Post 8 – Enduring Legacies

Currently in the process of writing an essay about children who are the legacies of their parents, whether they want to or not, made me think well what legacies does animation have? There are certain characters and certain animation projects that have just endured time and are still shown in their full original glory today. What makes Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny survive and endure even in our generation where we crave iPhones and 3D animation? Its clearly not their relatability since they are too iconic for the average child to feel related to but then is it that pedistal that makes them respected then? For all these enduring personalities and animations, is it their lovable qualities, the comedy, or do they represent something about animation or even America that must be preserved?

For the Disney animation company, Mickey Mouse has always been their iconic image and have in recent years placed his original first animation sequence at the beginning of every new animated movie.

From a simple animated character meant for Disney to get in the realm of animation to an icon of the company itself, Mickey Mouse has endured for close to a century as something that represents the Walt Disney Company. Which makes sense since it was their first real memorable character for the company but he seems to be more than a symbol for the company but for America as well. It is not the reality of America but it is hard for Americans and the world not to associate Disney to America. A great article that goes through Mickey’s history as an icon, espcially in the gaming world and an icon of the 20th century. Yet, something it doesn’t touch up on is the fact that Mickey is a symbol to the world as “American”. Whenever Mickey Mouse is mentioned to my mother or any of her friends who are not native Americans, they always mention him with an air of American spirit, even if there are Disney films translated and Disney parks in foreign countries there is always this conscious sense that: This is American. Clearly, as Americans living in America, we are not entirely represented by Disney but it is an odd thing that Mickey Mouse, Disney and America seem to be synonymous or at least linked together. Mickey isn’t a complicated character and yet there is an enduring fascination and nostalgia attatched to him that keeps him going through the ages and ever popular. He will even appear again with the release of the sequal game Epic Mickey 2 and even two planned films such as the Magic Kingdom. Yet, not just the mouse but all of Disney’s films have endured through the ages and even the newest generation knows all about Snow White. Not only this, but figures such as Tinker Bell and Winnie the Pooh, who has recently come out with a new film as well.

Not just the Disney company but Warner Brothers’ as well endure a legacy and create an association with America. Not as huge as Disney’s legacy but especially Looney Tunes series has endured. Although not as strongly, there is still a recognition and fascination with Bugs Bunny and the rest of the cast of characters that endures. The Looney Tunes cast have even been rebooted into this generation with a new show playing now, with the same cast of characters but new adventures and even different animation style. The Looney Tunes Show isn’t exactly the same, but neither is Mickey from his original series, but still share the core characteristics that make these guys appealing to audiences. I’ve had a friend tell me that her dad laughed at a joke in a commericial that she didn’t understand, when he explained that they parodied Bugs Bunny’s similar seen shooting an arrow with his same line, she instantly saw the connection. The cast has survived through World Wars, the Cold War and in general a declining economy and have become the iconic image for the Warner Brothers’ company. Although to give credit, even Tom and Jerry has survived this picky and technology obsessed era as well, and like Disney are international stars, even coming out with a new film in 2012 titled Tom and Jerry Meet The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

And speaking of Tom and Jerry, even the Hanna-Barbara company characters have their own legacies that have endured, the original creators of the Tom an Jerry franchise have a multitude of characters still remembered and used today. This is especially true of the Scooby Doo series, which is still popping out with direct to video films with a new one coming out in 2012 Big Top Scooby-Doo. His television series as well is still airing new episodes, Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated, currently on hiatus but nonetheless still alive and popular.

And what about Batman and Superman? They are not usually animated but they have endured through time as more than what they are with less attatchments to America but is still something that our history is proud of, the creation of the “comic book”. Batman is even coming out with a new movie, The Dark Knight Rises later this year. And just like Disney and Warner Brothers’ animation has flucuated in popularity since its first release yet even through tough times has endured to become an icon–a legacy.

There are a multitude of reasons why these characters endure from company propaganda, nostalgia, to even a constinually fascination and etc. Yet, its interesting to see that these icons begin as a representation of the animation company that produced them to becoming part of one of the many identities of America.