Greatest Animated Scene Of All Time

[Semaj]

If I had to pick one, it would be the "March of the Cards" sequence from Alice in Wonderland.

It's a mesmerizing piece of choreography that allowed the animators to play with the color wheel. A wonder why the film became a popular "trip out" choice during the 70s.

[taei]

Another favorite of mine is when Eric sees Ariel for the first time since she became a human.
I always thought she looked breathtaking in that scene. But 2 seconds later, we get jarring off model scene of her.

[Atlantica]

If I had to pick one, it would be the "March of the Cards" sequence from Alice in Wonderland.

It's a mesmerizing piece of choreography that allowed the animators to play with the color wheel. A wonder why the film became a popular "trip out" choice during the 70s.

Wow, now that is an amazing scene, I didn't even think of that. Have just had quick rematch of it on my bluray and it is beautiful; kind of abstract but still rooted in the physical as you can see how lightweight the cards are when moving.

Also, may I just ask why this thread has a paperclip attached to it?

[Marce82]

I agree with you: the dance between Aurora and Phillip is quite spectacular, specially considering the mild changes in perspective, and the overlapping action of fabrics and hair. The other scene that has always stood out to me is in 101 Dalmatians, in Cruella's first sequence, when she says "Sweet simple Anita...(...) sir ghallahad!". If you look at the weight in her coat, her walking away from camera changing in perspective, coupled with the overall performance... its pretty spectacular.

[Disney Duster]

If it's just the greatest animated scene of all time, I pick Cinderella's transformation.

Physical and emotional human animation works with special magic effects animation to make an abused, lowly servant get elevated to the upper class woman she always knew she was, as she goes from feeling the magic, to being in awe of it, to being filled with joy by what it did for her. But the main reason is of course it's just so amazing and beautiful to watch.

[PatrickvD]

"Once Upon A Dream" for me.

And one that doesn't get enough love: "When Will My Life Begin Reprise". That scene is beautifully animated. Rapunzel's hair as it blows in the wind. I once read a critic review saying 'this is what Avatar should have been like when Jake walks for the first time". And I agree, as a viewer you are right there on that summer day as she leaves the tower for the first time.

[thelittleursula]

If I had to pick one, it would be the "March of the Cards" sequence from Alice in Wonderland.

^ This ! So cleverly drawn and so cleverly animated. Very underated and overlooked too.


Also want to say Circle Of Life from TLK

[Disney's Divinity]

@Marce82: I agree. Cruella is one of the best animated characters, period. I also think her car, the dalmatians (particularly Pongo and Perdita), and the snow are very well-done. Just the way the dogs move is kind of amazing how realistic they are.

On a storytelling and emotional level, that is my favorite scene out of any movie ever made, animated or not...BUT there is some very rushed and sloppy animation going on in a couple of shots that unfortunately are kind of distracting (for me, anyway) Especially Ariel's face looking...strange, as the camera is panning off during the big money shot of the waves crashing behind her at the end.

Have to disagree with you. The only thing sloppy I see in that scene is Scuttle in the last shot (whose wings/beak look very odd). I don't think Ariel looks wrong at all in that last shot, although it's a bad point of view. I would also say that the close-up of Ariel and Eric has always seemed rotoscoped to me. Either way, it comes off odd when they're ultra-realistic for that one part of the scene. I wouldn't call it "bad" though. I would probably put the reprise scene below "Part of Your World," but I don't think either are the number 1 best of all time, animation-wise. In the top, definitely.

I'm surprised at seeing so many "Once Upon a Dream"'s. I think it would be in the top, but the number 1 greatest scene of all time animation-wise...?

[NeverLand]

For me:

1- "Circle of Life" scene from The Lion King.

2- Zooming-in shot into the village the morning after Pinocchio came to life.

3- "Pink Elephants on Parade" sequence from Dumbo.

[DancingCrab]

On a storytelling and emotional level, that is my favorite scene out of any movie ever made, animated or not...BUT there is some very rushed and sloppy animation going on in a couple of shots that unfortunately are kind of distracting (for me, anyway) Especially Ariel's face looking...strange, as the camera is panning off during the big money shot of the waves crashing behind her at the end.

Have to disagree with you. The only thing sloppy I see in that scene is Scuttle in the last shot (whose wings/beak look very odd). I don't think Ariel looks wrong at all in that last shot, although it's a bad point of view. I would also say that the close-up of Ariel and Eric has always seemed rotoscoped to me. Either way, it comes off odd when they're ultra-realistic for that one part of the scene. I wouldn't call it "bad" though. I would probably put the reprise scene below "Part of Your World," but I don't think either are the number 1 best of all time, animation-wise. In the top, definitely.?

Fair enough, I'll accept that it's my subjective opinion, but I still think she looks weird and very sloppily drawn here (no one's mouth is that far to one side of their face). Enough at least to validly argue that this is not the greatest animated scene of all time, from a strictly visual point of view.

[Old Fish Tale]

Anything in 'The Little Matchgirl'? That short was so beautifully animated...

[Flanger-Hanger]

Night on Bald Mountain / Ave Maria - presented in full as intended.

In terms of concept, technical execution and overall success of the end product.

For added fun, watch with 1982 recording.

Other good chocies would be "Circle of Life" and Sleeping Beauty's climax (which would rank as my personal favourite).

[Marce82]

Hey Disney Divinity,

I think people here are talking about their favorite animated scenes, based on the overall product (a mix of art direction, music, choreography, camera angles, character moments). I believed the original post was about what would be the best animated scene STRICTLY from an animation standpoint.

Do the characters remain on model? Do the physics work? Is the performance believable? (CG wouldnt even count for this, since the approach to CGI is completely different, and more akin to puppeteering more than classical animation).

Is "Once Upon a Dream" my favorite sequence in an animated movie? Def not. But just looking at the technique of animation, it is pretty darn spectacular (an animated in ones, which is extremely difficult)

[Super Aurora]

Destino.

[Old Fish Tale]

Also true!

[Disney's Divinity]

Fair enough, I'll accept that it's my subjective opinion, but I still think she looks weird and very sloppily drawn here (no one's mouth is that far to one side of their face). Enough at least to validly argue that this is not the greatest animated scene of all time, from a strictly visual point of view.

http://imageshack.com/a/img30/5864/jngb.png

I actually looked at the image again before I replied to you, so I don't need to be reminded. If I find anything wrong there, it's her arm--which is more to blame with her design than how it's drawn. But it's also worth taking into account this is one shot in a moving scene. I'm sure even Sleeping Beauty or Pinocchio can look bad if you stop the frame mid-movement.

But I wasn't arguing that it was the greatest animated scene of all time, so... *shrug* But I believe an argument could definitely be made for it to be included in the top 10-25, which is why I find those complaints overexaggerated.

[DancingCrab]

Fair enough, ]I'll accept that it's my subjective opinion, but I still think she looks weird and very sloppily drawn here (no one's mouth is that far to one side of their face). Enough at least to validly argue that this is not the greatest animated scene of all time, from a strictly visual point of view.

http://imageshack.com/a/img30/5864/jngb.png

I actually looked at the image again before I replied to you, so I don't need to be reminded. If I find anything wrong there, it's her arm--which is more to blame with her design than how it's drawn. But it's also worth taking into account this is one shot in a moving scene. I'm sure even Sleeping Beauty or Pinocchio can look bad if you stop the frame mid-movement.

But I wasn't arguing that it was the greatest animated scene of all time, so... *shrug* But I believe an argument could definitely be made for it to be included in the top 10-25, which is why I find those complaints overexaggerated.

Wow, what a rude response, especially after I was trying to be courteous in acknowledging that what you said was fair and that it was just my subjective opinion. I didn't state one of us was right over the other and try to make you feel stupid, unlike how you're coming across. I CLEARLY wasn't attacking your opinion or trying to "remind" you of anything. I only posted the image to clarify what shot I was talking about in case there was any confusion with not just you, but the post I was initially responding to (in which I WAS ASKED to display an example)

And since the whole point of this thread is about the greatest animated scene of all time in terms of animation and art, I am not just throwing out some "overexaggerated complaint" in pointing out what I feel is a slight flaw in a scene that one of the posters said they thought was the greatest of all time. You're acting like I went off topic or something

[Marce82]

Im not gonna get into this fight. I just wanna point out that in that particular shot of Ariel, its not a "one frame in her movement". That shot, after she stops moving her body, is a held frame, with her hair animated in a separate layer...

btw, if what we are judging is the quality of the animation, then characters should be on model on every frame, not just keys...

[Disney's Divinity]

Wow, what a rude response

If I was trying to be rude, it would have been much more obvious?

But if you did find it rude, I don't really care.

[Old Fish Tale]

Then why do you sound so angry all the time, Disney's Divinity?