Issue III - Best Disney Movie

Sons at the Round Table

Issue III

Best Disney Movie

N: I’m not even sure why we’re going to have this discussion as we all know that it’s the Lion King, but we may as well go through the progressions, just for fun.  Anything that you guys think gets close to the Lion King?

AW: Um, dad, Frozen is the best Disney movie ever.

LK: I have to go with Aiden on this one, dad. It has the best soundtrack, the best story line, the best characters, and it’s something that we as Minnesotans should be very familiar with, considering that it takes place in our own back yard.  Why are you so against this film anyway?

N: I’m not.  It’s decent, but people are on this train the same way they loved Taylor Swift, Marithe Francois Girbaud’s, The Titanic, Toyota Camry’s, and every other cute little thing that gets introduced to the world and we automatically assume we now live in a better place.  Frozen did not do that for me, on the contrary, I think I hate winter even more now.  Who would want those powers?

LT: Go Dad.  But it’s neither of those films.  It’s Beauty and the Beast. BEST characters ever, it’s got a much better storyline than Frozen with ethical values like sacrifice, recovery, forgiveness among many others.  Elsa’s rather selfish and cold.  Belle is family-oriented and warm, which is more impressive considering her circumstances.  It has the greatest song ever written for the title, and has gone way beyond what Disney may have ever had planned for it between going on Broadway, and released as a Disney on Ice version. 

AW: No, Lucas, it doesn’t have the greatest song of all-time.  That is “Let It Go” and I’ve even caught you singing it in the car with us.

N: It’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight!” What is going on with you guys, this was supposed to be easy!

LK: Lion King is good, dad, there’s no doubt about it.  But Timon and Pumba are kind of used as comic relief, and I think that you wouldn’t need that if you could stand alone with just the greatness of the film.

N: Um... Olaf?

LK: Olaf is very necessary.  He also shows great loyalty to Anna, and fits the association that Anna had with Elsa when she sings “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”, another great classic.

LT: It’s cheesy.

AW: You sing that one too.

LT: I don’t think so.  I sing, “Tale as old as time...” Best song mentioned so far.

N: Second.  And Simba’s life journey is way more valuable than either Anna’s or Beast’s.  Beast is saved by a woman that doesn’t exist in the high heavens, let alone on earth, and Anna falls in love with an idiot.

AW: She was deceived, dad!  Blinded by fancy clothes and finished sandwiches and the like.

N: Simba returns not only for himself, but to avenge his father’s death.  If that isn’t sacrificial, I might as well leave this meeting.

LT: Go, get gone.  I’ll take over the show. (I leave in disgust).

LT: Well, boys, we’re not leaving until I convince you that Frozen is the biggest fraud since Barney... that guy does not love kids, he’s creepy... anyway, Beauty and the Beast has a better villain, a more imposing castle, a better fight scene, and a better theme song.  It’s better than Frozen on ice, which tastes like a little bit of satire to me, and when the curse is lifted on everyone at the end of the movie... ah... it just gets me every time.

LK: It’s a good film, I will agree, I just think Frozen has a better foundation.  Two great protagonists, excellent drama, and personally, a story about two sisters that learn about unconditional love is a better love tale than that of the rags to riches.

LT: You’re ridiculous.  It’s not rags to riches; it’s a story of redemption and forgiveness for the horrible crimes that the prince had committed before meeting and falling in love with Belle.

AW: Yeah, Logan’s right.  It’s a poor girl that realizes she needs a castle and puts on a fake to marry the big, bad beast.  Frozen is about family, love, loss and faith.  Tough to beat that.

LT: Dad was right.  You guys are crazy. (Slams door behind him.)

LK: Actually, Aiden, I probably do like Lion King more.  But I don’t like when dad razzes on Frozen.

AW: Me too.  But he doesn’t need to know that.