Waking Sleeping Beauty

I don't see enough documentaries in theaters. I like the genre in general (did I just write a new album title?) but the topics are rarely engaging to the point where I want to spend $11 to see one. But this one was on my radar. Can you name the three movies between Fox and the Hound and Beauty and the Beast? Now that you're back from wikipedia it was The Great Mouse Detective, Black Cauldron, and The Rescuers Down Under (and you can add Oliver & Co. if you want). So this movie is about how the animation department changed guard from the old timers, lost their historic building on the Disney lot and came up with some great new animated movies to rejuvenate the mouse house.

From 1984 to 1994 there were a lot of changes at Disney. The biggest thing that the general public is aware about is that they made Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and The Lion King. Behind the scenes they brought in a lot new talent / management to get their Donald Ducks in a row.

Built on a lot of home movies by the animators with narration by everyone involved you get a surprisingly candid look at the company that calls their janitors "cast members". It's awesome. If you can't find it in theaters, it will be a must for your rental.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?

No.

Would you buy it?

Possibly. It would be my first documentary.

Would you rent it?

Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.