Sleeping Beauty (2008, Blu-ray Disc)

Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" (1959) was billed as the ultimate animated film. This is a heavy claim to make, but after viewing the film, it is one well deserved. (Side note--I hate how Disney films are categorized as "children's". Walt himself has said that he never made films primarily for children. I shall continue to defend him and his original vision forever.)

"Sleeping Beauty" is a milestone of a Disney film, and several elements--some familiar, some unique--contribute to the overall mixture which make it the classic that it is. Let's examine these separately, shall we?


PLOT
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The plot of the film is easily understood and quite engaging. A King and Queen of a medieval kingdom finally are blessed with the birth of their only child, a daughter whom they christen Aurora. Everyone in the kingdom comes to the castle to celebrate the birth, and the Three Good Fairies--Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather--each bestow a special gift upon her.

Yet one evil fairy, Maleficent, sabotages the day by crashing the celebration (in a spectacular entrance), and cursing the infant princess to "prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel . . . and die!" and leaves the scene, not without laughing maniacally. This occurs so close to the beginning of the film, that plot is at once put into action to move along the story line.

Merryweather, having not yet given her gift, then softens the curse by making the princess fall asleep instead of die, and to be awakened from the enchantment by True Love's Kiss. King Stefan has every spinning wheel in the kingdom destroyed to protect his daughter, but the fairies know that's not enough. They decide to raise Aurora in the forest while disguised as peasant women, so Maleficent will never find the princess and thereby fulfill the curse. Melancholy, the king and queen give in to the safe plan.

Sixteen years pass and Aurora has grown beautiful, with a lovely voice to match (her other gifts at birth from the fairies were Beauty by Flora and Song by Fauna). The fairies prepare a special birthday party for her after they send the girl (called "Briar Rose" by her 3 "aunts") out to pick berries.

In the forest while picking berries with her animal friends, a young man finds her as she is singing. They sing and dance, fall in love, but Aurora remembers her maiden aunts' warnings of "Don't speak to strangers!" and runs off--but not without telling the young man to meet her at their cottage that evening.

The fairies' attempts at human preparations without magic (hiding their wands during the 16 years to escape Maleficent's spies) are amusingly disastrous. Fauna's cake is a mound of messiness, and Flora's dress isn't much better. Fed up, Merryweather gets the wands, and the others give in and happily use their magic once again. Yet before doing so, they plug up every nook and cranny in the cottage, except for one very important one--the chimney.

Maleficent's raven scours the woods for any sign of the girl, after the witch's goons incurred her wrath by admitting they were searching for a baby for 16 years. Due to a fight between Flora and Merryweather over the color of Aurora's birthday dress (Flora wants pink, Merryweather wants blue--a highlight of the film), he discovers her whereabouts and flies back to his mistress.

Meanwhile, Aurora returns to the cottage and tells her aunts the good news, only to be heartbroken as they reveal her true identity, and the fact that she is already betrothed.

In the meantime back at King Stefan's castle, Stefan and Hubert await the return of Aurora and the marriage of her to King Hubert's son Prince Phillip. Phillip returns and informs his father that he will not marry his betrothed Aurora, but instead a peasant girl he met in the woods. Yes, the young man Briar Rose met in the woods was actually her betrothed husband at birth, Prince Phillip! (Oh, how bitter the irony . . .)

The fairies soon take Rose back to the castle that evening just before sunset, and let her have a few moments alone in her room (big mistake).

Seizing this opportunity, Maleficent bewitches the girl (in one of the film's most eerie scenes--watch out for her eyes). She lures her to the top of a tower to prick her finger on a spinning wheel, created by the witch with her evil powers.

The fairies discover her too late and put her to bed. They decide to make the whole castle fall asleep until the princess awakens. Upon doing so, Flora hears Hubert trying to tell Stefan about Prince Phillip falling in love "with some peasant girl he met once upon a dream". Remember the "dream" phrase being used by Aurora, she puts 2 and 2 together, and flies off with the others back to the cottage before it is too late.

Too late. Maleficent ambushes the prince, and her goons capture him and his horse Samson, taking them back to Maleficent's domain, the Forbidden Mountain.

Thereafter, the fairies find Phillip's hat in the cottage, and realize they must rescue him from the Forbidden Mountain if he is to awaken Rose--and the castle. After a terrifying trek through the evil fortress, the fairies find him and free him--but not before Maleficent pays him a visit and taunts him with the truth, that the girl he fell in love with is actually his betrothed wife.

Prince Phillip escapes the castle along with the fairies, and his weapons from them--the enchantedShield of Virtue and the mighty Sword of Truth. They manage to use their good magic to help him out of some potentially deadly spots which almost finish him off, and a mad chase over the countryside begins. Maleficent is alerted of the escape by all the noise (her raven would have done so, but Merryweather finally turned the spiteful siren into stone), and tries to stop Phillip by using her supernatural powers.

In the climax of "Sleeping Beauty", Maleficent stands between Phillip and the castle, and transforms herself into a monstrous, fire-breathing dragon. The prince is terrified, but courageously battles the enormous creature. With the help of the fairies, he manages to fatally wound her, sending her hurtling to her death from a cliff top.

The fight over, the fairies lead Phillip to Aurora, and he awakens her with a gentle kiss. After he does so the whole castle comes back to life, and the royal couple descends the stairs of the throne room--much to the delight of King Stefan and his Queen, who have not seen their daughter in 16 years (their reunion is joyous and causes tearing up of the eyes).

Seeing the wonderful results, Fauna tells Flora, "Oh, I just love happy endings!"--but not quite all is happy--Flora and Merryweather still argue over Aurora's dress, and her gown continues to change colors right up until the very end of the film.


CHARACTERS
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The characters of "Sleeping Beauty" have wonderful personalities and characteristics to make a well-rounded cast.

PRINCESS AURORA---Aurora is a beautiful girl, both visually and characteristically. She is loving and is fond of "Aunt Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather", as well as her forest friends. Although startled and careful of her first meeting with a man, Prince Phillip, she still acts courteous--and also apologetic--that she must leave him without telling him even her name. Her gentle soprano voice was provided by future famed Opera star Mary Costa.

PRINCE PHILLIP---When viewers first meet Phillip they see a jovial, curious young man whose head is turned by the soprano singing of a young girl, and also a bit strong-headed as he goes against his father's wishes. Yet he proves to have a heart of gold as he does everything in his power to save the girl he loves, and exhibits a strong sense of determination, honor, and duty. (Voice: Bill Shirley)

THE THREE GOOD FAIRIES---The 3 fairies have more screen time than either the Prince or Princess, and therefore must have excellent characterizations to carry much of the film. This is really their movie more than Phillip or Aurora's. Therefore, the young couple is portrayed in a more distant manner, and you are drawn more into the characters of the fairies--which is as it should be (by the way, in case any reader gets confused or forgets, the color matches of the fairies are like so--Flora/Pink, Fauna/Green, Merryweather/Blue).

FLORA---Flora is the unofficial leader of the trio. She always takes charge and feels responsible not only for Aurora, but for the other fairies as well. Her priority is always to find the best solution to problems, and the best way to handle things. (Voice: Verna Felton)

FAUNA---Fauna is the most gentle of the three. Where Flora takes on more of a guardian role, Fauna serves more as a surrogate mother. She worries the most, and is the first one to get teary-eyed in a situation, be it despairing or joyful. She doesn't mind not being in charge, and is always eager to help. She is also my favorite character. (Voice: Barbara Jo Allen)

MERRYWEATHER---Merryweather is the most rebellious fairy. A bit put off by Flora's constant domination and leadership, she wants more equality among them in this respect, and is first to point out any downfalls or holes in plans. Merryweather is quite fearless and often, if not held back by Flora, would fly at Maleficent in a rage. (Voice: Barbara Luddy)

KING STEFAN---King Stefan is a proud and caring father, and quite protective (as seen in the opening scenes of the film). He enjoys a great friendship with neighboring King Hubert. Though the more level-headed of the two, he can be duped into stooping to Hubert's level of temper if the latter works at him long enough. (Voice: Taylor Holmes)

QUEEN---The Queen has the smallest part in the film (she doesn't even have a name). She proves to be a loving and nurturing mother, whose potential is taken away too soon when her daughter is sent away. Upon Aurora's return, the Queen is speechless and obviously affected, and their reunion hug is an emotional highlight in the film. (Voice: Uncredited)

KING HUBERT---The father of Prince Phillip, Hubert is moody, and prides himself in the fact that Phillip will marry Stefan's daughter and inherit his kingdom. He enjoys an old friendship with Stefan even if he is inclined to ignite silly arguments. (Voice: Bill Thompson)

SAMSON---Prince Phillip's horse shows an amazing range of character. In his first scenes he is silly, selfish, and comical. Yet in the later scenes at the Forbidden Mountain, and during the escape and the fight with the Maleficent dragon, Samson proves to be a noble steed indeed, who knows what is important when it really counts. He never fails his master in these scenes, a moving portrait of loyalty.

RAVEN---Maleficent's familiar, the raven is a character which some viewers (like my mother) love to hate. He is often seen with his mistress, and seems to feed off of the huge presence of villainy which she displays. He likes nothing better than to witness the abomination of good at Maleficent's hands, and does all he can to get the goons to stop Phillip from escaping the Forbidden Mountain.

MALEFICENT---The real star of the film. She may not have had a great number of scenes, but what she did have were memorable. Maleficent is not only evil, she is elegantly evil, which makes her all the better. She is strikingly frightening in appearance, cruel in action, and eloquent in speech. Her voice covers a broad range from soft taunting to screeching laughter, and her horned headdress and flowing, black robes merely make her all the more imposing and demonic.

Self-declaredly "the mistress of all evil", she pulls out all stops in killing the princess (so she first thinks) and first abducting and then defeating the prince. Her delivery of "Now shall you deal with me, O Prince, and all the powers of HELL!!", as she then blastingly transforms herself into a monstrous dragon, is petrifying, and provides further evidence of just how utterly evil this villainess is.

Maleficent is definitely one of Disney's greatest (and scariest) villains (and her voice must be given due credit to actress Eleanor Audley). Young or old, this witch is sure to send a few chills up your spine.

OTHERS---
Maleficent's GOONS are incompetent fools of fortress dwellers, who serve as her spies and army (they were changed from villains to bumblers to help lighten the heavy intimidation and fear of the great Maleficent). Their leader (voiced by Candy Candido) tells their mistress of their spying operations to find the princess, and they succeed in capturing Prince Phillip, dance a demonic revelry around a fire in celebration of him, and do their best to stop him in his escape.

The LACKEY who serves Kings Stefan and Hubert their wine just before their royal argument is a comical treat. He secretly indulges in the beverage and proves to take in more than he can handle . . .

Marvin Miller provides some warm narration in the beginning scenes of the film with his soothing, baritone voice.


STYLE
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When it comes to style, "Sleeping Beauty" is in a class by itself. No other Disney film comes even close to resembling its structure of rigid horizontals and verticals with absences of curves. The uniqueness of the styling of the film gives the film a certain medieval flavor it otherwise would not encompass. The castle, forest, cottage, and fortress are all wondrous to visually explore.

Artist Eyvind Earle came up with the basic style for the film, and the resulting backgrounds are amazingly detailed--yet they in no way detract from the actions of the characters. The characters themselves fit in quite well with their one-of-a-kind fairy tale world. The human characters are more realistic than most others in previous features--they are more elongated and humanized (watch for the natural movements of Aurora's hair in her first meeting with Phillip, and the couple's descension into the throne room at the finale--stunning realism).


SPECIAL EFFECTS
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Special effects animation is used appropriately throughout the film. First there are the bestowings of the gifts of Beauty and Song by Flora and Fauna, done so in dreamlike visions--Maleficent's curse is of course much more unsettling and demonic.

The magic from the fairies' wands sparkles with goodness, and the several times when the fairies change size is a treat to see. The wands are found to serve as other functions as well, in the form of flashlights and blowtorches (much more discreetly and effectively done when seen than reading as described). Flora's helps to Phillip while escaping the Forbidden Mountain are both amusing and beautiful, as she changes boulders to bubbles, arrows to flowers, and boiling oil to a colorful rainbow.

Then of course, there is Maleficent's thorn forest, her mad flight to the castle, and the climactic transformation of her into the hellish dragon (right before she transforms there are even streams of black and purple smoke seeping from her, as if suggesting the culmination of her evil and black magic burning within her).


MUSIC
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It's really good. Excellent. The score was nominated for an Academy Award. Actually, there is a whole lot more to say on this subject alone, but as I have already written an opinion on the soundtrack, feel free to check that out for more info, and thoughts on the scoring and the songs.


OTHER NOTES
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"Sleeping Beauty" was the 1st animated feature to be filmed in the widescreen process Technirama 70, which means that it is twice as wide as most other films (I own this version and it is WELL worth checking out--you see things that are cut from your vision in the normal "edited" version, plus you get the added features of the original theatrical trailer, and a "Mickey Mouse Club" segment featuring Helene Stanley, the model for Princess Aurora).

Sadly, "Sleeping Beauty" was not well-received by most critics or audiences in its original 1959 release. On a better note, it has become much more respected and loved today. When released on video in 1997, it spent 2 weeks at #1 on the video sales charts. It has found a loyal following among Disney fans, and continues to enchant viewers both young and old.

"Sleeping Beauty" will do anything but put you to sleep (except for the self-titled lullaby, but that doesn't count--that's supposed to be that way). Filled with adventure, thrills, charm, romance, and more music than you can shake a medieval stick at, "Sleeping Beauty" reigns as one of Disney's most beloved films.

It is also one of Disney's most adult films. Aside from the 2 "Fantasia"s, this is the most adult-oriented film in Disney's canon. There are hardly any visual gags (something of an oddity for a Disney film), yet "Sleeping Beauty" has plenty of verbal humor and jokes--some of which will more than likely go over the heads of most youngsters who may view it. This is also the only Disney animated feature with any profanity in it--the word "Hell"--yet uttered by Maleficent, it doesn't sound like profanity, but rather serves as her manifest proclamation of conjuring up the very powers of Hell itself. That's quite a frightening thought imagining this villainess, the embodiment of pure evil, having that profane ability.

"The Ultimate Animated Film". That's a pretty big statement to make . . . but then again, I just watched this beloved favorite (yet again) a couple of nights ago.

I can't say I disagree.