We get it: the majority of animated Disney movies since about the 1950's has had a splendor of sing-a-longs and music generally sung by the characters. Peter Pan, Aladdin, even The Emperor's New Groove. Various other children's movies over the decades have caught on: you have American Tail, Anastasia, etc. Most of the time, the storyline music is executed wonderfully and adds to the charm of the movie.

In some ways,  an animated family film as a 'musical' can be a good thing - but not inherently either good or bad. It has to fit. The lyrics have to be written well and sung well and basically curving to the context of the plot. It's not just feature films, too - the same rules apply to play performances, literature, and even abstract forms such as opera and ballet.

Musicals can be brilliant. Characters, prancing around and moving to the feel of the music, portraying a basic story through spoken song, can add to the feel of the performance/work.

Balto 3 didn't do that for me, however. Definitely not.

In fact, I was thoroughly disappointed.

When I first heard Balto 3 would include a 'musical' aspect as seen in popular animated films today, I feared. I did. And the result? Downright sloppy, overdone, and difficult to swallow music.

For importantly: what was the point? Where was it needed, where did it add to the movie?

The first Balto obviously didn't include a character's sing-a-long anywhere. By far, that movie excelled in artistry and brilliance. Significant to note: it was deeply serious at times, but it included a balanced, just plain toasty amount of silliness and fun to appeal to children. That's why you all watched it at whatever age, didn't you?

So what's this 'musical' addition to Balto 3? What in the world is the point of force-feeding the movie a bunch of regurgitated, practically worthless character-song?

It makes me embarrassed for those excellent musical works such as RENT and The Little Mermaid, to be honest.

Thoughts?