Disney Villain Countdown!

[U4ea]

Check in while we count down the Top Villain Countdown! 

 

(disclaimer, I found this online and thought it was awesome, so I'll be posting one every day!)

 

 

May 1: 

 

30. Commodore Barbossa
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Actor: Geoffrey Rush

The only live action villain to make this Top 30, Barbossa inspires fear as the not-quite-living antagonist of last year's wildly popular adaptation of the famous Disneyland attraction. All of the

elements of Pirates somehow fit into a comfortable place between fresh and formula, and that certainly includes this memorable character, who makes a compelling counterweight to Johnny Depp's fun lead role. 

Barbossa sound clip: WAV (29 k) 

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Links:
#2 in the Live Action Countdown | DVD Review 
3-Disc DVD Collector's Gift Set - Review | Buy

 

[U4ea]

May 2:

 

 

 

29. Governor Ratcliffe
Pocahontas (1995)
Voice: David Ogden Stiers 
Animator: Duncan Majoribanks

Take David Ogden Stiers (no stranger to voicing Disney characters) and put him behind a brash governor in colonial times and you get John Ratcliffe. Faced with the "New World", the

unpleasant brute only sees personal riches and his distrust of Native Americans (whose gold he wants) and destruction of the land are not traits that many would find desirable. 

Pocahontas Links:
DVD Review / Interview with Irene Bedard / 10th Anniversary Edition DVD (coming May 2005)

[U4ea]

May 3:

 

28. Kaa
The Jungle Book (1967)
Voice: Sterling Holloway

 

 

Not the most fear-inspiring villain, Kaa definitely makes an impression as the cunning type. The tool of this snake's choice: hypnotism. The unmistakble Sterling Holloway voiced many a Disney character, but this is his one unequivocal baddie.

Kaa is a likable villain, namely because his own pride gets in the way of him actually doing anything truly evil. The warm reception of test audiences had Disney adding another Kaa sequence to the final film, which was the last animated work that Walt personally oversaw. Particularly memorable is Kaa's simple little song "Trust in Me."

[Aiel Heart]

  On 5/3/2013 at 2:25 AM, U4ea said:

 

May 2:

 

29. Governor Ratcliffe

Pocahontas (1995)

Voice: David Ogden Stiers 

Animator: Duncan Majoribanks

 

 

OH MY GOODNESS THAT WAS HIM I HAD NEVER MADE THAT CONNECTION BEFORE

[Wren of the Brown]

Picking up where Lor left off.

May 4: Randall Boggs



Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Voice: Steve Buscemi

Generally, villains need power to make their punch effective. Often, they'll be physically imposing (i.e. "large and in charge"). But Randall Boggs, the second most successful scarer in Monstropolis, more the slight and sleazy type, which seems entirely appropriate since he's voiced by Steve Buscemi, a master of slight and sleazy characters in film. But this weasel does have a power and a very cool one at that. He can become invisible at any time, as he rapidly adapts to his surroundings to make him a presence felt, not seen. This proves useful in his shady efforts to reinvent Monsters, Inc, and makes him a threatening nemesis to our likable heroes Sulley, Mike, and Boo.

[Wren of the Brown]

May 5th: Sid Phillips

 

 

Toy Story (1995)

Voice: Erik von Detten

 

The villain of Toy Story, Pixar's first feature and the first wholly computer-animated film, is Sid, the boy next door. This boy spends his days destroying and disfiguring toys, even his sister's most treasured dolls.

 

The toys only have to worry about their creative/destructive neighbor until Andy's family makes their upcoming move to a different part of town. But these last few days are particularly dangerous for Buzz and Woody when they find themselves in the terror zone that is Sid's room.

[Wren of the Brown]

May 6th: Madame Mim
 


The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Voice: Martha Wentworth

Aaron Wallace, of the University of North Carolina, states, "Madame Mim’s wickedness really lies in her lunacy. She’s just mad enough to do someone harm and break all the rules. She does both with much hilarity."

The Sword in the Stone may have been forgotten or ignored by some, but the wizard's duel between the backhanded Mim and the wise Merlin remains a memorable highlight from the film.

[Wren of the Brown]

May 7th: Clayton
 


Tarzan (1999)
Voice: Brian Blessed
Animator: Randy Haycock

On Tarzan's brawny villain, Jake Lipson says, "Clayton is, like any classic Disney villain, hungry for money and power, and intensely voiced (this time by Brian Blessed). But what makes him stand out from the crowd is his harshness. Like Cruella De Vil before him, Clayton's cruel treatment of animals (in this case, the apes), and Tarzan himself, makes him a chillingly cold villain so different from the run-of-the-mill animated bad guy. His character is also a home-hitting statement on poachers and why we need to make sure animals and the world are safe."
 

[Wren of the Brown]

May 8th: Pete
 


Voice: Billy Bletcher/Will Ryan/Arthur Burghardt/Jim Cummings

Walt has remarked on many occasions that Mickey Mouse was the "everyman", and it was Mickey's "can-do attitude" and "eternal optimism" that not only gave him his appeal, but ensured that he triumphed over every obstacle placed in his way.

So, if you have a character who represents the every man, who do you choose as his opponent? Why, nothing more than a simple bully I would suggest. And that's all Pete is in most of his shorts. From cruel authority figures such as dog catchers to army sergeants; from the nightmare neighbour to the boss from Hell; from a complaining customer to a salesperson with no scruples…

It's when Pete works best, a low-key loudmouthed bully with a short temper and even shorter long-term ambitions. In such a role Pete, with or without his "Peg Leg" was an ideal foil for not only Mickey, but also Donald and Goofy too. There's something that clicks when such a detestable and corrupt individual confronts such likeable and innocent characters.

But just as Mickey is a character to have worn many hats over his long and varied career, so has Pete. And sometimes his ambitions have been somewhat grander. He's been a notorious Wild West outlaw several times, an Arab sultan on the lookout for new conquests for his harem and a scheming captain of the guard plotting to overthrow his royal masters on a couple of occasions. Personally, I don't think these appearances work so well - Pete should never be a manipulative plotter or successful criminal, it dilutes his appeal. While I'm no big fan of his "Goof Troop" persona, he's still better when giving bad parenting advice to Goofy or repressing his son's creativity than robbing a bank or kidnapping royalty.

However, as the exception to the rule, Pete's finest hour was his appearance as The Ghost of Christmas Future in "Mickey's Christmas Carol", still a scene I consider to be one of the most atmospheric animated sequences of all time.

[Wren of the Brown]

May 9th: Stromboli
 


Pinocchio (1940)
Voice: Charles Judels
Animator: Bill Tytla

Five characters from Pinocchio received votes for this countdown, and Stromboli was at the top. Big, loud, overweight, and evil, Stromboli pretty much fits the stereotypical villain, but he makes an undeniable impression in Walt Disney's second animated film.

This thick-accented Italian is a businessman first and foremost, and he sees Pinocchio as an amazing little wooden sideshow. When the star attraction bombs on stage, Stromboli is infuriated, until he realizes the act has the crowd giddy with laughter. The money pours in, but Stromboli lets his newfound actor know his place: locked in a cage. Until he gets too old. Then, he becomes firewood.

Over sixty years later, Pinocchio may seem both surprisingly dark and surprisingly resonant to folks who have gotten the impression that "Disney" means squeaky clean, happy fun. Amidst towering whales, sly animal con men roaming the streets, horrendous coachmen, and this powerful showman, Pinocchio's road to becoming a real boy is fraught with danger.

[Wren of the Brown]

May 10th: The Horned King
 


The Black Cauldron (1985)
Voice: John Hurt
Animator: Phil Nibbelink

The Horned King does not feature largely in The Chronicles of Prydain, the basis for this decidely dark '80s fantasy. The Black Cauldron has never widely resounded with audiences. In theaters, its PG-rated intensity frightened children and upset parents expecting wholesome entertainment from the "Disney" name. But those who have not avoided it often sing the film's praises, rather than singling it out as one of the weakest animated features in the studio's canon. The Horned King's increased role in the film renders him an affecting and spooky villain. His efforts to gain possession of the magical titular cauldron are drastic, as he calls forth an army of dead soldiers to find this key to ruling the world.

[Wren of the Brown]

May 11th: Prince John
 


Robin Hood (1973)
Voice: Peter Ustinov
Animator: Ollie Johnston

With his brother Richard away on crusade, Prince John is the thumb-sucking crybaby in power in England. Easily outwitted by the charming outlaw Robin Hood, Prince John may be a more comedic villain, but his intentions are clearly not good. His mantra (to make the rich like he even richer) provides direct contrast to Robin Hood's actions which are carried out with the poor in mind.

[U4ea]

Lol, you found the site I was getting them from?

 

I stopped because it didn't look like anyone was playing along.

[U4ea]

May 12- Hopper

 

 

 

19. Hopper
A Bug's Life (1998)
Voice: Kevin Spacey

"Hopper from A Bug's Life is one of the most effective Disney villains. He knows that he is frightening to the ants, and he makes the most of that. He puts his henchmen to good use, but he's not afraid to do some dirty work himself.

Kevin Spacey did some amazing voice work here; the character comes across as cunning and completely merciless. Hopper is the ultimate intimidator, and he deserves his place in the pantheon of great Disney villains." - Brandon Harbeke

"In addition to being menacing and vicious, Hopper has the most interesting character development of Pixar's villians. In the beginning, we are introduced to Hopper from the point of view of the ants, and the audience is almost as afraid of him as they are. He seems very confident of his power, and is hell-bent on oppressing the ants. He comes across as being mean just for the pleasure of it.

But later on in the movie, we discover that the real reason he keeps such an oppressive grip on the ants is because he knows that they can beat him. We find out that that is the reason he's so vicious, and that makes us hate him even more! And because of that crucial character discovery, it enhances the final confrontation between the ants and grasshoppers that much more compelling.

Plus, he's a badass, pure and simple!" - Jack Seiley 

Hopper sound clip: WAV (53 k)

[U4ea]

May 13- Shan Yu

 

 

18. Shan-Yu
Mulan (1998)
Voice: Miguel Ferrer
Animator: Pres Romanillos

Jake Lipson on Shan-Yu: "Shan-Yu is one of the most chillingly cold Disney villains in history, with one of the most distinctly frightening villain voices in many a year. His ruthlessness is most effectively conveyed when it is so violent that it goes unseen, cut away from and implied. The response to his question "How many men does it take to deliver a message?" and the action that follows shows just how truly creepy this guy is, and it'll bring a shudder to even the most immune moviegoer. An enormously effective evil."

Ruthless and physically imposing, Shan-Yu's character and motives may not be revealed, but the mystery helps make this leader of the Huns a feared force. 

Shan-Yu sound clip: WAV (50 k)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[U4ea]

May 14th- Professor Ratigan

 

 

 

17. Professor Ratigan
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Voice: Vincent Price
Animator: Glen Keane

Sometimes you only have to know the littlest thing about a character to know that you will instantly adore them. In the case of Ratigan it only took two words: "Vincent Price."

 

Price has long been known for his uniquely smooth, polite theatrical voice. In fact, Price's first major role in motion pictures was playing the Invisible Man in Universal's sequels, a role he was especially cast for due to his velvety voice.

But it turns out there's more to admire about Professor Ratigan than the voice artist. Obviously based on the often-discussed, but little-featured Sherlock Holmes villain - Professor Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime - Ratigan has just as much (if not more) in common with the traditional James Bond villain (or perhaps it's more appropriate to compare him with Dr. Evil this days).

Ratigan's plan is full of pure Bond-villain-like audacity. He wants to replace the Queen with a robot double and crown himself King? Who needs a shark infested pool (and sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads) when you have Felicia, a cat just as willing to dispose of your disgraced henchmen? Who needs to simply kill their enemies when a complex Heath Robinson-like trap will kill them eventually? (But sadly you don't have the time to wait and watch their demise) Who needs jet-propelled backpacks when you have a pedal-powered blimp to escape in? Pure Bond villain through and through.

But what I like most of all about Professor Ratigan is how his true nature, the one he has been denying throughout the film, is revealed in the film's climax. When Ratigan sheds his clothes and reveals the pure animalistic rat within, it really is quite effective and it makes for a thrilling conclusion to the film.

Did Ratigan die from falling from the clock face? Of course not! Like all true villains he found a way to survive, and even now must be plotting his revenge on Basil, one which will involve Basil's utter humiliation before his defeat. - James Reader 

Ratigan sound clip: WAV (60 k)

[U4ea]

May 15th- 

 

 

16. Madame Medusa
The Rescuers (1977)
Voice: Geraldine Page
Animator: Milt Kahl

When you hear the phrase "Disney villain", there are certain characters who immediately come to mind. Then there's someone like Madame Medusa, the clear antagonist of a little film called The Rescuers.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Madame Medusa was actually not Walt Disney's favorite villain. (He died years before she made it to the screen.) Though on the surface she might seem like just a normal woman, her floppy red hair clues you into a darker, more sadistic side. Medusa has no qualms about kidnapping poor little Penny, and she clearly has greater power than the two resourceful little mice on her trail.

[Panchi]

Next is Queen of Hearts

www.dvdizzy.com/disneyvillainscountdown/index2.html

 

when you google villain countdown, you get a link to this thread

[U4ea]

Good! Google knows the Kin is awesome! Hehehe

 

 

I can't get back to this. As soon as my laptop is agreeing with DM again, I'll get it updated. :)