Its a great time to be a Disney fanatic. The Mouse is riding high on a figurative tidal wave of success. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a runaway, unprecedented hit. The Star Wars franchise now rests in capable, competent hands. And, in addition to all of these successes, Walt Disney Animation Studios endures, and has made some of its strongest, most captivating films in recent years. The best part of any Disney film has always been the villain. The Disney hero/heroine is usually a stock character - a morally sound person with bigger aspirations, but he or she is so damn bland. The villain by comparison, is usually the most three-dimensional character - both emotionally complex enough to hold our attention, and charismatic enough to make us identify with him or her. Disney animated films are considered to be family friendly fare, but thats only partially true. The adorable sidekicks and catchy songs are interspersed with scenes of drama, violence, and death. They're what makes these films resonate, years after they were first released, and what elevates them above standard, childrens fare. Here are the top 10 Disney villain deaths - the comeuppances that were both brutal and creative. You almost feels sorry for these evil bastards. Almost.
Kevin is an AP English Language teacher and freelance writer from Queens, NY. His focus is on American pop culture and American issues. He wrote a weekly column for Complex called "Throwback Thursdays," which spotlighted video games and trends from previous console generations. Kevin has also been published in VIBE, Salon, PopMatters, Joystiq, and Racialicious. Follow him on Twitter to learn more.
