Fan-tastic, usually
Written: Mar 04 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It's Fantasia, for god's sake
Cons: Annoying cameos, bit on the expensive side
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| halpern's Full Review: Fantasia/2000 |
I was one of those kids who adored Fantasia as a young child. I remember my brother and I running down to the basement in our pajamas, loading The Sorcerer's Apprentice into our reel-to-reel, and cooking our own popcorn on the stove upstairs (yeah, it was way back then).
So when I finally got to see the new, updated version on the big screen, I was more than excited. What I got (in the NYC IMAX near Lincoln Center) was mixed results.
As explained by the first celebrity cameo, Fantasia had originally intended to be rereleased over and over with new music and illustration -- however, Disney waited until now to update its movie. Being that the original was one of the most influential animated flicks of all time, I can both understand with this decision, yet be disappointed with it. The music choices were always good, and although most viewers will recognize the symphonic music, they may not recognize the titles (although most, if not all, are explained in the celebrity cameos).
Speaking of the celebrity cameos, they were sort of annoying. Although folks like James Earl Jones and Quincy Jones (no relation) lend respect to the precedings, seeing Steve Martin make a fool of himself was unnecessary, and seeing Bette Midler one more time would put me on suicide watch. For pete's sake, just stick Roy Disney, the conductor or even Mickey up there and I'll be happy.
The animation, too, was good but not great, and actually seemed outshined by upcoming IMAX films shown during the previews. There seemed to be some CGI used, especially during the Whale sequence and that of the steadfast toy soldier, but most animation appeared to be handdrawn. There was nothing wrong with that; in fact, it's quite good. It just doesn't blow you away like some movies.
There are 7 different segments to the film (not counting the live-action segues). The first is best described as a fantasy of light and sound with "paper birds" floating around the screen. The second is a vignette with a whale family that can fly -- the mood is well expressed by the music and the animation is excellent and parallels the tone of the music (the fearful temperment when the baby whale is imprisoned in an iceberg is well executed).
The third segment was set to Rhapsody in Blue, and examines the day in the life of a bunch of New Yorkers, and their hopes and dreams. The animation will remind a viewer of illustrations in The New Yorker. Yet again I was left lacking by this segment.
The next segment - The Steadfast Toy Soldier - is excellent. It tells the story of a handicapped toy soldier who falls in love with a dancing ballerina from an alarm clock, and must defend her against a fiery and jealous jack-in-the-box. Both the animation and storytelling is excellent.
Following that was a very short vignette about a flamingo who enjoys using a yo-yo. I can't remember the music, and the animation is unremarkable. Yet I remember laughing throughout the whole segment. It goes to show that storytelling is more important than the rest of what's going on, even in an animated film.
Then, we were shown The Sorcerer's Apprentice. If you haven't seen it, go. Even though the dated animation is weak by comparison, it still can steal the show for some viewers.
Next was perhaps my favorite segment. To the tune of the march heard at graduations, Donald and Daisy Duck help tell the story of Noah's Ark, and the results are both excellently drawn and hilarious. No one (who gets it) can resist laughing at Donald's double take at another set of ducks heading onto the ark, or the whole family of bunnies running off the ship. This segment has the opportunity to become an instant classic.
Finally, the show ended with a tale of Mother Nature and a Volcano, which was tenderly done, and saddening. Its animation is unremarkable, yet it's a fitting ending to the film.
So that's it. The movie seems to consistently get better as the show goes on, which is a good feeling to end with. And seeing it on the IMAX screen is fun. Although not quite comparable to some recent animated films, Fantasia 2000 will leave the viewer with a warm, fuzzy feeling when they're done. Just like Disney wants.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
halpern
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Member: Jakob Halpern
Location: Holmdel, NJ
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 3 members
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