The Voice-Over Bracket, Round 6

Well, it all comes down to this. One of the greatest comedians of all time against one of the most distinctive, impossible-to-replicate voices.

First, I should note again that Robin Williams vs. Clarence Nash is not the Top Two I had envisioned, either based on my own preferences or based on my presumptions of how voters would lean. Williams’ presence is, of course, unsurprising to the point of being laughably predictable. But I am really shocked that Nash is here.

I won’t go into great detail of my own overall bracket picks, but I do want to specify the two actors I did prefer in the Top Two: Tom Hanks as Sheriff Woody in Toy Story against Amy Poehler as Joy in Inside Out, with Poehler winning it all. I’m frankly surprised that none of the Pixar performances made it to the Elite Eight, both because of recency and because they’re all-around, multi-dimensional performances. It’s true, of course, that these actors rarely, if ever, sing as Pixar characters. Still, I’m surprised they didn’t make the cut.

(1) Robin Williams, Aladdin vs. (10) Clarence Nash, The Three Caballeros

So we come to the Genie and Donald Duck, two of the most irrepressible and unforgettable characters in Disney history. I do want to emphasize something that I can only say so many times, and that arguably doesn’t change your vote one way or the other: if you are, say, voting for Mr. Nash, you should really just be voting for his performance in the 1944 package film.

And having that said: I am voting for Clarence Nash. I do not expect him to win. You don’t have to convince me that Robin Williams should be the victor. He’s made it this far, and I get why. Two great songs, and an overall performance that is so clearly difficult to imitate that when a very talented all-around voice actor did imitate him in a sequel, it was extremely poorly received.

Here’s where I fall: it’s true that Robin Williams is a one-of-a-kind comedic talent. But it’s easy enough to try and impersonate his manic style, even if it’s not automatically going to be successful. (There are a lot of reasons why the Genie just seems weird in The Return of Jafar, but a lot of that comes down to the fact that the screenwriters don’t have the improvisatory gifts to match Williams’ mind.)

Like, I can try to do a bad Robin Williams impression. I have no goddamn idea how to do Donald Duck’s voice. Clarence Nash (and, in recent years, Tony Anselmo) is a vocal wizard. I genuinely don’t know how he ever did it. And while The Three Caballeros is a slighter film with only one notable song…Nash is really incredible there as he always was.

I can’t believe it either, but I hope Clarence Nash wins this one.