As fans of the Disney franchise, we spend a lot of time talking about the princes and princesses. The internet is filled with articles talking about the feminist implications of Disney princesses and the complete lack of personality frequently shown by their male counterparts. And while that's all well and good, we never seem to talk about the good old Disney sidekicks (sorry, hero support). True to form, these lovable BFFs remain shunted off to the side, doomed to spend their existence living in the shadow.
But it's a shame, because a lot of times these side characters are the best part of the movie. Really, in terms of audience enjoyment, the hierarchy goes: sidekick, villain (depending on the film and whether or not James Wood happens to be voicing him, in which case the villain catapults in awesomeness), plucky female lead, boring tenor prince.
So why no love for comic relief? It's a cruel world out there, but don't worry, little guys -- you're about to get your moment in the sun.
10. Linguini - Ratatouille
Linguini is kind of unique on this list, in that he is the human sidekick of an animal protagonist. The film Ratatouille revolves around Remy, a rat with aspirations of becoming a professional chef. Unfortunately, rats aren't exactly the most welcome visitors in a restaurant kitchen, and he's shut out until he forms an unlikely friendship with Linguini, a hapless busboy. Hidden in Linguini's chef's hat, he can cook to his heart's content without being discovered.
Despite the fact that Remy is a rodent, Linguini offers him a place in his life. They share an apartment and Linguini helps him achieve all of his dreams. He's such an unassuming man who goes out of his way to form a relationship with an animal that most people would call an exterminator to get rid of. It's not exactly the most conventional relationship, but they work together incredibly well. His interactions with the other members of the kitchen are absolutely priceless, especially when he's trying to cover up the fact that he's got a rat in his hat.
9. Dory - Finding Nemo
Sometimes there's just a perfect storm, where acting and character and story come together to create a truly iconic cartoon experience. When people think of Finding Nemo, Dory is often the first thing to come to mind. A hilariously forgetful fish, Dory helps Marlin to track down his missing son Nemo and is voiced by the effortlessly charismatic Ellen DeGeneres. Despite the fact that she suffers from pretty severe short term memory loss, she is a loving, sociable character with a tremendous sense of optimism.
Her catchphrase, "Just keep swimming," has served as an inspiration to many, and Dory is proof that simple depictions of love and kindness can have a surprisingly broad impact on audiences. It was impossible for kids and adults alike not to fall for DeGeneres' light-hearted and frenetic delivery. Seriously, you can't look at that goofy little character's face without smiling. Just over a year ago, Pixar announced that Dory would getting her very own film (Finding Dory), which shows once and for all just how popular the humble character had become.
8. Kronk - The Emperor's New Groove
The Emperor's New Groove has to be one of Disney's most underrated films. It's got a quirky sense of humor that's almost too clever for its target audience, and for that reason it takes people a few viewings to really appreciate everything the film has going for it. David Spade is hilarious as Cuzco, and of course the sublime Eartha Kitt was a revelation as Yzma, but Patrick Warbuton really stole the show in the role of Kronk.
Kronk's not exactly the smartest guy in the world. He's Yzma's second in command, but all he really brings to the table are muscles and a killer recipe for spinach puffs. Kronk takes the stereotype of a dumb henchman and follows it through to a conclusion that is funnier than it had any right to be. Sure, he does all the heavy lifting, but he's also sensitive, great at cooking, and fluent in Squirrel. Also, while he's taking Cuzco out of the city, he invents his own theme music. In conclusion, Kronk is glorious and anyone who disagrees is tragically mistaken.
7. Mushu - Mulan
There are certain roles that just cry out to be voiced by a specific actor, and when you hear them in the performance, it's like there's no one else in the world who could have played them. If anyone else had played Mushu besides Eddie Murphy, it would have been a travesty. That man was put on this earth to bring life to the feisty little dragon. The character was perfectly tailored to his style of delivery, and it created a tremendously sassy guardian for the indomitable Mulan.
The great thing about Mushu was how incredibly supportive he was, and how he managed to morph himself into whatever role Mulan needed him to fill. Whether she needed a best friend, a mother, a life coach, or even a firestarter, he was always there for her. He managed to have hilarious interactions with every other character on screen, but there was an especially adorable camaraderie between him and the unlucky cricket. When he finally proves himself to the ancestors and is reinstated as a proper guardian, you can't help but be thrilled for the little guy -- he's earned it.
6. Pain And Panic - Hercules
Fifty percent of Pain and Panic is voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait, which earns them a place on this list by default. Anyone who doesn't want to have that man featured in pretty much every movie ever is just plain wrong. These two wormy little demons, aside from being the comic relief in what is probably Disney's most underrated film in recent memory, serve as henchmen to Hades (perfectly voiced by James Woods).
They are a fantastic match for the Lord of the Underworld -- their dimwitted mistakes allow the dry sarcasm of Hades to really shine. The genius of their interactions is that they create two different levels of comedy: Pain and Panic bring the slapsticky sight gags that kids adore, and Hades amuses adults with his wryly sardonic reactions to them. It's a match made in heaven, although Hades would probably be super mad if it was ever put to him like that.
5. Iago - Aladdin
It was a struggle to decide which of Aladdin's many side characters to include on this list. Abu is cute and has a tremendous amount of personality for a non-verbal character. The Genie is obviously a cinematic icon, but he's such an influential character that the label of sidekick doesn't seem quite appropriate. Then it becomes incredibly obvious: Iago. On paper, the character is a pretty generic cartoon baddie. He's an annoying parrot who schemes alongside Jafar, and it isn't until Iago is translated to film that he becomes amazing.
For some reason, the fact that Gilbert Gottfried voices Iago changes the game entirely. His dulcet tones capture Iago's simmering rage perfectly, and create a great counterpoint to Jafar's emotional restraint. His anger and the contempt he has for everyone else is made hilarious because it kind of makes you wonder if that's how all parrots view humanity. After all, there's only so many times you can hear "Polly want a cracker?" before you snap and go Dark Side.
4. Dopey - Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
To be fair, there are seven little guys who could have easy ended up on this list. We all have our favorite dwarf, even if we do always end up forgetting one of them (usually Sneezy, but let's face it, if your allergies are your most defining character trait you're probably not the most memorable person alive). Regardless, we all have a soft spot in our hearts for Dopey, the most vulnerable member of the group. He's just such a little sweetheart, you can't help but love him.
Unfortunately, the other dwarfs have a tendency to be mean to him, because of his goofy, playful nature. But the fact that Snow White treats him well is a clever way to endear her to audiences more than she already way: we like Dopey and she likes Dopey, so we like her. Despite the fact that he never utters a word in the film (Doc says that he's never tried to talk), he packs an emotional wallop, especially at the end when he's grieving at Snow White's coffin.
3. Olaf - Frozen
Olaf wins all kinds of special awards for overcoming the fact that the trailer made you think you were legitimately going to hate him in Frozen. He definitely had the potential to be that super annoying comic relief character usually voiced by a big name comedian that everyone just can't stand. But then you go see the movie, and he's the sweetest, most adorable character ever. All of his little quirks are hopelessly endearing when paired with the unbridled enthusiasm that Josh Gad brings to the role. Olaf just has such a good nature and a genuinely kind temperament.
The idea of behaving meanly towards anyone never even crosses his mind, and the fact that he is such a good person gives us added insight into the moral character of his creator. The combination of a fantastic musical number and hilarious ad-libs keep the character from feeling too overwritten as a goofball. By the end of the film, you're rooting for Olaf more than anyone else, and you just want him to get that little taste of summer (without dying a horrible death, of course).
2. Ray - The Princess And The Frog
One of the best qualities of The Princess and the Frog is how well it utilizes the character of New Orleans, including all the inventive creatures that live in the Bayou. While going on a fun-filled adventure as frogs, Tiana and Naveen meet a jazz-loving alligator named Louis, who provides some of the film's greatest music. But without a doubt, the emotional center of the film is the Cajun firefly, Raymond (but his friends call him Ray).
Under his heavily accented exterior lies the heart of a true romantic, and you can't help but be utterly wooed by his relationship with the love of his life, a star called Evangeline. He's goofy and light-hearted, but you're lying if you didn't cry genuine tears over the fate of his character. The conclusion with Evangeline was somehow more emotionally evocative than anything that happened between Tiana and Naveen.
1. Lumiere And Cogsworth - Beauty And The Beast
Great things come in pairs, and as much as it might seem like a cheat to put both these guys on the list, it would be an unconscionable act to separate them. They just don't work unless they're playing off each other. Lumiere is the suave, charismatic French candlestick who breezes through life charming everyone he meets, and Cogsworth is the more straight-laced, rule-oriented clock who tries to rein him in. They help the Beast in different ways, but their contributions are equally important. For the purposes of the audience, however, the most significant thing is how incredibly entertaining they both are.
Lumiere is the showstopper, the one who sings all the songs and grabs everyone's attention immediately. But then Cogsworth comes along with fantastic one-liners that you almost don't pick up on until a second or third viewing. Like the time when he's giving Belle a tour of the castle and busts out a "If it's not Baroque, don't fix it" joke, or when he tries to give the Beast advice about what to give a woman (his suggestions include flowers, chocolate, and promises you don't intend to keep). Classic. Bottom line: Lumiere and Cogsworth are probably the greatest double act Disney's ever had.
Source: What Culture
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