History of Disney Animation Part 2: The Dark Age (1970-1988)

While this film has its fans, The Aristocats is mainly a forgettable Disney film. For one thing, the story is a mixture of 101 Dalmatians (with missing kittens instead of missing puppies) and Lady and the Tramp (kindness between rich animals and poor animals). Aside from the O'Mally cat, the villain, a drunken goose, and the two country dogs, the main cats weren't really that interesting, the animation is so-so, and the songs aren't really that memorable (with the exception of "Everybody Wants to be a Cat", which is one of my favorite Sherman Brothers songs).

This take on Robin Hood could have been extremely terrible, especially when the classic characters are all animals, but Disney's animated take on this classic story is fun, entertaining, and underrated. There's quite a bit of recycled shots from other Disney films that gets quite annoying after a while (as Disney wasn't doing to well financially), but the film is so fun that I can forgive Disney for being so cheap here, especially when you have Peter Ustinov voicing Prince John and Andy Devine as Friar Tick.

This is actually the three classic theatrical shorts released in the 1960's combined into one feature film (Walt being alive in releasing the first short). This film is the version I grew up with, and whether it's a short or a movie, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an essential classic in the world of Disney Animation, perfectly defining the word childhood. Along with Mickey Mouse, Pooh is one of Disney's beloved characters in their library, and the end result is funny, touching, and heartwarming.

Like Robin Hood, when first looking at the premise, it sounds kind of stupid, especially when the plot revolves around two mice who go on a rescue mission. But like with the genius films when Walt was alive, The Rescuers does what Walt intended to make in the first place; by taking something meant for children and making it entertaining for all ages. While the animation isn't Disney's greatest, the characters are delightful and the villain is awesome.

Disney does an excellent job at coming-of-age stories, from Dumbo, Bambi, and The Lion King. The Fox and the Hound is no exception. There's some issues in the cheapness of Disney's animation, but the story is fantastic, about a fox and a hound that find it difficult to become best friends due to the nature of what they're supposed to do. It's one of the most moving Disney films ever made, especially when the film's climax involves an out-of-control bear.

I know this film is one of the most hated in Disney's library, as it's creepy visuals scarred many 80's kids for life. But looking at it in 2014, The Black Cauldron is actually an underrated Disney adventure. While some of the characters are a little underdeveloped, the adventure is exciting, the animation is as stunning as Sleeping Beauty, and the best part, the creepy visuals that scarred everyone for life. Seriously, The Horned King and his skeleton army are some of the best designs in a villain character, alongside Chernabog and Maleficent!

Another film that has a premise that sounds ridiculously awful, this time a mouse version of Sherlock Holmes, but I can't deny that I am a huge fan of The Great Mouse Detective. From the stylishly dark visuals, to Vincent Price's terrifically evil performance as the rat Ratigan, to the awesome climatic sequence that featured the earliest use of CGI, The Great Mouse Detective is certainly the most underrated film in this era of Disney's illustrious film history.

Like Robin Hood, if this film was made by someone else, this film would have been completely awful, especially since the story is a modernized version of Oliver Twist set in New York City and starring dogs, cats, and a broke pickpocket, plus the fact that it features appearances from some of the biggest celebrities in the 80's, such as Billy Joel and Bette Midler. While this film doesn't hold up as some of Disney's other films, as I don't believe that this story will appeal to Disney's core audience, especially since the story involves a broke pickpocket trying to survive in the grittiness of NYC, but I have a soft spot for Oliver and Company; the animation is good, the voice casting is good, the story is fun for what it was, and the best part; it's soundtrack, which was awesome, especially Billy Joel's "Why Should I Worry", which makes up for its flaws.