D'Lacey Giuseppe Tucacy Thomas O'Malley the Alley Cat

But is it art? Another of the sketchy movies that I love. You can see the art, it is oozing out of the film.

Major Flaws: The plot isn't as strong as most of the previous Disney films had been. The studio was suffering from a serious case of "How can we go on without Walt?"

101 Dalmatians

Length: 79 Minutes

Yes, I've seen it. (Haven't you?)

Is it loyal to the book? Varying degrees of loyalty much closer than a usual Disney production for a couple of reasons: subject material not nearly as dark and Dodie Smith had many, many, many conversations with Walt about the production of the film. There are a few notable changes, but none that really affect the plot in a horrid manner.

Best character: Either the totally insane Cruella DeVille or the doting parents Pongo and Perdita.

But is it art? Quite a few people are put off by the 'sketchiness' of this film. I personally love it, this entire generation of Disney films is sketchy due to the Xeroxing process used. It is like watching a finished film and a work in progress film all at once!

Major Flaws: If a flaw must be found it is in the removal of a couple characters. But if you haven't read the books then I don't know what to cite (outside of the aformentioned art style).