Pocahontas (1995)
As we know, Disney’s take on real-life Native American Pocahontas and her relationship with English settler John Smith gives a pretty warped historical account of what happened. If you can look past the cringe-worthy song “Savages” it is in all fairness a beautiful film and probably has the best animation of that decade.
Even if Pocahontas falls in love with the enemy and magically learns English, the film does depict some of the harder realities of that time. Additionally, Pocahontas choosing to stay home and not leave with John is truly satisfying.
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
As far as throwbacks go, this film really achieved all it set out to do. It looks extremely close to the 1977 original, except for the occasional CGI trips as seen in Pooh's fantasy sequence. The film also really maintains the sensibilities it had in the original.
There's a lot of sharp word-play and amusing misunderstanding, as well as songs that could even work in earlier versions. Now and again it faulters with gags and slapstick humor that feels out of place but that is kept to a minimum.
Zootopia (2016)
"Zootopia" transports us into a world where the laws of nature have fallen away and animals happily coexist alongside each other. T
The film goes to portray such absurd idealism that they made the cops actual bunnies. It's also refreshing to see a female lead not motivated by love but for her passion for work.
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
It's a pretty slow film and Princess Aurora pricks her finger 50 minutes into the 75-minute film, so it's a slight bore until we get to that point. In its defense, that is followed by a spectacular climax, including an incredible battle — featuring the most interesting character in the film, Maleficent who gets transformed into a dragon.
The breathtaking animation nods to medieval art with its vibrant colors and profoundly stylized form. Even in Aurora isn't terribly interesting, she is extremely beautiful.
The Rescuers (1977)
The Rescuers' success is largely due to its excellent character creation. The plot is somewhat dark, with Medusa snatching up Penny and ridiculing her of not being worthy of adoption. Thankfully it adds a good amount of comic relief in the form of Bernard and Bianca, the spunky agents of the Rescue Aid Society.
The action that runs throughout is impressive and the stakes are made high enough to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.