Have you ever noticed...

[ajt_2002]

Have you ever noticed that in all Disney movies that one of the parents are always gone or dead. For example the new movie brother bear he doesn't have parents and in the first couple minutes of Finding Nemo, Nemo's mom gets killed. Now that I think of it all movies are like this. Can you think of one that isn't? What message is this sending out to the little ones? Disney is suppose to be happy and about families, then for them to make a movie why do they always have to kill someone? What are your thoughts on this?

[YellowMan]

Hmm...I think the lack of one of (or both) parents helps to push the story somewhat. It creates more sympathetic characters and creates more conflict as they have to "go it alone" so to speak. Either way, I don't think it's detracting from it being a family film since most end with a message of family also including your friends and loved ones or that families don't have to be complete (with a mother, father, and kids) to be real.

In either case, I don't find it odd at all and it doesn't bother me one bit.

[MickeyGoof]

Pocahantas wasnt like that (he jumps in front of the shot that was meant for her dad though)

[Iceprincessk25]

The parents in Mary Poppins are together still. Parent trap, they are still alive and they eventually get back together.

[ajt_2002]

[QUOTE=Tru, but I'm mainly asking about the cartoons.

[Maxdad]

Movies are all about good storytelling, and a good story requires conflict. Added ethos where a person overcomes adversity in spite of their handicaps only enhances the character development.
Disney is especially vulnerable to the scenario because they produce so many youth oriented stories that depend on the wiles of the protagonist to carry the plot forward. As YellowMan points out, If the character has few parent figures to deal with in the plot, then the plot can move ahead more quickly.
That's not to say parents can't work in the story, or that Disney makes a concerted effort to produce films with kids in less than a two parents. But the issue of becoming an independent person is extremely important to the target audience age group. .. and sometimes, the lack of a parent or parents drives the very heart of a story with this theme.
Look at the primary themes in Disney Lore. Lady and the Tramp (tramp finds a home), Lilo and Stitch (Ohana), Pinnochio(taking responsibility as a family member), Parent Trap (preserving family transcends personal ambitions), 101 Dalmations (Families stick together),... even Zenon the Zequel (families of the future support each other... even if they don't know what that kid is up to). The over arching theme is the importance of a family, no matter what form the family takes.

And that is so much like life. If you really consider it, everyone has a unique family situation. Some are traditional Mom/Dad, some are not. But whatever the situation, each individual is an important part of the mix... and that makes good movies.

A very astute observation, ajt. It makes for good conversation.

[Greg]

umm, in mulan both parents are together!

[ajt_2002]

Wow thanks for the imput MaxDad but you need to get some new hobbies ya practically wrote a novel

[YellowMan]

Wow thanks for the imput MaxDad but you need to get some new hobbies ya practically wrote a novel

Maxdad's post was the perfect length to get his point across. Read around a bit. There have been much, much longer posts in the past here.

[motoXmagicDCA]

sleeping beauty both of the parents are alive and well she just has to go live with the fairies