Disniversity Podcast

As the winding road of the Wilderness Years stretches on, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers take a quick pit-stop to mark a major point in the timeline: the end of Disney’s straight-to-video sequel era. Together they look back on the best, worst, and most egregious entries in the non-canonical canon, from the time-twisting Cinderella saga, to the deeply meta Lion King-verse, and beyond. RIP, home-entertainment exclusives – we hardly knew ye, (or, maybe knew ye better than ye deserved). Next up: Home On The Range Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

The trail through the Wilderness Years continues into the American wilds, as film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers discover the true meaning of brotherhood – and bears – in 2003’s Brother Bear. Along the way, they discuss a lesser batch of Phil Collins songs; unpick the odd morality at play in the film’s depiction of nature; and discover what happens when brothers become bears, bears kill brothers, bears become brothers, brothers kill bears, and every other possible combination of that you could possibly imagine. Plus, there’s much talk of those ‘hilarious’ moose, Sam gets into the deeply unsavoury questions of animal attraction posed by Brother Bear 2, and we wave goodbye to the straight-to-DVD era. Next up: Bonus special on the straight-to-DVD sequels. Then, Home On The Range! Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Avast, me hearties! Disniversity is back on the map – and film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are hoping to find hidden riches in 2002’s Treasure Planet. Our intrepid heroes are joined by animation (and particularly anime) lover Kambole Campbell, zord-ing up with the crew to talk the legacy of Disney pirate stories, farting slug-men, and the Anakin Skywalker-coding of Jim Hawkins. Plus, we discuss the pirate-to-sci-fi ratio of the film’s genre mashup, Sam unspools a wild Dracula-centric dream about much-desired Treasure Planet toys, and the ultimate question is pondered: exactly how long is this John Silver? Next up: Brother Bear Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Is this thing on? Is anybody out there? When film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers set out into the Wilderness Years of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, little did they know they’d be heading into their own wilderness year of sorts. But fear not: Disniversity is alive, and it’s back, back, back! Just before the pod proper begins again, here’s a big life update talking all the important stuff: Sam’s wedding, Ben’s baby, and – most importantly – the Beetlejuice tie-in Fanta. Thank you, sorry, and we love you all. Next up: Treasure Planet. At last. Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Right then, let’s do this one last time: three ghosts, one bad man – and this time, not a Muppet nor a Mickey in sight. With the festive season upon us once again, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers gather to tackle the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come of Scrooge retellings – Robert Zemeckis’ motion-capture madness-fuelled 2009 version, Disney’s A Christmas Carol. Prepare for discussions of Jim Carrey’s malleable face, the wildest variants of the three ghosts yet, front-flipping Bob Hoskins, a deeply unnerving Bob Cratchit, a brief history of Zemeckis’ ImageMovers Digital, and the terrifying presence of Ignorance and Want. It’s a wild ride of a film – Merry Christmas from Disniversity, and we’ll be back in the new year. Next up: Treasure Planet Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Ladies, gentlemen, Stitches and glitches – it’s finally time. At long last, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers blast off to Hawaii for 2002’s beloved Lilo & Stitch. But will it live up to the hype? (Spoiler: Absolutely yes.) For this episode, our duo are joined by very special guest Maria Lewis – author, TV writer, podcaster and more – to bask in the glory of Ohana, discussing the film’s affecting human story, its presentation of Polynesian culture, the meaning of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, terrible ’00s Elvis covers, and violent memes. Plus, Ben gets some mysterious voicemail messages from Disniversity alumni, Sam goes ultra-deep on a vast Lasting Legacy, and Maria talks the importance of the Oceanic Story Trust. It’s a big, buoyant conversation on a film we’ve been desperate to cover for years now – so go ahead, and get stuck right in. Next up: A Christmas Carol (2009, Robert Zemeckis). Then, Treasure Planet. Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

With the journey to Hawaii taking a little longer than expected, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are passing the time with a bonus mini-episode – presenting an early reaction special on Walt Disney Animation Studio’s new feature, Wish. It’ll still be covered in full down the line – but for now, we discuss our expectations going in, our feelings on the songs and story, the end-credits characters who made us lose our minds, and how the film taps into Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Enjoy – and get ready for Experiment 626 to land in the very near future. Next up: Lilo & Stitch. We promise! Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

After the Disney 100 miniseries, it’s time to get back on the path of the Wilderness Years as film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers plunge into the mysterious depths of 2001’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. And this time, they’re joined by very special guest Irenosen Okojie – author, and founder of the Black To The Future festival – to get to grips with an all-out science-fiction action-adventure movie, the first of its kind in the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue. Together, our intrepid trio talk the Greek origins of the Atlantis myths, the instant appeal of Michael J. Fox, the impact of comic book artist Mike Mignola, and whether or not Kida is a Disney Princess. Expect lots of Indiana Jones references, discussions of the film’s colonial themes, and heartbreak over the betrayal of Mole. Et tu, Mole? Next up: Lilo & Stitch. Finally! Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Concluding the Disney 100 miniseries, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers venture down to London’s ExCeL centre to attend the hottest ticket in town: the Disney 100 Exhibition. Inside, they find all kinds of artifacts pertaining to the films covered on Disniversity – with original artwork, iconic props, historic pieces of music, effects models, and more. First up, they discuss the exhibition in general terms, sharing thoughts on the whole experience – before going into a (spoiler-y?) run-through of the most exciting pieces on display. Along the way, Sam reveals his surprise love of ‘90s sitcom Home Improvement, they stumble across a notable blimp, and uncover fresh evidence on the early origins of Pete himself. Next up: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (we promise, this time!) Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Disney 100 week continues, and film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are brought into the hallowed halls of the Roy E. Disney building for a grand reunion of the studio’s many legendary characters in brand new centenary short film Once Upon A Studio. Packed with Disniversity Legends, TDLFs, and oddbods we never saw coming, expect a flying trip through the best gags, most unexpected appearances, and the artists being celebrated for an eight-minute short that seems tailor-made to appeal to listeners of this podcast. Plus, Ben and Sam unpack that Walt and Mickey moment, talk the legacy of Burny Mattinson, and guess each other’s highlights. Warning: contains squawk-singing. Next up: Disney 100 Part 3: The Exhibition Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.