The film opens with images of Michael Eisner and home video footage of the studios from 1980. You meet a ragtag group of young animators who seem to know that they are in a hollowed environment yet seem to be without a rudder. As the story unfolds, we meet the three major players in the film: Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Most Disney enthusiasts are familiar with the conflict that developed between the three, but WSB provides such a greater nuance to the machinations of the executives. We quickly discover the roles being played by Eisner, Katzenberg and Disney--the heavy, the upstart and the traditionalist (and soul of the company).
The producers spend a lot of time focusing on Howard Ashman who passed away in 1991, shortly before the release of Beauty and the Beast. Ashman and his songwriting partner Alan Mencken were responsible for the change in direction of the Disney animated feature. Ashman pushed for a return to the animated musical. Ashman believed that music is central to what Disney animation is. In the film and the bonus features, he is referred to as the next Walt Disney. A scary, but very heartfelt appellation.
The film is told through a unique viewpoint. Instead of using archival interview footage with random talking heads, Hahn had the idea to use historical photos and videos with various voice overs from key persons. Hahn and Schneider tackle a very touchy subject and partway through the film, you wonder if they were going to make enemies. They address this in the bonus features, stating that they told the truth and were personally involved--that they wanted to show everything, including the warts!
Anyone who is a fan of the movies released during this time period will enjoy Waking sleeping Beauty. It is so much more than a documentary about the people; it is a heartfelt and emotional journey into the politics and infighting of the Disney Studio at the time. And above it all, amazing animation was produced. Which Hahn notes, is really what people will remember.
about his dad and fellow animator 
. Walt and Lilly's daughter, Diane Disney Miller makes several appearances in the film as well to provide a more familial take on the trip. Diane rarely grants interviews and it was nice to see her talk about her parents and that time period.
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and most people will be able to sing along. (Are you humming A Spoonful of Sugar, yet?)
by Charles Solomon
release; it is a continuation. It is a look at the Magic that the Imagineers have created since the publication of the first book. Any fan of the Disney Company, the Theme Parks, the Resorts, the Animation or creative environments will treasure this book. Filled with more artwork than you can imagine, most of the pages offer paintings, concept art and photographs that have never been published before. Once again, the Imagineers pull back the curtain to reveal the puttering, popping, whirring, spinning and dreaming that they do to create their magic. You also understand that there are many more curtains yet to be revealed, let alone parted!
by Jeff Kurtti, 146 pp, 2008.
