These days, it is no secret that the Walt Disney Company has been openly trying to be more inclusive (or as some people say, “woke”) across all of its mediums.
Gender-neutral Disney Park Cast Member names, the ongoing political battle with Florida leader Governor Ron DeSantis, and LGBTQ+ relationships in animated movies have left Disney Park Guests and Disney audience members harshly divided.
The latter was specifically rumored to be the main reason why Disney turned down a highly-anticipated graphic novel adaptation called Nimona — and if the 94% Rotten Tomatoes score is any indication, Disney made an enormous error in letting Netflix snap up the film rights instead!
The same-sex romance between two characters named Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and Sir Ballister Boldheart would have been yet another opportunity for Disney to show off its “woke” focus in the same manner that was attempted with recent box office failures like Lightyear and Strange World, but now that Netflix has pulled off the Nimona story in such a successful way, the opportunity is most certainly gone.
Netflix, Meet NimonaÂ
Nimona is an animated film, now available for viewing on Netflix, that recently made its debut amidst significant fanfare. The movie is based on a graphic novel called Nimona by trans-masculine author N.D. Stevenson, and the story follows an eccentric shapeshifter named Nimona.
Nimona decides to become the sidekick of heroic knight-turned-pariah Sir Ballister Boldheart and sets off on an adventure (or crime spree, depending on who you ask) in order to help Ballister clear his name after he is framed for a high-profile murder.
Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop. She’s a fighter…but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her. I am excited out of my mind to announce that THE NIMONA MOVIE IS ALIVE…coming at you in 2023 from Annapurna and Netflix 🤘 pic.twitter.com/wEZuM2sXTt
— ND Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) April 11, 2022
This Is NOT a Disney or Pixar Story…
Like many non-Disney animated films, Nimona still has plenty of parallels to classic Disney stories. For example, Nimona’s shapeshifting abilities involve transforming into a wide variety of pastel-pink animals ranging from rhinos to otters, and this is certainly reminiscent of the potion-induced shapeshifting scenes from The Emperor’s New Groove (2000).
There are also very clear themes in this story about prejudice, just as there are some oftentimes heavy-handed metaphors about racism in many Disney films (especially the new Pixar movie Elemental, which focused on the plight of immigrants).
…and Nimona Is NOT a Disney Princess
The Disney princesses of old have been ingrained in many Disney Adults’ memories of Disney, so even though more modern heroines like Raya and Merida are representations of progress, the fact remains that old-school Disney princesses like Cinderella, Snow White, and Aurora do still retain some forms of influence over viewers.
However, the feisty and determined Nimona (who leads the way on this adventure and singlehandedly rescues Sir Ballister Boldheart from multiple threats with quick thinking and resourceful shapeshifting maneuvers) serves as a very clear foil to Disney’s aforementioned damsels in distress.
Netflix Makes Its Mark
The edgy form of animation and punk-rock music that permeates the film also endeavors to emphasize that this is most definitely NOT a Disney movie (and especially not a classic Disney princess film).
Nimona combines a gritty futuristic city setting with a beautiful natural world (which is held back from the city via a massive fortified wall), with most of the film focusing on the city setting. The film’s fight scenes are equal parts exhilarating and comical (mainly due to Nimona) and the conclusion of the film is heartwrenching as audiences learn more and more about Nimona’s painful past.
In this way, Nimona brings Pixar films to mind — since Pixar is well-known for its penchant for making audiences cry, sometimes very unexpectedly — but overall the aesthetic, energy, and sassy scenes (such as the beloved shark dance break) consistently remind viewers that they’re watching a Netflix film and not a Disney or Pixar film!
Disney’s rejection of Nimona was a punch to the gut for the graphic novel’s ardent fans back in 2020, and it was a decision that may have cost Disney dearly and that has already increased accusations about Disney being “out of touch” with modern-day audiences.
Nevertheless, Netflix has successfully put its own mark on the Nimona novel from N.D. Stevenson, with the end result being an animated movie that is edgy, emotional, and all-around fun!
Have you watched Nimona yet?
