Mulan

Length: 88 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Based on a poem. And there are quite a few differences.

Best character: Mulan! Title character for the win! She is strong, clever, brave, kind, and... based off a real person? Apparently, though legend might be a better term.

But is it art? The scope of this sucker is amazing. Several sequences are outstanding, but the scene of the Huns coming over the mountain ridge is chill-inducing. And the score? Tops.

Major Flaws: The sequel. Who thought that was a good idea? Also the official soundtrack doesn't have the movie version of 'Mulan's Decision', soundtrack people... you messed up.

The Lorax

Length: 86 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Artistically, yes. Narratively, not as much.

Best character: The Once-ler. Who has shades of grey in this fairly heavy-handed story. That is until...

Neon subtlety.

But is it art? Such. Catchy. Songs. It definitely looks like a Dr. Seuss work. But the story is not entirely... Seussical.

Major Flaws: Subtlety does not exist here. Nor do moral shades of grey.

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: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The King and I

Length: 133 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I have not read the books. It is worth noting that even though it appears to be loyal to the books... well the books probably definitely aren't loyal to history.

Best character: Hmmm... I love the King, flawed as he is. He has a very different sort of redemption story than one often finds in a movie, etc., etc., etc.

But is it art? It's a musical! I love big Broadway style musicals and this one comes from the masters Rodgers and Hammerstein! I'm sure you've heard some of them in your life, if you haven't it is never too late! However, only one song truely stands out in a can't-get-it-out-of-my-head sort of way:

Major Flaws: Let me tell you a story history. It is about a wonderful white woman who bravely moved to another country (one where people are not white). She saw that they had horrible not-white ways and set forth to change that... That may be an over simplification, but the sentiment is certainly there, and it was the '50s so they didn't really bother trying to hide it, unlike the remakes that have occurred. But, in a way, it's the honesty that makes it watchable. It is a gorgeous film and, while watching, it can be hard to not get swept up in the story.

The Last Unicorn

Length: 93 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? This book is on my TBR pile.

Best character: Molly Grue and that cat that I'm not sure had a name, but he is the most realistic cat portrayal in film, I'm certain.

But is it art? YES! Just look at that animation, inspired by medieval art and tapestries it looks exactly the way something set in that era should look. Also this may be animated but it is waaaaaaay darker than your average kids film. Hint: it isn't meant to be for kids. A word of caution, NOT for the immature audience there is a) a naked lady (but with the bits covered), b) an anthropomorphic tree with uncomfortably large breasts, and c) a harpy - a female harpy with three breasts. I mean I totally watched this as a little kid, probably through 5th or 6th grade even, and never noticed part c (granted the harpy terrified me and I usually made excuses to not be watching that part). Then in college I watched it again and, well, noticed. Three of them, just being anatomically all there and not afraid of the world.

Major Flaws: The song Now That I'm a Woman. It. Is. Grating.

Labyrinth

Length:  102 Minutes

I've seen this one. Another embarrassing obsession I once had...

Is it loyal to the book? I'm fairly certain that the book that does exist is based off the movie... but it seems to be very hard to obtain. Buy it here and let me borrow if you will, I hear it is quite good. BIG NEWS!!! Henson studios just reprinted the book and with the huge reduction in price I will be buying it!!!

Best character: Either Sarah, my favorite lonely LARPer or Jareth the hilariously 80s Goblin-King.

But is it art? One doesn't become a cult classic without some degree of artiness... Superb puppetry, wonderful music, fair acting, There are whole legions of self-respecting nerds that will gladly duet with you if you simply say, "You remind me of the babe." (Try it once and you will be hooked.)

Major Flaws: David Bowie's pants seem to have gotten tighter now that I'm older and more aware... there is also the bog of eternal stench, and a creepy flirtation thing going on.

On a sidenote... I was a little shocked the first time I saw non-goblined David Bowie. For some reason I just assumed that he always looked like that.

Joseph King of Dreams

Length: 74 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Fairly loyal to the source material in the book of Genesis.

Best character: Joseph - I do love it when the title character turns out to be awesome.

But is it art? The animation is gorgeous in this film. The story is a great one and well executed - the songs are sometimes unnecessary though.

Major Flaws: Tried to be the Prince of Egypt but missed. Too bad, because I feel if it had done a little better maybe Dreamworks would put out more hand-drawn animation they had an amazing style.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Length: 84 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? It is inspired by Romeo and Juliet... if you hadn't figured that out then you need a lesson in wordplay. Anyhow it somehow manages to not be entirely faithful. Weird.

Best character: Featherstone the lovesick flamingo. He is the funniest and the most sentimental character in the whole movie.

But is it art? This movie was a labor of love from Elton John and it shows. While not as technically polished as movies from the big name companies it has all the heart.

Major Flaws: That gnome in a g-string or whatever it is called will never cease to be painful.

Gideon Tuba Warrior

Length: 44 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? If by the book you mean the Biblical story of Gideon... then it is in the spirit of the story. However, there is no football in the Bible.

Best character: Larry the Cucumber as Gideon

But is it art? In the Veggie way. 

Major Flaws: Not as memorable as the other VeggieTales films. So obviously it is missing a little something.

An Easter Carol

Length:  49 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: This one is a toss-up. I have a soft spot for almost any Scrooge incarnation, in this case Ebenezer Nezzer; I'm also quite fond of Bob the Tomato, taking on the role of Cavis in this film. 

But is it art? I like VeggieTales. They aren't high art. The animation isn't even particularly fine. They are fun though, and this film isn't short on the fun. But it still delivers on the serious side of things. This is my favorite Easter film, and the song at the climax packs an emotional wallop. 

Major Flaws: Tiny Tim stand-ins are almost always annoying. 

Celtic Woman: A New Journey

Length: 80 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book, this is a concert.

Best character: Girl with the violin.

But is it art? Yup, music is an art.

Major Flaws: I suppose it is possible you don't go for this kind of music...

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.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Length: 140 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I haven't read this one, I'll get on it.

Best character: Ms Eglantine Price rocks. She is and always will be the pinnacle of Angela Lansbury's roles. Also, my cat Cosmic Creepers was named by her.

But is it art? The animated sequences are pretty sappy, but very similar to Mary Poppins. (This film is often called the ugly stepsister of Mary Poppins, but I prefer it.) The live action stuff is kind of dark and grimey, but appropriately so. And the special effects aren't too shabby considering how old this film is.

Major Flaws: The edition I have has the extended scenes put back in, most are no problem at all but the delightful Portobello Road song has been extended to a dance sequence that might just be longer than the monarchy of Luis Filipe of Portugal. (Look that up.)

Beauty and the Beast

Length: 92 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? There are several versions, and some of them are not so pleasant. At least this one has talking furniture.

Best character: So many good characters... but the trio of servants found in Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Cogsworth is the bomb-diggity.

But is it art? If you seriously need to ask that question go sit in the corner and think about your life. Disney had pretty much mastered their art at this point and nearly everything is perfect. If you need convincing watch the ballroom dance scene (where Disney showed mastery over their CAPs program, I shelled out the money to see the movie in theatres during its 3D release JUST to see this part) over the transformation scene, which Glen Keane described as the best work he'd ever done.

Major Flaws: The plot hole that you can drive a semi through... sideways... in a dense fog... while the semi is on fire.

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?"

Annie Get Your Gun

Length: 107 Minutes

I have definitely seen this film. I had a high school love affair with this film. I think that the library probably believed I owned the film and simply let it spend the night every three weeks.

Is it loyal to the book? No book. But history... ahem. Oh boy, this seemed like a love story until I researched the living daylights out of Annie Oakley. The Frank in this film is a total jerk compared to the real Frank, who is one of my top ten romantic historic gentlemen.

Best character: Not Frank. Though I do love me some Howard Keel. Annie comes off as just a little too much of a 'hick'. Well shoot. I might need to rewatch.

But is it art? Yes. A musical masterpiece to be sure, and it approaches BDEM territory.

Major Flaws: The romance mentioned above. 

Bartok the Magnificent

Length: 68 Minutes

I've seen this more times than is probably advisable.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: All the characters are equally corny and none can be loved for being so-bad-they're-good more than any other.

But is it art? Um... not per se. I'm sure that someone out there worked very hard on this film but... it is one of those movies that you likely need to love as a child first.

Major Flaws: If Anastasia could be corny, then Bartok could be Iowa.

Anastasia

Length: 94 Minutes

Yes, I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No technical book. I guess you could call a fantasy reworking of historical events...

Best character: Some of the best character development is done by Dmitry. 

But is it art? Not quite Disney, and definitely not Bluth's best... but still a decent piece of work with a couple of knockout scenes, (Once Upon a December).

Major Flaws: It can be a tiny bit corny. Bluth was copying the Disney formula at this point, but it was lacking in the ever important 'Disney magic'.