The answer is super bad, but not for the reasons you think. The voices used aren’t bad whatsoever (the inclusion of the adults was fantastic, in my opinion). As I mentioned in my previous article on the topic, the older group covers they did in the early 2000’s featured not only a happier tone, but just an overall more enjoyable listening experience.
First off, the song choice was pretty horrendous. Of all the songs to choose in Frozen, or any Disney film for that matter, you must choose one that doesn’t need backstory to work. “Circle of Life” and “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” both made sense in and out of the story. The only one that sort of, kind of works within the context of the film and as a stand alone song is “Let It Go,” though I realize they didn’t choose that one as it has become the definition of overplayed.
Secondly, the previous incarnations had a playful atmosphere in the videos.”Circle of Life” featured the starship a karaoke bar, with various screens showing scenes from the film. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” had them in a recording studio and ballroom setting, also featuring scenes from the film, but not in the “We Are the World” awkward format the new one had. It felt more like a music video and not like a group of people singing in honor of a fallen cast member.
The worst part, however, was the way they doled out solos. They were haphazardly created, with some being given around 3 words, then everyone singing along at the end, including people who clearly don’t know what they are doing (cough cough cast of Lab Rats cough cough). Then one cast member, (unfortunately I don’t know his name, but I do know he has a LOT of hair) had one of those weird moments where he just repeated back what everyone else was singing, just louder and by adding some more emphasis. It was odd and rather uncalled for. His voice wasn’t bad, just what they made him sing was weird.
I used to love these coming together of the stars when I was younger. They stars always looked like they were having the best time, getting to see the rest of their Disney family while singing an updated version of a Disney Classic, but this version the bonding time came off as super fake and the song was an awful choice. DON’T SING ABOUT ELSA! SHE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THIS! Now, if I had to choose a more recent song for them to all sing as a group, I think a faster version of “I See the Light” or “Let it Go” would’ve been better, even though both may be considered overplayed. yet, “Circle of Life” and “A Dream is a Wish You Heart Makes” both were also used quite often, and still are, but seemed new and fresh with the. Disney channel interpretations.
What would have been super cool would have been a pop-y “Touch the Sky” from Brave. It could have been really neat.
What do you think of the new Disney Channel Stars song? Am I making it sound worse than it actually is? Let me know in the comments below. I leave you with “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” so you can see how to PROPERLY do a Disney Channel cover. until next time…Have a Magical Day!
No. You’re right in criticizing this because it’s bad. Very very bad.
This was meant to feel like a “bunch of besties getting together to have fun” but Despite all the smiles and fake giggling, this somehow manages to feel like a charity drive or a eulogy. The vocals are fine but the issue is the intention. What are the actors motivation? Or more importantly, what is Disneys point?
Despite how much we love them, the truth is that Disney is a huge company that only recently got its “coolness” back. So, while this May have felt more natural in the weaker cycle of Disney Channel shows a decade ago, today it feels forced and quite lame. And that only reinforces the current negative backlash Disney is inviting with the whole Frozen exploitation. So, as Disney fans, it just makes you cringe when you see these missteps because our feelings for Disney won change but our respect does start to teeter.
I understand your point, but calling the previous cycle if shows “weaker” I don’t feel is correct. I think what they benefitted from was that it was a stronger slate and they didn’t have to worry about including the Radio Disney DJs or Disney XD programming because their core 5 shows were good enough on their own.
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