What is Disney's Most Divisive Movie?

[@MrGabeanator]

Roger Ebert called this movie the best animated Disney picture since beauty and the beast if only the box office could’ve reflected that and it might have if Jeffrey Katzenbergs resignation hadn’t screwed everything up cause it close to the same scale and say what you want about the film but there’s no denying that Alan Menken turns in one of the best soundtracks he’s ever written for a Disney animated film and that’s saying something

[@moviemadness2536]

Alan Menken himself felt his soundtrack for The Hunchback of Notre Dame was the best he ever did for Disney.

[@MrGabeanator]

@@moviemadness2536 as he should

[@MovieEnforcer]

Great video. I did want to debunk these common crictisms made against Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame: I’ve seen a lot of stale criticisms of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), and I want to address a few. I’m not saying people are wrong for disliking it, but I’m debunking claims that I think are repetitive and misinformed. My History with This Movie: Growing up, The Lion King (1994), Toy Story 1 (1996), Aladdin (1993), and Tarzan (1999) were my favorites. As a kid, I didn't like Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) along with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1990), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). I found them too dark and a lot of the subject matter was very hard for me to grasp as a kid. But in high school, I rewatched them and fell in love. Esmeralda and Jessica Rabbit are also so God Damn hot, and yes I know they are not real and I understand the difference between fantasy and reality. The Horrible Sequel: Like The Lion King II (1997), the overrated Toy Story 2 (1999), and the overrated tonally inconsistent Toy Story 3 (2010), Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002) is a soulless cash grab. The Gargoyles in the sequel? Hard pass. The Stage Plays: The 1999-2002 Berlin stage play is even better than the movie-darker, more intense, and includes Esmeralda’s death. The 2013 King’s Academy production was good but had a cop-out ending where Esmeralda survives. I preferred how the movie handled it. The Novel & American Musical: Victor Hugo's original novel was a letdown-too long, preachy, and the characters weren’t likable. Frollo in the novel lacked the menace he had in the Disney version. The American musical tried meshing the novel and movie, which didn’t work for me. The Greek Chorus was annoying, and only "Rhythm of the Tambourine" stood out. Nitpicks: How did people recognize Quasimodo during the Festival of Fools if he’d never left the bell tower? After Frollo's death, everything in Paris seems to magically return to normal. I like the Gargoyles but wish it was clearer if they were real or in Quasimodo’s imagination. "A Guy Like You" is my least favorite song and could’ve been placed better. Frollo’s death was awesome, but I think Esmeralda should’ve been allowed to kill him as originally planned. Anywho onto the debuks: 5. "The Gargoyles Ruin the Tone & ‘A Guy Like You’ Is Out of Place”: I liked the Gargoyles in the movie. They’re funny and charming, especially Hugo. Sure, they’re not for everyone, but I don’t think they ruin the tone. They’re barely in the movie, and their humor, often geared towards adults, doesn’t contradict its dark themes. As for A Guy Like You, while it's my least favorite song, I still like it. It's meant to cheer Quasimodo up, and I don't find it out of place. People say it's cringe, but it’s supposed to be. 4. "The Gypsies Are Racial Stereotypes”: This criticism is blown out of proportion. The gypsies’ actions, especially during The Court of Miracles scene, are explained by their history of persecution. They mistrust outsiders like Quasimodo and Phoebus because they were previously affiliated with Frollo. Their portrayal reflects the danger they face, and their actions make sense in the context of the story. 3. "Quasimodo Not Getting the Girl Contradicts the Message”: Quasimodo doesn’t end up with Esmeralda, but that’s fine. The film hints at Esmeralda’s feelings for Phoebus early on, and while I understand why people wanted Quasimodo to be with her, his character wasn’t emotionally mature for a relationship. This decision was surprising but refreshing, and it doesn’t contradict the film's themes. 2. "Judge Frollo is One-Dimensional”: Frollo is my favorite Disney villain, and calling him one-dimensional is absurd. He’s a narcissistic sociopath who truly believes he’s right, which makes him terrifying. Historically, people like him (think Adolf Hitler, Richard Nixon) existed, making him the most realistic Disney villain. Just because a villain or anyone in general believes that they are the good guy and believes what they are doing is right, doens't make them sympathetic nor redeemable. Villains or people in general can be the hero of their own story and be pure evil and Frollo is the text book definition of that. Schmcukfrillas is an idiot who no idea what he's talking about. 1. "The Movie is Tonally Inconsistent”: People exaggerate the tonal shifts in the movie. Yes, there are lighthearted moments, but they don’t last long and fit within the narrative. Movies and TV Shows like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Batman: Mask of The Phantasm (1993), Batman: The Animated Series (1992-2000), Superman The Aniamted Series (1996-2002), Spider-Man The Animated Series (1996-2002), Justice League The Animated Series (2002-2005), Cowboy Bebop (1999-2002), Gargoyles (1994-1996), Corpse Bride (2005), and Naruto (2002-2005) do the same thing, blending dark themes with occasional humor. If you think Hunchback is tonally inconsistent, then by that logic, so are those shows. Also have they seen Haunted Mansion (2003) or the overrated Toy Story 3 (2010)? Those movies are the text book defination of tonally inconistent. Ultimately, I know not everyone will agree with me, but these debunks address what I believe are flawed arguments against a fantastic movie. If there are any other criticisms, feel free to let me know. Check out these stage versions: 1999-2002 Berlin Disney Stage Musical: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roGblIBshreed5Y 2013 King’s Academy Disney Stage Musical: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nISVfWyimMp1idk

[@timothyvanhoeck233]

I'm gonna have to call out your comparison of Nixon and Hitler being in the same vein. After all, for all his faults, Nixon nevertheless was not a genocidal despot bent on world domination and racial supremacy the way Hitler was, and there is also evidence to suggest he had a pretty good reason for doing what he did regarding the events surrounding Watergate, though he obviously went about it in the absolutely worst way possible, to his own detriment (sometimes bad things are done with good intentions. Doesn't make them right in doing so, of course, but still). To compare a petty government office robber to a tyrannical, genocidal maniac is frankly, ridiculous, and honestly, it trivializes the horrific crimes against humanity committed by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime.

[@MovieEnforcer]

@@timothyvanhoeck233 I don't disagree. Adolf Hitler is definately worse than Richard Nixon. No argument there. However Richard Nixon was still terrible and a horrible president and has also comitted war crimes. Not as bad as Hitler obviously but he was still horrible. I just brought up Adolf Hitler and Richard Nixon for two reason: 1. Adolf Hitler and Richard Nixon were inspirations for Judge Frollo (last time I checked). 2. I was using that as a point that people like Judge Frollo have existed and sadly still exist in the real world. Besides I was mostly talking about Frollo.

[@epache315]

7:04 Oh My God! How Dark Is This Disney Movie Man!

[@squallrowlandson8028]

Great analysis and I agree so much with your points. THOND is one of the Disney films with a lot of dark bold topics that make it both an underrated gem and it couldn't be made today.

[@moviemadness2536]

Thank you very much. I'm really happy that you enjoyed the video.

[@squallrowlandson8028]

@@moviemadness2536 Yes and even though I dislike Frollo as a character and the toxic side of his fandom, I know why he's so popular because he's a realistic villain and his voice actor Tony Jay was brilliant. I can also speculate that Jon Pertwee would've been immortalised had he voiced Frollo (instead of Tony Jay) as his final film and only villain role before he passed away in 1996.

[@epache315]

7:04 Esmeralda She Hits Judge Frollo She Hit Him

[@epache315]

Disney's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Memoriam Jane Withers Mary Wickes Mary Kay Bergman Charles Kimbrough David Ogden Stiers and Tony Jay 😢😢😢😢😭😭😭

[@nicki_p_jones]

I don't really like disney films but I love this movie. Good video! Thanks for making it :)

[@moviemadness2536]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@epache315]

Judge Frollo Holy Hellfire! ❤️🖤💜🔥

[@epache315]

R.I.P. David Ogden Stiers and Tony Jay The Archdeacon and Judge Frollo are now in Heaven 😭😭😭😢😢😢😢

[@moviemadness2536]

Unlike Frollo...

[@epache315]

Judge Frollo's Temporary Was Getting Out Of Control

[@vetarlittorf1807]

Hunchback might have been better appreciated if the gargoyles weren't in it. Or at least if they were just inanimate objects that Quasimodo talks to in order to cope with loneliness, Cast Away style. It is unfortunate how Disney movies are dictated by their marketing department. Walt Disney himself even hated the family-friendly image his company had received. He always wanted to do more mature movies like To Kill A Mockingbird and experimental animated movies.

[@moviemadness2536]

Walt Disney didn't hate his family-friendly image. He hated being seen as EXCLUSSIVELY for kids. If anything, a family-friendly image is what he actually wanted, but got stuck with the reputation of only being for children, keeping his more ambitious projects from being successful.

[@epache315]

🇺🇲Disney's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (🇲🇽Disney's El Jorobado De Notre Dame)

[@epache315]

I usually Watched Disney's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame 1 and 2 in 🇺🇲English and Spanish 🇲🇽

[@bowserbreaker2515]

Hunchback is my second-favorite Disney movie. It is great. But I do think it should've been rated PG. Even for 1996, it still should've been PG. The Prince of Egypt was rated PG, and this went harder. And while I'm glad Disney made this, I'm also happy they won't make something like this again. This was an interesting one-time thing.

[@moviemadness2536]

Yeah, it's a little intense for a G-rated movie.

[@bowserbreaker2515]

@@moviemadness2536 These days, I have no doubt in my mind this would get a PG rating. So would the other Disney renaissance films, too. Lion King, Tarzan, etc.

[@moviemadness2536]

@@bowserbreaker2515 Yeah, they've cracked down on the ratings a lot since then.