DreamWorks hits home whereas Disney plays it safe. Agree?

Animation is important because it helps amplify voices, raise awareness about marginalized groups, and highlight key social issues. With strong storytelling and engaging visuals, animators can capture our attention and make us think more deeply about the world around us. It helps us see a world where most of us see it only in our dreams, whether it be a wonderful dream with unicorns or a world full of fantastical creatures, or your very worst nightmare displayed right in front of your very eyes. It draws us in emotionally with the use of proper visuals and sounds.

With the above said, two giant companies instantly comes to mind. DreamWorks and Disney Animation.
(Japanese animation studios aren’t included in the discussion because we all know that they have their own realm.)

Music:
DreamWorks excels in creating movies that are vibrant, bold, and innovative, especially in music and visuals. The Trolls franchise, for example, uses music as a key part of its story, with energetic songs driving the plot; and uses music to add humor, set the mood, and create a modern, exciting feel. Also, DreamWorks isn’t song number-heavy, which gives them the edge with regards to storytelling. the story flows much better without the commercials for a song number popping up once in a while. DW uses background music to draw in the audience and increase the depth and volume of what was happening, thus creating a heavier emotional impact. In contrast, Disney relies on classic musical styles, like “Let It Go” from Frozen or “Circle of Life” from The Lion King. They use music to highlight an important moment in the story. Although their music is mostly great and stood the test of time, it derails the audience’s ride through the story of the film. It’s like an emotional Stop-Go-Stop-Go situation on the viewer’s experience. Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney songs and I sing-along with my daughter whenever she plays some, but that’s just it, it’s memorable indeed and great for sing-alongs, but doesn’t help carry the emotion of the film.

Visuals:
DreamWorks often surpasses Disney with its creativity. Films like How to Train Your Dragon feature stunning landscapes and thrilling sequences, while Kung Fu Panda blends rich colors and unique cultural influences. They’re not afraid to highlight the little things that matter, resulting in diverse and memorable visuals. Disney’s polished style is beautiful but safer and less daring. They focus more on the main character’s struggle, their ups and downs, while it helps us to relate more, it kind of disregards the other aspects of the film.

Humor:
DreamWorks also stands out with its humor and tone. Movies like Shrek use clever, layered humor that appeals to kids and adults alike, they’re not afraid to step on some toes, whether it be dark, witty or corny humor, they do it intentionally and it resonates well with the audience. Meanwhile, Disney sticks to a more traditional, family-friendly storytelling. Hence their main audience are children, which isn’t a bad thing, but it limits their reach and it won’t be as funny when those kids grow up and watch it again.

Conclusion:
DW is more willing to push boundaries with complex characters and fresh ideas. While Disney is also a legend in animation, DreamWorks sets itself apart with bold music, innovative visuals, and daring storytelling, making it a standout in modern animation. Every animated film that Disney put out in 2024 couldn’t compare to what DW’s A Wild Robot has achieved. DW films will surely stand the test of time.