Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

[larasound]

Who framed Roger Rabbit has, and always will be one of my favorite movies. I was re-watching the DVD last night with the “Toontown confidential” DVD option on and really enjoyed all the facts about the movie, some of which I had previously not known.

As I was watching I could not help but think that this movie deserved to be considered amongst the best of the Disney Classics. Movies like ‘The little mermaid”, “Aladdin”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King” came shortly after this movie and were immediately hailed as instant classics. While not receiving the official Disney Branding, Touchstone pictures was a Disney company. Having said that, and taking into consideration that an entire “land” was dedicated to this one film (regardless of how you feel about Toontown it further illustrates my point that this is a Disney movie through and through), in your opinion is Who Framed Roger Rabbit a Disney Classic that you would put alongside Snow White or Beauty and Beast?

[Coheteboy]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

It's a classic to me and a benchmark in so many ways. But I don't think it will ever be classified in the same listing with Snow white and Beauty and the Beast because it's not 100% animated.

But it's an EXTREMELY important piece of film history that is still a lot of fun to watch and will be brought up again in years to come because of ihow good it is. If only Spielberg and Disney can come to terms with it and let it be the "nightmare before christmas" type seller it deserves to be.

[Mr. Yeti]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I really like Roger Rabit. It's never on enough on TV. They should show it more.

[aashee]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I agree. It is a classic moreso from the live action/animation rather than the story itself. IMO the story does not hold a candle to the others mentioned, NBC included. It's lack of a good soundtrack doesn't help either.

Combining all of the cartoons from different eras and companies made it classic for sure. Any movie with Mickey Mouse and Yosemite Sam it fine with me!

[Coheteboy]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I agree. It is a classic moreso from the live action/animation rather than the story itself. IMO the story does not hold a candle to the others mentioned, NBC included. It's lack of a good soundtrack doesn't help either.

Combining all of the cartoons from different eras and companies made it classic for sure. Any movie with Mickey Mouse and Yosemite Sam it fine with me!

I actually think Alan Silvestri's score for Roger Rabbit is right on! It keeps it timeless in a sense that it's not so "out-there".

[aashee]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I actually think Alan Silvestri's score for Roger Rabbit is right on! It keeps it timeless in a sense that it's not so "out-there".

Oh the music was fitting, but there were no songs IMO that are considered timeless. A classic movie, but lacking in song and story to make it one of Disney's best.

[disneytim]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

As much as I like Roger Rabbit as a cartoon character and enjoyed seeing Mickey/Bugs and Donald/Daffy share the screen, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is definitely not a classic and isn't anywhere near the rarified air of Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. The overall tone of the movie is mean-spirited and very off-putting, especially when the cartoon world and real world collide (piano on the head, cartoon - funny; piano on the head, real life - not so much). And even though it's "just a toon," I've always thought the scene where Judge Doom "dips" the squeaky show to be unnecessarily brutal.

Despite appearances by all those great cartoon characters, I won't include Roger Rabbit in my own DVD collection, let alone consider it a classic.

[DarthDucky]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

It's a classic to me and a benchmark in so many ways. But I don't think it will ever be classified in the same listing with Snow white and Beauty and the Beast because it's not 100% animated.

Neither is Song of the South but it's still a classic, just not well known.

[Coheteboy]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

Neither is Song of the South but it's still a classic, just not well known.

Song of the South is probably better known because of all the controversy surrounding it. That and having an E-Ticket attraction to support it creates even more curiosity about it.

I would also say that Song of the South is more animated than Roger Rabbit is.

[larasound]

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

On the one hand, the scene with Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny was to me one of the greatest scenes in the movies ever.

On the other hand, I think Who Framed Roger Rabbit somewhat "Warner-ized" Disney to a certain extent as well.

Their animation hasn't been the same since. For the better and for the worse -- some of their greatest films have come after this as well as some of their absolute worst...

[MollyTrolly]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of my top three all time favorite movies, and Roger is my favorite character (ok lets face it, there was a time when I was obsessed). I own it on VHS, DVD and I believe I still have a copy on LD. I have every movie poster created for it, as well as a Tummy Trouble poster, LE art from the DL Gallery, etc.

I think this movie was a technical marvel as well as integrating new characters with those from several other outlets (Disney, WB, etc). Yes, parts of the movie are harsh (especially the shoe dip scene), but was necessary to create the evil image of Judge Doom.

Its hard to compare this film with other animated Disney classics because it is not geared for that same audience IMO. But for me, its definitely a classic in its own right.

[aimster]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I feel it's a classic in its own right. Definitely one of my favorite movies.

[Jazzman]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

As much as I like Roger Rabbit as a cartoon character and enjoyed seeing Mickey/Bugs and Donald/Daffy share the screen, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is definitely not a classic and isn't anywhere near the rarified air of Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. The overall tone of the movie is mean-spirited and very off-putting, especially when the cartoon world and real world collide (piano on the head, cartoon - funny; piano on the head, real life - not so much). And even though it's "just a toon," I've always thought the scene where Judge Doom "dips" the squeaky show to be unnecessarily brutal.

Despite appearances by all those great cartoon characters, I won't include Roger Rabbit in my own DVD collection, let alone consider it a classic.

I couldn't disagree more. The film is not mean spirited or off putting in the slightest, and any supposedly "off-putting" act portrayed in it is no more brutal or severe than pushing wicked witches off cliffs, having them turn into terrifying dragons and set on fire, or having noble kings and fathers murderously trampled by herds of fleeing wildebeests. Sure, it is a bit more witty and edgy than standard Disney fare, but that is precisely why it is so unique and timeless. Disney is of course known for its lovey, mushy tender heart style as seen in Snow White, Bambi, Sleeping Beauty and others, but it was the daringness of the company to produce something so out of left field and against the common grain that allowed Disney to remain the trend setter that is always had been, and sadly isn't anymore. If the company still had the cajones to innovate like they did with Roger Rabbit and be the catalyst for positive paradigm shifts then the company wouldn't be so stagnant in the area it pioneered (animation) and the public wouldn't be subjected to such tripe as Chicken Little, Open Range or Brother Bear. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is and always will be one of Disney's greatest masterpieces and while placing it amongst standard classics such as those previously mentioned is akin to stuffing a square peg into a round hole, it nevertheless deserves to be placed on equal footing with them.

[larasound]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I couldn't disagree more. The film is not mean spirited or off putting in the slightest, and any supposedly "off-putting" act portrayed in it is no more brutal or severe than pushing wicked witches off cliffs, having them turn into terrifying dragons and set on fire, or having noble kings and fathers murderously trampled by herds of fleeing wildebeests. Sure, it is a bit more witty and edgy than standard Disney fare, but that is precisely why it is so unique and timeless. Disney is of course known for its lovey, mushy tender heart style as seen in Snow White, Bambi, Sleeping Beauty and others, but it was the daringness of the company to produce something so out of left field and against the common grain that allowed Disney to remain the trend setter that is always had been, and sadly isn't anymore. If the company still had the cajones to innovate like they did with Roger Rabbit and be the catalyst for positive paradigm shifts then the company wouldn't be so stagnant in the area it pioneered (animation) and the public wouldn't be subjected to such tripe as Chicken Little, Open Range or Brother Bear. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is and always will be one of Disney's greatest masterpieces and while placing it amongst standard classics such as those previously mentioned is akin to stuffing a square peg into a round hole, it nevertheless deserves to placed on equal footing with them.

Here here, well said, also kudos for the use of cajones.

[disneytim]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I couldn't disagree more. The film is not mean spirited or off putting in the slightest, and any supposedly "off-putting" act portrayed in it is no more brutal or severe than pushing wicked witches off cliffs, having them turn into terrifying dragons and set on fire, or having noble kings and fathers murderously trampled by herds of fleeing wildebeests. Sure, it is a bit more witty and edgy than standard Disney fare, but that is precisely why it is so unique and timeless. Disney is of course known for its lovey, mushy tender heart style as seen in Snow White, Bambi, Sleeping Beauty and others, but it was the daringness of the company to produce something so out of left field and against the common grain that allowed Disney to remain the trend setter that is always had been, and sadly isn't anymore. If the company still had the cajones to innovate like they did with Roger Rabbit and be the catalyst for positive paradigm shifts then the company wouldn't be so stagnant in the area it pioneered (animation) and the public wouldn't be subjected to such tripe as Chicken Little, Open Range or Brother Bear. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is and always will be one of Disney's greatest masterpieces and while placing it amongst standard classics such as those previously mentioned is akin to stuffing a square peg into a round hole, it nevertheless deserves to be placed on equal footing with them.

Within the confines of a cartoon world, an animator can create whatever reality he/she wants as long as it works within that environment. So yes, wicked witches plummet to their deaths and heirs to the throne suffer Shakespearean tragedies. Likewise, coyotes can fall into canyons and ducks can be shot full of holes without any long term ill-effects. It's not mean-spirited because it's part of the reality of that world.

In Roger Rabbit, the line separating cartoon artifice and the real world is crossed repeatedly, and suddenly the rules of both worlds are forced to coexist. Now Roger Rabbit getting whacked in the head (stars, birds) isn't nearly as funny. Toons are abused in the real world for the entertainment of humans. And when Eddie Valiant ventures into Toontown, what happens? After a cheery greeting, he crashes his car, is stalked by a crazed woman and becomes the butt of a cruel joke at the hands of Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse. Funny in a cartoon world, maybe, but not when the victim is a real person.

I remember reading an article around the time Roger Rabbit came out. The writer was very critical of the movie, likening Toontown to the experience of black entertainers in the 1930s and '40s (segregated, abused by the Hollywood establishment, tolerated only as long as they entertained white audiences). While I'm certain it wasn't the intent of the filmmakers to portray Toontown this way, the fact that an effective racist analogy could even be made is one more reason I dislike the movie.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a fine technical achievement, but the meanness and cruelty of the story does it in.

[Jazzman]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

In Roger Rabbit, the line separating cartoon artifice and the real world is crossed repeatedly, and suddenly the rules of both worlds are forced to coexist.

Which is the root of its brilliance.

Now Roger Rabbit getting whacked in the head (stars, birds) isn't nearly as funny.

Toons are abused in the real world for the entertainment of humans.

cartoons.

And when Eddie Valiant ventures into Toontown, what happens? After a cheery greeting, he crashes his car, is stalked by a crazed woman and becomes the butt of a cruel joke at the hands of Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse. Funny in a cartoon world, maybe, but not when the victim is a real person.

I remember reading an article around the time Roger Rabbit came out. The writer was very critical of the movie, likening Toontown to the experience of black entertainers in the 1930s and '40s (segregated, abused by the Hollywood establishment, tolerated only as long as they entertained white audiences).

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is nothing more than a fun, zany film depicting a fantasy world where cartoons come alive and interact with humans. And, if nothing else, it bestowed upon us the beauty and wonder that is Jessica Rabbit. For that alone this film is worthy of the title "Masterpiece."

[Coheteboy]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I'll have to side with Jazzman here and many other Roger Rabbit supporters. It's not a mean spirited film. It's showing the realities of how a toon world would actually exist with the real. Cartoons cannot die so they are treated as poorly as they will take it. Toons... are also created by humans so they owe a lot of their existence to entertain them. (of course... the story is that toons can die afterall with The Dip, a method used to clean animation cels for re-use; and dieing of laughter too)

But you also see how the toons can also have the last laugh as Bongo the Gorilla throws valiant out of the Ink & Paint Club.

[Aladdin]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

I fell in love with Roger Rabbit in the opening short of the movie ~
Absolutely Brilliant! One of THE BEST shorts in the history of
animation ~ And then the movie goes on to show us 'toons in the
real world, as they have never appeared before. STUNNING
Special Effects ~ one of THE best in movie history! With the props,
and the shading and other effects done on the traditionally done
'toons, this movie combined the two worlds better than any other.

The music, fits the era, and even uses The Carousel Broke Down,
a standard 'toon tune, but the music does fall short of Great. It's
good, just not GREAT. The storyline is a little dark, more along
the lines of the most recent "Batman" trilogy, But then again, the
Wizard of Oz has it's dark moments too. Adding to the mix, the
unparalleled agreements between Disney & Warner Brothers to have
Mickey and Bugs, Donald and Daffy on screen at the same time,
really makes this a movie that is in a class of its own.

Even when comparring it to other movies that try to mix traditional animation
with Live action, such as Walt's own Alice shorts, Three Caballeros, Song of
the South, Mary Poppins, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Pete's Dragon,
Cool World, Monkeybone, Space Jam, Looney Tunes Back in Action, NONE
have come close to mixing the Toon World and the Real World as successfully
as Roger Rabbit. Although RR doesn't have the great songs like we have in
Song of the South, or Mary Poppins, RR is just as groundbreaking as either
of those two movies.

[Bernstein229]

Re: Roger Rabbit, Disney Classic?

Of course Roger Rabbit is a classic. It was the first film to have characters from many different companies even though they were rivals. It was the last time that Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester) and Mae Questel (Betty Boop, Olive Oyl) who I admire both very much, played their respective characters. and it finally brought attention to animation history.