I told a friend I'd post whatever he wanted to type about on my blog, and would even do my semi-darnedest to provide pictures to help break up the content into manageable pieces. If anyone other than me reads this, then, by all means, share your thoughts.
"A coworker asked me a question this week, and I thought it was a good one. So, in the spirit of what's on the internet I decided to write about it.
Question: Excluding "The Lion King", what are your top three Disney animated films?
A little explanation and a couple rules are necessary. "The Lion King" is widely believed to be the best animated film from Disney. That isn't true for everyone, just the ones that took part in the initial conversation. Leaving off the best, what comes to mind next? I'll be going past three because it might be fun.
RULES:
1. Pixar will not be included due to Disney buying them in 2006. This excludes some of Pixar's best work, therefore all Pixar films will be left off.
2. The only films considered will be ones theatrically released. This excludes direct-to-video sequels and films as well.
On to the list!
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| Beauty and the Beast (1991) |
This was the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards. It also included the landmark use of computer effects in what has become the most famous from the film, the ballroom dance. And Alan Menken's score has reached classic status. If someone says the first lines from any of these songs how long does it take you to get to the songs: "Gaston", "Tale as Old as Time", "Be Our Guest"? I'm willing to bet that didn't take long.
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| Sleeping Beauty (1959) |
This falls under the category of "an oldie but a goody". In fact it's great. From the days when animation was art (which is to say computers weren't involved), the backdrops the scenes took place on were actually painted by hand. The characers were animated in cells, by hand.
The story itself is a classic that birthed the most widely known Disney villain, Maleficent. It also inspired an irrational fear of spinning wheels in generations of viewers. Way to go, House of Mouse.
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| The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) |
While this is not a particularly good adaptation of a French classic, it is still a great film. The animation quality is fluid and has that flair found only in '90's Disney films. It also acts as a pretty dark look at the psyche's of the characters. One interpretation has the film taken literally. This means that when Quasimodo sees the talking gargoyles, he is hallucinating. And when Frollo sings one of the most iconic villain songs and all the images of cardinals and fires start coming up, he is illustrating his own mental delusions. He's also proving that a man his age has a fantastic set of pipes.
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| Fantasia (1940) |
This is the definition of artistry in film. Revolving around the concept of taking classical music and animating around them, this film was not only a chance to expose people to music that they might not have heard, but it also acted as a chance for the animators at the time to stretch their creative muscles (so to speak). Some of the sketches tried to include brief stories, while some were purely abstract animations that followed the time of the music. The last words on this film are simply: "Night on Bald Mountain" and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Enough said.
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| Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) |
The one that started it all. This was Disney's first theatrically released animated film. The story is cliche and many of the tropes found in it are sexist by today's standards, but the style of rotoscoping almost the entire film was a technical feat for the time. Also, I might have mentioned that this was the very first one. Without it there would be no list.
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| The Rescuers (1977) |
This film was my first exposure to the idea of government. Admittedly it was a U. N. style body operated by small mammals, but it was still a bureaucratic system used for the greater good of other people, namely the kidnapped little girl. And remember when I mentioned that these films were pieces of art? The end credits for this one qualifies. It also has a mouse hiccuping fire after he drinks moonshine and a woman with two pet alligators. What's not to love?
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| The Little Mermaid (1989) |
In addition to the stellar music work with songs like "Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl", this film gives viewers an idea of what it might look like to live under the sea. The animation effects are superb when other sea creatures are involved. It gets a little stale once Ariel moves onto land, until "Kiss the Girl" happens and the quality jumps back up. It also has probably the most well known "sexy bit" in a Disney film. I'm looking at you Minister! (It's actually his leg, and this can be easily proven when the minister is seen from a different angle. On the other hand, we still have the castle from the original cover.)
That's my list! If you found it interesting then respond with one of your own. My rules don't
have to apply to you so be free about it! And above all, have fun!"
