We Want Media

If I were a Disney character, I would be Cinderella. She was a blonde princess with glass slippers and a blue gown. What I always forget is that she is a cartoon.

I grew up in an era of two-dimensional cartoons. But animation studios like Pixar soon discovered that audiences liked a new, updated version of cartoons—3D animation. That’s fine. I suppose that things always change, mostly for the good. Apparently, Disney needed an upgrade after a series of flops leading to 2002. Honestly, I cannot remember a good Disney cartoon movie since The Lion King. (Some may choose to argue Mulan or Hercules, but I am more than willing to debate that issue if you feel the desire. And I am positive I will win.)

John Lasseter, chief creative officer of animation for the Walt Disney Company (and founder of Pixar), is trying to reintroduce hand-drawn movies into the cartoon scene. While I am completely thrilled—I would kill to re-live the glory days of Cinderella and Dumbo—I don’t think his idea will be met with much success.

The New York Times points out that the cartoons I was raised on, and even generations before me, simply do not have the same relevance for today’s children: The sweet wholesome tales of Mickey Mouse and friends don’t have the same relevance for a generation raised on violent video games, distracted by 500 cable channels and preoccupied with Web diversions like MySpace.

Sorry, Mr. Lasseter. You can send me personal copies of your latest animated works. I am sure those of my generation might relish the nostalgia. But I wouldn’t expect the little kiddies to embrace a medium that is so foreign and backwards to what they now know—life-like animation. Let’s face it, the more real the better. Sad, but true.