{"id":39429,"date":"2015-06-02T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=39429"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:49:38","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:49:38","slug":"movie-review-home-range","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-home-range\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Home on the Range"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Home<\/a><\/p>\n

DVD Cover Copyright Disney<\/em><\/p>\n

Home on the Range<\/em> was theatrically released as the forty-fifth full length animated feature in Disney history on April 2, 2004. It is seventy-six minutes in length.<\/p>\n

The film started towards its eventual structure in 2001, changing course from an initial project called \u201cSweating Bullets,\u201d which was scheduled to be released in late 2003. (1) Home on the Range <\/em>maintained many elements from \u201cSweating Bullets,\u201d including composer Alan Menken\u2019s music. (2)<\/p>\n

Plot Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Way out west, a notorious crook named Alameda Slim swipes Abner Dixon\u2019s cattle in the middle of the night, and, void of alternatives, the elderly Dixon sells both his farm and the one cow that was not taken, Maggie. Maggie is sold to Pearl Gesner, the owner of the \u201cPatch of Heaven\u201d farm, which holds numerous animals, including two cows: the stuffy Mrs. Calloway and the socially-awkward Grace.<\/p>\n

The three cows are quickly united by a common goal, detaining Slim. You see, finances are dire, and if Pearl does not pay her $750 debt to the bank within three days, Patch of Heaven will be auctioned off. Conveniently, a $750 reward is being offered for the capture of Slim, but three little cows are just no match for a professional bandit. Right?<\/p>\n

Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

The plot of Home on the Range <\/em>is poorly developed. The mental state of Pearl over her farm\u2019s probable demise is captivating and depressing at moments, but this turmoil serves more as a loose thread than a focal point. The eccentric behaviors of individual characters are more interesting and engaging than the story itself, which unfolds with no real direction. In other words, comic relief dominates in Home on the Range <\/em>at the expense of storytelling. I personally love comedies and enjoyed Home on the Range<\/em> but not because of its plot.<\/p>\n

Lucky Jack the rabbit illustrates the plot\u2019s shallowness. Jack is teased in the introduction and plays a fairly significant role later on, yet he feels like a complete afterthought. He was there but did not add anything.<\/p>\n

Faith<\/strong><\/p>\n

When hope seems lost, the easiest option is to sit and quietly await imminent doom. Maggie, conversely, encourages a more proactive strategy, working with Mrs. Calloway and Grace to help Pearl keep her farm.<\/p>\n

Underdogs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Great feats are often attempted by seemingly inferior beings. In Home on the Range<\/em>, baby chicks try to change Mrs. Calloway\u2019s decisions, and the cows embark on their grand mission to reign in Slim.<\/p>\n

Animation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The animation quality in Home on the Range<\/em> is inconsistent. While many of the backgrounds, especially the skies, are excellent, other portions are reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons. The animation of the pigs borders on horrid.<\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s rendition of \u201cYodle-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Oo\u201d features abstract animation and alternating colors.<\/p>\n

Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

Home on the Range <\/em>is not a musical, but it features a solid soundtrack. All of the film\u2019s songs were composed by Alan Menken, who did the same for The Little Mermaid <\/em>(1989), Beauty and the Beast <\/em>(1991), Aladdin<\/em> (1992), Pocahontas<\/em> (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame<\/em> (1996), and Hercules <\/em>(1997).<\/p>\n

The featured number, \u201cHome on the Range,\u201d adds excitement and anticipation throughout, and \u201cLittle Patch of Heaven\u201d provides a fun introduction to Pearl\u2019s farm. You will likely want to jump up and dance to the latter number!<\/p>\n

My favorite song in the movie, however, is \u201cWill the Sun Ever Shine Again.\u201d This beautiful song, which is performed by Bonnie Raitt, deals with regaining hope in the darkest moments of life.<\/p>\n

Some of the characters sing as a hobby. Slim\u2019s yodeling is captivating enough to hypnotize his listeners, while Grace\u2026well, I have nothing nice to say about her singing, so I will not comment on it\u2026 Ok, her singing is comically bad! There; I said it. Now, let\u2019s move on to another topic.<\/p>\n

Humor<\/strong><\/p>\n

If not consistently hilarious, the flick\u2019s perpetual humor will probably keep you grinning\u2026or rolling your eyes.<\/p>\n

Verbal humor, including homophones, slang, translations, and puns, are incorporated throughout the movie.<\/p>\n

Maggie enjoys county fairs, barnyard football, and having fun in general. She can be gross with the piggies, but they do not seem to mind; fortunately or otherwise for the audience, this movie was not enhanced for Odorama.<\/p>\n

Buck the horse is a \u201clegend in his own mind.\u201d He dreams of becoming the next Rocky Balboa but is relegated to playing tic-tac-toe, where he currently trails Rusty the dog by a 27-6 score.<\/p>\n

A man named Morse reads a telegram to Sheriff Sam Brown. Samuel Morse invented the electric telegraph in 1837.<\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s henchmen are seemingly incapable of recognizing their master incognito. Come on guys, it\u2019s me; I\u2019m just wearing a disguise!<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract animation is also incorporated in Fantasia <\/em>(1940), Dumbo <\/em>(1941), and various segments of the package films of the 1940s.<\/p>\n

The Wild West is also the setting for the \u201cBlue Shadows on the Trail\u201d and \u201cPecos Bill\u201d segments of Melody Time<\/em> (1948).<\/p>\n

Close relationships between animals and humans are also formed in Cinderella <\/em>(1950), Lady and the Tramp <\/em>(1955), The Jungle Book<\/em> (1967), The Aristocats <\/em>(1970), The Fox and the Hound <\/em>(1981), Aladdin<\/em>, and Tarzan <\/em>(1999).<\/p>\n

Like Slim, Vice Principal Lamar Bone from Disney\u2019s \u201cDoug\u201d enjoys yodeling, though the latter does not use it as a form of hypnosis.<\/p>\n

In appearance and mannerisms, Lucky Jack reminds me of the title character from Who Framed Roger Rabbit<\/em> (1988).<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although no attractions or regular character meets directly based on Home on the Range<\/em> are featured in Disney\u2019s theme parks, guests can interact with cows, pigs, and goats at the \u201cAffection Section\u201d petting zoo in the Rafiki\u2019s Planet Watch area of Walt Disney World\u2019s Animal Kingdom theme park.<\/p>\n

\"Home<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Copyright Kathy Anderson<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Kathy<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Copyright Kathy Anderson<\/em><\/p>\n

Horseback riding and pony rides are offered for an extra charge at Walt Disney World\u2019s Fort Wilderness Resort\u2019s \u201cTri-Circle-D Ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

A runaway train is featured in Home on the Range<\/em>, and related attractions are offered at Disney\u2019s parks. The \u201cBig Thunder Mountain Railroad\u201d roller coaster is a staple at Walt Disney World\u2019s Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Park in California, Tokyo Disneyland Park, and Disneyland Park Paris. The latter is the most interesting version of this coaster as the bulk of the ride takes place on what is \u201cTom Sawyer Island\u201d at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, California.<\/p>\n

A more intense runaway train ride can be found in the Animal Kingdom\u2019s \u201cExpedition Everest,\u201d which includes a backwards section.<\/p>\n

The train chaos in Home on the Range<\/em> commences in a mine. The Magic Kingdom\u2019s Fantasyland houses \u201cSeven Dwarfs Mine Train,\u201d a tame coaster with some thematic surprises.<\/p>\n

A luau like the one mentioned by Maggie to the piggies is offered every Tuesday through Saturday at Walt Disney World\u2019s Polynesian Village Resort. This luau, \u201cDisney\u2019s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show,\u201d features a meal and theatrical entertainment.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Relying on perpetual humor to atone for a shallow plot, Home on the Range<\/em> is one of Disney\u2019s weaker animated movies. Still, it is a fun watch if you limit your expectations. I thought it would be awful but was pleasantly surprised.<\/p>\n

Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Brayton, T. (2009, December 11). DISNEY ANIMATION: CATTLE OUT THE OL’ WAZZOO. Retrieved May 9, 2015, from http:\/\/antagonie.blogspot.com\/2009\/12\/disney-animation-cattle-out-ol-wazzoo.html<\/a><\/p>\n

2) Stuart, J. (2001, July 1). COVER STORY \/ SPEAKING PARTS \/ Hollywoods biggest stars may be staying in the background, but their talents are audible in a host of animated films: [ALL EDITIONS]. Newsday<\/em>, p. D06. Retrieved May 9, 2015, from http:\/\/0-search.proquest.com.alpha1.suffolk.lib.ny.us\/docview\/279430336?accountid=35174<\/a><\/p>\n

What do you think of Home on the Range? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sponsored Ad:<\/strong>\u00a0 Would you like to help support The Mouse For Less website in continuing their mission of being THE Disney vacation planning resource?\u00a0 You can do so by purchasing Home on the Range<\/a> from our Affiliate Link through Amazon. Thanks so much for your support!<\/p>\n

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