I am going to start putting the Pixar films in their own post.
Fantasia 2000 Ok, so it came out in 1999, but it has 2000 in the title. It had one repeat in it, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which I think is my favorite Mickey cartoon. Celebrities introduced each song, which included Steve Martin and Penn and Teller. I think all live classical concerts should have animation. Flying whales, yo-yo-ing flamingos, Donald Duck on the Ark, the steadfast tin soldier and a wild day in 1920’s NY. The last one, about a nature spirit, was very beautiful.
Dinosaur, 2000. This movie was very realistic looking, and a bit frightening, but don’t try to learn science from this, kids. A dinosaur raised by lemurs who call themselves monkeys? I started looking up what else was off-base besides species that didn’t live in the same era, and found a lot of references to dinosaurs not being able to pee! Um, having had an iguana, that doesn’t mean they can’t exude liquid. Anyway. This “Tarzan with dinosaurs” story delves into the struggle between individual survival versus group altruism for species survival. Also, one dinosaur, Earl, was their pet? This was a pretty dark and sad movie. Interesting that they used live footage under animation in some scenes.
Emperor’s New Groove, 2000 Boom, baby! I love this movie- so funny! This movie is full of little jokes on top of the obvious ones. Yzma and her henchman Kronk are relatable, and the spoiled Kusco has a great redemption arc without becoming unbelievable. One of the few movies I wouldn’t mind rewatching more than twice. Favorite quotes: “Kronk, Pull the Lever!” “Why do we even have that lever?” “Excuse me, I’ve been turned into a cow, may I be excused?” “By all accounts, it doesn’t make sense.” Why haven’t they made this a ride yet? C’mon, people!
Atlantis, The Lost Empire, 2001 I don’t remember watching this before. So different from their usual style (even including Dinosaur). It was like anime, Stargate and Indiana Jones collided. We have the bumbling archeologist, the treasure that must be protected, the mercenaries, the beleaguered magic culture. A weird, interesting, and diverse cast of secondary characters. I think they have tied this movie back into the backstory of the explorer’s club at Disney World. Voices! They have Michael J. Fox and Leonard Nemoy! I think their target audience was teens, with action, explosions, a tiny bit of sexiness, and witty banter. A lot of faceless soldiers/workers died, and there were other soldiers conveniently wearing gas masks at all times so we didn’t feel bad about the heroes killing them. I wonder how many people were disappointed that there were no mermaids/mermen in this? It did have the most awesome force field ever, though.
Lilo and Stitch, 2002– On my top 10 list of Disney animation. There’s so much in this- a space opera romp, in Hawaii, with a realistic relationship of siblings trying to make things work in tough times, and a kid who doesn’t fit in because she’s weird and traumatized. I forgot how much it makes me cry! It’s about belonging, family and purpose. Mr. Bubbles is a treasure. When I was searching for the picture I saw a thing about a live-action remake (a joke) and lord no, Clifford the Big Red dog was nightmare fuel, can’t imagine…some things are better as art instead of photorealistic.
Treasure Planet, 2002 I wonder when they made the decision to start releasing two movies in a year? They stopped after this one- now I need to figure out when they bought Pixar (note: 2006, but independently contracted 1999-2006). Based on the book Treasure Island, this story shows Jim Hawkins in a steampunk space universe where there is plenty of oxygen in space, allowing them to have old-style sailing spaceships. Cyborg Long John Silver becomes a father figure to Jim whilst trying to mutiny and steal all the treasure, and in the end “goes soft” for his little buddy. This was definitely aimed at teens, with obligatory toilet humor. The way that the Captain makes Jim a cabin boy makes no sense. The romance between the Captain and Dr. Delbert was cute (the Captain looked and sounded just like Jane from Tarzan if she had happened to be an alien cat person). Music overlay was weird.
Brother Bear, 2003 What on earth? I vaguely recall seeing this movie but I had forgotten most of it. I did NOT remember that it was set in the ice age with wooly mammoths, that Tina Turner and Phil Collins sang sappy songs, or the whole Bob and Doug Mckenzie moose routine. It was supposed to be about compassion and forgiveness and becoming a better man. The ending made no sense. The whole thing made me uncomfortable.
Home on the Range, 2004 This one I remember deliberately avoiding, as well as Chicken Little. I remember thinking the trailer looked stupid. I thought it was set modern day, but apparently it is set in the late 1800’s, a cowboy western. Or more accurately, a cow western. Three cows go bounty hunting to save the farm. Against an evil yodeling cattle thief. There is also a horse betrayed by his hero and a “lucky” rabbit with a missing foot. Roseanne Barr voices the main character. I almost started to like it- then the burping started. The style is very cartoonish, reminiscent of the Goofy instructional shorts. Physics, logic and believability do not apply.
Chicken Little, 2005 While I was watching this, my son ran in and yelled “this movie is awful!” and ran out, accidentally slamming into the doorframe on the way out. He does that. This was a comedic, cartoony cartoon about anthropomorphic animals and an alien encounter. Chunky, floppy weird cartoons. Lots of slapstick, fat jokes and silly antics. I think my son didn’t like it because he hates anything about being embarrassed or humiliated. The theme of this story was a Cassandra story, about not being believed. Especially hurtful when Chicken Little’s dad doesn’t believe in him. Voices include Don Knotts and Patrick Stuart. That’s a combo. I did like that it addressed dealing with issues by talking about them, a message that kids need to hear more often. The ending wasn’t too awful.
Pixar movies of the 2000’s is next. Want to follow along? Contact me for my list.
