The Firebird

The Firebird is a great, giant, phoenix-like Villain that appeared in The Firebird Suite Segment in Fantasia 2000. He is woken up by the Spring Sprite with a small, tiny touch of her fingertips, He is animated by well known animator John Pomeroy.

Role in the film
When the great bird was awoken from its hibernation state by the Spring Sprite, It unleashed a brutal and terrifying display of its destructive power on the Sprite's and Elk's home. It is unknown why the Firebird attacked the Sprite to begin with, but it can be assumed that it was enraged for being awakened, or it just felt the urge to begin a chaotic rampage. After the destruction was done, it returned to its slumber.

It shares a far number of similarities to Chernabog, the villain from Night on Bald Mountain in the original film. They both emerge from a mountain, the reek chaos, they can both manipulate fire, and good ultimately triumphed over both of them. It is interesting to note that they both appeared in the last segment of the two movies.

This interpretation of the Firebird actually conflicts with the original version of Igor Stravinsky's ballet. In the ballet, the Firebird was described as a benevolent, peaceful being who bore no traits of evil. However, Disney's Firebird was violent, destructive, and merciless, showing no qualms of destroying a newly created forest.