THE BEST FAMILY FILMS OF ALL TIME

Irregardless of your faith orientation, this is the time of year that many people’s thoughts turn to those of family. Hollywood counts on this and usually releases some of its biggest G rated movies this time of year. However, in an industry that typically caters to teenagers and twenty-something males, these films are getting fewer and farther between as it gets increasingly hard to find films that the whole family can enjoy together.

In my opinion, there are two main elements that constitute a family film. First, the film has to be entertaining and engaging for both adults and children alike, or else the whole exercise of watching a movie together becomes one of aggravation and futility for one of the parties. Second, a family film should have some values that children can benefit from. Children are impressionable, and whether we believe it or not, what they see around them affects and informs their character. Thus films with life affirming values, if done intelligently, can be instrumental in helping to shape a child’s character.

Before I continue, let me just say that I normally hate these types of films. Cutesy, warm, cuddly, feel good films, with life affirming values that the whole family can enjoy together - give me a break! However, there are always exceptions and in the spirit of the holidays, I will be listing my picks for the best family films of all time.

01. The Little Mermaid (1989)
Ron Clements and John Musker (Directors)
RATED G
This is it – my number one choice for the best family film of all time, beating out such classics as The Wizard of Oz, E.T. and The Sound of Music. Nevertheless, this little gem from 1989 is nothing less than the Citizen Kane of animated musicals and the film that effectively launched a new golden era in Disney animation. Up until that point, the Disney animated musical had been pretty much dead since the seventies. Then Mermaid came along and blew everyone away including critics who made it one of the most highly acclaimed films of the year. Here for the first time, in a very long time, we witnessed something that elevated animated features beyond mere children’s entertainment with stories and characters that were a little more savvy, a little more sophisticated, a little more intelligent than many of their predecessors – a film so entertaining, that it rivals even some of the best live action films. Indeed, it’s hard for me to think of Mermaid as a mere cartoon, I think of it more as a romantic comic fantasy on par with the very best live action films of that genre.

One of the great things about Mermaid is how well it creates such classic, instantly likeable characters – characters who are able to elicit great affection from the audience, drawing us immediately into their story and into their plight. Chief among them is Ariel herself who simply lights up the screen in every frame. Her characterization is so perfect, so delightful that she is more real and likeable than most female leads in live action films. The other characters are also perfectly realized including the hilarious Sebastian, the conniving Ursula, the charming comic sidekicks Flounder and Scuttle, and even the stern but sympathetic father, King Triton.

This film really works because of its brilliant simplicity and the dramatic tension created by the story’s arch, which uses simple but effective plot devices, such as a race against time, to increase the dramatic tension, creating a real vested interest in the story’s outcome.

I’m also amazed how the various elements of the plot weave together so flawlessly. True, it’s a very simple story with few elements to juggle, but still, real thought went into even the smallest details of the story’s development to such a degree that the musical numbers and plot developments blend together seamlessly – to the point that the musical sequences seem as natural to the story as the plot developments. This is really key in any musical – if the musical sequences seem forced upon the plot and don’t seem to develop naturally from the story, they lose their impact even if the music itself is quite good.

Apart from the fact that it’s thoroughly entertaining, Mermaid is great for kids because inherent in the story are life affirming values including the importance of tolerance, the need to let go and allow others to live their lives, as well as the importance of taking risks and pursuing one’s dreams – a pretty good message in these times when everyone likes to play it safe.

Let’s not forget the film’s brilliant score, which is filled with such spectacular and unforgettable musical numbers, they rival the very best on Broadway. The Under the Sea number alone is one of the most thrilling and delightful musical sequences in the history of cinema.

02. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Steven Spielberg (Director)
RATED PG
Spielberg is often criticized for being the director who never really grew up, an immature filmmaker. But there’s a big difference between being immature, 'childish' and being ‘childlike.’ Immaturity or childishness is the less than desirable behaviours we often associate with children, things like temper tantrums, selfishness and lack of social restraint. Childlikeness, on the other hand, are those good qualities we often associate with children, but qualities that hopefully many of us carry into adult hood – qualities such as innocence, a willingness to embrace mystery, the capacity for awe and wonder and an openness to differences in others. These are the values that characterize Spielberg’s classic E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – a story of friendship so pure and so strong that it transcends not only enormous differences, but enormous distances. This is a film that celebrates these values so effectively and with such mastery, that really, pardon the cliché, it touches the child in all of us. And this is part of Spielberg’s genius; more so than any other director, he is able to really put us back in touch with those ‘childlike’ elements that are a very important part of the human experience.

In addition, Spielberg does such a remarkable job engaging the audience and getting us to sympathize with the characters, it’s no wonder it remains one of the ten highest grossest films of all time. E.T. may be an alien, but his feeling of displacement and his yearning to return home is something all of us can identify with. Even as adults, we often experience that feeling of being lost and displaced among those who seem alien to us, and like E.T., we sometimes find friendship, acceptance and support where we least expect it.

03. Mary Poppins (1964)
Robert Stevenson (Director)
RATED G
This 1964 Disney masterpiece is simply one of the most perfectly realized children’s story ever put on film. It was nominated for an astonishing 13 Academy Awards and was one of most commercially successful films of the sixties. It also garnered Julie Andrews an Oscar for creating one of the most fun and likeable nannies in movie history.

Part of the magic of Mary Poppins is how well the film draws us into the world of the characters, a world filled with such wonder and enchantment that not only do we want to visit there, we want to remain there. Like the land of Oz, this is a world that both adults and children will want to explore and play in endlessly as the film makes it almost impossible to leave this fantasy.

What makes this a great family film is how well it celebrates the importance of family. Mr. Banks, played extremely well by David Tomlinson, is reminded of what truly matters in life as he learns to prioritize family over business. That might sound cliché but the message of the film is delivered with such charm, wit and grace, that the character’s transformation doesn't seem conventional.

In addition, the special effects, particularly the merging of live action with animation, were extremely well executed for its time and still hold up today. As well, the musical and dance sequences are nothing less than spectacular with some of the most timeless songs ever committed to film, while all the characters are memorably brought to life by first rate performances all around. In essence, Mary Poppins is infused with such a powerful sense of fun, wonder and music, that it’s a pure delight from beginning to end for both adults and children alike.

04. The Sound of Music (1965)
Robert Wise (Director)
RATED G
On the surface, this is a film that should not work. It’s cutesy, silly, nauseatingly sweet, shamefully naïve, melodramatic and cheesy. And yet there's no denying that it's also completely irresistible as The Sound of Music remains one of the most popular and beloved films in movie history. Indeed, if inflation is taken into account, it's still one of the ten most commercially successful films of all time - a testament to the fact that no one can resist this sixties film classic, not even the most jaded and hardened movie fans.

One of the main keys to the film’s success is Julie Andrews, who gives a such a great performance, she essentially creates one of the most instantly likeable and sympathetic characters in film history – so much so, that we are deeply invested in everything that happens to her and we are more than willingly to follow her through this Mr. Rogers-esque world. Indeed, it's impossible not to like this film, because it's impossible not tlike her.

In addition, there is such wonderful, creative energy in every frame that the characters and their words simply leap off the screen and entrench themselves into your consciousness, much like many of the musical sequences – legendary sequences which are impossible to forget.

The bottomline: Although Sound of Music is unbelievably saccharine, we have never seen saccharine done this well. This is nothing less than a timeless classic, one that the whole family will enjoy over and over again.

05. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise (Directors)
RATED G
Beauty and the Beast remains the only animated film to be nominated for a best picture Oscar – a remarkable feat to say the least (no rhyme intended). But there is no question it’s nomination was well deserved because, in my opinion, it’s nothing less than the second best animated film of all time. This is simply an amazing fantasy, with an astonishing score, which, like its predecessor The Little Mermaid, rivals the very best Broadway has to offer with some of the greatest musical numbers in movie history.

What is equally remarkable is the characterization of the two lead characters, Belle (Paige O’Hara) and the Beast (Robby Benson), who, individually and as a couple, exhibit remarkable charisma and chemistry on screen, equal to anything we’ve seen in many live action films.

In addition, technically and artistically, the animation itself is actually better realized than it’s predecessor The Little Mermaid, while the messages in the film are equally as good. This is a story that basically challenges the prevalent tendency of our time to embrace superficiality, as Belle is able to look beyond the surface, beyond appearances, to see and embrace the vulnerability, innocence and beauty of a man, who by all appearances, is a monster. Her unconditional love heals is wounded self-image, breaking him out of his isolation and giving him hope.

06. Shrek (2001)
Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson, Scott Marshall (Directors)
RATED PG
True, this animated fantasy is a little darker, edgier and more adult oriented than all the other animated films on this list, but nevertheless, Shrek is an astonishing achievement and essential family viewing. My choice for the best film of 2001, Shrek, like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, is blessed with remarkable characterizations especially by Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz. Indeed, Cameron Diaz’s characterization is so effective, she is able to tap into the inner beauty of her character in a way I have rarely seen in any film, let alone an animated one. And this is what Shrek is really about, inner beauty versus superficial beauty. Like Beauty and the Beast, Shrek is a challenge to a culture that values superficial beauty far too much.

What's great about this film is its wickedly sharp and satirical writing – writing that pokes fun at numerous cultural entities, including Disney animated films, and writing that reminded me a lot of my all time favourite television comedy, The Simpsons. But as much as I love The Simpsons, I’m the first to say that I don’t really think children should be watching it. It’s far too dark and pessimistic. However, with Shrek there is enough wholesome, life affirming content to offset its darker elements and to give children a valuable and worthwhile viewing experience.

07. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Victor Fleming, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor (Directors)
RATED G
The 1939 classic, Wizard of Oz, is still one of the most beloved films of all time, with many of its images, words and songs forever embedded into public consciousness. A major part of the appeal of Oz is that for children it’s nothing more than a delightful, whimsical adventure; but for adults it's the ultimate cinematic drug trip – i.e. an innocuos way of being high without actually getting high, as Dorothy, played memorably by Judy Garland, takes us through a surreal journey where we meet all kinds of bizarre characters, a journery where anything can happen.

In this wonderful fantasy road picture, Dorothy's trip down the yellow brick road is filled with such adventure, mystery, excitement and memorable musical sequences, that it’s unbelievably fun even when danger lurks at every corner, as her exploits becomes our exploits and her life lessons, our life lessons. Indeed, the experience of Oz is very much like being taken into a children’s book where everything is alive with great colour and imagination. Effectively, the filmmakers created a world where we all wanted to visit over and over again leaving the audience with the lasting impression – there’s no place like Oz.

08. Oliver! (1968)
Carol Reed (Director)
RATED G
The 1968 classic Oliver! is still one of the few G rated films ever to win a best picture Oscar. And it’s clear to see why as this is a marriage made in Hollywood heaven - a three-way partnership between a classic Dickens novel, superb performances and a wonderful musical score.

Mark Lester plays Oliver Twist, an orphan who lives in a time when orphans were considered cursed by God. The circumstances of his life are horrible, but Oliver manages to rise above them and prove his worth. He refuses to be determined by his past, to be a victim of circumstances. These are wonderful values that children should be exposed to and the film handles them so well and so intelligently that it’s neither insulting nor preachy. There are a couple of moments that may be too intense for younger children, but still, this is one that most of the family can enjoy together. Indeed, consider yourself thoroughly entertained.

09. Charlotte’s Web (1973)
Charles A. Nichols, Iwao Takamoto (Directors)
RATED G
Here is another film adaptation of a classic children’s story brought memorable to life by the directing team of Charles A. Nichols and Iwao Takamoto. Made in the early seventies, the animation may not be on par with what we’re used to seeing today, but the story, the characters and the music are just as well realized as some of Disney’s best.

What’s great about this story is how much it makes you care for the fate of Wilbur (an immediately sympathetic character) and how much we become invested in his destiny. Equally as impressive is the relationship between Charlotte and Wilbur, which has genuine warmth and tenderness and which translates well to film.

In addition to a host of memorable musical sequences, this is an animated feature so embedded with various wholesome coming of age lessons and themes, that it doesn’t come across as preachy because we are so completely amused in the process.

10. Aladdin (1992)
Ron Clements and John Musker (Directors)
RATED G
Although not quite in the same league as its predecessors, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin is still one of Disney’s finest animated films and in my opinion, their last true classic in this genre. There are many elements that make this film work, but one particular stroke of genius was casting Robin Williams in the role of the genie. Williams’ considerable comic talents were always a little too overwhelming for a live action format. Casting him as the genie breaks him free of those constraints and gives him a context that more readily suits his substantial comic energy. In fact, animation seems to be a more appropriate venue for Williams’s larger than life comic persona. And with Williams as our guide, Aladdin is nothing short of a comic tour de force, employing many contemporary pop culture references in an extremely humourous and clever manner.

While celebrating values of honesty, self-respect and friendship, Aladdin also takes us to an enchanted world where flying carpets and magic spells are common place, and the directors do an excellent job of bringing us into this world, infusing it with a sense of grandeur and majesty. Indeed, many of the visuals are quite spectacular and filled with such a sense of awe and wonder it’s easy to forget that we're watching animation.