Home on the Range

If there is one Disney film in the Canon that stands out as if it just doesn't belong, Home on the Range is likely it. Still in the Age of Pixar where Disney films aren't grossing what they once did and the competition with Pixar (even though they were partnered with Disney) and Dreamworks breathing down their necks, Disney was trying everything to get back on top. They tried CGI with Dinosaur, going back to a classic with Fantasia 2000, light-hearted stories with Lilo and Stitch and Emperor's New Groove, they tried Science Fiction with both Atlantis and Treasure Planet. But where they went next is surprising and unexpected.

The story is a western, but infused strange zaniness. It manages to tell a few stories at once, allowing them all to comingle and intertwine even though the characters come from different worlds and don't really intertwine. Meaning, there is story that regards the humans and ones that regard the animals. There is somewhat a third about the overall politics. But the humans and animals don't speak to one another, they interact to some degree, but can't communicate. So, the stories manage to drive each other while the characters are a bit unaware of how it is happening. I actually felt this film was written very well, but you have to a step back to really see how smart it was done.

Probably my biggest complaint with the film is the voice acting. Not because they aren't good at it, most are. But, the voices are so well known and distinct I almost am taken out of the experience. Specifically, I am talking about Roseanne Barr, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Buscemi, and Patrick Warburton. They do a fine job, but I immediately notice it is them. Outside that the characters are interesting and unique. So much so that you continue to learn about many of them as the film progresses leaving you with surprising character details along the way.

The music in this is very different. It is a western and the music suggests it as well. The score is by Alan Menken, so you would expect it to be good. But the songs they sing are odd and funny. They move the story along well, so you aren't just watching a music video, but part of the film and progression.

The art style is just as surprising as the rest of the film. It is filled with over the top expressions, well defined color palettes, and an angular style very reminiscent of early Cartoon Network cartoons.

The sad part of this one is that it came at the wrong time. Just like Atlantis I feel that if this came along today it would have a better reaction. It fits the new style of the Mickey Mouse cartoons and contained a cast of characters that could have been represented in the parks. They could have easily rebranded Big Thunder Mountain for this film or had a running gag across television with the goat stealing cans or even integration into the Hoop Dee Doo Revue.

Run Time – 76 Minutes

77th Academy Awards – 0 Nominations

Disney Animated Canon so far in order of Quality  

1. Beauty and the Beast 9-29-1991

2. The Hunchback of Notre Dame 6-21-1996

3. Lady and the Tramp 6-22-1955

4. Aladdin 11-25-1992

5. Tarzan 6-18-1999

6. Mulan 6-19-1998

7. Peter Pan 2-5-1953

8. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 3-11-1977

9. One Hundred and One Dalmatians 1-25-1961

10. The Lion King 6-15-1994

11. Hercules 6-13-1997

12. The Emperor’s New Groove 12-15-2000

13. Lilo & Stitch 6-21-2002

14. Home on the Range 4-2-2004

15. Dumbo 10-23-1941

16. Atlantis: The Lost Empire 6-15-2001

17. The Fox and the Hound 7-10-1981

18. Oliver and Company 11-18-1988

19. Cinderella 2-15-1950

20. The Little Mermaid 11-17-1989

21. Pinocchio 2-7-1940

22. Sleeping Beauty 1-29-1959

23. The Adventure of Ichabod and Mr. Toad 10-5-1949

24. The Jungle Book 10-18-1967

25. Brother Bear 11-1-2003

26. The Great Mouse Detective 7-2-1986

27. Fantasia 2000 6-16-2000

28. Robin Hood 11-8-1973

29. The Rescuers Down Under 11-16-1990

30. Make Mine Music 4-20-1946

31. Fun and Fancy Free 9-27-1947

32. Dinosaur 5-19-2000

33. Treasure Planet 11-27-2002

34. The Aristocats 12-11-1970

35. Pocahontas 6-23-1995

36. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 12-21-1937

37. Saludos Amigos 8-24-1942

38. The Sword in the Stone 12-25-1963

39. The Rescuers 6-22-1977

40. Alice in Wonderland 7-26-1951

41. The Black Cauldron 7-24-1985

42. Melody Time 5-27-1948

43. Bambi 8-13-1942

44. Fantasia 11-13-1940

45. The Three Caballeros 12-21-1944