When I was a kid, I was super lucky to have parents that made sure my sisters and I had every great kids movie on VHS. (Those of which now happily crowd the shelf in my room.) Growing up, I memorized the lyrics to every playful song, the script of every Star Wars adventure (even the prequels) and appreciated every mediocre straight-to-video sequel. Part of the person I am today is because of the movies I watched as a child and I am so thankful for that.
However, the good memories associated with them are often clouded by my current judgment. Over the years, there have been a few details of my favorite childhood movies that I've found a little troubling. When I mention them to people, some agree with me and some think I'm crazy. But I'll let you guys be the judge of that with the 8 movies I decided to spotlight.
(Note: the issues I have with the movies on this list have no effect on my immense love for them. Even with their slight flaws, I will always cherish these movies with all of my heart.)
1. Anastasia - her hair
While it doesn't really seem like there's a set villain in this movie, in my opinion, it's the Dentist! He freaking steals a small clownfish from the Great Barrier Reef, which I'm pretty sure is some sort of crime and he acts all high and might because he thinks he "saved" him! YOU ARE WRONG, SIR! You are the whole reason Nemo had to be found in the first place!
2. Aladdin Return of Jafar - Genie's voice
So for those of you who don't know, Disney had a bit of a falling out with Robin Williams in the mid nineties, so for the first follow up to Aladdin, Genie was voiced by Dan Castanalleta (aka Homer Simpson). No offense to him, but a Genie without Robin Williams is nothing but a phony, and even as a child I smelled something fishy with this particular sequel. Luckily Disney made up with Robin later and he came back for the King of Thieves.
3. Toy Story 2 - Andy's Mom
After Woody's arm got ripped a little bit, she immediately discourages him and Andy by mentioning toys don't last forever but ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS SEW HIS ARM BACK UP! Andy's mom made Woody feel like disposable crap when she literally could've done some basic sewing to prevent Woody's existential crisis of wanting to ditch Andy for a Japanese museum.
4. Star Wars - THE INCEST
There are so many things wrong with the relationship between Luke and Leia. Dude, she kissed him!! Obviously, towards the end of the OG trilogy they backed off each other but how did Han not question it at all?? If I were him it would at least be worth a conversation and he just kind of ignored it. Yikes!
5. A Bug's Life - the rest of the ant colony (except Flick)
I have a real problem with people (or in this case ants) who don't embrace progress. The rest of the ants completely disregarded Flicks pretty cool inventions that (with a few tweaks) could have made their lives waaay easier. Maybe if Flick had more friends aside from little princess Dot who believed in him and helped him, Flick might've invented some defense weapons, revolted against Hopper and the rest of his crew, and all their problems could've been avoided.
6. Thumbelina - people trying to marry her
If you haven't seen this movie before, the title character meets a fairy prince, falls in love after one night together, but is then kidnapped before they can be reunited. Cute beginning sure, but the creepy part is that on her journey home, literally EVERYBODY she meets on her way wants to put a ring on it! Not only is Thumbelina like, 15 years old, but the people trying to marry her are not actually people, they're ANIMALS (a toad/frog, a beetle and a mole)! Don't know about you, just because they're the same size, does not mean I'm cool with interspecies "love".
7. Toy Story - Sid's parent(s)
Where are they?!? I'm no doctor but if I knew a kid was blowing up and/or mutilating toys on the daily for his amusement, you best believe I'd think there's something wrong with him. If I were Sid's mom I would've totally set him up with weekly therapy seshes to figure out just what the Hell is going on in his head instead of letting him do his clearly-psychotic thing.
8. The Little Mermaid - Ariel's questionable motives
OK, sorry, I know we all love her but the girl was 16! Nine times out of ten, people don't marry their teenage crushes! Honestly, I think risking life, limb and family for some dude I liked when I was 16 would be INSANE. I think Ariel should've sat to think how much of an impulsive mermaid she was being before she risked the entire ocean to an evil sea witch for the first cute guy with legs that she saw.