Toon Talk Special: 50 Greatest Disney Animated Moments: Part 2 of 2
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#10 - Under the Sea
The Little Mermaid - 1989
(c) Disney
In what would come to set the standard for all show-stoppers to follow, King Triton's crabby court composer Horatio Felonious Ignacious Crustaceous Sebastian launches into a calypso flavored explanation to Ariel on why it's "better down where it's wetter." From the creative minds of songwriters extrodinaire Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, "Under the Sea" is staged like an elaborate Broadway show tune, filled with dozens of fish, crustaceans, amphibians and all manners of marine life of every size, shape and color joining in for a Jamaican jam session in the middle of this octopus' garden in the sea.
#9 - Spaghetti for Two
Lady & the Tramp - 1955
(c) Disney
Tramp has taken his lady out on the town for a moonlit dinner for two at Tony's Italiano Ristorante. Greeted by the proprietor of this humble establishment, they are lavished with the best service in the house and treated to a heaping plate of spaghetti especial. As they dine, they are serenaded to, with accordion and mandolin accompaniment: "this is the night, such a beautiful night and they call it belle notte." Wrapped up in the moment, they inadvertently start eating the same strand of spaghetti, slowly being pulled together in an almost kiss that leaves a blush on Lady's fair features. Tramp tenderly nudges his last meatball to her to compensate for her embarrassment. "This is the night and the heaven's are right for this lovely belle notte ... " One of the most innocently romantic moments in motion picture history.
#8 - Hellfire
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - 1996
Daring. Shocking. Creative. Risk-taking. All these adjectives could apply to this infamous display of Judge Claude Frollo's inner hauntings. Alone in his chambers, Frollo (powerful vocals from Disney villain veteran Tony Jay) laments on his current state, how Esmerelda has created within him this "burning desire" which he cannot control. He sees her dancing form in the flames of the fireplace and can't resist such vulgar temptations of the flesh. Menacingly, red-cloaked figures manifest themselves, sitting in judgment of his sins. He begs for mercy, claiming that "it is the gypsy girl, the witch who sent this flame." He concludes that the only way to be admonished in the eyes of his savior is to destroy the object of his desires, to "let her tastes the fires of hell." Shadows stretch along the walls, beings baring religious icons, taunting him with their piety. Spent, Frollo collapses to the floor, his figure forming a crucified stance.
#7 - Jessie's Story
Toy Story 2 - 1999
By the time you hear of her poignant past, you have already grown to care for this spunky little cowgirl doll. To Jessie, her previous owner Emily was her "whole world." Via Sarah McLachlan's plaintive vocals and Randy Newman's bittersweet song, we are taken back to a time "when somebody loved me (and) everything was beautiful." Over the years, they were inseparable, always there for each other, in good times and bad. But eventually, little girls grow up, and "she began to drift away ... I was left alone." Forgotten under the bed, Jessie is finally retrieved by a teen-aged Emily. Jessie is thrilled to finally be held in her arms again, to be loved again "just like it used to be." But instead, she ends up in a roadside charity donation box, peering through the cardboard slot, as her whole world drives away into the distance.
#6 - The Circle of Life
The Lion King - 1994
(c) Disney
The screen is black. There is silence, save for a few ambient jungle noises. Suddenly, a massive red sun rises, bringing dawn to a new day here on the savannah as Lebo M's soaring chant begins. All manner of jungle life are progressing on a pilgrimage across the plains. We are carried along to their destination, the majestic Pride Rock, atop which sits their lion king. A strange figure approaches, a baboon, the shaman of this tribe. He and the king share a familial embrace. The object of his presence is revealed, the newborn prince, softly purring in his mother's arms. As his parents look on lovingly, the baboon takes the cub to the ledge and thrusts him up into the air to observe and be observed by the subjects of the kingdom. The clouds part and the sun shines down on this innocent cub, their future king.