Sleeping Beauty Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Sleeping Beauty
Year: 1959
Studio: Disney
Country: US
Language: English

With the exception of the neglected, it is not at all ridiculous to insist that every child in North America has heard of- or seen- a Walt Disney Picture. Each one is a pleasure to the senses; a visual odyssey into a magnificent world beyond our imagination. Of course some speak to us more than others. everybody has a favourite. As a child I was moved by Pinocchio, The Lion King and Sleeping Beauty in particular. This review is about the latter.

An adaptation of a fairytale by the Grimm Brothers, Sleeping Beauty  involves a malevolent witch who curses  a beautiful princess out of spite. The witch declares that before the maiden reaches her 16th birthday she will die by pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning-wheel.The king places his daughter into hiding with three good-natured fairies.

Sleeping Beauty's production spanned most of the decade. In 1951 the story work had commenced, and by late 1959 it hit theaters across the globe. Unfortunately, the picture had lukewarm critical and commercial success. Even in 2014 it does not stand out amongst classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, the animation looks lavish and stylish, the unique animation choices (though controversial at the time of production) really make the picture stand out. Framed in "ultra widescreen" the stylized background give the story an atmosphere of class and scale. The music heightens our senses and further drives us into the story.

Even though I feel Sleeping Beauty is one of Walt Disney's greatest films in terms of being both aesthetically pleasing and entertaining, I must admit that it reflects the worst attitudes of the 50's. Along with the "father knows best" notion, we get the common 50's belief that a woman is helpless without a man at her side. Throughout the film Aurora has no sense of Agency; her entire life is determined for her and every choice she does make is the wrong one. She CAN marry, but she must marry a pre-determined partner.  Even when she is "saved" by Prince Charming there is no sense that her life has changed. She will still follow his command, just like the Queen follows the king's command. In comparison, Maleficent is a very strong woman who stands up to patriarchal authority. Of course she is wrong to do so and thus must be a villain who has no hope of redemption.

In conclusion, Sleeping Beauty is fantastic as mindless entertainment but has dated subtext that really doesn't belong near our current  society. The character Maleficent is an enduring villain even though the audience doesn't get to know her very intentions very well. It's quite a typical Disney film, but it does have a few unique flairs. 3/5