Disney - The Parent Killing Continues

So yesterday afternoon, we decided to leave the "snow bunker" and go see a movie. Parker really wanted to see "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," so off we went. Quick review - formulaic at best, it was the first movie all over again, just a different treasure hunt, and that's exactly what the third installment will be. Helen Mirren must have bought something pretty that she needed to pay for, otherwise I don't quite know why she did the movie. All that aside, it was a fun way to spend a snowy afternoon with the family.

However, the Disney parent killing machine goes on in this film. What is it about Disney and killing off a parent? Evil corporation conspiracy theory aside, what agenda does Disney have? I mean "National Treasure" opens with a father being killed in front of his son and then said father gets to die in his son's arms. Nice touch, Disney. But this goes back decades. Think about it: "Bambi" - mom blown away. "Snow White" and "Cinderella" - both had major mother issues. "The Parent Trap(s)" - both of them, divorced parents and kids patching them up. "Mulan" - if I recall, the dad dies and she goes off to fight in his name. "The Little Mermaid" - where was the mom? "Toy Story" - where was Andy's dad? I suppose if I put my mind to it, I could reel off several more examples. There's something seriously wrong with this company and its fixation on taking out a parent. I don't get it.

I do get, though, why Disney had to buy Pixar in order to save its animation arm. The movie opened with about a five minute cartoon short. It was a Goofy short and it was the longest five minutes of my life. And based on the groans heard in the nearly packed theater, everyone else was pretty chapped as well. Simply put: it sucked. Putting an age-old character like Goofy, who should have been sent to the great dog pound in the sky a long, long time ago, into the modern world and having him buy a big screen TV was beyond lame. It hurt to watch. It was proudly touted as a Disney production. Oh Pixar, where art thou? Pixar, please don't let that happen again. Please. I'm begging you.