MovieChat Forums > Moana (2016) Discussion > Loved the movie, but I still miss one es...

Loved the movie, but I still miss one essential thing in Disney.

posted 8 years ago by fleshrequiem
23 replies | jump to latest

I miss having a great Disney villain. Ursula, Frollo, Gaston, Ratigan, it seems none of the recent animated movies have a villain that really hits it out of the park.

The closest we got to that in recent years was Dr. Facilier, whom I adored. But that was over 7 years ago.

Granted, there was a villainous crab in this with a rather showy, hammy song (as a villain should have!) but he was essentially a small hindrance instead of the main threat.

[–] Sumatran_Ratmonkey 8 years ago

I thought (Assistant) Mayor Bellwether was a good villain, made worse by her cheery facade. She's like Dolores Umbridge in that way.

Also, in your list of great Disney villains of the past, you snubbed Scar, and that's a pretty egregious oversight.

[–] fleshrequiem 8 years ago

She could have been a good villain, but she was hardly prominent, not much of a personality, appeared in a scattered few scenes and out of nowhere, the twist! Interesting idea, really botched execution.

Scar is an over-rated villain in my book to be honest, and I think there are more worthy candidates for the title of Disney Baddie supreme. I know I'm in the minority here, but eh, what can I say.

[–] UnvoicedApollo1 8 years ago

I don't know, I think the little things she says (it's a big day for us too, we little guys have to stick together) and the abuse heaped on her foreshadows the twist.

[–] fleshrequiem 8 years ago

The twist everyone saw coming. The fact that is was kind of bad is another matter.

[–] UnvoicedApollo1 8 years ago

How can a twist be out of nowhere if everyone saw it coming?

[–] fleshrequiem 8 years ago

I meant the twist was predictable, but suddenly making her the villain was essentially pointless.

[–] UnvoicedApollo1 8 years ago

If it's predictable, how is it sudden and how do you mean "pointless"?

[–] fleshrequiem 8 years ago

I'll explain it one last time.

The twist is predictable (because someone has to be pulling the strings). Her being the villain with a big speech at the end is quite poor in execution, literally popping in at the end of the film with a "hey, i'm a bad guy now" moment. Pointless because she's a bland character.

[–] UnvoicedApollo1 8 years ago

I think you underestimate Mother Gothel.

I love her song "Mother Knows Best"'which is just wrapped in emotional abuse disguised as love.

[–] Devinpl86 8 years ago

That's why Tangled to me stand above frozen n moana . I was generally scared for the ending

[–] darkconsoles 8 years ago

Hans is easily as good as any of them. He's genuinely scary, cunning, and charming. And his plan actually succeeds. He's also a much more complex character than most Disney villains. But yeah, overall the new movies lack in great villains.

[–] Zaphenzo 8 years ago

Hans is easily as good as any of them. He's genuinely scary, cunning, and charming. And his plan actually succeeds

This is a great point. He is a rare villain in that everything actually went according to his plan and it succeeded. He just underestimated the power of a sister's love.

[–] Saucy_Jacky 8 years ago

The most interesting thing about Claude Frollo was that he wasn't intended to be the villain in the source material. It stands as a testament to the brilliance of Victor Hugo that even having his protagonist stripped of every semblance of complexity, the character still stands as one of Disney's greatest 'baddies.'

You're right, though. We haven't had a decent villain in a terribly long time.

Catch me when you can, Mishter Lusk.

[–] TutuAnimationPrincess 8 years ago

Disney itself is not a genre so from my perspective they can do what they want. Personally I would love to see Disney do a film that has no villain or actual villainous themes. Lilo & Stitch was the closest to what I want, but that film needed to be longer and cut back on the sci-fi cheese.

"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"

[–] JoviAero 8 years ago

They have done films with no villains, they're the Winnie the Pooh films.

"Lawyer by day, vigilante by night...how does that work?"

[–] inaliciro 8 years ago

The last villain song that I've absolutely loved was Mother Knows Best from Tangled. Not sure who sang that song but damn she could belt out those notes.

[–] Thornspike 8 years ago

It took me exactly 8.5 seconds to double check that Donna Murphy sang this song. Why are you so lazy about something you claim to love?

[–] inaliciro 8 years ago

Because I have bitches like you to do the work for me ? ?

[–] LetThemEatCake01 8 years ago

I miss having a great Disney movie.

[–] JJdaPK 8 years ago

I miss great Disney villains as well, and they could have easily given the lava monster a personality and more depth.

Disney was on a roll with villains up until the end of the Disney Renaissance. Since then the only standouts have been Dr. Facilier, Mother Gothel (easily the best villain of the Disney Revival) and Hans (mainly due to the shock factor).