Line #6 PaperThinDisguise/AnimatedFilms


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7	[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jungle-book-1967-louie-baloo_5392.jpg]]]]
8	[[caption-width-right:350:[[SarcasmMode Clearly, both are real orangutans.]]]]
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12	* In ''WesternAnimation/The3LittlePigsTheMovie'', [[TheBigBadWolf Big Boss]] pulls two to try to get into Fino's brick house. First as a chimney sweep and then as Santa Claus.
13	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'':
14	** Just a change of clothes is all it takes for people to not recognize Aladdin as Prince Ali. Jasmine starts to see through it when he goes to see her at the balcony. When he asks her if she trusts him when she’s reluctant to go on his magic carpet with him that, she really starts to suspect something, as [[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay he had asked her if he trusted her when he asked her to jump with him back when they first met and were trying to escape soldiers sent to get Aladdin]]. [[spoiler:To be fair, Jasmine did have legitimate reason to think Aladdin was dead.]] The [[Film/Aladdin2019 live action remake]] rectifies this trope by having the Genie explain that his magic makes people see a completely different person until they figure it out for themselves.
15	** Lampshaded in the parody musical ''[[Theatre/TwistedTheUntoldStoryOfARoyalVizier Twisted]]''.
16	--->'''Aladdin:''' Did somebody order... a prince?\
17	'''The Princess:''' ALADDIN!\
18	'''Aladdin:''' How the fuck did you know it was me?\
19	'''The Princess:''' Because it is you, you're just wearing different clothes!
20	** Jasmine herself is worse. Her "disguise" she uses to go about her subjects incognito is a hooded cloak, nothing more, with her tiara underneath. Justified in that she had by her own admission never set foot outside the palace before.
21	** Iago disguises himself as a flamingo with just a fake beak and a pair of stilts.
22	* In ''WesternAnimation/AllCreaturesBigAndSmall'', Finny the Nestrian and his father are rejected from boarding Noah's ark simply because their species isn't on the ark's animal list. In an attempt to get onto the ark anyway, the Nestrians make and wear costumes of Grymps, a cat-like species that managed to get accepted into the ark. The costumes quite blatantly ''don't'' look like actual Grymps, but the costumes work regardless, and the Nestrians are permitted onto the ark.
23	* In ''WesternAnimation/AsterixConquersAmerica'', Caesar escapes the final battle by [[MobileShrubbery hiding in a barrel and sneaking away]]:
24	-->'''Gaul:''' Halt! Who goes there?\
25	'''Caesar:''' A barrel, you dolt!\
26	'''Gaul:''' Oh, a barrel.
27	* ''WesternAnimation/TheBadGuys2022'': Shark is the team's MasterOfDisguise, even though in all his disguises it's obvious to the audience he's an anthropomorphic shark; the most he does to disguise himself as a human is put on a pair of Groucho Marx glasses. This is also true for any other character that "disguises" themselves. All Mr. Wolf has to do is put on a fake moustache and a hat and he flawlessly blends in.
28	* In ''WesternAnimation/Cars3'', Lightning uses mud to disguise himself as "Chester Whipplefilter" so he can take part in a race at Thunder Hollow without drawing unnecessary attention to himself.
29	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'': While his gradual transformation into a skeletal spirit helps, Miguel manages to completely evade his family and avoid sticking out in the Land of the Dead simply by painting skeletal designs on himself with black and white shoe polish on his face and covering his ears with his hood, making no other effort to change his clothes, his voice, or otherwise anything else that would give him away. Albeit, this is somewhat justified by the fact that everyone was looking for a living boy, and thus they were likely looking for his living skin tone.
30	* ''Franchise/DespicableMe'':
31	** The Minions tend to wear a wig (beard is optional), clothes (with or without a hat), and absolutely nothing to disguise the fact that they're tiny, bright yellow, three-fingered creatures, some of whom only have one eye in the center of their face.
32	** In the opening of the [[WesternAnimation/DespicableMe1 first film]], Vector steals one of the Egyptian pyramids, despite being one of the wonders of the world, and replaces it with an inflatable replica. Where does he hide it? [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments In his backyard, painted blue with white clouds on it.]]
33	* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'': Ratigan taunts Basil's less-than-convincing disguise when he catches Basil in his lair.
34	* In ''WesternAnimation/Home2015'', a single beauty mark is sufficient to make Oh look like "a completely different Boov", to the point that its subsequent removal is treated as a DramaticUnmask that results in one of the on-looking Boov [[FaintInShock fainting in shock]]. Note that this ''only'' works on Boov; Tip was preparing a complete makeover and was annoyed when he was satisfied with the mark.
35	* ''WesternAnimation/HomeOnTheRange'': Cattle rustler Alameda Slim works with the Willie Brothers to heist cattle. They're henchmen who are so dimwitted that without fail, no matter how many times Slim demonstrates before their very eyes that he can put on the hat and the glasses and it's still him, they react with shock that a stranger has suddenly appeared before them. [[RunningGag Every. Single. Time.]]
36	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Hoodwinked}}'':
37	** The story itself is based on Literature/LittleRedRidingHood, so naturally the Wolf has to impersonate Granny (because he is trying to get information on a thief out of Red). He does so by donning a plastic face mask, an apron costume, and a falsetto voice. After a few takes trying to get the right voice, the Wolf decides to hand the Granny role over to Twitchy (who being a squirrel would absolutely fail to impersonate Granny properly). Except, Red shows up unexpectedly, forcing the Wolf to stash Twitchy in the closet and assume the role. He tries to do a hasty impersonation, but Red sees through it instantly (as she says in her police statement). She just plays along, [[YourCostumeNeedsWork criticizing his disguise]] until he snaps and just takes the thing off:
38	--->'''Red Puckett:''' What? ''[walks towards him cautiously]'' Who are you?\
39	'''The Wolf:''' [[BlatantLies I'm your grandma]].\
40	'''Red Puckett:''' Your face looks really weird, granny.\
41	'''The Wolf:''' I've been sick, I... uh... ''[puts his hands over his chest and tries to mime coughing, poorly]''\
42	'''Red Puckett:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Your mouth doesn't move when you talk]].\
43	'''The Wolf:''' ''[taps his mask]'' Oh, uh, plastic surgery. Grandma's had a little work done. Now come on over here. Let's have a look at you. ''[Red steps closer]''\
44	'''Red Puckett:''' So, what's going on, "grandma"?\
45	'''The Wolf:''' Oh, this and that, doing a lot of quilting. So, you got the loot? ''[Red notices his hands]''\
46	'''Red Puckett:''' Whoa, what big ''hands'' you have!\
47	'''The Wolf:''' Oh! All the better to scratch my back with! ''[does so]''\
48	'''Red Puckett:''' And what big ''ears'' you have!\
49	'''The Wolf:''' ''[becoming increasingly irritated]'' All the better to hear your... ''many'' criticisms. [[BlatantLies Old people just have big ears, dear]].\
50	'''Red Puckett:''' And Granny... what big ''eyes'' you have!\
51	'''The Wolf:''' ''[exploding]'' Are we just gonna sit around here and talk about how big I'm getting?! ''[leans in closer to Red]'' You came here for a reason, didn't ya? So tell ole Granny what you've got in the basket!\
52	'''Red Puckett:''' ''[leans back, disgusted]'' Ugh, Granny! [[YouNeedABreathMint What bad]] ''[[YouNeedABreathMint breath]]'' [[YouNeedABreathMint you have!]]\
53	'''The Wolf:''' All right... ''[tears off the mask; Red screams and backs away]''\
54	'''Red Puckett:''' You again?! What do I have to do, get a restraining order?!
55	** The fact that the Wolf was using Granny's own licensed merchandise probably didn't help his case, because Red's certainly ''seen'' the supplies for the Granny costume lying around on previous visits.
56	** The Wolf and Kirk infiltrate Boingo's cable car terminal lair to attempt to rescue Red. They take Boingo's goon Dolph, knock him out, and [[MuggedForDisguise dress Kirk up]] in his clothes. Because Boingo has seen Kirk, he also puts on a ski mask to hide his face. Somehow, Boingo doesn't notice that "Dolph" suddenly has become much heavier, is now talking in a Bavarian accent instead of a thick Schwarzenegger accent, and also grown a very long beard (which sticks out from underneath Kirk's ski mask). Nor does he recognize the Wolf despite the Wolf having dressed up as a utility worker with hard hat and clipboard.
57	--->'''Boingo:''' Dolph! Where have you been?! You nimwitted Eurotrash with the-- what is that, a ski mask?\
58	'''Kirk:''' Uh, I, um, yah...\
59	'''Boingo:''' I like that! See, ''that's'' scary! Yeah, that's good. ''[turns his attention back to the tram car, as Red tries to scream through her gag]''\
60	'''Kirk:''' Um, b-boss...\
61	'''Boingo:''' ''[exploding with impatience]'' WHAT?! Say it! Spit it out! What's goin' on?!\
62	'''Kirk:''' Um... boss, uh, Paul's Bunion Cream has the soothing formula--\
63	'''The Wolf:''' ''[interrupts, dressed in utility worker's clothing]'' Hi there! What he means to say is that I'm the building inspector.\
64	'''Kirk:''' Yah, yes!\
65	'''The Wolf:''' I just need to tap the pipes; see if your wiring's up to par.\
66	'''Boingo:''' Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold it, you're not... no, you can't touch anything in here.\
67	'''The Wolf:''' ''[pauses]'' Let's walk.
68	* In ''WesternAnimation/HotelTransylvania3SummerVacation'', Dennis and Winnie disguise Dennis' massive puppy Tinkles as "Bob" using a massive trenchcoat and relatively tiny hat. Played 100% straight - nobody recognizes "Bob" until the end when he ditches both.
69	* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' makes a big deal about the Parrs protecting their identities despite the fact that all they wear are tiny domino masks. Bob/Mr. Incredible's mask is especially thin given his build and his inability to control his strength when angry/frustrated.
70	* ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'':
71	** Baloo the Bear impersonates a primate by putting some leaves on his head, more leaves around his waist, and two large coconut quarters on his lips (pictured above).
72	** And just before that, Bagheera has [[NobodyHereButUsStatues successfully passed himself off as part of the ancient ruins by assuming the same pose as a row of leopard statues]], even though he's nearly solid black and the statues are all a light shade of gray.
73	* How do the heroes of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie'' infiltrate Lord Business' base? Batman goes to the meeting as Bruce Wayne ([[WesternAnimation/TheLegoBatmanMovie later movies]] reveal only Master Builders know they're the same person, so this one is justified), Emmett and Wyldstyle wrap themselves in tin foil to disguise themselves as robots (the robots are metallic-grey minifigs, but still a bit of a stretch), and Unikitty gets glasses and a tie doodled on her (...yeah, can't BS that one). The peak of the Paper-Thinness comes from this dialogue:
74	-->'''Unikitty:''' ''[prancing on the table]'' Business business business. Numbers. ''[whispers]'' Is it working?\
75	'''Robot:''' ...Yes.\
76	'''Unikitty:''' YAAAAY--
77	* {{Downplayed\|Trope}} in ''WesternAnimation/MeetTheRobinsons''. When Wilbur takes Lewis [[TimeTravel into the future]], he insists that he wear a hat over his uniquely spiky blond hair; though he won't explain why, it's to hide the fact that Lewis is [[spoiler:the past self of Wilbur's own father]]. Granted, they have no reason to suspect a time-traveler in their house, but you'd think Lewis might still be recognized by [[spoiler:his own wife and parents]], especially since [[LimitedWardrobe his outfit is identical even after thirty years]], but nope, they're in the dark until Wilbur finally knocks his hat off.
78	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'' has a standard yet humourous approach to this with the minion-fish in his great big metal body -- where he becomes the new hero's "space step-mom" by putting on an apron and a wig.
79	-->'''[[TheDitz Tighten]]:''' [[AndThisIsFor This one's for]] Space Step-Mom! ''[[ComicallyMissingThePoint YOU LIED TO HER!]]''
80	* Invoked for laughs in ''WesternAnimation/MonstersVsAliens'': Susan's fellow monsters try to rescue her from Gallaxhar's ship by [[DressingAsTheEnemy dressing like other members of Gallaxhar's clone army]]. The disguise consists entirely of a vest, with Gallaxhar being a purple tentacled creature, and looking nothing like the monsters. Link stops the clone escorting Susan, saying that he, Gallaxhar, demands the prisoner be released, leading to this, because they are incredibly stupid:
81	-->'''Clone:''' Clearly you are defective beyond repair. Guards, take them to the incinerator!\
82	''[all cower in fear]''\
83	'''Clone:''' Well? What are you waiting for? You two, ''[motions to B.O.B. and Dr. Cockroach]'' take them away.\
84	'''Dr. Cockroach:''' Seriously?\
85	'''Clone:''' Yes. And here's a security pass in case you run into any trouble. Would you like a gun?\
86	'''B.O.B.:''' Yes, thank you. ''[takes the gun and shoots the clone]''
87	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'': All Mulan has to do [[SweetPollyOliver to pass for a man]] is put on some men's clothing and put her hair up. Fair, the "men's clothing" in question is described as ''armour'', which would do much to hide her figure, but that doesn't explain how she fools anyone when [[HilarityEnsues they walk in on her bathing]]. As WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick wisely said when Mulan's cover was blown: "Just put your hair back up, it's like the gender equivalent of Clark Kent's glasses."
88	* ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'': Jack must have been really delusional if he thought a red suit and deep voice would hide the fact that he's a seven-foot-tall skeleton trying to be Santa.
89	* In ''WesternAnimation/PoundPuppiesAndTheLegendOfBigPaw'', Cooler disguises himself as a cat simply by wearing a pot with a face painted on it and a brush over his tail.
90	* In ''WesternAnimation/RayaAndTheLastDragon'': We have the part about when Sisu disguises herself with Raya's hat and red cape to go unnoticed, despite the fact that many people would see a giant talking female blue dragon wearing a hat and red cape. Raya asks Sisu about why she wears clothes, and we get this:
91	-->'''Sisu:''' Oh, you definitely chose the right hat/outfit for that.
92	* ''Hilariously'' averted in ''WesternAnimation/RecessSchoolsOut'', T.J. and Principal Prickly disguise themselves as guards to get past a group of officers, but their trick fails [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome as the guards immediately see past their disguises]].
93	* ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood1973'':
94	** Prince John and his guards fail to see through Robin and Little John's gypsy costumes, though it does make John more perceptive to catch on to Robin the second time around.
95	** Prince John figures out Robin's disguise as a stork (which itself is actually pretty convincing), while the Sheriff of Nottingham claims he can see through any disguise Robin could cook up (he can't). Though Prince John figures out who Robin is more because of his archery skill in the tournament and Maid Marian's affection for him (Marian was the only one who actually saw through the disguise). Note that Prince John never saw through Little John's less convincing disguise despite sitting right next to him.
96	** Hilariously, none of the bad guys see through Robin's blind beggar disguise, although Trigger suspects something.
97	* The ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'' series uses this frequently.
98	** The [[WesternAnimation/Shrek1 first film]] sees Shrek disguise himself as a knight. While it may seem like a convincing disguise, it still has some blatant flaws: with the visor being open, it clearly shows his green forehead. He's also wearing ''fingerless gloves'' that expose his green fingers. Yet Fiona doesn't realize he's an ogre until after he takes the helmet off.
99	** The [[WesternAnimation/Shrek2 second one]], when sneaking into the Fairy Godmother's factory, sees Shrek posing as one of the workers (all of whom are gnomes). The entire uniform only covers his head.
100	** Inverted in the [[WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird third movie]], where Donkey and Puss pass Shrek off as a guy in an ogre costume in order to gain entry into the Worcestershire gym to fetch Arthur (who is to be the next heir of Far Far Away).
101	--->'''Shrek:''' We're here for the mascot contest.\
102	'''Guard:''' ''[scoffs]'' ''This'' is a costume? ''[grabs Shrek's cheeks and stretches them]'' Looks pretty real to me.\
103	'''Puss:''' If he were real, then would he feel... ''this''? ''[sticks his claws into Shrek's butt; Shrek winces, trying very hard to suppress his pain]''\
104	'''Donkey:''' Or ''this''? ''[[[GroinAttack kicks Shrek in the groin]]; Shrek groans]''\
105	'''Shrek:''' ''[straining]'' If it were real, that would've been agonizingly painful!\
106	'''Donkey:''' ''[about to kick Shrek again]'' Now watch this!\
107	'''Shrek:''' ''[shoves Donkey and Puss aside]'' That's quite enough, boys.\
108	''[the Guard allows the trio to enter the gym]''
109	** In ''WesternAnimation/ShrekForeverAfter'', Rumpelstiltskin is met by several villagers bringing in pathetic Shrek imposters. He doesn't buy any of them for an instant.
110	--->'''Rumpelstiltskin:''' Not Shrek! That's not Shrek! Also not Shrek! ''[passes by Butterpants and Lemke]'' That's not even an ogre, it's a troll! Nice try, though. ''[the Three Little Pigs present the Big Bad Wolf wearing a square ogre mask]'' And that?\
111	'''Wolf:''' Roar.\
112	'''Rumpelstiltskin:''' That's just sad. ''[Pinocchio with Geppetto with his face colored green]'' And what is that supposed to be?\
113	'''Geppetto:''' I'm just a frightened old man.\
114	'''Pinocchio:''' Don't listen to him! These ogres are crafty!\
115	'''Rumpelstiltskin:''' That is your father painted green!\
116	'''Pinocchio:''' No! It's Shrek! Honest!\
117	''[Pinocchio's nose [[PinocchioNose grows so long]] that it pokes Rumpel in the eye]''\
118	'''Rumpelstiltskin:''' OW! Take them away!
119	* In ''Film/TeamAmericaWorldPolice'' the gang has Gary disguise himself as a terrorist; he goes through a montage of what seems like extensive plastic surgery only to reveal that they just painted his face brown and glued some hair to his face.
120	* Toad's [[WholesomeCrossdresser washerwoman outfit]] in ''WesternAnimation/TheWindInTheWillows1995'' shouldn't have fooled anyone.

Context PaperThinDisguise / AnimatedFilms