Listmania!
GREATEST ANIMATED CLASSICS
By an Amazon.com customer
The Secret of NIMHThe Secret of NIMH
Buy used from: $1.44
This is argueably the most touching and magical feature. Based on a children's book and directed by ex-disney veteran, Don Bluth. The content will leave a lasting impression, with a story about a widowed field mouse who travels to see the rats of nimh in hope that there advance culture can save her son from nomonia. Many consider the music to be Jerry Goldsmith's best work.
An American Tail Family Double FeatureAn American Tail Family Double Feature
Buy new: $15.49 / Used from: $8.69
Steven Spielburg teamed up with Don to bring us this classic tail of a jewish mouse who looses his family during the immigration. James Horner provides one of his greatest musical achievments for the score and the song "Somewhere out there" became a huge critical success. I would have to say this this one could very well be the greatest classic, in front of the Secret of Nimh as well.
The Land Before Time (Anniversary Edition)The Land Before Time (Anniversary Edition)
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $7.57
A joint effort between Bluth, Spielburg, and Lucas. Without following a cliché formula, it might be one of the first animated film's to effectively hit on the issue of racism, as a group of dinasaurs travel together to find their parents and a land with food. Again, a James Horner classic soundtrack
Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandLittle Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
Buy used from: $5.89
With a Japanese Director and Production crew this film is pure magic. It takes you on a ride with Nemo through a fantasty realm known as Slumberland. The king, who reminds me a bit of santa clause, is kidnapped by the nightmare lord, and Nemo must travel to the Nightmare realm in order to save him. The music is amazing, and works perfectly with the dreamy atmosphere.
Watership DownWatership Down
Buy used from: $7.89
Like the Brave Little Toaster, this film is rather dark and serious. Another wonderful contrasting animated classic with cute characters but dark plot. Mainly about rabbits, but be prepared for a touching story.
The Brave Little ToasterThe Brave Little Toaster
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $10.95
A very original story in which all the main characters are everyday household appliances. They journey across the country in order to find their old master. Dont be fooled by the light heartedness of the tag line, this movie can get very serious and dark in some areas which make for an exciting contrast with its cute little characters.
Bambi (2-Disc Special Platinum Edition)Bambi (2-Disc Special Platinum Edition)
Buy used from: $10.30
What can I say? The original tear jerker, Perhaps Disney's 'Watership Down', only with deer instead of rabbits. Watch with warning; its sad!
Lady and the Tramp (50th Anniversary Edition)Lady and the Tramp (50th Anniversary Edition)
Buy used from: $15.98
With one of the most classic on screen kisses in ALL cinema this is a true animated treat. An enduring Disney piece about a well kept lady dog who meets a stray tramp. They eventually fall for one another in this heartwarming film about how differences do indeed attract.
The Sword in the Stone (Disney Gold Classic Collection)The Sword in the Stone (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Buy used from: $4.95
A Disney classic that depicts a young arthur struggling to become more than he believes himself to be. Merlin's character is a real treat and this film depicts arguably the greatest wizard v.s. witch battle of ALL cinema. The music is nothing short of Disney magic.
The Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)The Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $12.49
This film really changed the way animated films were made, for good or worst, and used new techniques for getting the job done as well. The music is great and even though the prince is another one of those with no personality, Arial makes up with it. The supporting cast is great, with a dumb seagull, vulnerable blowfish, and musical composer crab. The song "Under the sea" won an award.
Beauty and the Beast (Special Platinum Edition)Beauty and the Beast (Special Platinum Edition)
Buy used from: $19.97
Quite possibly the first Disney picture in which the main prince is not some dunder head. It opens with a haunting legend of a cruel prince who gets transformed into a beast. Yes, there are outbreaks of singing for no apparent reason, but it’s a great film all the same. The song 'Tale as old as time' won an award and went on to be a classic.
The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Buy used from: $19.00
What list would be complete without this Disney masterpiece. It became the 'Little Mermaid' of the new era of Disney animation; incorporating 3-D animation with regualr 2-D. The story is about a prince lion, who must find his courage and strength to take the position of king when his father dies. Elton John's 'Cant you feel the love tonght', became another hit in mainstream music.
All Dogs Go to HeavenAll Dogs Go to Heaven
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $1.50
Another edgy Bluth masterpiece. Join Charlie, a casino going dog who is murdered by the don boss dog. Charlie goes to heaven and returns to meet up with an old pal and an orphan girl. When the don kidnaps the girl, and beats up his friend, Charlie decides enough is enough. The music is entertaining enough as it is a bit of a musical in some places.
Rock-A-DoodleRock-A-Doodle
Buy used from: $29.94
Bluth's depictation of a rooster who wants to be rockstar, but ends up playing the game of the record industry. Here Bluth introduces us to quirky farm animals who decide to go to the city to bring him back, all the while an evil owl decides to wreck havoc. The soundtrack is no less than what we would expect.
Rock & Rule (2-Disc Collector's Edition)Rock & Rule (2-Disc Collector's Edition)
Buy used from: $26.99
The Canadian jem in modern animation. With more of an adult edge to it, this piece focuses more on music than anything else. It follows an 80's esque rock band and their fight against the evil wizard/rockstar Mok. The music includes Blondie, Chip Trick, and Iggie Pop.
Heavy Metal (Collector's Edition)Heavy Metal (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $10.99
Adults will not want to pick this one up for their kids; as it depicts graphic sexual situations and violence. The story is a bit hard to pin down, with several stories making up for one gigantic adventure, taking place in the past, present, and future. It’s a marker for modern animation and sports and interesting selection of rock music.
The Transformers - The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)The Transformers - The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
Buy used from: $26.88
A Japanese masterpiece. Yes, it's Transformers but for everyone else, it's still a great movie. Filled with action, drama, and the will of courage. The music is 80's rock, composed by Stan Bush, and the famous Orson Welles contributes the evil planet Unicron's voice.
Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Chipmunk AdventureAlvin and the Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Adventure
Buy used from: $8.70
This film did the same thing for the chipmunks as 'the great adventure' did for Peewee: put them on another level. Full of great music colorful characters, this is the movie to have if 'Alvin' is in your vocabulary.
The Thief And The CobblerThe Thief And The Cobbler
Buy used from: $7.92
Possibly the most visually stunning film. The story is great, so great that Disney took the idea and made Aladdin. Journey with Tac, the poor cobbler, who, with the princess journeys to find help from being invaded by an army lead by a one eyed dark lord, while the evil wizard, Zig Zag, goes to the One Eye's camp in order to strike a deal. There is music but the creator didn’t wish for this.
The Snow QueenThe Snow Queen
Buy used from: $2.74
A Russian classic from Soyuzmultfilm (Russia's answer to old Disney Studios). Based off the classic fairytale of Christian Anderson, this piece depicts a story of true love between a boy and a girl, and the cruelty of the snow queen who aims to seperate them. This came out in 1954 so the transfer is not great but its still a great movie.
Jack & The BeanstalkJack & The Beanstalk
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $17.99
Being another Japanese piece, Jack and the Beanstalk has never been told quite like this and probably never will be again. It’s a musical adventure, but very reminiscent of early 70's artist. It has a very classic scene with a dog, singing to the moon. With a giant, hypnotized princess, enchanted castle, a golden goose, and an evil witch, this film is a must see.
The Last UnicornThe Last Unicorn
Buy used from: $2.49
What a beautiful film! There is a reason why they re-released this classic feature. Think of it as a 'Land Before Time' type plot but with magical creatures, aka unicorn goes off in search for others. The band 'America" provides the soundtrack.
Flight of Dragons [VHS]Flight of Dragons [VHS]
Buy used from: $21.00
A great movie in the same style as 'The Last Unicorn'. Based off a novel by the same name, follow a witty boy who falls into a game board and becomes a dragon himself. He finds himself in a land of wizardary and magic. The music is also very well composed Unfortunately this one has not been re-released yet.