Dumb Things We All Ignore In Disney Movies

The Walt Disney Company is as quintessentially American as apple pie, baseball, and Abraham Lincoln. Over the years, it has dominated the box office, saturated stores with plush toys and fairytale gowns, and built the world’s most renowned theme park chain. However, it’s challenging to overlook the fact that this Mouse House often produces animated films brimming with peculiar elements – not referring to Mickey’s beloved laughter here.

Disney consistently employs certain recurring themes, from characters accepting implausible plot developments without question, to scenes where dishes burst into melodramatic song, to the frequent absence of one or both parents among the characters, and a strong belief that true love will ultimately prevail. These tropes have become staples in Disney productions, eliciting both laughter and tears from audiences. Even the most acclaimed Disney films contain these elements, often culminating in an extravagant wedding ceremony featuring sentient horses and birds.

Here’s a comprehensive collection of the most amusingly predictable themes found in almost every Disney animated movie and why these familiar elements continue to captivate us. It’s not that we would dare challenge what is presented to us by the beloved provider of family-friendly entertainment.

Everyone sings all the time

It’s often seen as a common and seemingly absurd element in many Disney movies that characters start singing spontaneously. While some may justify it due to the theatrical vibe of every animated production Disney produces, it’s worth noting that no one within these films ever questions why they suddenly burst into song or how everyone knows all the words to each princess’s tunes. The films “Frozen” and “Enchanted” even poked fun at this trope.

As a lover of all things Disney, I can’t help but be swept up whenever the music starts and the choreography takes over. Even the clumsiest characters find themselves twirling and tapping their feet during those unforgettable dance numbers. From salt shakers shaking their can-can moves to lions and ostriches joining forces to support Simba’s heartfelt plea, every Disney movie has that magical moment when each character breaks into song and dance as if they’ve been infected by the same enchanting rhythm.

Of course, this isn’t terrible – fans of Disney films anticipate such whimsicality, and they aim to depart from the cinema humming and applauding with their beloved characters. However, it can seem a tad absurd if one ponders why these characters would spontaneously break into song to express their feelings openly. Yet, ardent admirers of animated films – and musicals – are content to dismiss the absurdity in favor of cherished memories evoked by Disney and Pixar’s movie melodies.

Everyone’s an orphan (or will be)

It’s so common that even Disney pokes fun at this theme: every fan familiar with Disney’s vast library of films will find it likely that if they choose any random film, they’ll encounter a situation where one or both main characters have lost their parents, either through death or absence. From street-fighting Aladdin to cleaning-song-singing Snow White, and growing up with meerkats and warthogs like Simba, Disney has a fondness for resilient orphans.

In many stories, the characters often find themselves with only one living parent. This arrangement serves multiple purposes: it may provide a supportive figure who nurtures the protagonist’s aspirations, as demonstrated by Belle’s father in “Beauty and the Beast,” or offer someone to challenge or rebel against, such as Ariel’s father, King Triton, in “The Little Mermaid.” On occasion, this plot device is used for comedic effect, like Kuzco from “The Emperor’s New Groove,” who is pampered excessively by his advisors after being orphaned at a young age. To increase emotional depth, some stories force the hero to bear witness to their parent’s violent demise, as in the cases of Bambi and Simba.

In certain tales, the tragic loss of parents serves no significant purpose and seems rather illogical as a catalyst for the hero’s journey. The story could commence just as effectively without the haunting memories of a deceased parent guiding them along their path. Interestingly, some characters such as Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty” are fortunate enough to retain both parents throughout their adventures. To be honest, it appears somewhat absurd that so many Disney movies resort to the device of killing off parents.

Disney heroes and heroines aren’t shocked by things that defy logic

Magic often twists emotions, transforms garments, and permanently freezes villains; in other words, it often resolves some of the most puzzling conundrums in the Disney universe. However, despite magic playing a significant role in many Disney movie plots, there are occasional logic inconsistencies that arise, leaving you questioning the characters’ thought processes when faced with something utterly surprising. If you analyze these situations too deeply, the movies may leave you perplexed by the protagonists’ responses.

In “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle lives in a town where her books and her father’s inventions are the only things without thoughts of their own. However, when she steps into the Beast’s castle, she remains unfazed by objects like singing candlesticks, nurturing teapots, and commanding wall clocks. Interestingly, even the books in the Beast’s library don’t move independently, nor is there a librarian among them. On the other hand, in Mulan’s world, animals generally can’t speak and spirit guides seldom mingle with the living. Yet, her surprise at encountering Mushu seems to be non-existent.

Instead of using logic that might question the reality, Disney movies often present talking animals with human-like sensibilities as natural elements within their stories’ worlds, such as Cinderella’s verbal mice, the anthropomorphic foxes in “Robin Hood,” and Tod and Copper from “The Fox and the Hound.” However, films like “Mulan” and “Beauty and the Beast” might still leave audiences momentarily surprised or astonished by their existence.

Plot holes, for one and all

Instead of dwelling on the inconsistencies in some Disney movies’ plots, it’s advisable not to analyze too deeply how certain aspects are introduced and then seemingly forgotten. If you ponder these points, the unexplained plot twists might leave you puzzled about their relevance, why they were initially included but later ignored throughout the story, and why we wasted valuable screen time on a character like the alligator in the swamp that never reappears again.

In Disney’s film Pleasure Island, where Pinocchio hangs out with a rowdy gang, engaging in activities such as drinking and smoking that are now seen as problematic; this scene might make viewers uncomfortable today. Although he participated in these forbidden actions, Pinocchio manages to elude his transformation into a donkey, while the other boys aren’t so fortunate. However, Pinocchio never mentions them again, never informs Geppetto or tries to save them; they remain as donkeys from that point on. Furthermore, despite this experience, Pinocchio doesn’t seem to learn much from it, leading us to question the purpose of this adventure altogether.

In many Disney movies, they tend to keep the storyline simple and focused on the main characters. However, some films do include additional scenes that seem unrelated to our central heroes, which can feel like unnecessary distractions. For instance, in “The Jungle Book,” the scene with King Louie is enjoyable, but it takes away from time that could have been spent with Mowgli and his wolf family. Yet, these movies often compensate for such imbalances with memorable songs or exciting chase sequences. But let’s not delve too deeply into debating minor plot points…

Don’t think too hard about those singing fish

It’s quite possible that seeing numerous sentient creatures in Disney films might stir up discomfort among viewers, particularly when those movies don’t adhere to Nemo’s philosophy of “Fish are friends, not food” and depict characters indulging in non-vegan diets.

In Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Ariel finds her friend Sebastian in danger, being prepared as food in Eric’s palace. This suggests that Eric’s chefs often cook seafood, leading us to wonder: how many of Ariel’s friends have been served up for dinner, and will the chef continue serving them even after Eric and Ariel get married? It’s an unnecessary question, and one that the writers might have omitted had they revised the final script.

However, the absurdity doesn’t just end there; let’s consider the case of those zebras, birds, and other animals in Disney films who probably become meals for Simba’s family. And what about the dancing breadsticks in “Beauty and the Beast,” which Belle likely consumed afterwards? Also, have you ever wondered about the food chain in “Zootopia”? What do those dominant animals consume, exactly? While it might seem like a trivial thought that fans of Disney should avoid pondering too much, it’s still a point that could be clarified with a touch more self-aware humor from the writers.

True love will often fall into your lap – and it won’t be questioned

Disney’s animated films seem to adore a heartwarming romance. From tender serenades, harmonious duets, and leisurely strolls under a silver moon by a tranquil river, even the lesser-liked Disney movies often feature that iconic scene where our main characters fall madly in love, causing an immediate whirlwind of chaos in their lives. However, the issue with these frequent romantic scenarios is that there are only so many unique ways two individuals can find each other.

As a devotee of Disney tales, I can’t help but notice a recurring theme in their romantic pairings: the serendipitous meet-cute. Anita and Roger from “101 Dalmatians” share an unexpected bond when their dogs’ leashes get tangled, while Prince Phillip stumbles upon Aurora as she sings in the woods, searching for love. It seems that many Disney duos are simply destined to cross paths by chance. While it’s true that real-life couples often meet this way, I can’t help but yearn for a touch of originality in the way Disney couples find each other after all these years – a dash of creativity would certainly spice up their romantic encounters!

Many pairs of characters in these stories, however, do not fall into this pattern; Belle and the Beast initially come across as unattractive, while Cinderella meets her prince for the first time when they are formally introduced at a ball. In some Disney tales, like that of Ariel and Prince Eric, love blossoms from afar at first sight. Yet, due to its frequent use in Disney romances, the term “meet cute” has become rather repetitive and predictable.

The wicked will be killed, instead of redeemed

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that Disney often follows a familiar narrative pattern when it comes to vanquishing evil. In their beloved movies, even the most fearsome villains meet their end, usually in a manner that’s devoid of blood yet still chilling enough to keep young ones awake at night. Remember Gaston plummeting off a cliff, Dr. Facilier being whisked away to another realm, Captain Hook getting swallowed by a crocodile, or Maleficent receiving a sword wound while in dragon form? These are just a few examples of the predictable yet thrilling ways Disney dispatches its villains.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice Disney’s fondness for sending off its villainous characters from steep cliffs. It seems like quite a few of them meet their demise this way, opening up opportunities for sequels to unfold. However, any hero who swiftly accepts their happy ending without verifying the villain’s fate is, frankly, not the sharpest tool in the shed – especially when it comes to dealing with cunning witches. Granted, it’s a straightforward narrative device, but one that leaves some characters appearing less than brilliant. It may not be PG-rated violence, but it’s intense enough to keep viewers engaged without jeopardizing those precious family funds.

In recent times, it seems the studio is experimenting with new approaches when it comes to creating antagonists, as we see in contemporary productions. Characters like Maleficent and Cruella de Ville, once villains in live-action films, have had their stories reimagined, while in the animated realm, Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove” now lives on as a feline, and Te Fiti from “Moana” returns to the path of goodness.

Happily ever after usually means weddings

For many years, nearly every Disney animated movie concluded with a wedding or a hinted-at engagement, except for those centered around children or baby animals like “Peter Pan,” “Dumbo,” or “Alice in Wonderland.” The main characters’ happiness is often depicted as heading towards the joy of a shared future. For instance, even “Bambi” ends with Bambi becoming the forest king, finding a partner, and having offspring.

It’s often foreseeable, even amusingly so. If you’ve been in a coma for years and suddenly find yourself dancing with your soulmate, it might feel overwhelming. After all, if your closest friends have just slain your wicked stepmother and inherited a chateau, wouldn’t they be too busy to plan their wedding? But it’s a Disney movie, where love is true and the story always ends happily, complete with showering rice and horse-drawn carriages, even if it seems rather absurd given the dramatic events leading up to the grand wedding celebration.

It’s great to see that Disney films have been allowing more scope for creativity in their storytelling lately. Characters like Moana are portrayed as explorers rather than mothers, while Merida from “Brave” focuses on healing her family instead of getting married. In fact, many Pixar movies avoid romance and instead emphasize themes such as teamwork, love, and fulfillment, making them much more intelligent alternatives to the traditional ‘happily ever after’ trope.

Disney’s magic system makes its characters’ deaths seem paltry

One aspect that true love can’t resolve is the careless handling of magic by Disney, which often contradicts the logic within their own films. Beyond the typical predictability of villainous demises, these events frequently clash with the magic possessed by many of the villains, leading to scenes that seem absurd. In most cases, there appears to be a magical system in place, making the villains appear invincible or unbeatable, yet their deaths often defy this logic.

At times, Disney carefully designs how its enchanting characters meet their ends. Dr. Facilier’s demise was fittingly eerie and required the combined efforts of all three fairies along with Philip’s power to vanquish Maleficent. However, contrast this with Snow White’s Evil Queen, who can imprison spirits within mirrors and metamorphose – only to perish from falling off a mountain after being struck by lightning. One might question whether she wasn’t more formidable than such an ending suggests, as Disney’s villains frequently meet their ends in ways that seem too weak given their initial portrayals of power.

Disney’s method of creating magic is most effectively conveyed by comparing it to Tinker Bell’s presence in “Peter Pan.” In some cases, the simple phrase “That’s just the way it is” succinctly explains things. For instance, in “Sleeping Beauty,” the limitations of the magical powers of its fairies are used to account for Aurora’s enchantment and their inability to completely safeguard the castle and its residents from Maleficent’s wickedness.

The heroes always run away from their problems

Indeed, not everything can be attributed to magic; for instance, youthful anxieties and defiance are beyond its reach. Even the sturdiest Disney characters, when faced with adversity, show signs of retreat rather than confronting their troubles head-on or standing up to challenges. This storytelling technique, which amplifies narrative tension, is a common tactic in movies – yet it’s also quite predictable.

Often, it’s a plot device for characters who are left alone or endangered to find a fresh start with a new family that takes them in. For instance, Simba flees his father’s demise to be brought up by Timon and Pumbaa, Snow White seeks refuge with the seven dwarves, and Aurora is whisked away from her castle home to be cared for by her fairy godmothers. Disney heroes appear to instinctively run away before they learn to face their challenges head-on.

In Disney films, it’s quite frequent that characters fly off at the end, which is beneficial for character development and often includes a brief growth montage. However, it could be intriguing to witness characters confront their challenges instead of escaping. Nevertheless, without these familiar, albeit sometimes simplistic, Disney tropes, we wouldn’t have such a treasure trove of endearing movies to enjoy.

2025-03-25 14:32