Disney Musical May 7 - Feed the Birds

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes
In her own special way to the people she calls,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs.

"Come feed the little birds
Show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
Their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."

 Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag
"Feed the birds," that's what she cries
While overhead, her birds fill the skies

 All around the cathedral, the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it, you know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares 

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she's calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she's calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag." 

The most beautiful and haunting song from Mary Poppins. Walt Disney himself loved this song so much that, for the rest of his life, all he had to tell the Sherman Brothers was, "Play it," and they knew exactly what song he wanted.

(All images property of their respective owners.)

When you consider the lyrics, they're talking about a lot more than just birds. A little kindness to any poor creature goes a long way, and forfeiting your chance can be a much greater loss than you realize.

Disney Musical May 6 - You Can Fly

Think of a wonderful thought
Any merry little thought
Think of Christmas, think of snow
Think of sleigh bells, off you go
Like reindeer in the sky
You can fly!
You can fly!
You can fly!

Think of the happiest things
It's the same as having wings
Take the path that moonbeams make
If the moon is still awake,
You'll see him wink his eye
You can fly!
You can fly!
You can fly!

Up you go with a heigh and ho
To the stars beyond the blue
There's a Never Land waiting for you
Where all your happy dreams come true
Every dream that you dream will come true

When there's a smile in your heart,
There's no better time to start
Think of all the joy you'll find
When you leave the world behind
And bid your cares goodbye
You can fly!
You can fly!
You can fly! 

My feelings for this movie are rather complex.

As a kid, I couldn't get enough of it. Peter Pan was one of my idols, alongside Robin Hood, Pinocchio, and Mickey Mouse. I used to have a bit of a crush on John, too.

(All images property of their respective owners.)

Now I see Peter Pan as a bit of a jerk, although I'm well aware he's nowhere near as bad as the book. In the book, he's a lot more violent and practically sees killing as a game.

On the other hand, he's a greater advocate for women in the book. In the movie, he treats both Wendy and Tinker Bell very badly, although I feel the sorriest for Wendy by far. And, of course, his impulsiveness almost gets him and everybody else killed.

We can understand perfectly well why Captain Hook, even though he's the bad guy, is after him. Captain Hook is one of those rare villains I actually sympathize with while laughing at the same time. 

Now, to be fair, Peter Pan's perpetual immaturity goes hand in hand with his eternal youth. He honestly doesn't know any better and he does learn his lesson.

Which, needless to say, he learns the hard way.

What makes Captain Hook such an effective villain is he uses his enemies' greatest weaknesses to his own advantage. He combines Tinker Bell's petty jealousy with Peter Pan's chronic carelessness, and he comes within a mere centimeter of total victory. The only thing to truly save the day is Tink's change of heart.

At least by then, Peter has that long-overdue wake-up call. There'd be something very wrong with him if a massive explosion didn't shake him up.

And I like Return to Never Land because we can see Peter has matured to some degree while maintaining his youth and innocence. He's a lot more considerate of Jane, and refrains from laughing too much at her expense. When her crude raft falls apart and she despairs of ever getting home, he sincerely asks her if she's okay and offers to help her out. This I like.

So, overall, I don't necessarily hate Peter Pan. He simply irritates me a little more, at least in the first half.

Beyond that, I can see why more people are frowning on "What Made the Red Man Red." Unlike the crows in Dumbo, the racial stereotypes are more glowering in this one and it doesn't age nearly as well. But again, it's not as bad as the book and that was a fairly common conception of Indians in those days. 

And like I said before, I really feel bad for Wendy. Poor girl goes through a lot; it seems like everybody's out to get her for no good reason at all, not just Tinker Bell. Even her father's a little rough. At least Captain Hook is somewhat of a gentleman to her, even as he's making her walk the plank.

All that being said, this movie has plenty of redeeming factors, too. I can list many more good things about it than bad.

Captain Hook is a nice blend of scariness, silliness, and sympathy. I feel he's one of Disney's best villains, and an outstanding villain in general. When he's not cracking me up or tugging at my heartstrings, I admire his ingenuity, and I get an odd satisfaction from him telling Tinker Bell she's been "most helpful" before shutting her up and later lowering the bomb into Peter Pan's hideout, since he promised "not to lay a finger or a hook on Peter Pan." This guy would make a fantastic lawyer.

Of course, I find Hook the most entertaining when he's with Smee, the crocodile, or both. Smee is perhaps my most favorite character of them all; there's no dull moment with him around, and I've always liked the voice of Bill Thompson.

In the sequel, Smee is still funny and adorable as ever, and I don't really object to the giant octopus. Apparently the filmmakers couldn't think of anything else to do with the crocodile, since it had already been done, so they decided to invent a brand-new foe. Still, I must say I'm partial to Tick Tock.

And the animation is great, the music is great, and you can just tell they put a lot of heart into everything.

To summarize, I don't enjoy this movie as much as I had in my childhood. But I've never grown totally sick of it, either.

I may not love it, but I like it.

Disney Musical May 5 - Out There

 FROLLO:
The world is cruel
The world is wicked
It's I alone whom you can trust in this whole city
I am your only friend

I who keep you, teach you, feed you, dress you
I who look upon you without fear
How can I protect you, boy,
Unless you always stay in here
Away in here

Remember what I've taught you, Quasimodo,
You are deformed

 QUASIMODO:
I am deformed 

FROLLO:
And you are ugly 

QUASIMODO:
And I am ugly

 FROLLO:
And these are crimes
For which the world shows little pity
You do not comprehend 

QUASIMODO:
You are my one defender 

FROLLO:
Out there, they'll revile you as a monster 

QUASIMODO:
I am a monster

 FROLLO:
Out there, they will hate and scorn and jeer 

QUASIMODO:
Only a monster 

FROLLO:
Why invite their calumny
And consternation?
Stay in here
Be faithful to me 

QUASIMODO:
I'm faithful 

FROLLO:
Be grateful to me 

QUASIMODO:
I'm grateful 

FROLLO:
Do as I say
Obey 

BOTH:
And stay
In here 

QUASIMODO:
Safe behind these windows and these parapets of stone,
Gazing at the people down below me,
All my life, I watch them as I hide up here alone,
Hungry for the histories they show me

All my life, I memorize their faces,
Knowing them as they will never know me
All my life, I wonder how it feels to pass a day
Not above them
But part of them

And out there
Living in the sun
Give me one day out there
All I ask is one
To hold forever

Out there
Where they all live unaware
What I'd give
What I'd dare
Just to live one day out there

Out there among the millers
And the weavers and their wives
Through the roofs and gables I can see them
Every day, they shout and scold
And go about their lives
Heedless of the gift it is to be them
If I was in their skin
I'd treasure every instant

Out there
Strolling by the Seine
Taste a morning out there
Like ordinary men
Who freely walk about there

Just one day and then
I swear I'll be content
With my share
Won't resent
Won't despair
Old and bent
I won't care
I'll have spent
One day
Out there 

By far my favorite Disney song sung by a male protagonist. Tom Hulce's voice blows me away every time.

I also like how the whole song has a sort of "ringing bell rhythm," which makes it all the more fitting for this song to take place in the bell tower.

And the visual angles are awesome. I always love it when the audience "flies with the camera." They studied that cathedral all over and it shows. That was way back in the early 90s, too, since the movie was officially released in 1996.

(Screencaps courtesy of Animation Screencaps.)

They say the movie is quite helpful in helping to reconstruct the Notre Dame cathedral. Speaking of which, they're just about done with the repairs. That terrible fire in 2019 was nothing more than an unfortunate accident, but thank heaven they were able to contain the flames before there was too much damage. They were really scared the fire might reach the bell tower and then it would have been even more disastrous.

Everyone around the world agrees: whether on a spiritual, artistic, or historical level, Notre Dame is a priceless treasure. I've yet to read Victor Hugo's book (I already know it's a lot grimmer) but I'm glad Disney was able to pay some homage to this magnificent building.

(All images property of their respective owners.)

Disney Musical May 4 - Go the Distance

I have often dreamed
Of a far-off place
Where a great, warm welcome
Will be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be

I will find my way
I can go the distance
I'll be there someday
If I can be strong
I know every mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
To feel like I belong

I am on my way
I can go the distance
I don't care how far
Somehow I'll be strong
I know every mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
To find where I belong 

As much as I enjoy Greek mythology, it's not exactly family-friendly material. So, I can understand why Disney toned it down so much with the 1997 Hercules. At least it's a nice way to introduce kids to the mythology, and then the kids can read the original material for themselves when they're good and ready.

By itself, I think the movie holds up pretty well. It's a very nice story about self-discovery and even the romantic stuff is nicely done.

Hercules himself most definitely inspired Terence, Reid, Mason, and Jonathan, among a few others. Meg also had a huge impact on Ann and Adela, and while we all know Hades isn't supposed to be a villain, the way James Woods portrays him is downright legendary. Those who don't care much for the movie itself will find something to say in Hades's favor, and James Woods himself likes the character so much that he's agreed to provide his voice anytime for the rest of his life.

I really like Phil, too. Danny DeVito makes him both funny and relatable, and I intend to borrow one of his lines when Terence meets a faun face to face for the first time. "What's the matter? Haven't you seen a faun before?"

Besides the interesting and realistic take on Hercules and Meg's budding romance, I also appreciate the positive message of adoption. Thank goodness Hercules falls into good hands as a baby, I'm glad his stepparents keep his original name, and he still considers them family after learning his true origins. "You're the greatest parents anyone could ever have," he tells them in total earnest. 

Several times, people told me my art style reminds them of this style. Since I like this kind of animation, I'll take it as a compliment.

And Roger Bart's singing sure doesn't hurt. The end credits version sung by Michael Bolton is great, too.

So, yeah, far from a flawless movie, but one of the good ones in my opinion.

Disney Musical May 3 - Reflection

Look at me
I will never pass for a perfect bride
Or a perfect daughter
Can it be
I'm not meant to play this part?
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself,
I would break my family's heart

 Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection
Someone I don't know? 

Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am, though I've tried
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside? 

The 1998 version of Mulan is one of those movies that ages very well, like a fine wine. Not that I drink wine myself, but it still holds up very well after many years and you find yourself realizing more and more just how good it is, how profound.

As a kid, it's mostly good, clean fun. As an adult, you see the messages for what they are and how well they're delivered. 

What I most appreciate about this movie is how the feminism isn't too forced. We see Mulan prove her mettle in a very sexist society, but at the same time, we see there's nothing wrong with dressing up, playing with dolls, wanting to marry, or returning to a quiet life on the farm when all the fighting's done. 

While I don't object to her finding romance with Shang, I like how they kept it nice and subtle; all these two really get at the end is a dinner date.

In an odd way, the villain shows incredible respect for his opponent. Shan-Yu doesn't say a single word about Mulan being a woman. His actions tell her loud and clear, "I'll come after you and kill you like all the rest." It's terrifying, yet awesome.

Then there's the delicious irony of how the most feared war lord in China, who took out the entire Imperial Army without breaking a sweat, is bested by a simple farm girl who has yet to see her twentieth birthday. Go figure. 

Of course, it's the relationship between Mulan and her father that truly carries this story. It's a thing of beauty and we can fully understand Mulan's reason for taking his place in the army, even though it's considered a crime by their society's standards. She was deceptive, but she also demonstrated extraordinary filial piety, which was a pretty big deal in ancient China. I, for one, still get pleasant chills at that "Short Hair" sequence, where Mulan makes the official transition from delicate maiden to strapping warrior.

And I dare anyone not to get at least one tear in their eye at those iconic words, "The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter."

Needless to say, you'll find bits and pieces of this character and this movie in my own work.

Disney Musical May 2 - Circle of Life

Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Siyo Nqoba
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(repeat)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (se-to-kwa!)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (asana)
(repeat) 

From the day we arrive on the planet
And, blinking, step into the sun,
There's more to see
Than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small
On the endless round

It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
'Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (se-to-kwa!)
(repeat)

It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
'Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life 

May not be my favorite movie, but I do like this song. The whole story opens with a pretty big bang, I'll grant it that.

And Rafiki is one of the few characters I thoroughly enjoy. I deem him superior to Timon and Pumbaa because I believe in comic relief and story substance. Rafiki both makes us laugh and enriches the story, whereas Timon and Pumbaa are just there to keep the kids happy. Yeah, they prove themselves useful here and there, but I doubt we'd really miss them if they were cut out of the story altogether.

One of the reasons I hate The Lion King 1½ is they just had to show how Timon and Pumbaa were involved in this and the "humor" really cheapens the epic experience. Seriously, Disney, you gotta be kidding me.

At least Simba's Pride also has a decent opening number. The whole thing could have been a lot better than it was if they gave it more time, money, and guts.

And overall, the 1994 cartoon was done way, way better than the 2019 recycle. If I wanted realistic animals, I'd have watched a documentary. What works in a cartoon sometimes just doesn't cut the mustard in live action.

Besides, from what I hear, there was nowhere near half as much heart and soul, that the actors were a lot more monotonous. You can just tell they were doing this to get paid and nothing else.

What rankles me the most is how many pegs Mufasa's death gets knocked down. In the 1994 version, even now, you have a faint hope that he'll get out of there alive, and the aftermath hits you like a punch in the stomach. In the 2019 remake, you know for a fact he won't make it, so the whole scene becomes predictable and boring, and that's not good. Not good at all.

Okay, getting off my soapbox and moving on now.

Disney Musical May 1 - Wish Upon a Star

When you wish upon a star,
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream,
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue,
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star,
Your dreams come true 

Yeppers, friends, it's Musical May once again. This year, I decided to do a Disney twist on this.

Simply put, I'll be illustrating classic Disney songs, of which there are plenty. And what better song to start with than Disney's official anthem?

Few movies in general have a bigger place in my heart than Pinocchio. So, for a time, I was tempted to check out the 2022 remake, also because I like Tom Hanks. Unfortunately, it didn't take long to change my mind and keep it changed. 

Most people agree that if there's any upside to the 2022 recycle, it makes the 1940 original look that much better. And, quite honestly, I feel the 1940 original is just right the way it is. Far from perfect, sure, but good enough to where there's no real need to mess with it.

Oh, well. As Jiminy Cricket says, you can't please everybody.