Should Disney Films Introduce New Narrative Structures and Themes?

Disney has once again knocked it out of the park. This year has been a fantastic year for animation. Not only have we gotten innovative and stunning visuals through impressive techniques, but they also raise social and political issues through a medium which its target audience is children allowing it to relate to adult audiences as well.

This film gives you a clear look at the Heroe's Journey. Moana is chosen by the ocean to go on a quest to save her island, at first she refuses because her parents say no but is encouraged by the Mentor, her grandmother. She finally sets off on the quest and a whimsical adventure ensues. On the way she meets a demi-God called Maui and... you know the rest. In the end, it most likely ends happily because it's a Disney film.

However on the downside of this film, I have to admit that the plot points in this film were predictable thus making the film somewhat formulaic like all Disney movies, despite using diversity and brand new fresh worlds to break the mould, introducing us to The Polynesian Islands and new cultures. I do often agree that the same three act structure narrative style has been recycled quite too often in many Disney animated films.

It is challenging for Disney to change in their narrative style and introduce interesting themes. An example which explains this is their highly successful film Zootopia. I learned In the makings of this film, their idea was originally predators and preys being tamed by shock collars. The idea was said to be too dark to introduce a dystopian future which would possibly symbolise oppression in today's society, or opposing the government. The idea was deemed to be political propaganda and would be to complicated and complex to aim at little children especcally when you have anthro-morphic animals. This will bring you back to Animal Farm. The same demographic they always try to go for. So instead, they introduced a still serious theme, however less complex: racism, or in their case, "specie-ism."

I am aware that Disney's main target audience is little children who probably appeal to them easily for the visuals, however adults as well who grew up with Disney who are also a part of the demographic would probably be concerned of watching the same structure being repeated over and over. If the writers could introduce a new way of storytelling, then I believe that versatile and unique storytelling will not be heavily relied on indies only such as My Life As A Courgette, a Eurpean animated film which raised a lot of serious intense subjects such as child abuse, neglect, alcoholism, family, friendship, etc. This film was a huge risk for European animation especially for children but it succeeded and children loved it. This furthers shows that children are more intelligent than we think. Zootopia is an intelligent film indeed so if Disney were to make a non-linear narrative film with complex themes, would they still follow? I doubt it, but I firmly believe taking a risk is worth other than playing it safe.