Following the showdown of live-action Disney films from the 2000s, we harken back to a separate decade with a different set of movies.

These are films we all return to again and again because of their impact on The Walt Disney Company. Here are some my favorite characters, scenes, and elements in a Disney 1990s Animated Films Showdown.

Disney is on a roll with its Legacy Collection titles, which started off with a roar with The Lion King last summer and continues with Pocahontas. The Legacy Collection: Pocahontas demonstrates how capable Walt Disney Records is in producing a standout release that befits the film in which it was based. The Disney animated film, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, may not be among the most popular of its contemporaries, but its music is just as stellar.

Here is my review of The Legacy Collection: Pocahontas.

For many attendees of the Destination D experience, the last event was perhaps the most special, in that “An Evening with Alan Menken” touched the hearts and souls of everyone who has ever wanted to hear the master of his craft live.

Alan Menken, the composer behind the films and songs we know by heart, presented the most extraordinary two hours of music I have ever heard – and seen – in my life. Now that’s quite a statement. Some may call that a bit exaggerated, but as a devoted Disney fan, like almost all of my fellow audience members, we knew the gift we were being presented. Menken rarely performs publicly, so to hear his legendary stories and songs in person made this even more winning.

Those of us who’ve seen Avatar — and judging by its over $1 billion box office earnings, I’d say that’s most of us — probably felt like you’ve heard this story before…

SPOILER

A white soldier spends time with and learns the ways of a tribal people (people in danger of losing their lands and life to enterprising white colonists), falls in love with the leader’s daughter, eventually becomes a trusted honorary member of said tribe, sees the error of the white man’s ways, leads his new clan into battle.

/SPOILER

Yes, it does sound a lot like Dances With Wolves, even James Cameron agreed.

A similar comparison has been to Disney’s Pocahontas — check out the video mash-up here below of the Avatar trailer with the dialogue of Pocahontas (especially when the singing kicks in). Not convinced? Then read an except from the Pocahontas script someone cleverly marked up with Avatar references.

I’ll give Avatar a little more credit than to just call it a Pocahontas/Dances With Wolves in Ferngully land rip-off, considering the amount of detail that went into creating Avatar‘s world of Pandora and of course, the impressive special effects and CGI work. But as far as story goes, we’ve heard this one before for sure… but that’s ok, it’s a good story to tell.