This is a piece of WWII propaganda meant to persuade the government and the public that it was important for the US to form an independent Air Force, and to present theories of modern warfare in an easy to understand way. I had to watch this on YouTube, it's not on Disney+

This was actually pretty interesting. These theories are being presented before the war is over, and it's definitely a piece of propaganda, but I learned a heck of a lot more about the Germans' tactics during this movie than I have at all in the past. The illustration is fine. The beginning of the film includes a little brief "history of flight" that has some cute segments. Once we get into the warfare part, it's just interesting.

Notable Grossness

I am not gonna lie - other than one use of the word "Japs" for something produced DURING THE WAR this was remarkably free of racist and ethnic stereotypes. The worst image of the enemy was a metaphorical octopus spreading over the ocean illustrating supply lines being cut off. I'm honestly pretty shocked. Of course it's nationalist, rah-rah America in tone, but honestly I expected much worse.

Content Warning: Nazi symbol imagery A burning swastika is in the center of a black background, surrounded by a red hard substance, with a blue border; green arrows push towards the center, breaking up the hard substances and closing in the swastika. The caption says 'Mush the Nazis with heroic arrows'

Honestly I gave this such a high grade not because of its unique illustration or music or characters but because it serves a unique historical purpose and it was fascinating from that perspective. Apparently, the film also inspired some techniques that were used in actual warfare, see the Impact section on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Through_Air_Power_(film)

I ranked it above Dumbo because it's pretty likely I'd rewatch this film before I watched Dumbo or anything below it.

December 15th, 2020

More Disney Animated Features

A movie release poster shows a group of white people, 4 men, a woman, and a young boy, surrounding a green animated dragon with pink wings and red hair. The poster says "Coming at Christmas, Walt Disney Productions' Pete's Dragon"
Pete's Dragon
Five human actors, a woman, a man, and three children of various ages, sit on a flying brass bed with a floral blanket, with the moon and clouds behind them. Below them, illustrated animals are in various poses: two fish dance together (one in a suit); two fish and an octopus play in a band together with the words "The Briny Boys" on the front of the drum kit; an alligator, a rhino, and a gorilla run around a soccer field in yellow and green athletic outfits; a lion in a crown and red royal robe stands with one foot on the soccer ball; and a secretary bird in a suit with glasses stands watching.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Bert, a chimney sweep, Jane, a young blonde child in a red dress and yellow overcoat, Michael, a young strawberry blonde child in short pants and a button coat, and Mary Poppins, a nanny in a red dress with a black hat with white flowers, stand on a rooftop, covered in soot.
Mary Poppins
Bigfoot, a giant humanoid creature with red fur, sits in front of a cardboard box with a downward pointing arrow on the side, wearing a pair of white men's briefs underwear on his head. He holds the crotch hole open with his fingers so he can look out. Goofy, a dog-like humanoid cartoon with black skin and a pale face, and long ears, watches from his yellow car several hundred feet behind Bigfoot, with his son Max in the passenger seat; Max looks similar to Goofy.
A Goofy Movie

Recent Snark

The Lion King

February 22nd, 2022

This is a really epic movie, but it's less of my favorite than I remember. It still has some great moments and songs I like but basically, the half of the movie where Simba's away from Pride Rock is more boring than I remember, and I care a lot less about Simba when he's not a tiny baby.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

July 13th, 2021

Do I honestly even have to review this movie? I have a matching tattoo with my brothers where we each got Lock, Shock, or Barrel. I think it's safe to say I love the hell out of this movie. I've also seen it so many times, and so many times recently, that I ranked it before I even started it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Aladdin

July 6th, 2021

This is really just such a joyful piece of art, not ONLY because of Robin Williams but definitely a lot because of Robin Williams.

Beauty and the Beast

June 29th, 2021

I love Belle and the animated furniture is charming. I liked this a lot more when I was a kid.

The Rescuers Down Under

June 22nd, 2021

This is legit one of my favorite movies.

DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp

June 15th, 2021

What in the actual hell is this movie? Is this the trial run on Aladdin? But like.............a bad one? Also the literal best part of this movie is when they play the DuckTales theme. At the end. :sigh: