Mouse House: 10 Underrated Disney Films Of The Past Decade – Part 1

By Brett Nachman • August 16, 2010 • 14 Comments

What defines “underrated”? According to Encarta, it is “to judge the value, degree, or worth of somebody or something to be less than it really is.” In the case of these ten feature films from Walt Disney Pictures, released during 2000–2009, all possess the quality of underrated. This last decade provided Disney with some of its most popular franchises and critical hits to date, including Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, The Princess Diaries, Finding Nemo, and Up. But amongst the runaway successes and audience favorites, a number of movies arrived in theatres to little fanfare and were overlooked by audiences.

To qualify as underrated on my list, these films needed to gross less than $100 million dollars domestically, which typically qualifies as a blockbuster. Most of these movies I selected received high praise from critics, and some failed to meet their budgets, making them box office bombs. However, all of these share one common factor: enjoyable entertainment. Whether it’s an inspirational sports story or a majestic animated adventure, Disney has shown its range in offering quality family moviemaking.

This “special series” will be spread across three weekends on the Mouse House column, with #10 – #8 listed in Part 1, #7 – #4 found in Part 2, and the top 3 during Part 3. We hope you enjoy taking a look back at ten underrated Disney films from the last decade that each possesses a special treasure, just waiting to be unlocked.

#10 – Tuck Everlasting (2002)

The beloved, fantastical novel, involving a spirited teenage aristocrat who encounters a family who never ages, translates into this adventurous and tense drama themed in early 20^th century America. Winnie Foster (Alexis Bledel) belongs to a wealthy lineage, limiting her independence and free-thinking personality. Through venturing into the woods, she discovers a magical spring with waters that prevent people from growing old. There she meets the Tuck family, a group of troubled, ageless nomads who provide her with the exploration and autonomy she has always sought.

With a capable cast that includes William Hurt, Sissy Spacek, and Ben Kingsley as the mysterious Man in the Yellow Suit, Tuck Everlasting is a powerful, frank portrayal of bigotry against a family possessing a most magical gift. Despite the supposed surrealism of people never aging, the dark themes lend the film a certain authenticity. In addition, the uncertainty of if Winnie drinks from the spring or not, brings us as the audience to feel a connection to how the storyline evolves. Everlasting is one Disney’s more mature, murkier efforts, but not in a negative way. This drama may have underperformed in theatres, but works well as an edgy, thrilling trip to enjoy in any family room. You just may think twice before drinking that next glass of water.

Tuck Everlasting earned approx. $19 million within the United States, received a fresh rating of 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, and scored an 8.4/10 by users on Metacritic.

#9 – Sky High (2005)

Mix the wackiness of a 1960’s Disney comedy, teen angst themes of 1980’s John Hughes films, and modern-day special effects, and you have Sky High, a fun look into what a high school for heroes would resemble. Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) is like your average freshman, with the exception of having superheroes as parents (Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston) and attending a school dedicated for discovering students’ special powers. Will must attempt to gain inner and outer strength while beset by “normal” peer pressure, such as aligning himself with the popular “heroes” instead of the less-desirable “sidekicks.”

Sky High is in no way astonishing – largely due to a “roll-your-eyes” subplot involving a supervillain suitably named Royal Pain – but presents its audiences with a pleasant, sincere view of adolescence. Add a layer of pure exuberance with the various characters’ unique abilities and an apt adult cast, such as Lynda Carter and Dave Foley, and you have a well-rounded action-comedy. If you can overlook the mild corniness with the foe’s scheme and overall irrationality of the fantasy elements, Sky High imparts an undeniable charm that will leave you smiling and humming to 80s pop songs. This coming-of-age comedy ranks sky high on my list of merry movies.

Sky High grossed approx. $64 million within the United States, received a fresh rating of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and scored a 7.0/10 by users on Metacritic.

#8 – The Rookie (2002)

Dennis Quaid plays a high school teacher/baseball coach in The Rookie, a moderately-successful, but often forgotten sports drama, set in a rural Texas town. Jim Morris (Quaid) aspired becoming a successful baseball player, but set his dreams aside after suffering from a shoulder injury. His struggling high school baseball team proposes he pursue trying out for the Major Leagues if they make it to state playoffs. Morris follows through with the agreement, and ends up achieving the impossible: a thirty-something “newcomer” pitching for the Texas Rangers.

What separates “The Rookie” from a traditional, rousing sports film? For one, this John Lee Hancock-drama focuses on an individual player as opposed to an entire team. The central character is also not a young athlete, but rather a middle-aged man with hindrances obstructing him from realizing his full potential at a younger age. Dennis Quaid is an underrated actor who shines as a humble, fraught father with a knack for pitching at over 90 m.p.h. I’m shocked that in his acting career spanning over three decades, he has never even been nominated for an Oscar! Quaid’s moving performance makes The Rookie stand out from other comparable sports-centric options. For a satisfying and heartening drama, The Rookie steps up to the plate successfully.

The Rookie grossed approx. $76 million within the United States, received a fresh rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, and scored a 7.7/10 by users on Metacritic.

Stay tuned next week for the reveal of my picks for the #7 – #4 most underrated Disney films of the last decade. Comment below  to share your thoughts on the movies selected in this edition.

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