Disney at the Academy Awards
The 80th Annual Academy Awards commenced last night with its usual amount of glitz and glamour. Disney was represented in eight different categories with ten nominations: Ratatouille for Best Animated Feature Film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End for Best Makeup, Ratatouille for Best Music (Score), Enchanted (times three) for Best Music (Song), Ratatouille for Best Sound Editing, Ratatouille for Best Sound Mixing, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End for Best Visual Effects, and Ratatouille for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).
Ratatouille won for Best Animated Feature Film, something that very likely surprised no one. Otherwise, Disney went unappreciated for its other nominations. Unsurprisingly, Enchanted did not win, despite its three nominations within the same category. What some consider a travesty for Pirates of the Caribbean is that the very beautiful visual effects that were awarded were not for Pirates but instead for The Golden Compass, which had very little else going for it due to some bad studio decisions. This is, apparently, a source of consternation for many Disney-fan bloggers who feel that despite its many nominations (recognitions all on their own), it was under-awarded due to bias or straight-out Disney “hate.” What I have to ask, however, is: What makes the Disney films so much more deserving of these awards than another film which did, in fact, get the award? The cries that the Academy is full of “idiots” and needs to be replaced are not convincing. They aren’t even mature and well-stated enough to be taken seriously.
Disney was recognized ten times for three films in eight categories; not a poor representation. That they did not win except in one category does imply that these films were not the best of the best. Does this make these films less enjoyable? It shouldn’t. Disney frankly does not need the recognition of an award to sell their movies. The brand can do that all on its own. This Disney fan does not think that the academy were out of line in their decisions. So Disney didn’t get the big recognition that everyone was hoping for. So what? Ratatouille got a well-deserved award and Pirates and Enchanted got nods in multiple categories. I am satisfied with this outcome, and those who aren’t ought to learn to swallow their sour grapes.
