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There are few films that have held up as long as this animated classic. Based on the Carlo Collodi story, the plot involves the adventures of a puppet brought to life, who wishes to become a real boy. With the help of his singing cricket pal Jiminy, he sets out to get his wish. He finds himself in the middle of some true perils, as he becomes the puppet of the Monstrous Stromboli, the unwitting dupe of the sly J. Worthington Foulfellow and the escapee from the belly of Monstro the Whale (which provides a harrowing climax that Disney has rarely reproduced since).From the opening theme song "When You Wish Upon a Star" to the closing credits, this is a masterpiece of Animated filmaking. The best moments involve the exciting action sequences and some delightful characters (Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy). It's also full of rich, powerful emotion that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy, instead of just one particular audience. Hardly any other film from it's era (save for Gone With the Wind, Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz) has lived up to the audience expectations of today.
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A Disney classic that continues to delight nearly fifty years after it was first released, this tale of an Elephant with over-sized ears is still a favorite no matter how many times you see it. Like most of Disney's heroes, Dumbo has to compete with overwhelming odds to gain respect, courage and self-confidence as he leads the circus life. As always, this Disney hero has a wise-cracking sidekick named Timothy, who delights in scaring the more pompous Elephants away and helps build up his friend Dumbo's courage.A splendid film that, despite being less colorful than most Disney pictures, never has an unexciting moment. The best sequences: The imaginative "Pink Elephants on parade" scene; the heart tugging moment between Dumbo and his chained up mother and when Dumbo learns to fly, with the help of a "magic feather". This has a wonderful message of gaining confidence, without the message becoming too obvious for the viewing audiences.
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Arguably the best of Disney's early animated films (but who wants to argue about that), this precursor to The Lion King follows the life of a young deer and how he learns to grow in a rapidly changing forest. He gains his knowledge from his kind mother, a wise old owl and his lovable comrades, Flower and Thumper, who round out a perfect trio.An exquisite film, that is very moving in its morals about life, death and changes you make while growing up. With plenty of endearing characters and plenty of memorable moments, the kids will get a special kick out of this, because of the way the young animals in this film tend to act more like young human children, rather than baby rabbits, deers and skunks. My favorite part: The scene of a rainstorm that is a perfect use of color by the Disney animators. I don't think you should miss this.
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One of the weaker efforts from the Disney studios, this involves a group of upper-class cats, who are kidnapped and taken to the countryside by their mean butler. So, the mother cat (voiced by Eva Gabor) and her three kittens attempt to make a journey back to their loving master, with the help of a knowledgeable roadside cat (Phil Harris).I'd say this is for die-hard Disney fans only. This film was made at a time when the cartoonists at Disney started cutting corners in the production of their pictures. The animation in particular is dull, flat and practically one-dimensional (compared to the brilliant three-dimensional feel of the 1940's and 1950's, and the more recent films of the 80's and 90's). The characters are hardly memorable, as are the lifeless songs, which seem to copy music from previous efforts from Disney. It would take almost twenty years for the company to get back on track in the Animation department. I think it's fair to say that, although admittedly there were a few gems, you should stay away from most Disney efforts made between 1967 and 1989. That includes their dull children's fare, such as this one.
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A fine animated piece (and one of the few diamonds in the rough, during one of Disney's dark periods), this spoof of Sherlock Holmes (based on the book, Basil of Baker Street) follows the adventures of a Holmes-type mouse, as he tries to foil the plots of the evil Prof. Rattigan (performed by Vincent Price in his typical ghoulish fashion).An entertaining, if not entirely perfect, cartoon from the Disney Studios. I did enjoy some of the subtle and not-so subtle potshots at Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective hero. Price provides the voice of one of Disney's most flamboyant villains since Cruella De Vil. This film also introduces the computer animation techniques, that would later be used in Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. You won't find anything that upstages Disney's previous classics, but you will find yourself enjoying it as it goes along.
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One of the few films of Disney's dark period, which comes close to capturing the old magic of the studio's glory days. It details the friendship between a young pup and a fox cub, who grow up together and whose friendship is nearly torn apart by differences. Among the more memorable characters, there is Pearl Bailey as Big Mama, a kindly owl and veteran western actor Pat Buttram, as the voice of Chief, the young pup's mentor.The film is enjoyable during the first half, as we watch the fox and the hound's relationship continue to develop, but the action is very nearly stopped dead in it's tracks when they become adults. It's only saved by a climax involving a fight between the fox, the hound and a really huge bear. An enjoyable, if not altogether successful piece from Disney.
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Finally, after years of being in the animation doldrums, Disney at last regained their past magic, with The Little Mermaid and this beautiful contemporary look at the classic fairy tale. Young Belle is a bookish Beauty (Paige O'Hara), who becomes the prisoner of a ferocious Beast (Robby Benson) in his crumbling castle. After a few difficulties are set straight, they begin to learn how to love each other, with the help of the magical appliances, Lumiere the candlestick, Mrs. Potts the teapot and Cogsworth the clock (respectfully voiced by Jerry Orbach, Angela Lansbury and David Ogden Stiers). A major problem arises when the handsome, but egotistical Gaston (Richard White) learns of the relationship between Belle and the Beast. He becomes jealous and raises a mob to take the castle and kill the beast.Filmed in the fashion of a spirited Broadway musical (the only way to revive the dying film musical seems to be through animation), it has more well-rounded characters than ever before in a Disney production. Belle is a far cry from the muddle-headed heroines of the past. Intelligent, compassionate, a woman who is completely liberated and one who is not so easily outsmarted, this is the biggest surprise to come out of the animation studios in a long time. Among the great songs, they include the boisterous "Be our Guest", the charming "Something There", the thrilling opening number "Belle" and the lovely title piece (one of the most romantic moments captured on film, even if it is animated). This would have to be Disney's best animated feature of all time.
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