Sleeping Beauty (1959)

When the movie starts, the animation feels very two-dimensional. It's "layered," and the animation follows simple rules of perspective, but it's still very two-dimensional. As I watched the film, either the animation changed, or I adopted to the style. Maybe both.

The story itself is a little odd, with some things not really explained. For example, Maleficent isn't invited. Is the King and Queen really shocked when she shows up anyway? She has her own kingdom, right next door, I gather, but she rules over pigs and other cartoon characters, and that made me wonder why evil is represented so "cartoony."

Maleficent is represented as pure evil, and I guess that means she doesn't need a reason to be evil, but I still want to know: Why is she so evil? Did she curse Aurora simply for not being invited to the party? Because she was beautiful? I don't really understand the motive.

I was also confused about why Auroa's three fairy godmothers apparently bring her back a day early. They do a great job hiding her away from 15 years and 364 days, but a day short, not only do they bring her back to the palace, but they start using their wands. Just one more day. That's all they need to do to complete their safeguarding missing.

The Prince is the same boy that was promised in marriage when Aurora was born, which means she has just turned 16, and he had to be 24 or 25. Not a big deal in the 14th century, I guess, but doesn't fly in the modern day.

Overall, classic Disney. As far I can remember, this is actually the first time I've watched this one, and I did enjoy is better than, say, Cinderella. I'd rank it up there with Lady and the Tramp and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Rating: 4/5 stars

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