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a_chickletz's review
2.0
It's a shame on how fast I read this book and yet on how much I already knew. I blame it on when this book came out (97) and how much the internet has evolved since then. :/
Still, it was a really interesting book about how these movies came together and what happened after Walt Disney died. There was some really gossipy portions during the 70's. Which I think, in my opinion, made up for what I already knew.
Still, read the author's other Disney books and save this one for the last.
Still, it was a really interesting book about how these movies came together and what happened after Walt Disney died. There was some really gossipy portions during the 70's. Which I think, in my opinion, made up for what I already knew.
Still, read the author's other Disney books and save this one for the last.
kmthomas06's review
3.0
A bit outdated, Koenig presents an interesting and straight-forward look at Disney animation and what made it tick through the mid-1990s. I liked the format of the book - each movie is presented separately with a synopsis of the original story, the Disney version storyline, hidden images, bloopers and theme park tie-ins. The book ends on a high note, the end of the second golden age but it would be interesting to see what Koenig would say about the lackluster movies that followed and the new direction the studio is currently heading in. A little harsh if you can't stand any criticism towards the Mouse, but a true look at how Disney Animation develops behind the scenes.
swicksy's review
2.0
David Koenig has written several Disney behind-the-scenes books, most notably MOUSE TALES and MORE MOUSE TALES (I have only read MORE...so far) which give an all-encompassing look at the inner workings of Disneyland.
Here Koenig tackles the crown jewel of the Disney empire - the Animated features. One-by-one each feature starting with SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS gets a full chapter that begins with an outline of the original source material, followed by the Disney development of the final film - including elements which didn't make it past the development or testing stages - a list of (perceived) plot holes, bloopers and hidden images (or "Easter eggs"), then ending with the critical and public reception and what impact in terms of rides, attractions or presence each film has had on the theme parks (again even including abandoned ideas and outline the evolution of many of them over time).
Not every feature gets a dedicated chapter. Fun and Fancy Free, Melody Time (both which really are just low-rent cousins to Fantasia), The Adventures of Ichabod Crane and Mr. Toad and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are relegated to minor mentions perhaps because they are essentially short films compiled together to make a feature, and Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, The Black Cauldron and The Rescuers Down Under for some reason again just get mentions and not dedicated chapters (maybe for space?). In addition, the live-action/animated hybrids Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Pete's Dragon and Who Framed Roger Rabbit make the cut.
Each section of the Disney animation period is prefaced with an overview of what was going on in the studio and the animation department at the time, and these are much stronger than the separate film sections which eventually feel tiresome and repetitive. It is obvious that Koenig is most passionate about the theme park rides as those seem to be stronger than his breakdown of the movies themselves. His perceived "plot hole" gaffes sometimes feel as though he is reaching and missed the point of the fact that it's a animated film and some creative license is taken for gags and characterization (one for instance - why would the prince that is transformed into the Beast answer his own door and meet the Gypsy who turned him into a Beast when he has a staff of servants. I mean, the opening narration never actually SAYS he opens his own door. Again this and many of the other observations aren't all that necessary compared to the hidden items and bloopers).
Some of the movies feel like they get shorted. Like for instance P.L. Travers' interference in the making of Mary Poppins gets a paragraph or so, even though thanks to the recent SAVING MR. BANKS we all know that it was quite an ordeal. The Lion King as well - when released, the highest grossing animated film of all-time - gets only a few pages whereas Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast get more real estate.
I think what makes his theme park books more interesting is that many of the stories he covers - oral and otherwise - are simply not well known, while the production and history of the Animated films has been covered countless times in other books, not to mention that the films themselves are readily available for viewing in theaters, on TV, on Disc and now through Digital Applications like Disney Movies for the iPad. A lot of this stuff is already out there and most Disneyphiles have it covered and beyond.
Released in 1997, the final feature covered in the book is the 1996 film THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, so nothing is covered from HERCULES through FROZEN (of course not the fault of the book - just pointing it out) and no mention of Pixar which at that point had only released TOY STORY. Then again this is about the DISNEY animation studios, and the impact of TOY STORY and PIXAR at that point was far from being felt, so not faulting the book for that either.
Worth reading if you want to get all the information you can about the Disney animated features, however almost better as a resource that is digested when you view one of the films and feel like getting the back-story on it rather than sitting down and reading it all the way through like I just did.
Here Koenig tackles the crown jewel of the Disney empire - the Animated features. One-by-one each feature starting with SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS gets a full chapter that begins with an outline of the original source material, followed by the Disney development of the final film - including elements which didn't make it past the development or testing stages - a list of (perceived) plot holes, bloopers and hidden images (or "Easter eggs"), then ending with the critical and public reception and what impact in terms of rides, attractions or presence each film has had on the theme parks (again even including abandoned ideas and outline the evolution of many of them over time).
Not every feature gets a dedicated chapter. Fun and Fancy Free, Melody Time (both which really are just low-rent cousins to Fantasia), The Adventures of Ichabod Crane and Mr. Toad and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are relegated to minor mentions perhaps because they are essentially short films compiled together to make a feature, and Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, The Black Cauldron and The Rescuers Down Under for some reason again just get mentions and not dedicated chapters (maybe for space?). In addition, the live-action/animated hybrids Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Pete's Dragon and Who Framed Roger Rabbit make the cut.
Each section of the Disney animation period is prefaced with an overview of what was going on in the studio and the animation department at the time, and these are much stronger than the separate film sections which eventually feel tiresome and repetitive. It is obvious that Koenig is most passionate about the theme park rides as those seem to be stronger than his breakdown of the movies themselves. His perceived "plot hole" gaffes sometimes feel as though he is reaching and missed the point of the fact that it's a animated film and some creative license is taken for gags and characterization (one for instance - why would the prince that is transformed into the Beast answer his own door and meet the Gypsy who turned him into a Beast when he has a staff of servants. I mean, the opening narration never actually SAYS he opens his own door. Again this and many of the other observations aren't all that necessary compared to the hidden items and bloopers).
Some of the movies feel like they get shorted. Like for instance P.L. Travers' interference in the making of Mary Poppins gets a paragraph or so, even though thanks to the recent SAVING MR. BANKS we all know that it was quite an ordeal. The Lion King as well - when released, the highest grossing animated film of all-time - gets only a few pages whereas Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast get more real estate.
I think what makes his theme park books more interesting is that many of the stories he covers - oral and otherwise - are simply not well known, while the production and history of the Animated films has been covered countless times in other books, not to mention that the films themselves are readily available for viewing in theaters, on TV, on Disc and now through Digital Applications like Disney Movies for the iPad. A lot of this stuff is already out there and most Disneyphiles have it covered and beyond.
Released in 1997, the final feature covered in the book is the 1996 film THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, so nothing is covered from HERCULES through FROZEN (of course not the fault of the book - just pointing it out) and no mention of Pixar which at that point had only released TOY STORY. Then again this is about the DISNEY animation studios, and the impact of TOY STORY and PIXAR at that point was far from being felt, so not faulting the book for that either.
Worth reading if you want to get all the information you can about the Disney animated features, however almost better as a resource that is digested when you view one of the films and feel like getting the back-story on it rather than sitting down and reading it all the way through like I just did.
sar_19's review
4.0
This book is a history of the Disney animated features. Each chapter focuses on a feature and examines the source material and Disney's spin on the story. Then it exams the success or failure of the feature and if the animation is part of a Disney park attraction. I enjoyed knowing the backstory of these features. I recommend this book for Disney fans.
debbiewakefield10's review
4.0
This book has some really interesting parts, like about what the original stories were before they were "Disneyfied". It was neat to read what the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale was. I enjoyed reading about the history and making of some of my favorite Disney movies. I admit I didn't read this cover to cover because the older Disney movies didn't interest me much. I'd recommend this to people who like learning trivia and fun facts. It's a good read if you love Disney a lot. David Koenig is a great author and an expert on Disney.
hannahbarton23's review
informative
slow-paced
2.0
I had a really hard time with this book. I really liked the history and fun tidbits that the author had for each of the main Disney movies, however, I felt like at times the author was trying to say more bad things than good. Koenig does not strike me as a Disney fan but that shouldn't deter him from presenting the facts. Again, very interesting fact but I take the color commentary with a grain of salt!
roguefire's review
4.0
For an avid lover of all things Disney like myself this book gos movie by movie in order that they were released (or in some cases not!) and gives you the inside scoop and gossip behind the making of each one. I can't wait to pick up the rest of these regarding the theme parks!
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