Take a trip to the Pacific Northwest with this next film and experience life with a cougar and what it’s like working with a logging company (from a cougar’s point of view!) For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
A Brief Summary
(Taken from D23)
In the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest, a tiny orphaned cougar kitten is found and adopted by a young forester. He names the cougar Charlie, and, as Charlie grows up, he has many humorous and hair-raising adventures in the logging community. Finally, for his protection, Charlie is given his freedom in a wildlife sanctuary.
What works
- As with previous nature films, there are some beautiful nature shots that were captured. That is one thing that I have never been disappointed with when watching one of Disney’s nature or animal-focused movies/documentaries.
- I appreciate that there is a bit more human involvement in this storyline than in other movies, like Lobo. While Charlie is still the focus, and there’s entire sections of the movie without any human, the human scenes do add additional obstacles and conflicts for Charlie.
- The plot is really straightforward, and all the trouble and chaos that is caused either directly or indirectly by Charlie is in service of the plot. Which, I think, would explain why both Charlie (and Jess) have incredible plot armor, and why there is a happy ending. There really isn’t anything included that doesn’t serve the plot. At an hour and 15 minutes of running time (give or take a minute or two), a lot of ‘story’ gets packed in.
- Having Rex Allen narrate does give me this nostalgic warm feeling. I grew up listening to his voice as he narrated the 1973 Charlotte’s Web animated movie (my love for that movie). And as with Lobo, his steady voice does add a calming layer to the movie, especially when the protagonist (and title character) can’t speak for himself.
What may or may not work
- It was released as a double feature with The Jungle Book, and honestly, after having seen this movie, I can understand why. It’s not the best movie, so pairing Charlie with The Jungle Book gave it its best chance until it was released on TV.
- The theme song “Talkin’ about Charlie” (which is the closest term that I can describe it) is not that good. It is spoken/sung at the beginning of the movie and at the end, and while it fits the movie, it also sets the scene (in my opinion) for the quality of the movie.
- I would also like to mention that when the song is brought back at the end of the movie, my jaw dropped. It was cheesy and corny, and who decided, who approved this?! Rex Allen speaks most of the lyrics, but there is also a male chorus that chimes in, and it isn’t good.
- Here are how the final lines go:
- Rex Allen: So that’s how Charlie’s lonesome days ended in the best of all possible ways. He was a king cat now, from this time on he’d reign over all this bountiful wilderness domain. He’d have a whole new life with a brand new mate. That means it’s time for us to state, there’ll be no more talking about Charlie. So long, Charlie.
- Male Chorus: So long, so long, Charlie. Let his story end.
- And it’s not just the words; it’s how the male chorus lines were sung. Low and almost sad, as if Charlie had died and this movie was his eulogy.
- I mentioned above about having a narrator for a non-speaking title character. But though Rex Allen did a great job, how his narration was written made the story more tell than show. It would work phenomenally as a story on a vinyl record.
- Visually, the scenes and characters help the story, but with how comprehensive the narration is, what I’m watching seems more like icing on the cake. It adds to the movie, but it’s not completely necessary for the story to be told.
- Something else I mentioned above was that the plot is straightforward, and that’s still true. But while the plot and the pacing match each other (also a plus), unfortunately, the pacing is slow, and the storyline moves slowly. Since the pacing matches, I can’t complain (much), but it doesn’t make for an attention-holding movie.
- I mentioned above that the human scenes do add additional obstacles/conflicts for Charlie, but honestly, the scenes where Charlie causes trouble are so frustrating. I don’t know if Jess ever has to face real consequences with the logging company because of Charlie’s actions. Would it have taken time away from the story? Yeah, totally. But still, it bugged me. And yes, I also mentioned that both Charlie and Jess have incredible plot armor, which clearly protects them throughout the movie since they both get happy, carefree endings.
Honorable Mentions
- Something that I quite enjoyed was watching the scenes featuring the logging drive, since from my research, it was actual footage of a real logging drive. I’ve never seen a logging drive either in real life or in live-action footage (only in the Paul Bunyan cartoon from Disney’s American Legends anthology film) so that was really cool to see.
Side Questions
- Why wasn’t Jess more worried about Charlie later in the movie? Charlie’s gone for a good chunk of time in the latter half of the movie (out exploring, doing all sorts of chaotic things while he learns how to be a cougar), and yet it doesn’t seem like Jess is worried at all, but the logging company people do act like Charlie’s been gone awhile, or that it wasn’t Charlie when they see him acting more wild.
Would I watch this movie again?
- When compared to previous Disney animal films, Charlie is probably closest in style and format to The Legend of Lobo and Nikki, Wild Dog of the North. So I believe that fans of those movies would enjoy this one as well. As for me, though, unless I have a specific reason to watch it again, it won’t be one I’d choose even as a casual option for a movie night.
If you’ve seen Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar, what are some of your thoughts? Share in the comments below!
Rewind to the beginning of the Disney Film Project
Skip back to the previous film with The Jungle Book
Fast Forward to the next film with Blackbeard’s Ghost
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