Sleeping Beauty (1959)

The review praises the 1959 film's cosmic pathos, pagan ritual staging, and especially the autonomous, expressionistic visual stylings of Eyvind Earle and his team as superior to Snow White. Maleficent's ferocious, almost postmodern bitchery is highlighted as a standout element.

The critic praises the film's technical ambition and strong supporting characters, especially the good fairies and Maleficent, along with standout sequences like the spinning wheel scene and the climactic battle.

The critic finds that time has been kind to this lavish but initially disappointing Disney film, which benefits from a strong video re-release. The elaborate gothic-inspired designs and lively supporting characters like the fairies and Maleficent are singled out for praise.

The Blu-ray restoration highlights the film's state-of-the-art 1959 technology and grand scale as a return to epic Disney animation. It notes the picture's visual ambition but mixed original reception due to its remote, less warm style compared to earlier features.

The film follows the familiar Perrault fairy tale of Princess Aurora cursed by Maleficent and awakened by Prince Philip. It praises the vocal work, especially for the three good fairies, and notes the technical achievements in Technirama and Technicolor.

The review notes that the film falls short of Disney classics like Snow White but highlights its polished animation and the exciting final confrontation with Maleficent as moments where the magic succeeds.

The critic calls Sleeping Beauty the best classic fairy-tale Disney film, praising its atmospheric art direction, Tchaikovsky-inspired score, and cool villain Maleficent while noting strong character work from Aurora and Prince Phillip.

The critic highlights the film's ambitious animation style, widescreen presentation, and musical score inspired by Tchaikovsky, while noting its initial box office failure and how it influenced Disney's future approach to animation. Praises the visual feast and elemental fear and joy it evokes.

The critic praises the jaw-droppingly good animation and eye-popping colors from the restoration, along with the simple fairytale story and memorable characters like the fairies and Maleficent. They note minor dated elements but highlight its enduring magic and timeless theme.

The critic praises the 1959 Disney animated classic as one of the studio's most polished fairytales, highlighting its technical innovations, stunning color design, and the restoration's vibrant transfer on Blu-ray. Minor complaints focus on inconsistent animation quality in some sequences and the passive nature of the title character.