Becky Oehler.doc
Shared by: handongqp
-
Stats
- views:
- 4
- posted:
- 5/23/2012
- language:
- English
- pages:
- 8
Document Sample
Animated Family Comedies: Humor for Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo (1941), Bambi
Everyone? (1942), and Cinderella (1950).
Characters in these early movies are
by Rebecca Oehler one-dimensional and simplistic. They are
developed just enough to make the plot
Heroes and villains. Princes and work and to interest children viewers. In
princesses. Castles and kingdoms. Dragons Snow White, for instance, the title character
and fairies. Witches and wizards. reflects very few
Magicians and sorcerers. Songs and lessons. personality traits
Animals that talk and animals that don’t talk other than those
but seem awfully human. Once upon a time which the conflicts
and happily ever after. and plot dictate she
Pick any animated family comedy, absolutely must
old or new, and chances are you’ll encounter have. The audience
many, if not most, of these elements. So is given little insight
what makes Snow White and the Seven into Snow White’s background, experiences,
Dwarfs (1937) different from Robin Hood thoughts, and emotions. Rather, she exists
(1973), Robin Hood different from Aladdin as part of the story as a whole, not as a
(1992), and Aladdin different from Shrek unique and interesting individual in herself.
(2001)? Of course, these characters, like Snow
Over the past decades, many aspects White, are without exception beautiful or
of animated family comedies have cute, attractive to children in some way;
undergone an evolution. Of course, early their physical appearances, though, don’t
movies like Snow White and Pinocchio make up for their lack of depth.
(1940) have always been classics for Like the characters, the conflicts are
children, but more recent movies like Shrek also basic and unsophisticated. The lines
and Finding Nemo (2003) are still able to between good and evil are clear, and of
captivate a younger audience. The key course, good always triumphs in the end. In
difference is that while older animated Bambi, the plot centers on a young deer who
movies aimed their material strictly at must find a way to survive his adolescence
children, as time passed, animated family and become an adult after his mother dies.
comedies focused more and more on living Ultimately, he has to save all the other
up to their title: family comedies. The animals from humans and a forest fire.
inclusion of developed characters, situations Throughout the movie, Bambi isn’t forced to
to which adults can relate, and mature make too many difficult decisions, weigh
humor, while still maintaining elements the consequences, or fight an internal battle.
attractive to children, have made this change If we’re sticking with a theme of
successful. simplicity, we must mention the songs in
these early animated films. Snow White’s
Disney Beginnings: Poisoned Apples and most memorable songs may be the cute and
a Talking Puppet catchy melodies of “Whistle While You
Work” and “Heigh Ho.” Bambi features the
In 1937, Disney released the first cheerful tune of “Little April Shower,” as
full-length animated feature film, Snow well as the innocently amorous
White and the Seven Dwarfs. Quickly “Twitterpated.” And let’s not forget the
following were other soon-to-be classics like silly, nonsensical lyrics of “Bibbidi-
2
Bobbidi-Boo” in Cinderella. These songs by hunters, children quite understandably
are melodious and pleasant; their words are need to be reminded that good things can
easy for children to remember and fun for happen too!
them to sing. However, although adults may Much of the humor in early animated
smile upon hearing one of these tunes, it’s movies comes from adorable and amusing
reasonable to assume that few adults would sidekicks and friends. Snow White has the
find any song in an early animated family dwarfs and the animals in the forest;
movie uproariously funny. Pinocchio has Jiminy Cricket, Figaro the cat,
Themes and morals in early and Cleo the goldfish. Dumbo is befriended
animated family films are clearly presented. by Timothy Q. Mouse, Bambi meets
After viewing one of these movies, most Thumper, and Cinderella has Jacques and
children have a strong grasp of what the Gus, her rodent companions. Each of these
lesson was that they were supposed to learn: sidekick characters reminds the main
be nice, share with others, your friends and character (and the audience) to look on the
family are important, just because someone bright side and remember that circumstances
is different doesn’t mean they’re bad, and always improve. Children are amused and
dreams and wishes can come true (and let’s tickled by talking, human-like animals and
not forget that someday your prince will laugh at silly names and funny voices. Each
come). In a study of families and couples in of these sidekicks is somehow unique in an
Disney animated films, it was noted that entertaining way; in Bambi, for example,
family relationships are a “strong priority” Thumper gets his name because he cannot
and that although “families are diverse…the keep one of his feet from thumping against
diversity is often simplified” (Tanner et al. the ground.
355). A second study, in which data came Adults would probably watch an
from sources including questionnaires and early animated movie for one of two
student focus group, found determined that reasons: because their children wanted to
the themes of “love and romance, marriage watch it, or to nostalgically remember their
and family, and lessons and morality, [are] own childhoods. Although these films do an
elements that should always be included in excellent job of capturing and maintaining
Disney animated films.” It’s important that the interest of children, they simply aren’t
children learn each of these principles, the type of movie adults prefer.
through a variety of sources, so that they can
be happy and successful in life. And while Moving Forward: Kids Love Animals!
the majority of the burden of teaching
children good values should fall on family, Throughout the 1950s, animated
friends, and teachers, it certainly doesn’t family movies followed a trend similar to
hurt to hear them from a loveable Disney the earliest films produced by Disney. From
character too. magical worlds in Alice in Wonderland
Humorous moments in these films (1951) and Peter Pan (1953) to additional
are included as much for the sake of “some day my prince will come” stories like
relieving the tension of the scarier moments Sleeping Beauty (1959), animated movies
as for their value as humor. After seeing the continued to focus their efforts on appealing
evil queen plotting against Snow White, to young audiences.
Pinocchio captured and caged by Stromboli, In the ‘60s and ‘70s, Disney
Dumbo ridiculed and his mother locked mastered the art of exploiting a successful
away, and Bambi’s mother shot and killed element present in some of their earliest
3
movies: animal characters. The most but simple characters, easily-understood
popular movies released in these two conflicts, cute and catchy songs, clear
decades, with few exceptions, feature lessons, and cuddly animals were combined
animals either as main characters or in the to create films that held so much appeal for
majority of the supporting roles. Included in a young audience that they are still watched
this time period are 101 Dalmatians (1961), by children today. So what next?
The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats Logically, the next step was to
(1970), Robin Hood (1973), The Rescuers branch out in an attempt to attract a more
(1977), and The Fox and the Hound (1981). varied audience while still meeting the
What child can resist giggling at the expectations of children. In the early 1990s,
amusing antics of a pack of spotted Disney released two movies that
Dalmatian puppies, or the daring efforts of a accomplished this goal exceptionally well:
pair of heroic mice in The Rescuers? Aladdin (1992) and The Lion King (1994).
Interestingly, every character in While these films were clearly still aimed at
Disney’s version of Robin Hood was younger viewers rather than adults, they
portrayed as an animal: Robin Hood as a began to incorporate some of the elements
fox, Little John that would make future movies so popular
as a bear, and with all audiences, such as character
Prince John as a development, more complex conflicts, and
lion, among characters and scenes aimed at making the
others. The audience laugh.
Disney writers Aladdin portrays, for the first time, a
and producers multi-faceted, developed character. As
had discovered author and literature professor Ian Wojcik-
that animals Andrews writes, “Aladdin is clearly meant
make children to be a more rounded character” than the
laugh and keep others. Wojcik-Andrews goes on to explain
the atmosphere of a movie more light- that Aladdin is portrayed in a variety of
hearted and relaxed. Of course, these situations, which allows the audience to see
animal characters don’t offer the same level his many dimensions: romance, cleverness,
of amusement for adults, but Disney’s idealism, realism, bravery, and humanism.
animal-related movies nonetheless Of course, we must remember that although
succeeded in attracting young viewers and Aladdin is clearly multi-faceted, the other
becoming immensely popular. characters have not succeeded in being so
In later years, Disney films also complex. Wojcik-Andrews points out that
began to incorporate “objects with their own Jasmine’s father, the Sultan, is still “mostly
identity or personality,” such as the furniture mindless” and describes him as a
and household objects personified in Beauty “dimwitted, over-protective buffoon [whose]
and the Beast (1989) (Wells 163). primary narrative function is to make
possible the marriage of Aladdin and
The Early ‘90s: Important Changes Jasmine” (174). But although many of the
characters remain undeveloped, Aladdin’s
We’ve seen that Disney had created complexity is certainly a critical change.
and established an effective formula for Like some of the characters, conflicts
producing animated family movies that were also increase in complexity in the animated
well-received by young children. Loveable family comedies of the early nineties.
4
Contrary to the malicious-villain-versus- delivering funny jokes, though, but rather
virtuous-hero conflicts of earlier movies, his impressions and shape-changing
Aladdin and The Lion King develop internal abilities. Throughout the movie, he appears
conflicts within the main characters. in a wide variety of forms, including Robert
Aladdin, a “street rat,” meets and falls in De Niro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack
love with Princess Jasmine when she sneaks Nicholson, and Groucho Marx. While kids
out of the palace. But since she can only just think it’s funny that the Genie changes
marry a prince, Aladdin later disguises shape so many times, adults can recognize
himself as Prince Ali Ababwa and courts the shapes he assumes. Less recognized for
her. At various points during the movie, his comedy but still important is Iago, the
Jasmine questions Aladdin as to whether he villain Jafar’s talking parrot. Iago delivers
really is who he claims to be. Aladdin must stinging sarcasm and witty commentary,
ultimately decide whether he should referring even to his own master as “Your
continue to lie to the princess, and thus be Rottenness,” “Oh Mighty Evil One,” and
able to marry her, or tell her the truth about “Sultan Vile Betrayer.”
who he really is and risk losing her love. In The Lion King, comedy is, of
Simba in The Lion King also faces an course, provided by Simba’s jungle friends,
internal battle between right and wrong. Timon and Pumbaa. This pair engages in
After his evil uncle Scar blames Simba for activities such as commenting on one
his father’s death and Simba runs away, he another’s flatulence and eating bugs. While
grows up in the jungle learning “Hakuna Timon describes the bugs as tasting like
Matata,” or “no worries.” In the meantime, chicken, Pumbaa says, “Slimy…yet
Scar becomes ruler of the kingdom. satisfying.” The two sidekicks engage in a
Eventually, Simba needs to choose whether fair amount of slapstick humor. Timon and
to stay in the jungle and continue his Pumbaa constantly misunderstand each
carefree life, or return to his father’s other’s lines or what other characters say to
kingdom, defeat the wicked Scar, and them. Their simple, bumbling, sometimes
reassert himself as the king. For both stupid attitudes and behaviors earn laughs
Aladdin and Simba, their choices come from young as well as older children.
down to deciding what is right, not what will The songs in these movies also
benefit them the most. contain humor. Some adults may catch the
Finally, in these films, we see the lines in “Arabian Nights,” the opening song
addition of humor intended to make the of Aladdin, when the merchant sings
audience laugh, not merely to amuse “Arabian nights / Like Arabian days / More
viewers or give them relief from frightening often than not / Are hotter than hot / In a lot
scenes. Humor is added mainly through of good ways.” This line is quite clearly
comedic characters, and to a lesser extent meant for the amusement of the adults in the
through music. audience, not the children. Aladdin also
The most obvious comedic character includes catchy songs like “One Jump
in Aladdin is the Genie. Voiced by popular Ahead” and “Friend Like Me.” In “Hakuna
comedian Robin Williams, how can the Matata” in The Lion King, the bodily
Genie not be funny? He keeps the function and flatulence jokes continue with
enthusiasm, energy, and slight sarcasm references to Pumbaa after a meal. Children
coming one line after another and speaks the and adults alike remember the upbeat “I Just
vast majority of the humorous lines in the Can’t Wait to Be King” and the somewhat
movie. The Genie’s specialty isn’t
5
strange lyrics of Rafiki’s “I’ve Got a Lovely as external. In Toy Story 2, for example,
Bunch of Coconuts.” Woody is forced to decide between his old
So the animated family comedies of friends, Andy, and being a “regular” toy,
the early ‘90s finally succeeded in adding and his new friends, fame, and fortune. In
humor and other aspects that appealed to an Shrek, Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey are all
audience of more than just children. At this shown to have a variety of characteristics;
point, though, we have yet to see an they are portrayed as tough but gentle, brave
animated family comedy completely living but not foolhardy, and somewhat
up to its title and offering real attraction for unattractive but still loveable. Marlin and
adults too. Nemo in Finding Nemo are perhaps the most
complex characters of any of these movies.
The Last Ten Years: True Comedy at The audience is allowed insight into their
Last! emotions, thoughts, hopes, and worries, and
is able to see how the characters are affected
The release of Toy Story (a Pixar by their actions and experiences.
film) in 1995 signified the beginning of a In Toy Story and Toy Story 2, adults
series of animated family comedies that are watch situations on-screen with which
attempted to appeal to an adult audience in they can identify. Perhaps they experienced
addition to the traditional audience of the same thing in the past, or maybe they
children. Toy Story and the following films know it will happen to them in the future.
(Toy Story 2 [1999], Shrek [2001], Finding Toy Story happens during the time when
Nemo [2003], and Shrek 2 [2004]) used a space travel was achieved and became a
variety of methods to attract adults, much more prevalent idea in society. The
including voicing by popular actors; addition of Buzz Lightyear to Andy’s toy
developed, complex characters and collection is only one of the manifestations
conflicts; scenes and situations to which of space travel in everyday life. Adults can
adults can relate; and mature humor. remember when the first human walked on
Since our culture is purported to the moon, and all the technological advances
admire and even idolize actors and actresses, since. Toy Story 2 raises the issue of how to
if our favorite actor is doing the voice of a decide between sticking with your friends,
character in an animated movie, why family, and the life you have already, and
shouldn’t we see that movie just like we sacrificing something you love to possibly
would any other? Certainly “big” names gain fame, fortune, and a different life that
can attract audiences to animated family might make you happy too.
comedies. The main characters in Toy Story Finding Nemo contains even more
are voiced by actors Tim Allen and Tom adult and “real-life” situations than the
Hanks, with the addition of Joan Cusack in previously discussed movies. Like Marlin,
Toy Story 2. Ellen DeGeneres is the voice Nemo’s father, any parent can relate to the
of Dory in Finding Nemo. Shrek boasts fear of losing his child to accident, illness, or
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron some other unforeseen horror. Parents also
Diaz as the main voices; Shrek 2 adds Julie struggle to determine when they should let
Andrews and Antonio Banderas. their children go, and when their children
The characters in the most recent are ready to face the world on their own.
animated family comedies are more Adults can relate to the humor (or lack
complex and multi-dimensional than ever thereof) in Dory’s short-term memory loss;
before. They face as many internal conflicts after all, quite a few adults find their friends,
6
their parents, or even themselves also contains numerous references to Luke
experiencing this problem. Soon after and Darth Vader in Star Wars.
Nemo disappears, Dory and Nemo end up at Shrek delivers plenty of one-liners
a gathering of sharks that quite resembles a and other jokes for the adult audience to
meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous: each appreciate. When the dwarfs place a
shark states his comatose Snow White on his kitchen table,
name and how Shrek exclaims, “Dead broad off the table!”
long it has been Another reference is made to Snow White
since he ate a when the Magic Mirror says, “Although she
fish. Finally, lives with seven other men, she’s not easy.”
many of the Soon after Shrek rescues Fiona from the
women in the dragon, she asks where he’s going and he
audience know exactly how Dory feels says, “Well, I have to save my ass”
when, upon finding Marlin and herself lost, (referring to Donkey). Upon seeing Lord
she asks rhetorically, “What is it with men Farquaad’s castle for the first time, Shrek
and asking for directions?” comments, “Do you think he’s maybe
Finally, perhaps the most noticeable compensating for something?” These
change from earlier animated family films to mature jokes are cleverly slipped in among
the most recent animated comedies is the more basic or slapstick humor that maintains
inclusion of humorous lines that are clearly the focus of the children.
intended to fly straight over the heads of the The humor in Finding Nemo is less
children in the audience. These adult jokes directed strictly at adults or children and is
are evident in each of the five recent more focused on making all audiences
animated family comedies we’ve discussed. laugh. On Nemo’s first day of school, he
Toy Story’s humor is perhaps a bit meets a young octopus who, upon being
less “adult” than that of the other movies, frightened, exclaims, “Hey, you guys made
but this film still includes quite a few jokes me ink!” The punch line of one of Marlin’s
that aren’t aimed at the children. After jokes is “With fronds like these, who needs
Woody makes disparaging remarks about anemones?” When Marlin explains to the
Buzz’s laser, Mr. Potato Head dismisses it sharks that Nemo was taken by divers, one
as “laser envy.” Rex, a green dinosaur, says, shark says, “Humans. Think they own
“I’m from Mattel. Well, actually I’m from a everything,” and the other replies, “Probably
smaller company that was purchased by American.” Upon his arrival in the
Mattel in a leveraged buyout”; it’s safe to aquarium, Nemo is introduced to all of the
assume that none of the children watching other fish; several say they’re from pet
understand this reference, although adults stores but one says he’s from Ebay. Gill,
may be amused by it. one of the aquarium fish, describes a
Toy Story 2 continues with additional horribly complicated and seemingly risky
adult jokes. At the toy store, the beautiful plan, then says “It’s foolproof!” And all
and stunningly proportioned Tour Guide audiences can be amused by the “surfer”
Barbie introduces herself, and Mr. Potato turtles who help Marlin and Dory find
Head frantically repeats under his breath, Sydney.
“I’m a married spud. I’m a married spud.” Shrek 2 continues to offer adults
Buzz refers to Hamm (a piggy bank) as a humor they can appreciate. Children don’t
“slotted pig.” Toward the end, the movie understand the irony of a kingdom actually
called Far Far Away. On one occasion,
7
Donkey is asked “Why the long face?” to children than to adults. The Wall Street
When Shrek and Donkey catch Puss-in- Journal’s analysis of sales showed that
boots, a feline assassin sent after them, Shrek 2 had the second-highest debut ever,
Shrek says, “Let’s neuter him right now! which also proves that Shrek 2 and similar
Give him the Bob movies are in fact very popular (Marr B.4).
Barker treatment!” So the problem isn’t that children
During a different aren’t attracted to complex characters,
scene, Shrek and conflicts, and situations, but rather that
Donkey need to use adults are often bored by the simplicity of
Pinocchio’s nose for older animated family comedies. Of course,
something, but it’s there’s nothing “wrong” with these older
not long enough, so movies; in fact, for many young families
Donkey tells these movies comprise most of their home
Pinocchio to tell a lie, video collection. But the fact remains that
that he’s wearing older animated “family” comedies simply
ladies underwear. Pinocchio says that he is, haven’t lived up to their title until the last
but his nose stays the same. Children don’t decade. Newer family movies like Toy
understand the irony, references, or Story, Shrek, and Finding Nemo offer a
implications of these jokes, but adults refreshing cinema experience for the parents
certainly do. Shrek 2’s director, Kelly of young children, as well as other adults
Asbury, said in an interview, “The who watch the movies strictly for their
characters are so engaging. The subject reputation for mature humor and content.
matter is fun….It’s a satirical world, but you Through the infusion of adult humor, the
believe the characters” (Epstein). It is addition of characters with greater depth and
certainly a combination of these elements, in more variety, and the increasing portrayal of
each of the newer animated family more adult and real-life situations, animated
comedies, that makes them so successful. “family” comedies of recent years have
Some critics might claim that by finally succeeded in capturing the attention
adding so many elements designed to appeal of the entire family.
to adults, the producers of these newer
animated movies have omitted the elements Works Cited
that make them attractive to children. But
how can you argue that Toy Story, a movie Cokely, Carrie Lynn. “Discovering the
whose main characters are toys, isn’t Magic: Readings, Interpretations,
appropriate or appealing for an audience of and Analyses of the Wonderful
children? Similarly, Shrek is, at heart, a Worlds of Disney.” Diss. Syracuse
story of princes, princesses, castles, U, 2002.
kingdoms, and dragons, all the elements that
made those older fairy tales so popular. And Epstein, Daniel Robert. Interview with Kelly
let’s not forget that Finding Nemo is based Asbury. Underground Online. 2004.
almost solely on animal characters, a 30 Sept. 2004 <http://www.ugo.com/
strategy which, as we’ve seen, led to the channels/filmtv/features/kelly
success of many older Disney films. So it’s asbury/>.
reasonable to say that the inclusion of adult
elements has not detracted from the fact that Marr, Merissa. “‘Shrek 2’ Scores at Box
these films are still designed to appeal more Office; DreamWorks’ Ogre Sequel
8
Collects $104.3 Million In U.S. Sales
Over Weekend.” Wall Street Journal
24 May 2004: B.4.
Tanner, Litsa Renée, et al. “Images of
Couples and Families in Disney
Feature-Length Animated Films.”
American Journal of Family Therapy
Oct. 2003: 355-374.
Wells, Paul. Understanding Animation. New
York: Routledge, 1993.
Wojcik-Andrews, Ian. Children’s Films:
History, Ideology, Pedagogy,
Theory. New York: Garland
Publishing, 2000.
