~QuestionMark
>Anyhow, because no one demanded it, here's a list of American animation I deem
>worthy (and in some cases, fantastic). <note : everything here is MY OPINION.
>Feel free to contradict it, but do so nicely and logically.>
>
>***the Simpsons : Heck, this is probably the most intelligent, sophisticated
>show out in America.  Definitely my favorite.

I used to really like this (I can still quote from it with the best of 'em)
but nowadays I find it too "ugly" a humour to enjoy. I don't mean just the
modern episodes, I find the entire of The Simpsons a little too ugly these
days.

>***Rocky & Bullwinkle : Another, nice sophisticated cartoon, especially given
>its popularity.

Never saw any. They didn't show it in Saudi Arabia (at least not while I
was there)

>***Loony Tunes : As far as "kids" cartoons go, these really aren't.  Sure, on
>the surface they're targeted towards kids, but there were quite a few lines
>crossed in these shorts.

I didn't grow up with these. In fact I only saw some when I arrived in New
Zealand a few years ago. And I really didn't "get it". Everyone in the west
seems to be nuts about them, and I can only assume one had to grow up with
them. They seem badly drawn, immature, and, not to put too fine a point on
it, crap. Maybe I'm missing something, in which case please  inform me. I
have to admit Road Runner was vagely appealing though. ^_^

>***Full Length Disney Animated Films (FLDAF's) : Sure, I know Disney's
>supposed to be the evil empire.  But, remember, Osamu Tekuza readily admits
>that he drew heavily from Disney (a favor they managed to return him, eh?).
>And there were (and are) exceptions to this.  But overall, the Disney animated
>films have been very well made.

When good people were in charge, yes, though that's kind of a truism.

>AND to Disney's credit, in 1985 they tried to launch a series of more mature,
>animation.  They released a fully animated "Black Cauldron," with a (horrors!)
>'PG' rating!  Well, my Aunt took me to see it when I was a mere lad of 5.  It
>scared the bloody bejeezus out of me.  Similar results with millions of other
>youngsters, and a lack of enthusiasm, and in some cases an outcry, from adults
>convinced Disney that it simply wasn't feasible in America, at least at *that*
>point.

I remember that. One of the joys of copyright-free Saudi Arabia was that
anything like that reached our shores and was available. I've still got a
copy of that lying around (on Betamax no less). Damn fine piece of work it
was too.

>*Worthy FLDAF's : Snow White, Fantasia, Jungle Book, Little Mermaid, Beauty &
>the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, Toy Story, {Mulan : I've got high hopes - We'll
>see!}

Fantasia definitely, I consider it the finest non-Japanese animated "thing"
ever made. Truly amazing. Indicatively, the "masses" thought it apalling
when it came out. Becasue (shock, horror) it wasn't preformatted dumned
down pap. Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid are the finest of the
recent ones. Jungle Book is wonderful, I especially love the Indian
background music. I woudln't rate Lion King, Aladdin, Toy Story or Snow
White that high though. Bambi belongs up here (that was EXCELLENT) and
*maybe* The Rescuers (maybe).

>*Unworthy FLDAF's : Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, Hercules, others.
>
>*Middling FLDAF's with redeeming values : Pinnocchio, Dumbo, Cinderella (VA
>for Anastasia is a friend o' the family!), Bambi, Alice in Wonderland (they
>couldn't have done all that drug use in a new one), Peter Pan.

I think Bambi was better than that.

>*Middling FLDAF's with few redeeming values : 101 Dalmatians, the Sword in the
>Stone, Robin Hood, the Rescuers, Aristocats, Oliver & Company,

Again, the Rescuers probably deserves a little more respect.

As to other Disneys, where do you rate: Hunchback, Rescuers Down Under,
Song of the South, Bedknobs & Broomsticks and Three Cabbaliroes? Full
credit to you dude, I had to really strain to come up with any you hadn't
rated, and all but the first two in that list don't really count as FLDAF's.

>*Worthy Full Length NON-Disney Animated Films : The Land Before Time.

I'll keep out of that, as I think I'd find it pretty dumb if I saw it
nowadays. And what are they up to, part 5 or something? When are the little
tykes gonna DIE?

>***Ducktales : Yeah, I'm being serious.  I've got my reasons, but I really
>don't want to extrapolate.  If anyone is *that* curious (not ruddy likely)
>feel free to mail me privately.

Never got it myself. Disney afternoon TV tends to make me violently sick
(like Newcomer).

>***the Tick : I like the comic book better, but this is quite worthwhile.

The early episodes *were* very funny. Even the later ones had their
redeeming points.

>~QuestionMark
>---Wants to see "Black Cauldron" again, unfortunately, Disney has decided to
>pretend it never existed.

It'd take me a while to find (I don't even know which *continent* my copy
is on, let alone which country or house) but if I ever uncover it I'll
email you and you can give me an address to post a copy to.

--Sam
Worshipper of Belldandy