POCAHONTAS (1995)

Digitally recreating backgrounds from contemporary animation is really difficult. The artists make use of computer technology, creating multiple layers with moving special effects plus cinematic zooms and pans. Once revealed, however, the art is stunning, beautifully conceived and rendered with sumptuous color palettes. Here's a first look at dazzling background pieces from Disney's POCAHONTAS.

Instead of opening with the often used book, cleverly the artists used this painting, which comes to life during a magnificent multiplane zoom shot.

An opening title B/G:

Another opening title B/G:

The composition of this shot reminds me very favorably of a similar setup in the "Ave Maria" segment of FANTASIA. What do you think?

I was able to digitally move the Native Americans out of this shot, but Mr. Menken's credit refused to budge!