Disney+ gives us an inside look at more of Disney’s projects in the second episode of the docuseries “Disney Insider.” This episode takes us behind the scenes of the Disney+ series “Diary of a Future President,” the live action version of “Mulan” and introduces us to two Disney animating legends that worked on some of the company’s biggest hits of the 1980s and 1990s.

I thought the Disney legends short was going to be my favorite part of this episode, but, in the end, it was only okay. It was cool to see some of the original sketches of films the animators worked on, but it felt hollow. It was too short to get into too many interesting topics. I believe their story would be better served in its own documentary, or at least an hour long episode of a full length docuseries similar to “The Imagineering Story.”

The other two shorts go hand in hand to show you the wonderful work women are doing behind the scenes in traditionally male dominated areas. We meet Ilana Pena, the driving force and creator of “Diary of a Future President.” We see how the show, loosely based on her real life story, is being used to inspire girls who watch the show. Most of the producer roles are filled by women. It’s a great example of how the landscape is changing to become more inclusive and more representative of the population.

In the “Mulan” short, we meet the producers, directors and star of the film, almost all of whom are women of color. It’s a great example of how the women are trying to make a film that inspire women and girls around the world while trying to stay somewhat close to the legend the film is based off of. That will be increasingly hard as it’s also a live action version of one of the most popular films of the Disney Renaissance. But, after watching this short, I’m more excited for this live action version of a Disney animated classic than I have been in a long time. I like what I saw and I have high hopes for what they’ll be able to accomplish.

It was a fun way to spend 17 minutes, but I still don’t understand why it’s delivered as a show instead of as a series of shorts. I would be more interested in seeing these “Disney Insider” shorts drop weekly than I am the “One Day at Disney” shorts that are currently dropping every week. I believe these shorts have more to offer than those right now.

Ranking:

Episode: 3 stars out of 5.

Series: 3.5 stars out of 5.

Have you watched “Disney Insider?” What did you think of it?

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Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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