There’s a lot to love about Disney’s old 2D animated films, but one of the oft-unnoticed aspects of them is the backgrounds–the meticulously painted landscapes of far-off castles, undersea vistas, and stunning sunsets. This super-cut also includes some of Disney’s more recent 3D computer-animated movies, such as Tangled and Frozen, which still harken back to the artistic composition of the older greats like Beauty and the Beast.
This super-cut doesn’t necessarily focus on animated shots that would be very difficult and time-consuming to draw, such as characters fighting or spinning around or dancing. Instead, it focuses on the shots that are visually stunning from a composition perspective, which most often includes background work and establishing shots of sweeping skylines. Many of these clips could easily become framed paintings or posters. The video really showcases the static backgrounds that help take an animated film to the next level.
It’s also incredible to see how, even though Disney’s animation styles and techniques have changed, there are many shots that just feel quintessentially Disney. This super-cut includes frames from Snow White back in 1937, all the way up to Moana from 2016, and throughout the super-cut, we can see the parallels in the language of film: characters holding hands, watching sunsets and sunrises, and admiring architecture and cityscapes together.
Mostly, this super-cut made me want to re-watch all of these movies again. Which are your favorite visual moments?
(via /Film, image via screencap)
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