The Ultimate Walt Disney Company Performances Bracket -- Round Three, Day Three

I want you to...engage!

Every once in a while, I am reminded that as much as I have enjoyed doing these brackets over the years, it is especially nice to not vote some of the time. Yes, it’s true that I set up the brackets in a certain way, but that doesn’t mean that all of the matchups end up being easy.

Anyway. One of today’s matchups is especially hard, so…good luck!

(1) Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins vs. (16) Richard White, Beauty and the Beast: While I am sad to say goodbye to Richard White, whose excellent performance as Gaston is still delightful more than three decades later, Julie Andrews is Julie Andrews. It’s gotta be Mary.

(8) Carrie Fisher, The Empire Strikes Back vs. (9) Keith David, The Princess and the Frog: I’m giving this one to Keith David, which ought to show you just how much I adore The Princess and the Frog. You could argue — and I didn’t go this far in the day-one post, but I could have — that the performances are not what make the original trilogy stand out. And while Carrie Fisher gets more to do in the second film than just be a snappy damsel in distress, I still prefer David’s sly performance as Dr. Facilier.

What do you think?

(4) Holly Hunter, The Incredibles vs. (13) Alec Guinness, Star Wars: As noted above, the performances aren’t what make the original Star Wars films truly special, at least not compared to some stellar voice work. That’s my way of saying that I would vote here for Holly Hunter as Helen Parr/Elastigirl, in a performance and character that have grown a lot more for me over time than was initially the case. (I think it’s easy to watch the movie and see Helen as a wet blanket, but over time, there’s a good deal more nuance in her character and in Hunter’s performance that shines.)

Will the Force be strong against her, though? Time to vote!

(5) Anika Noni Rose, The Princess and the Frog vs. (12) Brendan Fraser, George of the Jungle: A very, very tough vote. We know by now that I adore The Princess and the Frog, because I’ve told you that twice in this very post, and Anika Noni Rose’s performance as Tiana is a massive reason why. And I also think that Brendan Fraser’s a comic delight in George of the Jungle. A tough, tough vote.

You know what I’ve just realized? I don’t actually have to tell you my preferences if it’s too challenging! So…well, time for you to vote. Good luck!