A Look at Disney: Top 6 Disney Dads (Moviefan12, Pt. 2)

 

Les: Ah, Gepetto! I can’t believe I didn’t think to choose him for one of my dad picks! Oh well, thanks for picking him so I can say a few things about him.

Gepetto is one of Disney’s characters who is completely pure of heart. He’s charming in an old man living with a cat and a goldfish, kind of way. It’s the very reason that the Blue Fairy grants him his wish-even if it’s conditional upon Pinocchio proving himself. His joy at finding his “little wooden head” alive and possibly becoming a real boy is like watching a little child opening up a Christmas present to find a cuddly puppy inside the box. This is a man who has a great capacity to love.

From there, he does the fatherly things that he should, like getting his son ready for school(including giving him an apple for the teacher-nice touch, Gepetto). When Pinocchio goes missing, he goes out to find him in an effort that might have inspired the Maurice character from Beauty and the Beast. When he finds Pinocchio inside Monstro(OK, technically Pinocchio fell into his arms, but c’mon! it’s a reunion, Dammit!) He shows his concern over Pinocchio’s donkey tail and ears, but looks past them because he loves his son. Later when making their escape, Gepetto does everything he can to protect Pinocchio. When Pinocchio dies to save him, he mourns the loss as any father would. His bedside vigil matches that of the Seven Dwarfs over Snow White’s Glass coffin for pure heartbreaking sadness.

Les: Nice pick and for all the right reasons, my friend. Voiced by Lance Hendrickson, Kerchack is not only Tarzan’s adoptive father, but father to the entire Gorilla colony as it’s leader. He’s the one who attempts to defend them from the jaguar before he’s injured and Tarzan tag-teams with him to finish the job. You never doubt that he puts the colony above his own needs and that’s the quality a father must have.

Les: Wow!! I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right! Marlin and Triton do have very similar arcs in their journeys to be better fathers. King Triton, voiced by Kenneth Mars, has a tremendous amount of fire in his passion. In the beginning it makes him arrogant and tunnel visioned completely ignoring Ariel’s dreams(particularly in the scene where he destroys her collection of other world trinkets). Later, as he realizes just how foolish he’s been he doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice his freedom and the kingdom to Ursula to save Ariel from becoming a kelp creature for the Sea Witch’s doorstep. In the end, he let’s her go to be with her love and it makes him humble and heroic.

You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life

That along with when young Simba asks Mufasa if they’ll be pals forever are just so touching.  This quote though is something that Simba probably didn’t want to hear but needed to hear and sometimes the only person that can deliver the painful truth like this is dear ol’ dad.   Again,  James Earl Jones’  voice just adds more weight to this line.  I honestly don’t think any other voice actor or actor in general could put the same weight into this line.

Les: I Completely agree, my friend. I saw this play so I know the song you referred to, and He Lives in You is a hauntingly powerful song. It really captures the feelings behind that scene. James Earl Jones was perfectly cast. I don’t think anyone else could’ve pulled off Mufassa’s power, wisdom and compassion any better. That scene where Mufassa has to teach young Simba a lesson for disobeying him and putting Nala in danger in the Elephant’s graveyard, is a magnificent scene showing an important father/son moment. When young Simba puts his small paw inside Mufasa’s huge footprint you can see the wheels turning in his head wondering if he’ll ever be big enough inside to fill his father’s “shoes.” Mufasa, a powerful Lion, a powerful Voice and a powerful Father. Excellent pick, my friend.

1.  Goofy – A Goofy Movie

Moviefan12:  When I came up with this list, I automatically knew that I wanted Goofy to take the top spot. To me he is just the perfect Disney Dad. He tries his hardest to be a good dad to Max even if it does embarrass Max a tad but through their road trip they learn how to be a better father and son.  Goofy may not be the smartest but I think he has the biggest heart.  I mean he helps Max sneak into a concert to help him impress Roxanne.  How awesome is that?

There is just something about seeing Goofy and Max onstage with Powerline that makes me feel that they have finally come to understand what each other needs.   Which granted is probably better explored in Nobody Else But You

This is a really sweet song and to me it shows how much Goofy and Max truly care about another.  They’ll stick by each other through thick and thin.  There is never any doubt  that Goofy loves Max but Goofy just doesn’t know the right way to express it because he doesn’t want to lose Max and to me that is understandable.  I really think through this trip, he finally understands that Max is growing up and that he needs to Max his own space.   Also Goofy has been a dad a lot longer than some of the other entries on both lists.

Les: That’s true, when you think about it. Goofy, through the Goof Troop show, A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie, has been shown raising Max from a small child all the way through going off to college. That’s an impressive stretch of time. You’re absolutely correct that through all of it, he’s shown a lot of heart in the way he’s weathered the changes that occur as your child grows up. Goofy is always supportive of Max and tries to be there (sometimes to Max’s embarrassment, but then again, as a father, myself, I’m noticing that that’s part of the bonding experience and your kids come to appreciate the attention as a sign of proof that you love them). Plus, I never thought Goofy wasn’t smart, but rather simple in his tastes. When it comes down to it, he really does have a lot of common sense-he’s just really clumsy LOL! I gotta hand it to you, Moviefan12. I really like your #1 pick. Good choice.

Moviefan12:  Thanks, glad you liked my pick for # 1 and now I know you said that you didn’t watch House of Mouse but that also shows how their relationship expands once Max enters the workforce. I mean sure,  Max and Goofy are working at the same place but Goofy has to come realize that Max is an adult now and he needs to trust Max to act like one. A great example of this is the the episode, Max’s New Car, where Max wants a new car but Goofy doesn’t think he is ready for one.  In the end, he gets when the gang helps Max by showing that Goofy wasn’t the greatest driver using clips from the previously reviewed,  Freewayphobia.    Now the ironic thing here though was that Max was the valet for the House of Mouse.

Moviefan12:  I hope that you have enjoyed this special two part cross over.  Thanks again to Positive Troll for joining me to take a look at our favorite Disney Dads.   Tell me who are some of the Disney Dads that you would have included on this list?  Also on a sidenote, does anyone know  who that dad standing between the dad from Atlantis and Mulan’s dad is?   If so, could you tell me in the comments, thanks.

Les: It was a privilege, my friend. I had a blast discussing this with you, and I hope Manic  fans had fun reading us today. I’ll see you all around the blog. Peace.

Moviefan12: Now I would like to end this with a very touching Disney AMV set to the song, Butterfly Kisses.