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- DirectorLotte ReinigerCarl KochA handsome prince rides a flying horse to faraway lands and embarks on magical adventures, which include befriending a witch, meeting Aladdin, battling demons and falling in love with a princess.This is not the first full-length animated film. That distinction belongs to El Apóstol, by Argentinian animator Quirino Cristiani, but this is the first one that has not been lost. It's one of those films that are difficult to rate on the same scale as regular animation films, since it's such a different form of art. And art it truly is, painstakingly animated using cutout silhouettes. The result is eerily beautiful. This silent film tells a story adapted from the Arabian Nights, accompanied by instrumental music. The figures move jerkily because of the practical limitations of the technique, but this is turned into artistic choice. The extremely elaborate figures seem to dance to the accompanying music, and it's almost hypnotic and beautiful, quite unlike any animation I had seen before. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorWilliam CottrellDavid HandWilfred JacksonStarsAdriana CaselottiHarry StockwellLucille La VerneExiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.A visual and musical delight throughout. It's often called the first animated feature film. It's not the first, actually, but earlier antecedents are not recognizable as modern animation, and in that sense this is an astonishing masterpiece that took animation to a completely new level. It basically created what we regard as a modern animation feature film, with color, sound, synchronized dialogue, songs and skillful storytelling. It's incredible how modern-looking and sophisticated the animation sequences are. It's a fairy tale, so don't expect deep characterization or anything, but Disney did a great job making the dwarves distinctive and likable. It's a great classic, and the passage of time has not been unkind to it. Rating: 10/10
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyOrestes CalpiniStarsJessica DragonetteLanny RossPinto ColvigA doctor washes ashore on an island inhabited by little people.Fleischer Studios released their own feature film to compete with Disney's Snow White. Great animation sequences but not quite as great as Snow White. Funny and likable but not as much as... Well, better to stop comparing. A good film on its own right, perhaps with some pacing problems. Also, an interesting pacifist message. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorNorman FergusonT. HeeWilfred JacksonStarsDickie JonesChristian RubMel BlancA living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.Another amazing classic from Disney's Golden Age. The movie is darker than I remembered (those donkeys), has less singing than Snow White (although the songs in it are very good) and suffers from excessive use of the deus ex machina plot device, but it's full of heart, narrative wisdom, good characterizaton and iconic animation. Rating: 10/10
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongFord Beebe Jr.StarsLeopold StokowskiDeems TaylorThe Philadelphia OrchestraA series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.It's difficult to rate this movie on the same scale as regular, narrative movies. It's glorious at times, daring and high-concept, a visual and musical delight. It shows what confidence they had in the beauty of their animation, and also their willingness to play around with the possibilities of this format. It's wonderful that Disney took this risk at a time when survival of the studio was at stake (Disney was certainly not a financial behemot yet). At other times it takes itself too seriously (those spoken introductions to the pieces), and it may frustrate those who are looking for storytelling. It was not successful in the box office, but in the end it has passed the test of time and survived as a Disney classic and as an artistic success. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorSamuel ArmstrongNorman FergusonWilfred JacksonStarsSterling HollowayEdward BrophyHerman BingRidiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.I can't get over how good the animation looks, so early in the game of animated feature films. It's amazing how expressive and cute Disney's animals look. I did not realize that Dumbo and his mom do not speak at all until the movie was over, that's how expressive they are. I know that great things can be accomplished with 3D animation, but to be honest, this film done 75 years ago looks better to me than anything done today. Having said that, this is another great production from the Golden Age of Disney. It's the most emotional one so far. Pinocchio was emotional too, but here we see Dumbo's suffering in a starker manner and we are unconditionally rooting for him. Short and to the point, but watching this is another 64 minutes of delight. Time is kind to genius. Rating: 10/10
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongDavid HandStarsHardie AlbrightStan AlexanderBobette AudreyThe story of a young deer growing up in the forest.I can't help it. The beginning of these Disney movies make me ridiculously happy. Yes, you may consider them overly cute and sweet, but who doesn't need something like that from time to time. So this movie begins like that. It does not have as clear a plot as the previous Disney movies. It's more of a slice of life film with deer, until it goes dark. Really dark. So dark in fact that it might be too ruthless at times for small children, although adults will appreciate its honesty in the depiction of the wheel of life. Perhaps appropriate when the real world was at war. Artistically it's an achievement, with a masterful use of color to indicate dramatic mood. Walt and all those Golden Age Disney animators were so good. World War II would put an end to their activity, and until 1950 Disney would not be able to make another full-length feature film. The studio survived until then releasing package movies, each made from several short pieces. Good and creative times would come again for the studio, but the series of masterpieces they made before the war truly was a Golden Age. Rating: 10/10.
- DirectorWilfred JacksonJack KinneyHamilton LuskeStarsFred ShieldsJosé OliveiraLee BlairDisney animators tour South America and present four animated shorts inspired by their trip.Difficult to know how to review this. It's a 40-minutes film, the first of the package films that Disney released during or immediately after the war to sustain their business at that difficult time, when many of their animators were conscripted or had to do war propaganda, and the economy was particularly difficult for the entertainment industry. It mixes live footage of the visit of several Disney artist to South America with four animated shorts. Most of the shorts are humorous illustrations using Donald Duck or Goofy of the non-fiction documentary-like material. As non-fiction, this is fascinating stuff from a historical perspective, about the "Disneyfied" vision of South America in the 40s. The live footage is particularly interesting in that sense. Paradoxically, the only animated short that feels out of place and is disliked by most reviewers because of that, the one about the little plane that flies for the first time, was particularly enjoyable for me. It's just a traditional Disney short, with some fiction storytelling as contrast with the documentary stuff. All in all, this makes for interesting viewing, but it's TV material. It would never have been released as a feature film in different circumstances. Rating 4/10
- DirectorNorman FergusonClyde GeronimiJack KinneyStarsAurora MirandaCarmen MolinaDora LuzDonald receives his birthday gifts, which include traditional gifts and information about Brazil (hosted by Zé Carioca) and Mexico (by Panchito, a Mexican Charro Rooster).A lot like Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros is a collection of shorts with a South American theme, linked together by a flimsy framing device. This second Disney package movie from the WWII period is more polished than the first. It has two nice traditional Disney animated shorts and several segments with South American music and dancing, with Donald Duck (who, weirdly, seems to be lusting all the time after human women). I enjoyed the shorts with with the penguin who hated the cold and the flying donkey, but the plotless nature of the rest of the movie did not work that well for me. Very nice music, though. Certainly watchable, but still kind of lackluster after classics like Bambi, Dumbo, Pinocchio and Snow White. It's a pity that the war stopped the momentum that Disney had. Rating 6/10
- DirectorRobert CormackClyde GeronimiJack KinneyStarsNelson EddyDinah ShoreLaverne AndrewsAnimation done to contemporary popular music.The third package film from Disney during the WWII era, Make Mine Music follows the Fantasia example but with popular music in various styles (well, and even some classical music and some Opera). Unlike with Fantasia, some of the music here has gone out of fashion, but fortunately several different styles are featured, making it more balanced. The worst part are the filler segments with no storytelling, but those are short and painless enough, while the highlights are very entertaining. Those highlights include "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met", "All the Cats Join In", "The Martins and the Coys" (which was absurdly removed from the American DVD for incomprehensible PC reasons) and "Peter and the Wolf". Overall the lack of storytelling in some shorts will probably be boring for children, but as a fan of classic animation I found it pleasing. Rating 6/10
- DirectorJack KinneyHamilton LuskeWilliam MorganStarsEdgar BergenDinah ShoreLuana PattenJiminy Cricket hosts two Disney animated shorts: "Bongo," about a circus bear escaping to the wild, and "Mickey and the Beanstalk," a take on the famous fairy tale.This package film contains two stories: one about a little bear who escapes from the circus and the other an adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk with Mickey, Donald and Goofy. Entertaining enough, but like other Disney package films from this era, it does not feel up to the high standards of the studio's regular full-length feature films. The stories are narrated by a voice-over, which also helps it feel like TV material. Rating 6/10
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonJack KinneyStarsRoy RogersTriggerDennis DayAn anthology of animated vignettes set to contemporary music.This is another Disney package movie made from several animated shorts. Like in Make Mine Music a couple of years earlier, the common element is the extensive use of contemporary popular music (contemporary means from the 40s). The quality is also similar to Make Mine Music's. Some of the shorts are very forgettable and others are quite good. Among the highlights, look for "Little Toot", "Pecos Bill" and "Once Upon a Wintertime". All in all it makes for a pleasant experience, although not at the level of Disney's best efforts. Rating 6/10
- DirectorJames AlgarClyde GeronimiJack KinneyStarsBing CrosbyBasil RathboneEric BloreAn animated adaptation of "The Wind in the Willows" followed by an adaptation of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".The last of Disney's package movies during the war and post-war period, this one is the best of the lot, and collects two short stories, the first a Disneyfied version of Kenneth Grahame's "Wind in the Willows", the second a Disneyfied version of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Although each story, being half-length, does not have the room for development of Disney's full-length films, both have personality and are charming in their own way. The chase scene at the end of Ichabod Crane's story is a triumph of animation, scary and funny at the same time. Rating 8/10
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsIlene WoodsJames MacDonaldEleanor AudleyWhen Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.The first Disney animated full-length feature film after 8 years, Cinderella marks the end of the parenthesis caused by WWII. Some people regard the period starting here and finishing with Walt Disney's death as the Silver Age of Disney, while others regard it as the second part of the Golden Age. Whatever label you want to stick to it, Cinderella is an excellent movie. The main criticism I can make is that it doesn't bring anything new to the table, but it's a flawless example of the Disney formula. Cute talking animals, a timeless fairy tale, an excellent music score... It does not have the darkness of the pre-war films: It's enchanting throughout and with an unambiguous happy ending, while the bad guys (Cinderella's step-family and the cat) are mean rather than scary for little kids. Another unforgettable Disney classic. Rating: 10/10.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsKathryn BeaumontEd WynnRichard HaydnAlice stumbles into the world of Wonderland. Will she get home? Not if the Queen of Hearts has her way.What a acid trip of a Disney movie! There is no plot to talk about here. Alice follows the white rabbit and from there she meets a random succession of fanciful, surrealistic, mad characters. In Wonderland, everyone is crazy and nothing makes sense. If you are hoping for a conventional story, where characters have objectives and take action to achieve them, you won't find it. It left me with a bittersweet sensation. I just prefer to be told a story. Alice's actions have no bearing on the story. She just gets from place to place and the Wonderland characters do their act. But at the same time I have to admit that there are many things to enjoy here once you accept the premise. The animation is brilliant, and many of the characters are charismatic and memorable. Rating: 7/10.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsBobby DriscollKathryn BeaumontHans ConriedWendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.Yet another Disney classic. This one looked perhaps more directly targeted to children than to the whole family. The source material has some interesting themes to explore, but this adaptation focuses more on slapstick comedy. But what glorious slapstick comedy! Some really iconic scenes with Hook and his crocodile nemesis are part of the history of the medium. The characters were perhaps a bit unsympathetic: Peter is all childish wildness, and Tinker-Bell really goes overboard with her jealousy, I mean, Wendy had barely talked to Peter and already she was trying to kill her? Of course, the story is supposed to have some of that Lord of the Flies vibe (yes, I know Lord of the Flies had not been published yet), so unsympathetic characters are not necessarily a bad thing. It's just that the whole issue is not explored much. Other than that, very entertaining and visually delightful movie. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorJoy BatchelorJohn HalasStarsGordon HeathMaurice DenhamA successful farmyard revolution by the resident animals vs. the farmer goes horribly wrong when the victors create a new tyranny among themselves.With Disney's films coping the animated feature film market, this British production became the first animated film targeted specifically to adults. It's a very good adaptation of a powerful story, Orwell's political parable Animal Farm, faithful except for a change to the ending. It works on both level, as a satire of communism and as a straightforward story. Good animation that, with some occasional comical relief, is able to convey the moods and horror of the story. It's clear that animation was the perfect medium to adapt this story. Rating: 10/10
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsBarbara LuddyLarry RobertsPeggy LeeThe romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt.Very satisfactory classic Disney movie. Good plot, both as a romance and as an adventure, good characters full of individuality, good songs and good animation. Although it has its funny moments, Golden Age Disney films are not out to get cheap laughs. Instead, they go for heartwarming emotions. It's also the first animated feature film to use CinemaScope. Rating: 9/10
- DirectorLev AtamanovStarsVladimir GribkovYanina ZheymoAnna KomolovaWhen the Snow Queen, a lonely and powerful fairy, kidnaps the human boy Kay, his best friend Gerda must overcome many obstacles on her journey to rescue him.This Russian production is a gentle and charming retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The animation, while aged, has personality, although in the scenes during the night it's difficult to distinguish the characters. With Disney dominating English-language fairy tale animation, it's fun to see a different but also likable way to go about it. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorLes ClarkClyde GeronimiEric LarsonStarsMary CostaBill ShirleyEleanor AudleyAfter being snubbed by the royal family, a malevolent fairy places a curse on a princess which only a prince can break, along with the help of three good fairies.Another charming musical fairy tale from the Disney factory. This one reminded me a lot of Snow White. It's quite the same type of story. Once again, the main attraction is not the princess and prince, but the secondary comical-relief characters (in this case, the three good fairies instead of the dwarfs) and the villains (Maleficent is stunning and unforgettable here). Visually, however, it's clear that there's been an evolution. It's not necessarily better or worse, just different, less cartoony and with more detailed backgrounds, although I also liked the more classic style, where the characters and the backgrounds integrated very well. Anyway, great soundtrack and another wonderful story for all the family. Rating: 9/10
- DirectorClyde GeronimiHamilton LuskeWolfgang ReithermanStarsRod TaylorBetty Lou GersonJ. Pat O'MalleyWhen a litter of Dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil, the owners must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.The style of animation has very clearly changed from the classic look of the beginning of the Golden Age. This looks more sketchy, with harder edges instead of soft pastels. I unconditionally love the most classic animation, but on the other hand the style suits the story here, and it looks good to me, even if it's different. The story is simply wonderful, enchanting when necessary and menacing when the plot requires it. You really feel the urgency and the threat when Cruella de Vil, one of Disney's best villains ever, threatens the poor puppies. Another big classic. Rating: 10/10
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanClyde GeronimiDavid HandStarsRickie SorensenSebastian CabotKarl SwensonA poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.This film is not often cited among Disney's greatest but for me, even though I see its weaknesses, it has a place there. It's true that the incredible quality of the animation in earlier films is gone. The animation here is not bad by any means but, like in 101 Dalmatians, it looks like a low-budget effort compared to Pinocchio, Dumbo or Bambi. The story is a bit disjointed, but that was also true of the source material (T. H. White's book). The pacifist message from the book is a bit watered down, but the movie remains loyal in spirit to it, emphasizing the importance of study and brains vs brawn. However, the characters and the story are just so incredibly charming that it's a favorite of mine. It's also one of the funnier Disney movies so far. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorLarry RoemerStarsBillie Mae RichardsBurl IvesLarry D. MannA young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa's reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.This film has charm, although the stop-motion animation and the storyline is basic. It will be quite enjoyable for young children without much to offer for adults, other than the nostalgia value. It tells the well-known story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, how he is discriminated against because of his nose and his eventual vindication. There's some secondary plots to round the story. Oh, and Santa is kind of a jerk. Pleasant enough Christmas entertainment, with songs. Rating: 6/10
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsAnn AltieriChris DoranSally DryerDepressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.This comment is actually for the whole Peanuts Holiday Collection DVD, which includes six Peanuts holiday specials, each one around 25-minutes long. It's not really a feature film, but who cares. Some of these are considered classics of animation. In chronological order:
1) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
2) It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
3) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
4) It's Magic, Charlie Brown (1981)
5) The Mayflower Voyagers (1988)
6) It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (1992)
Some critic wrote about one of the Peanuts' movies: "can amount to either a delightful experience or a pleasant but slightly wearing one, depending upon the intensity of one's fascination with the basic 'Peanuts' mystique."
In my case, it was generally pleasant but (more than slightly) wearing. Yes, these specials tend to have nice messages, but they are presented in a heavy-handed way. The characters, particularly the girls, are often unlikable. The story is thin as paper but, most importantly, not really funny. Some of the charm is here, but I think this material works better in a comic strip. Rating: 6/10 - DirectorChuck JonesBen WashamStarsBoris KarloffJune ForayDal McKennonA grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.This 25-minutes animated TV special has become a Christmas classic. It's based on a Dr. Seuss book and tells the story of the Grinch trying to take away Christmas from the townsfolk of Whoville. The animation looks better than a typical TV show from that time, but there's not much detail in the backgrounds, since this is not a high-budget feature film. The story and songs are fine and they will enchant the youngest viewers. And that's the target audience, because it does not have as much to offer for adult viewers as the best animated films for children, apart from its nostalgic value. The humor is the typical slapstick of cartoons. It has a nice message, although the Grinch's change of heart at the end was a bit arbitrary and unearned. It's competently-made and does what it's supposed to do in an effective manner. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisSebastian CabotLouis PrimaBagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.Another Disney classic, this is a feel-good adventure that had me smiling the whole time, even though there are some moments of danger. The plot is a bit disjointed and episodic, but the songs and the general charm more than make up for that. The animation is fine, not as wonderful as in the early Golden Age of Disney but the character design is excellent. It has some of the more memorable Disney characters, and the animals are very expressive, as usual. This was the last movie in which Walt Disney was directly involved, and he died before it was finished. Rating: 9/10
- DirectorRay GoossensStarsRoger CarelJacques MorelPierre TornadeAsterix, the most cunning warrior of a Gaulish village resisting Roman occupation, must save their magic potion-brewing druid Getafix when he is kidnapped by a Phonus Balonus.The animation is really rudimentary, but it has a coherent plot. The story is entertaining and amusing enough, without being something that has a lot to offer to adults. It does not really improve on the comics. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsMikijirô HiraEtsuko IchiharaEijirô TônoA boy with a mythical sword wants to protect a Norse village from an evil ice wizard and his minions, who destroyed his family's village. However, the villagers don't fully trust him and a mysterious girl with a dark secret befriends him.This early anime tells an epic story, in the style of a fairy tale, and has some powerful sequences. I like the art and character designs, but the animation is basic, and it even has a couple of scenes told through still images, no doubt as a way to cut cost. Still, it caught my attention throughout and I found it fascinating, so I won't let the animation limitations influence the rating much. You can see the Disney influences (talking animals, songs), but used in a different, darker way. Also, apparently it was rather influential in the development of the anime storytelling tradition. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorRené GoscinnyAlbert UderzoStarsRoger CarelJacques MorelMicheline DaxOrdered by Cleopatra to build a palace in Alexandria within three months as part of a bet with Julius Caesar, architect Edifis enlists the help of Asterix, Obelix and Getafix.Animation as rudimentary as in Asterix the Gaul. The plot is amusing enough, although thin as paper, because why are the Gauls helping this random Egyptian architect build a palace ordered by Cleopatra for Caesar? The recurring jokes tend to overstay their welcome, and there are some repetitive animated sequences where the characters are just walking that may amuse children but no one else. Rating: 5/10
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsPeter RobbinsPamelyn FerdinGlenn GilgerCharlie Brown makes his way to the national spelling bee finals.Just like the holiday specials contained in the Peanuts Holiday Collection DVD, this was not bad, but I don't really connect with it. Big fans of the comic strip will definitely enjoy it, but it is not very funny and it can get tiresome after a while. It translates the strips to animation in a relatively straightforward manner. It did have a coherent storyline, though, for which I was grateful. I'm not sure what the target audience is, surely the long words and philosophical conversations will go over many children's heads. The animation is rough, clearly low budget for a feature film, although there are some imaginative and colorful sequences. There's some quality and charm here, but the style doesn't reach me. Rating: 6/10
- DirectorRafael VaraStarsJosé María CorderoJosé Martínez BlancoJosé MoratallaA film made of shorts from the ''Mortadelo y Filemón'' series.Low budget collection of animated shorts featuring popular Spanish comic book characters Mortadelo and Filemon, who are comically incompetent private investigators. Even though the animation is simple, I felt it captured well the style and humor of the comic, and children will enjoy the physical humor. The humor is childish and physical, but for me it was pleasant to watch and I had some chuckles and a smile on my face. Being made in 1969, it's the early stage of the comics, so the two "heroes" are working on their own and do not belong to the TIA yet. Because of that, we do not get the wonderful supporting cast (Superintendente Vicente, Ofelia the secretary, Professor Bacterio...), which is a pity. Anyway, I enjoyed this movie much more than the higher budget live action adaptations starting with La gran aventura de Mortadelo y Filemón (2003), which were less faithful to the spirit of the source material. Rating: 7/10.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisEva GaborSterling HollowayWith the help of a smooth talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country.Another Disney movie, and these guys are still at the top of the animation game. Discounting those old package films of the war period, theirs are always polished productions, from the storytelling to the animation. This one may be a minor film in their catalog, not quite as good as their great classics, but it's still ahead of the competition. The animation uses a similar art style to 101 Dalmatians. It looks intentionally sketchy but in a good way. I have mentioned in other reviews that I love the gorgeous, flawless animation of the Golden Age of Disney, and this is not it, but it looks good in its own style. The story is not that original. It plays it safe, using elements of Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians, and a villain who is more clumsy than scary. The result is a slow moving but charming film, with good characterization and, as expected of Disney, very cute talking animals, particularly the kittens, whose interactions and expressions are particularly expressive. Rating: 8/10.
- DirectorRafael VaraStarsJosé María CorderoJosé Martínez BlancoJosé MoratallaSecond installment of Mortadelo and Filemon animated shorts. As the first, it captures well the style and spirit of the comics, and it's quite funny. The humor is suitable for children, in a very physical style, involving numerous accidents with Filemon as the victim. This is before the two incompetent investigators started working for the TIA, so it's solo adventures for the two main characters, without the extended supporting cast. This second film is the one that I watched as a child, and as I rewatched it I noticed that I could remember it quite well. Rating: 7/10.
- DirectorRafael VaraStarsJosé Martínez BlancoVíctor RamírezJosé MoratallaCollection of the following 7 short films from the series 'Mortadelo y Filemón, agencia de información': 'El armario del tiempo', 'En Waterloo', 'El Yeti', 'Misión increíble', 'Los impostores', 'El conde Mácula', and 'Maxiaventura en el mar'The third and last collection of Mortadelo & Filemón shorts directed by Rafael Vara is also the weakest one, or maybe I was a bit tired after watching the other two. Unlike the others, this one uses a framing device: Filemón's crazy scientist cousin, Professor Chiflárogas, is visiting, with his time-traveling cupboard. That serves as excuse for the different stories, involving fantastic elements rather than the private detective stories of the first two films. The thing is that this kind of stories will work extremely well with the much funnier Professor Bacterio, once Mortadelo & Filemón are working for the TIA. However, none of that had been created in 1971. Chiflárogas is not that funny and the humor did not quite find that sweet spot typical of these Mortadelo & Filemón. Little kids will still enjoy it, of course. Rating: 5/10.
- DirectorCharles NicholsIwao TakamotoStarsDebbie ReynoldsHenry GibsonPaul LyndeWilbur is a farm pig who's terrified that he'll end up on the dinner table. His friend Charlotte, a charming spider, comes to his rescue. She weaves words into her web, convincing the farmer that Wilbur is too special a pig to kill.This is a very charming movie for little kids. The songs are very good. The animation is basic, although I like the character designs. The middle part does get a bit slow. However, the story has heart and, as I said, the songs are nice. Rating 8/10.
- DirectorRené LalouxStarsBarry BostwickJennifer DrakeEric BauginOn a faraway planet where blue giants rule, oppressed humanoids rebel against their machine-like leaders.A unique film. It tells the story of a strange world where humans are kept as pets by a race of giant aliens, and how they try to escape and rebel. The animation, limited as the motion is, is beautiful and eerie, like a Dali painting. Even though the art is oneiric, I appreciated how imaginative it is, depicting beings and landscapes that feel truly alien. The storytelling is slow, with sparse dialog and psychedelic music. A movie like this could easily have been boring and plotless, but instead it never loses sight of the story it is telling. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorCruz DelgadoStarsManuel Bermúdez 'Boliche'Rafael de PenagosÁngela GonzálezChildren's stories in cartoon, about adventures experienced by two children while looking for their kite.This is an old Spanish animated film that I remembered very fondly from my childhood. Nowadays, animated films are expected to entertain children and their parents, but this one is targeted only towards young children. The animation is rough and the storyline is childish, but it does have a certain charm and heart. It's an episodic story a little boy and a little girl who are chasing the kite they lost and in their journey encounter different characters who tell them stories. The film is an homage to children's tales, and to the magic of playing. It also has a few catchy songs, making it very entertaining for little children, although not so much for their parents. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanDavid HandStarsBrian BedfordPhil HarrisRoger MillerThe story of the legendary British outlaw portrayed with the characters as anthropomorphic animals.This movie has a somewhat disjointed narrative structure, telling the story of Robin Hood in a series of vignettes, with a bard joining them through his storytelling. Also, it tells and doesn't show important parts of the story, like the return of King Richard.
The animation follows the Disney standards of the time it was made, meaning that it was above average for its time but very far from the Disney Golden Age.
Once you get pass that, there's much to enjoy, though. It has classic scenes, like Robin Hood stealing all the bags of gold from Prince John's bedroom, and then escaping from the castle. There's nice songs like "Not In Nottingham". There are surprisingly gritty scenes. Memorable villains in Prince John and his serpent adviser Sir Hiss...
Rating 8/10 - DirectorGisaburô SugiiStarsTonpei HidariMasachika IchimuraNobue IchitaniA young peasant boy named Jack climbs a giant beanstalk and stumbles upon a city in the clouds ruled by an evil queen.An anime retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale. It follows a rather personal style. I liked the character designs. Jack was very endearing and energetic. However, it also has creepy, surreal elements that differentiate it from the Disney style. This made the story more interesting for me, and it could be pleasantly scary for a little kid. There are songs too, some of them quite nice and others more forgettable. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorIvo CaprinoStarsWenche FossPer Theodor HaugenHarald Heide-Steen Jr.Reodor Felgen decides that he will enter a car race to defeat his former friend who has stolen his plans for a car.Apparently it's considered a national treasure in Norway, where it has sold 5.5 million tickets to a population of 5 million, and it's aired on TV every Christmas eve. Your opinion of it will be determined by how enchanted you are by the stop motion animation, which is an artisanal work of art and a joy to see. The story and the characters are rather simple, and I didn't enjoy the voices in the English dubbed version I saw. Most of the movie was slow-paced, although the race was done quite well. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorPeyoStarsGeorges AtlasJacques BalutinAngelo BardiA villain named McCreep steals the Smurfs' magic flute, an instrument that makes people dance wildly, and uses it to rob them. The Smurf King sends out Peewit to track down the thief and retrieve the flute.With this title, you would expect the movie to be about the smurfs, but in fact they only appear in the second half of the movie. The actual main characters are Johan and Pirlouit, the heroes of a different comic book series by the same creator (Peyo), which are much less well-known internationally. In fact the English dubs renames them as a generic John and William. I gather this was the first appearance in film of the smurfs, and they were not yet famous. Anyway, this was a decent movie that never trascended its target audience. Little kids should enjoy it, but for adults it does not have much to offer, although certain moments and details are funny, and it has decent songs and animation. I did enjoy Johan and Pirlouit more than the smurfs, who are tiny and cute but a bit tiresome with their insistence of substituting every verb with "smurf" when they speak. Rating: 6/10
- DirectorRené GoscinnyHenri GruelAlbert UderzoStarsRoger CarelJacques MorelPierre TornadeAsterix and Obelix are tasked by Julius Caesar with accomplishing twelve impossible labors to determine the fate of their indomitable Gaulish village.The second Asterix movie (Asterix and Cleopatra) had a weaker story, but this one is about the same quality as the first (Asterix the Gaul). The animation is along the same lines: rudimentary but serviceable, the story is coherent and there are some amusing jokes for the adults too, like Caesar scolding Brutus for playing with a knife and telling him that that someday he is going to hurt someone with it. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorRalph BakshiStarsBob HoltJesse WellesRichard RomanusOn a post-apocalyptic Earth, a wizard and his faire folk comrades fight an evil wizard who's using technology in his bid for conquest.A traditional fantasy quest story but told in an adult-oriented manner. It's a gritty, post-apocalyptic setting mixed where magic and fantastic creatures exist. The story lags at times, but the animation, while simplistic and including still images, has so much energy and raw aesthetics that at times becomes visually stunning. Previous Bakshi movies like Fritz the Cat or Heavy Traffic had not done much for me, but this one I enjoyed. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorYûji EndôNobutaka NishizawaStarsEiko MasuyamaYasuko MiyazakiKaneko IwasakiA young girl must spend six years making sweatshirts out of poison ivy in order to save her six brothers which have been turned into swans by an evil sorceress.Charming anime adaptation of a classic fairy tale by the Grimm brothers and a variation written by Hans Christian Andersen. It is influenced by Disney's style, although it is more faithful to the source material. It even features a couple of songs, although they are not particularly catchy. The animation is simple but beautiful. The movie is quite short, just an hour, but nevertheless an enjoyable experience. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorJohn LounsberyWolfgang ReithermanBen SharpsteenStarsSebastian CabotJunius MatthewsBarbara LuddyIn this collection of animated shorts based on the stories and characters by A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh, a honey-loving teddy bear, embarks on some eccentric adventures.A collection of shorts featuring the bear Winnie the Pooh, as well as his friends Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, and Christopher Robin. They are linked by a narrator that reads from the book, and you can see the pages being turned between story and story. Each adventure showcases Pooh's quirks, such as his love for honey and tendency to get stuck in tight places. The animation style is very simple but with a certain charm. The slow pace, simplicity and repetitive nature of the storylines may make it dull at times for adult watchers, but at the same time it is so full of innocence and whimsy that it's impossible to dislike. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorJohn LounsberyWolfgang ReithermanArt StevensStarsBob NewhartEva GaborGeraldine PageTwo mice of the Rescue Aid Society search for a little girl kidnapped by unscrupulous treasure hunters.Another movie from Disney's Bronze Age, where they avoided traditional fairy tales and looked for different kinds of stories. In this one, the plot is rather thin. The idea of the mouses' Rescue Aid Society is mildly amusing, but the mouse main characters, despite nice voice acting from Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor, are not that interesting. On the other hand, the villain Madame Medusa is scary, the kidnapped girl Penny is endearing and there are some nice supporting characters. The animation is fine, if rather sketchy as typical of Disney animation in this era (boy, I miss the gorgeous animation of Disney's Golden Age in the late 30s and early 40s). It does have moments where the characters are very expressive, though. Not the most inspired of Disney's animated features, but quite enjoyable. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsOrson BeanJohn HustonTheodore GottliebA homebody hobbit in Middle Earth gets talked into joining a quest with a group of dwarves to recover their treasure from a dragon.Surprisingly decent TV movie adaptation of the Hobbit. The artwork, even though it's not conventionally beautiful-looking, won me over. The animation, on the other hand, was limited, as this clearly did not have a big budget. This is a pity as, with more means, the visualization of Middle Earth could have been gorgeous. The plot, faithful to the novel, is rather rushed because of the short length of the movie. However, it does reflect some of the atmosphere of the story, and the songs, with a folksy air, and the poetry contributed to it. Rating: 7/10
- DirectorMartin RosenJohn HubleyStarsJohn HurtRichard BriersRalph RichardsonHoping to escape destruction by human developers and save their community, a colony of rabbits, led by Hazel and Fiver, seek out a safe place to set up a new warren.Despite the seemingly cute animation, a mature story, tackling complex themes. The world is a dark, dangerous place for rabbits, and this is reflected in the story, which at times can be upsetting for young children but is ultimately hopeful. The animation is simple, but the art is well-suited for the story and filled with details. An excellent, well-crafted film. Rating: 9/10
- DirectorRalph BakshiStarsChristopher GuardWilliam SquireMichael ScholesThe Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.After Wizards, Bakshi went for a more ambitious epic fantasy project. The art and animation are limited, but also atmospheric and captivating at times, with a charm of its own, sometimes creating an unsettling atmosphere. It is faithful to the source material, but in the last parts of the movie there are times when the pacing and rhythm of the plot feel uneven, as if the animators struggled to condense too much material in little more than two hours. Even so, there is no time to finish the story, which remains unconcluded, as the projected second part was not done. Despite its flaws and limitations, it represents a milestone in the evolution of animation, demonstrating what could be achieved with limited resources and creative vision. Rating: 8/10
- DirectorKiriô UrayamaPeter FernandezStarsJun'ya KatôMîna TominagaKazuo KumakuraA young boy has to make a voyage to a distant lake to save his mother, who has been turned into a dragon.
- DirectorRintarôStarsMasako NozawaMasako IkedaYôko AsagamiThe adventures of a brave young boy who travels from planet to planet in a determined quest to avenge his mother's death.
- DirectorChuck JonesPhil MonroeMaurice NobleStarsMel BlancArthur Q. BryanPaul JulianBugs Bunny reflects on his past cartoon exploits.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYasuo YamadaEiko MasuyamaKiyoshi KobayashiA dashing thief, his gang of desperadoes and an intrepid cop struggle to free a princess from an evil count, and learn the secret of a treasure that she holds part of the key to.Hayao Miyazaki's feature-length directorial debut. The animation is a bit crude at times, but there's a sense of fun and adventure throughout the movie, and a Cagliostro's crazy castle makes for a very nice setting. A good story and very solid effort throughout. Rating: 9/10
- DirectorKimio YabukiStarsShinobu ÔtakeAi KanzakiTokuko SugiyamaA young girl meets the Spirits of the Twelve Months when she is sent out during a winter snowstorm to collect galanthus, a flower that blooms in April.
- DirectorPaul GrimaultStarsJean MartinPascal MazzottiRaymond BussièresA chimney sweep and a shepherdess seek to escape from the clutches of a tyrannical king.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsOrson BeanJohn HustonTheodore BikelTwo Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.
- DirectorKimio YabukiStarsKeiko TakeshitaTarô ShigakiAsao KoikeA prince falls in love with a princess cursed to change into a swan by day, but their love is threatened by the sorcerer who keeps her imprisoned.
- DirectorTed BermanRichard RichArt StevensStarsMickey RooneyKurt RussellPearl BaileyA fox named Tod and a hound named Copper vow to be best friends forever. But as Copper grows into a hunting dog, their unlikely friendship faces the ultimate test.
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsHideki SasakiMasashi AmenomoriKeiko YokozawaA cellist in a small orchestra receives help from animals to help him practice his music.
- DirectorDon BluthStarsElizabeth HartmanDerek JacobiDom DeLuiseTo save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she suspected.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsJeff BridgesMia FarrowAngela LansburyA beautiful unicorn sets out to learn if she truly is the last of her kind in this sparkling animated musical.
- DirectorMartin RosenStarsJohn HurtChristopher BenjaminJames BolamTwo dogs escape from a laboratory and are hunted as possible carriers of the bubonic plague.
- DirectorRalph BakshiStarsRandy NortonCynthia LeakeSteve SandorAt the end of the ice age, an evil queen and her son are set on conquering the world using magic and warriors. The lone survivor of a crushed village fights back as does the king of Fire Keep.
- DirectorMori MasakiStarsIssei MiyazakiCatherine BattistoneYoshie ShimamuraA powerful statement against war, Barefoot Gen is a disturbing story about the effect of the atomic bomb on a boy's life and the lives of the Japanese people.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsSumi ShimamotoMahito TsujimuraHisako KyôdaWarrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.
- DirectorNoboru IshiguroShôji KawamoriKatsuhito AkiyamaStarsArihiro HaseMari IijimaMika DoiEarth braces for an invasion of giant male bionoids and their enemy, giant female bionoids.
- DirectorWill VintonStarsJames WhitmoreMichele MarianaGary KrugTom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn join Mark Twain on his airship to meet Halley's Comet.
- DirectorSteven HahnStarsJoe ColliganCarmen ArgenzianoNoelle NorthSet on the subterranean Mine-World, a band of human worker are treated like slaves under the power of the evil overlord Zygon until one, Orin, unearths the hilt of a mythical sword that only he can master. Escaping the planet, he runs into the rogue smuggler Dagg and a pair of helpful droids and the princess, who all team up to return to the Mine-World with a plan to defeat Zygon and free Orin's enslaved people.
- DirectorGisaburô SugiiStarsMayumi TanakaChika SakamotoJunko HoriTwo kittens go on a metaphysical journey on a magical railroad train.
- DirectorTed BermanRichard RichStarsGrant BardsleyFreddie JonesSusan SheridanA young boy and a group of misfit friends embark on a quest to find a dark magic item of ultimate power before a diabolical tyrant can.
- DirectorGaëtan BrizziPaul BrizziStarsRoger CarelPierre TornadePierre MondyAsterix and Obelix join the Roman Legions to rescue Obelix's crush Panacea and her fiance Tragicomix, who have been kidnapped to appease Julius Caesar.
- DirectorToyoo AshidaStarsKaneto ShiozawaMichie TomizawaSeizô KatôWhen Doris Lang is chosen as the next bride for the vampire Count Magnus Lee, she will hire a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D in an attempt to escape her ill-gotten fate.
- DirectorPeter MadsenJeffrey J. VarabStarsDick KaysøPreben KristensenLaura BroThrough Loki's treachery, two children in the Viking age find themselves spirited away into the world of Norse Mythology.
- DirectorRon ClementsBurny MattinsonDavid MichenerStarsVincent PriceBarrie InghamVal BettinBasil, the rodent Sherlock Holmes, investigates the kidnapping of a toy maker and uncovers its link to his archenemy, Professor Ratigan.
- DirectorNelson ShinStarsOrson WellesRobert StackLeonard NimoyThe Autobots must stop a colossal planet consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons.
- DirectorDon BluthStarsDom DeLuiseChristopher PlummerErica YohnWhile emigrating to the United States, a young Russian mouse gets separated from his family and must locate them while trying to survive in a new country.
- DirectorPino Van LamsweerdeStarsRoger CarelPierre TornadeGraham BushnellAsterix, his first-cousin-once-removed Anticlimax and Obelix travel to Britain with a barrel of Getafix's magic potion that will allow Anticlimax's village to repel the invading Romans.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsMayumi TanakaKeiko YokozawaKotoe HatsuiA young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.
- DirectorJimmy T. MurakamiStarsPeggy AshcroftJohn MillsRobin HoustonA naive elderly British rural couple survive the initial onslaught of a nuclear war.
- DirectorYoshiaki KawajiriStarsYûsaku YaraToshiko FujitaIchirô NagaiWhile protecting a signatory to a peace treaty between their peoples, a male human and a female demon discover that their mutual attraction may be the key to unifying their worlds.
- DirectorJanice KarmanStarsRoss Bagdasarian Jr.Janice KarmanDody GoodmanThe Chipmunks compete with the Chipettes in a round-the-world race.
- DirectorJerry ReesStarsJon LovitzTimothy StackTimothy E. DayA group of dated appliances embark on a journey to the city to find their master after being abandoned in a cabin in the woods.
- DirectorHiroyuki YamagaStarsLeo MorimotoDavid ThomasMitsuki YayoiIn an alternative Earth, a young astronaut participates in a controversial fledgling space program.
- DirectorGeorge ScribnerStarsJoey LawrenceBilly JoelCheech MarinA lost and alone kitten joins a gang of dogs engaged in petty larceny in New York City.
- DirectorDon BluthStarsPat HingleGabriel DamonHelen ShaverAn orphaned brontosaurus teams up with other young dinosaurs in order to reunite with their families in a valley.
- DirectorKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsMitsuo IwataNozomu SasakiMami KoyamaA secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsHitoshi TakagiNoriko HidakaChika SakamotoWhen two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsTsutomu TatsumiAyano ShiraishiAkemi YamaguchiA young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsJodi BensonSamuel E. WrightRene AuberjonoisA mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love.
- DirectorDon BluthGary GoldmanDan KuensterStarsDom DeLuiseBurt ReynoldsLoni AndersonA canine angel, Charlie, sneaks back to earth from heaven but ends up befriending an orphan girl who can speak to animals. In the process, Charlie learns that friendship is the most heavenly gift of all.
- DirectorKôichi ChigiraYoshikazu YasuhikoStarsKatsuhide UekusaYûko MizutaniEriko HaraTwo thriving colonies, Ishtar and Aphrodia, exist on the planet Venus in the year 2089. War breaks out, and Ishtar invades Aphrodia, sweeping its residents, including motorcycle rider Hiro and his teammates, into the chaos of the conflict.
- DirectorBrian CosgroveStarsDavid JasonAmanda RootAngela ThorneA young orphan girl, Sophie, gets taken away to a faraway land populated by Giants and Dreams.
- DirectorPhilippe GrimondGeorge RoubicekDavid N. WeissStarsRoger CarelPierre TornadeHenri LabussièreWhen Getafix becomes an amnesiac lunatic after being struck by Obelix's menhir, Asterix tries to cure him, all while his fellow villagers are being conned by a phony soothsayer Prolix.
- DirectorMamoru OshiiKôji SawaiStarsToshio FurukawaDavid JarvisDoug ErholtzThe screwball cops of Special Vehicles Section 2 Division 2 must investigate and stop a spree of rampaging construction robots.
- DirectorMasami HataMasanori HataWilliam T. HurtzStarsGabriel DamonMickey RooneyRene AuberjonoisEach night, young Nemo goes to Slumberland and has adventures and befriends the king of Slumberland, Morpheus. But one night Nemo discovers Nightmare Land, and the evil nightmare king, throwing Slumberland and Nemo himself into danger.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsKirsten DunstMinami TakayamaRei SakumaA young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
- DirectorHideki TakayamaStarsChristopher CourageRebel JoySonny WeilThe relative coexistence of the human world, demon world and beast world is soon to be disrupted by The Overfiend, an immensely powerful demon who'll be reborn after 3000 years to remake the world to his own liking.
- DirectorPaul SchibliStarsKiefer SutherlandMegan FollowsPeter O'TooleAn adaption of the classic tale of a girl's dreams turned reality when her new toy turns out to be a young man placed under a curse.
- DirectorHendel ButoyMike GabrielStarsBob NewhartEva GaborJohn CandyR.A.S. agents Miss Bianca and Bernard race to Australia to save a little boy and a rare golden eagle from a murderous poacher.
- DirectorGary TrousdaleKirk WiseStarsPaige O'HaraRobby BensonJesse CortiA prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman's love.