Which, in your opinion, is the best decade for Disney animation overall? In other words, just because your favorite animated movie comes from a certain decade, doesn't mean you have to choose that particular time period.
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I choose the 1950's.
Right away, Cinderella came out, which was a welcome change from the "package features" that came before it (not to say that some of those films weren't good). I think of all the fairy tale stories Walt produced, Cinderella had the tightest pacing, with less filler than some of the others. The relationship between the stepmother and Cinderella really evokes a feeling of pity for the girl, and just makes you want to root for her. The scenes in which Cindy is transformed and then attends the ball carry that unmistakable feeling of magic that was so prevalent in the early 40's films. The climax is probably the most small in scale of any Disney film, yet it is so tense and gripping. Besides the fact that it brought back the classic fairy tale movie with a bang, its also a really well constructed movie, and is a classic, pure and simple.
Next came Alice in Wonderland, which was met with harsh treatment from both the critics and those who actually worked on the film. However, I think its one of the top 10 animated classics, simply because its so unique and so engaging. It is extremely episodic, but I think the rather short running time makes it enjoyable and actually an asset - its refreshing to see something so different from anything that came before it. The characters are all wacky and hilarious, and it has this weird, demented, darkness to it that is unlike any movie I've ever watched. A fantastic source of escapism.
Peter Pan, I think, is the best movie of the decade (though Alice is probably my favorite to watch). It has a quality to it where it feels like classic Disney, but at the same time, is very contemporary as well. There's not a single slow part in the film, as it all moves at a very brisk pace, keeping the fun rolling. It contains one of the best villians, Captian Hook, and an extremely funny sidekick, Smee. In the end, it succeeds not just because of the excellence of its individual parts, but because the concept of never having to grow up is so magical.
Lady and the Tramp is a bit lesser movie than the previous three in most aspects, I think - story, characters, music, etc. It's still a good film, with a nice tale to tell, and contains arguably the most famous scene in all Disney history, the dinner at the Italian restaraunt. Even though its a love story between dogs, its a very romantic movie, because the animals are so human. I can't think of much else to say but: this is by all means a well-done movie, that continued a streak of quality, but dipped a little lower than the previous few.
Sleeping Beauty is the artistic high point of the era, which looks like an animated mideval painting. Its beautiful to look at, containing stunning visuals. It also features a superb villian, Maleficent, who is the most downright sinister villian in the Disney canon. The story relies a bit too much on filler with the side characters, as it tries to expend the story to fill a full-length motion picture. But it stands out as being a visually innovative and creative film, and really stimulates the viewer.
So in conclusion, each animated film to come out of the 50's excells in its own way. It was a era where new things were tried, and old ways were brought back, but each film was consistantly excellent.
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