Fantasia 2000
Written: Dec 29 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The Rhapsody in Blue segment is just brilliant
Cons: The Pines of Rome Segment is flat and the celebrity introudctions are superfluous
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| Scorsesian's Full Review: Fantasia/2000 |
The original "Fantasia" was made in 1940 as Walt Disney's ultimate experiment in animation. Combine beautiful images with classical music and make magic. Audience's in 1940 weren't much in the mood for magic; "Fantasia" is Disney's worst box-office disaster for an animated feature to date. Perhaps it was because of the length of the film (which at 120 minutes, seemed like days), the fact that the film wasn't narrative (several unconnected segments, some tell a story, some are just pretty), or perhaps it was a matter of American audiences were not ready for something so different. Whatever the reason, the Disney Animation Studios have decided to give it another shot with "Fantasia 2000." This time it runs a much more tolerable 76 minutes and is on the gargantuan Imax screen that is more than 6 stories high and 80 feet wide. "Fantasia 2000" has 8 segments, 7 of them are new. Disney brought back "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" because of its popularity among the original "Fantasia" fans.
Beethoven's Symphony #5- This is a brief introduction to the new "Fantasia." It is the most abstract of all of the pieces, sort of an expressionist's view of an unusual nature involving thousands of colorful butterfly-like critters and thousands of black butterfly-like critters. It is rhythmic animation, and although it doesn't fit perfectly with the music (it almost seems a bit forced, at times), it manages to keep itself moving along.
Grade: B
Respighi's The Pines of Rome- This is the most disappointing segment. A family of whales flutters around in the air as the baby whale gets into a little mischief while making his way up to the sky with mama and papa whale. The music is slow, the animation is a little convoluted (the colors are completely dry and the whales stick out of the frame almost too much) and the story that is being presented is completely uninteresting. If you don't get lost in the "Fantasia" moment, you find yourself sitting and staring at the screen, wondering when the next segment will begin.
Grade: C-
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue- This is the best segment in "Fantasia 2000," I could have watched it forever. Al Hirschfeld's caricature style drawing with Gershwin's musical tribute to the city of New York blends together in perfect harmony. This segment tells the story of 4 miserable people during the depression in New York. It is a familiar tune to listen to and the animation is fun, exciting and just great to stare at. This is a terrific piece of animation, easily the best in either of the "Fantasia" movies (even better than the dancing mushrooms!).
Grade: A
Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 Allegro Opus 102- A delightful little tale about a tin soldier who falls in love with a clock ballerina and the war that the two fight against an evil jack-in-the-box. Vibrant CGI animation against the background of Shostakovich's wonderful concerto make for a terrific little narrative about the trials of love and the despair of jealousy.
Grade: B+
Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals- The shortest of the 8 tales at just under 2 minutes, this segment follows a flock of flamingoes during their daily routine as one of them gets hold of a yo-yo. Delightful and funny, this segment provides a nice little breather acting as a midway point in the film.
Grade: B
The Sorcerer's Apprentice- The classic tale from the original "Fantasia" is back in the new version. Mischievous Mickey is back, having the broom do his work for him. Of course, we all remember the famous scene when Mickey chops up the broom only to find that the pieces become other brooms (much like a starfish). "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is a classic animated short and it is wonderful to see it on the Imax screen.
Grade: A-
Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance- Disney's less than triumphant attempt at trying to match Mickey's day in the spotlight by giving Donald a moment to shine is something mildly inspired, but nothing like "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." It tells the story of Donald and Daisy during the biblical 40 days and 40 nights storm and the struggle to get the animals on to Noah's Ark. Pomp and Circumstance is such an evocative piece, that images tend to taint the sweeping music. It is a cute story, but Elgar's piece deserves better.
Grade: B-
Stravinsky's Firebird Suite- 1919 Version- This is the most aesthetically pleasing segment. The animators' use of color and motion is at its best here. It tells the story of Mother Nature's battle with Father Time and the struggles of one of God's creatures. It is a sweeping epic of a tale to conclude "Fantasia 2000" with, and it deserves to be seen on the Imax screen.
Grade: A-
"Fantasia 2000" has one major flaw that sticks out like a sore thumb: the celebrity introductions. Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones, even Penn & Teller tell silly little jokes and then introduce the segment that is about to be seen. It would have been much better to simply sit and watch the animatio, one after the other. Apparently, the makers of "Fantasia 2000" thought that that was what hindered the original "Fantasia," so they jazzed it up with celebrities.
Overall Grade: B
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Scorsesian
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Member: Brent Selmins
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Reviews written: 156
Trusted by: 675 members
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