Happy Birthday Walt Disney
Needing a few minutes of peace & quiet one Saturday morning, Jules popped The Jungle Book on for Sacha. Five months later, he’s still watching it… Luckily it’s such a classic that we can (just about) enjoy it with him. So in celebration of Walt Disney’s birthday earlier this month, we thought we’d choose some other Disney films that are brilliant, even on repeat – do you agree with our picks?
The Little Mermaid
Released in 1989 and standing the true test of time to this day, The Little Mermaid was the start of a new era for Disney. A take on the traditional Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid had it all. A princess, a few funny and plucky sidekicks, a prince and Ursula, the evil witch of the sea, who to this day is surely one of the best Disney villains of all time! The Little Mermaid packs a punch with catchy songs, emotional resonance and laughs, and due to this it is one of the many Disney films that has staying power over twenty five years later.
Beauty and the Beast
Released globally in 1991, and only two years after the success of The Little Mermaid, Disney released Beauty and the Beast. A romantic story with innocence, wit and charming sub characters, Beauty and the Beast reached new highs for Disney, becoming the very first film to be nominated for the Best Picture award at the Oscars. Complete with a great soundtrack, Beauty and the Beast has since been remastered and re-released, for the new, princess loving generation.
Snow White
Back in 1937, Snow White was the very first feature length film released by Disney and still today, it looks as charming as it once was. With seven lovable dwarfs and cute wild animals, Snow White was cute, warming and glossy. But it was the rough edges of the Queen that really set the story, creating the perfect platform for our beautiful princess, Snow White to go down in history as one of the best Disney Princesses of all time.
The Lion King
Back in 1994, The Lion King was released and with it, a huge marketing campaign. Elton John sang the lead song and adults and children alike cried when poor Simba lost his father in the stampede. In amongst all this was a beautiful story, some great characters who went on to get their own spin off series and Scar, the films villain, who to this day ranks up with the best of them. A classic film that will never get old or lose its original message.
Aladdin
Using computer animation for the first time, 1992’s hit Aladdin also featured the voice of a global superstar, Robin Williams for the role of the Genie in the lamp. With a catchy soundtrack, some songs sung by Williams himself, Aladdin was a magic carpet ride of romance, action and comedy. And due to its huge international success, a sequel followed.
Sleeping Beauty
Featuring Maleficent, who is definitely up there with Ursula from The Little Mermaid as one of the most evil villains of all time, the story within Sleeping Beauty starts quickly and continues to pick up pace as the story progresses. With beautiful scenes and imagery, Sleeping Beauty is one of any Disney Princess fans collection, and considering it was released in1959, that is an achievement!
Frozen
Surely no Disney countdown could be without the 2013 smash hit, Frozen. Getting it right and having all the correct elements, Frozen had a few well known cast voices, a killer soundtrack that parents sing with no shame and stunning visual effects. Frozen is a winner, hands down. But for us, the best part of the film is the reinforcement that it isn’t always about the boy getting the girl – love can come from anyone. Spoiler alert, girl power is back!
Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Walt_Disney_Pictures.png
