The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) - ★★★★½

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Writers: Victor Hugo (Novel)
Voices: Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, Kevin Kline, Jason Alexander, Paul Kandel, Charles Kimbrough, David Ogden Stiers

Of all the movies I've seen on my Disney Blogathon, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was the biggest surprise of all. It truly is one of the most beautiful animated features ever created. I was in complete awe of the meticulously detailed, gorgeous animation of the city of Paris, the characters that wandered the streets, the 3D bells and shots of Notre Dame, and the stunning angles and techniques that occur scene by scene. The music that encompass this film sends chills down my spine, for it has such a mature, haunting sound, which suits this tale of oppression and longing to perfection. I was surprised mostly because this film used to make me upset as a child, but as an adult, I noticed masterful aspects that I hadn't seen before. This is honestly one of the most underrated movies of all time.

Pocahontas (1995) - ★★★

Director: Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg
Voice Actors: Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers, Christian Bale, Billy Connolly, Linda Hunt, Russell Mean

Here's how I think the movie Pocahontas was conceived:

"Hey, let's have a Native American Disney Princess."
"Sounds good, who can we use."
"Pocahontas?"
"I think we've hit the jackpot!"

Yes, Disney has tried to do the impossible by making a children's movie out of America's brutal history with the Native Americans. I didn't find it offensive, but I didn't find it very entertaining either. It's one of the most beautiful animated films I've ever seen, and best of all, it has the most beautiful Disney song of all time. "Colors of the Wind," sung by Judy Kuhn.

Spirited Away (2001) - ★★★★★

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writers: Hayao Miyazaki
Stars: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden, Susan Egan, David Ogden Stiers

Arguably Studio Ghibli's greatest creation from the great mind of Hayao Miyazaki, there is only one word that can truly describe Spirited Away, magic. The movie entails a young girl named Chihiro, who is moving to a new town with her parents. Spirited Away is a film that is very to the point with no boring introductions or set-ups. We are sucked right into the story when the family takes a detour through what they think is an old abandoned amusement park. It is actually a sort of spa for the spirits, a place where spirits can bathe and be pampered.

Chihiro is employed to work for the owner of the spa, a witch named Ubaba, in return for not being turned into a pig like her parents. This brilliant movie focuses mainly on the magic of the characters through their differences being so unimaginably unique and strange. We the viewers cannot help but root for Chihiro to find her way back home with her parents, but at the same time we don't want her and Haku to have to leave each other.

Many amazingly visual and well thought-out events happen in this movie, but the ending is something to be admired. After a tear-jerking goodbye between Haku and Chihiro, she cannot turn around to take one last look at the world she's been a part of for what seems like months or else she won't be able to leave. This led me to question whether I wanted her to leave this beautiful world or whether I wanted her to return to the dull normal world.

Through the whole experience, Chihiro appears to have emerged a stronger, older and more intelligent girl than she was when she first started. Spirited Away is an inspiring movie from a creative genius that entails a remarkable story of adventure, love and strength in the face of adversity.