She glanced this way, I thought I saw... And when we touched, she didn't shudder at my paw. No, it can't be; I'll just ignore... But then, she's never looked at me that way before...
In 1989, "The Little Mermaid" reinvigorated the Disney animation studio. The next year, "The Rescuers Down Under" was poorly recieved but was the first film to successfully combine computer animations with traditional hand-drawn cels. In 1991, Disney was able to cement its hold on its new brand of animated product with what many see as the greatest animated film of all time. "Beauty and the Beast" pushed the singing, dancing, and comic relief formula developed in "The Little Mermaid" up about three notches. Watching the film actually feels like watching a well-choreographed broadway play (especially with the opening number). This, combined with the stunning visuals, would earn Disney the first ever nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars for an animated film. The ballroom dance while Ms. Potts sang the title song was absolutely jaw-dropping at the time. If nothing else, this film was a peak at what animated movies could do, and that they didn't just have to be kiddie-fare.
Mind you, in 1991 we were still about 5 years away from a little California studio beginning a stretch of flawless animation that would last right up until 2010...
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