Tritroid said:
I think that's the problem with the moder modern-day Disney films; They're trying to reach to a more mature audience with films like Treasure Planet and Atlantis all the while shunning their target viewers. (Children under 13) I guess Lilo and Stich was a throwback to trying to gain the attention of children, but it wasn't something that adults could easily relate to or be interested in. There has to be a happy medium for the animation to work.
I think it's less young and old, and more boys and girls. Finding Nemo has Sharks, but is about cute fish. It has a male hero (Nemo), and a female hero (Dory). It has something for all kids to relate to. Lilo and Stitch had Aliens and young girls. Treasure Planet...had a helluva lot of flying ships and explosions along with teenage angst, followed by a really annoying morphing thing that simply wasn't enough for cross-gender marketing. Atlantic suffered from the same problem, even moreso. I think that it's more about getting all kids into the audience. It's less that the Early 90s era is for Adults and Kids, more that there's something for all kids, and enough for adults to make it worthwhile.
I think Elvis did a fairly good job at least keeping some adults in the picture, for the most part, and there was definitely enough there that is kept me entertained...mind you, I was 16 at the time, but I still maintain it works for all ages.
We're heading into Fall, and we might see the same issues take shape.
October 1st sees Dreamworks' Shark Tale...I honestly think it looks pretty damn crappy. Will Smith's voiceover seems fairly terrible, and while it seems like it may have its moments...its plot seems thin. But, it's technically Nemo from the people who did Shrek to the kids. I even heard a woman in a lineup (For Spidey) looking at the poster anbd saying "I think it's the Shark from Finding Nemo". I was pretty close to correcting her, but decided against it. That alone will draw people in.
But...Pixar has The Incredibles. It has a definite young male appeal, being a superhero film, but it also has a young female member of the family, and that should at least balance things out.
Treasure Planet/Atlantic lacked this, and I think its more gender-based than some may realize.