Good Ratings for New Film Saving Mr. Banks (sorry it won't let me italicize)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/12/06/review-saving-mr-banks-exposes-strengths-limits-of-disney-magic/?partner=yahootix


In Scott Mendelson's recent review, "'Saving Mr. Banks' Deconstructs Disney Magic," it seems like Disney might have gotten it right with the retelling of their own creator and god-like figure, Walt Disney.  Apparently it's got Oscar buzz, though that may seem difficult to believe when looking at the current contenders like 12 Years a Slave (2013) or Gravity (2013).  This also comes as a surprise that the film could possibly receive an Oscar in the context of how it's been marketed.  Disney has been selling it as a "feel-good" film, somewhere along the lines of Marley and Me (2008) or Meet the Fockers (2004). However, the film includes many not-so-terrific parts of Walt's past and family life. One would think that Disney would want to market it as a potential Oscar Award-winning film, especially because the actor line-up is incredible (Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Paul Giammati, Collin Farrell to drop some names).  Man, old habits die hard.  Disney just can't get out of that "family-friendly" mentality, can they?  Maybe they believe it will bring in classic Disney fans and families gathering around for a good holiday movie.

As it goes for the actual portrayal of Walt, Disney seems to present a pretty balanced view of him.

The Disney-produced film doesn’t deal with the darker sides of Mr. Walt Disney, but nor does it lionize him or make him anything more than a shrewd creator of mass-market entertainment. And while the film wallows in the alleged fun of the Disney properties and Disney characters, it also is all-too-willing to view them from a disorienting, or more shockingly, mundane angle. 

For whatever reason, this is not very surprising that Disney is taking this step.  Disney has taken progressive steps in the decade or so that constitute a major change in how they are running things.  We have a change in the archetypal princess represented by Princesses Anna and Merida (they're trying).  We also see some pretty cool stuff in production after teaming up with Pixar and more recently, Marvel.  Disney is taking a turn for the better. Now it's time to present a more realistic picture of ole' Walt.  It seems like people can handle it.