Analysis Of Two Disney Films Matthew Connor
Recently I have been watching two Disney films on completely different sides of the Disney timeline. “Pinocchio” was made in 1940 using cell animation with the story taken from an existing folk tale. “Toy Story” was made in 1995 and it was the first computer generated feature film. This created a whole new genre of computer-animated films such as “Finding Nemo” and the recent “Incredibles”. Both of these films use a toy as the main character and as always they both fit into the conventions of any Disney film.
The narrative structure of both films is in some way similar as both of the main characters are separated from home and the films involve them trying to get back. Each Disney film has the equilibrium, a disruption of this equilibrium and finally the successful restoration of this equilibrium (Todorov’s theory). The equilibrium in “Toy Story” is when woody is idolised by the toys and he is Andy’s favourite. This equilibrium soon gets disrupted when Andy gets a new favourite toy and woody is jealous. Woody therefore tries to get rid of buzz resulting in both of them being separated from home and Woody losing the trust of the toys. The restoration is when Buzz and Woody are best friends and they are reunited with Andy and the toys. One thing different with “Toy Story” is that the story is left with a cliffhanger for a sequel when Andy receives a dog as a present. The equilibrium of “Pinocchio” is when he becomes alive and Gepetto gets the son he always wanted. This is disrupted when Pinocchio is tricked to go to the theatre for money and is therefore separated from home. The restoration is when “Pinocchio” is rewarded for being honest and brave by being turned into a real boy.
