I re watched an old favorite tonight: 101 Dalmations. It was like seeing an old friend. I was obsessed with it when I was young and it has aged delightfully. The art and animation are so on point. The xerography allows a sketchiness to the original outlines in the animation to burst through and make the imagery raw and alive.
I love it.
I screen capped some of my favorite scenes and backgrounds. Such pure art.
My favorite part is still the Cruella da Ville song.
When Roger comes downstairs and hums the song and the way he stares at the ceiling. So human. "You like my new sooooong?" "Tee tum tee tuh tummmm." That's the Disney magic that captured my heart. So human and real.
The watercolor bgs. FUCK. I fan gasmed all over it.
And the opening. Where each staff type gets their own stuff. Music gets music notes, layout shows beautiful backgrounds. Effects shows off their pinache for bringing the world alive, and animation department shows their new xerography technique in action.
ART.
And the narration with Pongo judging other dogs/humans as he finds a mate for Roger:
CHARM OUT THE ASS.
THOSE BACKGROUNDS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL in such beautiful water color and (I believe) gauche. That mood and atmosphere. That cinematography!
And the character design. So on point. Realistically proportioned but given their own animated flair. Far away from the dreadful character design in modern American animation.
Of the classic era, this was always my favorite and I was so psyched to revisit after a life time away. It - unknowingly at the time - influenced a lot of the film direction I like with George and Anita being so relatable and human.
Disney!!