This is truly one of the most entertaining documentaries I have seen in a long time. Fascinating, sad, exciting, and mesmerizing, Waking Sleeping Beauty takes us on a decades long journey through the genesis and evolution of Disney’s second Golden Age of animation.
If you’re a Disney fan and even if you’re not you know the films: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. These were the films that redefined Disney as the leading powerhouse of animated features in the early to mid-1990s. It was with these films that Disney’s fledging animation division rose to prominence and prosperity once again.
But it wasn’t an easy road to travel. Waking Sleeping Beauty pulls no punches and doesn’t hold back as insiders give us an inside look at Disney animation before, during, and after this renowned second Golden Age. It’s a who’s who of animators, directors, executives, and others as they recall the many hoops, hurdles, and conflicts that had to be traversed in order for some of the greatest animated films of all time to be made.
I loved this documentary. There’s so much intriguing information and behind-the-scenes dirt showcased in this film that it makes you appreciate the hard work and dedication that the animators invest in each of their projects. It’s a must-see for fans of Disney animation, and it will give you a greater level of respect for this animation magicians.
Special features include: Why Wake Sleeping Beauty?; Deleted Scenes; The Sailor, the Mountain Climber, the Artist, and the Poet; Studio Tours (circa 1980, 1983, and 1990); A Reunion; Walt; Audio Commentary.
I highly, highly recommend Waking Sleeping Beauty. It’s a superb and well-made documentary that is one of the most interesting true Hollywood stories ever told.
Waking Sleeping Beauty is available NOW on DVD!