Wedged amid a shell full of nondescript cardboard, a white VHS clamshell evoked a sense of wonder. This plastic case was, for many of us, our most tangible representation of Disney.
Founded almost a century ago, the influence of Walt Disney Animation Studios has never wavered since its inception. The early fantasy-driven tales like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty would later parley into the likes of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as the Shakespearean adaption, The Lion King. Over time, these animated films would raise questions of identity, purpose, and expectation as virtually no Disney protagonist would feed into expectation. As more traditional figures refuted their respective systems, so too did Disney begin incorporating characters less familiar to the western lens such as with Alladin and Mulan.
Though modern animation has explored more mature notions with a bit more nuance, it is difficult to deny the power of Disney’s animated classics. This month, we discuss the films that set the precedent for virtually all animated work to exceed.
Recommended Viewing:
A montage showcasing generations of Disney Animation by Nick Kinder:
KaptainKristian dissects the composition and formula of Disney animation:
“Destino”: The Salvador Dalí and Walt Disney collaboration that never really was:
