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The Best Disney Animated Films countdown ends at thenewsergberet.com with the number one film, 1940's "Fantasia." Visit the site for a full review of the different segments of the film. Here is an excerpt: " Fantasia is the pinnacle of Disney excellence and the greatest film they have done that can stand next to the likes of the greatest films of all time. It broke barriers the other films had set. It takes a strong risk without any dialogue in its cartoons letting the animation and music do the talking. It is the measuring stick for every film in animation released after it and before. It also encompasses something that Disney has done since the beginning. It shows off the imagination of the mind, the creativity of dreams and the wonders of the world, be it on paper or drawn. It draws us to the various worlds they create from the jungles of India, the streets of London, the modern metropolis filled with zoo animals or above the world that shines, shimmers and is splendid. It reminds us about why we love this animation and why we love Disney. It allows us to escape the world and invest our time into a world that is not ours. Disney is one of the mainstays that anyone can relate, drift to and come back to see what is new. It's a home for all of us all and has been there since the beginning of our lives. Fantasia is a great reminder of why this animation studio has stood the test of time and will continue to do so." #film #cinema #fantasia #animation #disney #bestof #topofthecrop

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Excerpt from the number 2 entry on The Best Disney Animated Films countdown at thenewsergberrt.com, "Snow White." "I genuinely love this movie from start to finish. This film knows what it must provide and it provides it with simple storytelling (a recurring theme in this countdown) and delivers a movie reliant on the viewer's attention and investment. It captures the hearts of those watching it by roping into a story filled with joy and happiness, so that when the thrills and sadness creep in, it genuinely gets them to either be terrified or cry your eyes out. I once watched this film in complete silence from beginning to end and noticed a tear drop at the end when the prince comes and saved her. I was hooked throughout and ready for the happy ending. the film is genius in making the viewer work for the happy ending by allowing their time to be spent in this world waiting for happily ever after to come. In fact, isn't that what all cinema truly in the end? The viewer constantly trying to get to the end result hoping for a true resolution, good or bad. This is Cinema 101 and it gets an A+ for even getting to that point. The animation is top notch as it is the literal interpretation of a painting come to life on the big screen. Every frame, every cells and every line of water color and paint is on display to show the world what a work of art it is. It adds a realistic layer to itself, thanks to the introduction of the multi-plane camera to separate cels and give the illusion of scope and camera zooms and pans. It was innovative to see that in animation as opposed to the flatness of previous short cartoons and such. It gives that extra layer not just to the design, but the performances of the actors. They come to life with the true-to-life animation and exceed what Disney was capable at the time." #disney #film #cinema #animation #snowwhite #bestof #topofthecrop

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Excerpt from The Best Disney Animated Films countdown with our #3 entry, "Pinocchio," at thenewsergberet.com It was only the second full-length animated feature for the company and it nearly exceeds what Snow White had brought to the table with precision and style. It is a remarkable take on the genre by allowing itself to risk all and get downright dark at times. This movie pulls no punches in what it wants to show. It shows what it is like to be kidnapped, what it is like to be tricked and the bad things that can happen if one does not stick to their true self. Even the imagery is menacing with the Coachman's grin being startling, kids drinking and smoking to transform into jackasses and even Monstro himself being a terrible sight. Many in the audience at the time where terrified during these parts and it is no wonder because it is generally creepy as hell. To this day, I still get chills when Lampwick begins to turn into the jackass he admittedly was. It takes what was established in Snow White and comes into its own by defining what made that film work and testing the waters with it. Even the music follows the same lead as the previous effort, but one would be lying if they knew every song besides "When You Wish Upon a Star" brilliantly sung by Cliff Edwards and opens the film. It's a gorgeous song and basically the theme to this day for Disney when their films open up, be it for Moana, Finding Nemo or D2: The Mighty Ducks (a bit of a reach, but hey, it's there). It is Disney's mantra and has been since the film's release encompassing the wishes of everyone and the thoughts we all have when we are younger. Luckily, we all know we still have to work hard to make them come true and not rely on a simple hope. In fact, this film actually shows Pinocchio working to make it a reality, so The Princess and the Frog may have been forward about it, but Pinocchio took the subtle approach with their message. Good job, Disney. To be able to accomplish such an idea is remarkable. Anyway, Pinocchio is one of the best, even if it isn't the one that started it all...that's a story for our next entry." #film #cinema #pinocchio #disney #animation #topofthecrop #list #bestof

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Excerpt from the Best Disney Animated films countdown with number 5, "Cinderella" on thenewsergberet.com (Link in Bio) "Cinderella is not a hard film to talk about because it is very simple, but what it does to make up for the simple storytelling is wonderful. The design of the kingdom and the animation takes some of the crisp style seen in some package films i.e. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, even the design of Cinderella had a test run of sorts as Katrina in The Legend of Sleepy Hallow segment. Their is some simplicity in it as well, but it comes back to having live-action reference as the animators (more specifically the Nine Old Men) help bring fluidity and realistic moments. The dance sequence during "So This is Love?" remains a highlight to harness the artistry of this film. The art direction and design was done by Mary Blair, one of the greatest art designers in the history of animation, shines brightly in the design of the castle with rich minimalist design and sleek Art Deco-inspired architecture. It's a sight to see. The music is rich and memorable from the infectious "The Work Song" to the wonderful "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo." One of the most memorable scenes with music is the opening with Cinderella singing "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Make" allowing the audience to understand what she wants. She is someone longing for a dream and do what they want despite their entrapment by her ultimate foil to the horrendous Lady Tremaine. She is absolutely terrifying from that great voice (Audley was also Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty) and she merely has to look and stare to make those feel weak. There is one shot of her in particular that looms in my mind is when it just has her staring and as the camera fades to black, her eyes are still visible to show her menace. It's a carefully crafted work of art and a landmark in animation that stands the test of time, even past midnight." #film #cinema #cinderella #topofthecrop #bestof #animation #disney

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Excerpt from the number 6 entry in the Best Disney Animated Films list, "Bambi" at thenewsergberet.com (Link in Bio) "This is a marvel for Disney capturing their years of researching how animals move and the reality of nature. There is love and care put into each frame with meticulous design from the lush green of the meadow, the pure white innocence of winter time, the countless number of trees and the stark red and oranges of the fast moving fire toward the end of the film. The animals move close to their real life counterpart, but have the Disney expressions and heart added to them to make the audience aware of what they are feeling at a moment notice, especially with the main character of Bambi. The reason one is invested is his approach to the world as we take a look of his forest life through his eyes. Yes, other characters are shown and we get a glimmer, but it is Bambi who we must follow. It's this that leads to the underlying theme of death and growing up. It is a theme that Lion King is more famous for, but Bambi handles with a more mature understanding. Death seems to loom largest of all throughout with Man always lingering in the forest. Much like the realistic notion of death, Man can strike at anytime, but life will still go on. There is a stark contrast with a transition that proves this. After Bambi's mom is killed, Bambi is looking for her and is taken in by his father ready to help him grow in the absence of her. The next scene immediately jumps to birds singing in spring happy as heck with Bambi already in his young adult years setting the tone that despite her passing, everything has gone on and smoothly. It is a hard concept for most younger audiences to understand, yet at the time, this was geared toward the adult audience and it shows tremendously. In recent years, I personally thought the second half of his adult life was boring. However, after watching it recently, I realized it was not and only added to his story by becoming deeper to show how far Bambi has come. I'll even go as far as to say that I now love this movie and that adds to the power this movie has." #film #cinema #bambi #disney #bestof #topofthecrop #list

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Excerpt from the number 8 entry on the Best Disney Animated Films countdown at thenewsergberet.com, "Lady and the Tramp" " This is unique in the way it is presented because this is the first animated film presented in CinemaScope. Most would wonder why waste the time and effort on a film like this, but by god, is it gorgeous. This is set in the height of American in Connecticut and it shows from the Victorian houses to the streets of brick and stone. The winter layouts and the night sky sparkle throughout the film becoming a true highlight of the artistry of Disney at the time. It's the closest one can get to Disney's Main Street U.S.A. on the big screen before Saving Mr. Banks anyway. It takes advantage of its scope just like Sleeping Beauty will four years after the release of this film. The overall story is simplistic and is a very nice romance. It sets the two up as unlikely if ever to get together being from opposite sides of the coin, yet even by the voice performances, the chemistry is felt. The animation adds to it covering the emotion in their faces and their happiness. It also covers the naive and serious nature of lady and the fun loose style of Tramp. I love Tramp all around from his constant expressions, his smoothness and generally not being a horrible dog. One can see why Lady would fall for him because he is the ultimate "manic pixie dream" come true. The best moment of the film's performances and animation is the scene every one knows and loves and that is the "Bella Notte" sequence. It's iconic in every way with Lady and Tramp eating a bowl of spaghetti, sharing a smooch and Lady looking up at the night sky with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. It's absolutely terrific. There's a reason why its the featured image. Another terrific piece is the climax of the film. It is dark, ominous, filled to the brim with crackling lightning and absolute chaos. It gives a film that was joyful a chance to have tension and stakes involved." #film #cinema #disney #ladyandthetramp #animation #bestof #topofthecrop #sergberet

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Excerpt from the number ten entry, Sleeping Beauty, on the Best Disney Animated List at thenewsergberet.com (Link in Bio) "Sleeping Beauty is a artistic masterpiece. Every frame is painstakingly drawn and animated to match the Super Technirama scope that was given, but not just that. Every frame is like a medieval tapestry come to life with the vibrancy of the Eyvind Earle's concept art and Mary Blair's art direction in a brilliant pastiche of different styles. The design of the character feel human and feel close to reality. The live-action reference really shows off in this film with the animators paying special attention to the movements of Aurora. It is a marvel to behold. In fact, if one is to watch this film, watch it on Blu-ray because it is absolutely stunning, but the true highlight is the villain and the climax of the film. Maleficent is one of the greatest villains in not only Disney history, but in the history of cinema. She is only angry because of a petty reason and she plays the pettiness to a tee with sass, charisma and charm. Basically, everything the film Maleficent decide to ruin and destroy in two hours. When she cracks her cane on the surface of the castle floor, it echos without her speaking a word. She cackles with passion and filled with enough hatred to destroy a kingdom, which she attempts to do. The climax is a dramatic act of drama, action and peril with dangers afoot as Phillip rides to save Aurora with the help of the fairies as Maleficent turns into a giant dragon ready to dismantle him limb from limb. The transformation of Maleficent is a beautiful shot of darkness and magic. It is Disney at it's finest and a perfect way to end the Golden Age of Disney." #film #cinema #sleepingbeauty #disney #topofthecrop #bestof

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Excerpt from the number #12 entry on the Best Disney Animated Films countdown at thenewsergberet.com (Link in Bio), "Tangled" (2010) "Tangled is a great risk Disney took and it paid off in more ways than one. With being the first CGI musical not just for the company, but in general in animation, Tangled delights and entertains by being a phenomenal story. The introduction lays out the story for the audience, even spoiling the ending in a way, but it does not make this a bad thing. It helps make the story more compelling for the audience to anticipate Rapunzel's reaction to her being the lost princess of the kingdom. The chemistry between Rapunzel and Flynn is adorable with Flynn trying his best to be dashing and heroic and Rapunzel going from curious about the world to filled with heartache and sorrow. Together, they make a sarcastic and hilarious duo. The humor is fast paced and frantic like Emperor's New Groove before it by going the Dreamworks and Looney Tunes route. The music is also great with Alan Menken taking a traditional and more pop oriented approach throughout the film, yet the films greatest strength is the animation. It is beyond gorgeous. It relishes in its bright world that brings the world of the classic fairy tale into a CGI format with ease and still retains the Disney style. In fact, the concept art for the film and sketches for its original 2D production is captured phenomenally well. This is proven in during the number "I See The Light" when they finally get to see the lanterns. It is beautiful from the music, the animation and the expressions throughout. I actually cried during this scene when it cut to the King of Corona looking down knwing he may never get his daughter back. It's that brilliant. Fortunately, this film is not what it title suggest being tangled, but rather, a straightforward classic of modern animation, even if the next entry perfects what this film built." #film #cinema #tangled #disney #animation #rapunzel #topofthecrop #bestof #sergberet