When I was three years old, this was my favorite Disney film and Maleficent was my favorite character. Fifty years later, I find myself equally mesmerized by the film, and completely blown away by its artistry. This was ground breaking animation -- the first to prove that an animated film not only could be one of the most successful box office hits of its time but also could survive its time to compete as serious art form. Taking inspiration from The Unicorn Tapestries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Cloisters annex, this remastered BluRay version showcases the then-revolutionary style of artist Eyvind Earle. The look is a masterful mix of pre-Renaissance tapestry and Earle's edgy 50s modernism in which the background designs constantly compete with the characters for your attention. Add to this the score based on Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet. Wow... this is animation on steroids. (Some things don't change: Maleficent is still my favorite character.)

Sleeping Beauty - A timeless classic everyone should have in their library - great for kids and adults.