"Tick Tick Tick" the composer taps the podium
setting the bird-like theme into flight.
Similar to its predecessor, "Fantasia" of 1940,
this version is more of a collection of musical
shorts than a feature film. So, I'll review each
short on its own.
In the words of Walt Disney (a cartoonist
himself), "It is our intention to make a new version
of 'Fantasia' every year. Its pattern is very
flexible and fun to work with -- not really a
concert, not a vaudeville or revue, but a grand
mixture of comedy, fantasy, ballet, drama,
impressionism, color, sound and epic fury."
For a variety of reasons, the profit deficiency of
the 1940's "Fantasia" not the least of them, it's
taken Disney sixty years to make good on Walt's
hope.
Symphony No. 5
Triangles that flutter and fly becoming butterflies,
birds, bats? Swarming in a cloud of black wings with
sharp and ominous flaring red highlights.
Grade ................................. A-
Pines of Rome
Doves tease a couple of humpback whales that take to
the air in reply. A baby whale attempts to ski off of
the surface of the water, but ends up finding himself
trapped in an iceberg. The "gaggle" of whales soaring
far above the Earth is absolutely fascinating. If you
could paint wonder --- this is what it would look
like. My chin literally trembled with awe. Capturing
the awesome feeling of one's first peer from the
window of a plane into the gloriously clouded sky,
this segment lets us relive those precious few dreams
where we actually see ourselves arms out, levitating
through thin air.
Grade .................................
A+++
Rhapsody in blue
Animated in an old cartoon style with European
flavor, we follow the escapades of a host of
depression era human characters including: a
construction worker/jazz drummer, down and out bloke,
goofy rich guy. Dominated by a grayish-blue color
scheme, this segment stands out as stark and drab.
Perhaps, this is intentional as Gershwin's music
relishes the blues. Still, it feels out of place in a
collection called "Fantasia." The rich man's two
second spontaneous dance with a street monkey, is
this segment's shining moment.
Grade ................................. B-
Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No.2
Based on the story "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," a one
legged toy soldier comes to life in order to save a
toy ballerina from an evil Jack in the box. The art
incorporates computer animation. Nice story telling,
great expression and fine musical timing. I loved the
majestic horns ringing as the rigid soldier topples
into the sewer system only to dodge the green teeth
of red-eyed rats.
Grade ................................. A-
Carnival of Animals
"What would happen if you gave a yo-yo to a
flamingo?" Again, great synthesis with the musical
dynamics, but not very full of wonder and
magic.
Grade ................................. B+
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Old, but a classic. Textured with grain, this excerpt
from the original "Fantasia" plays nicely on the Imax
screen. You can also see portions of it at Disneyland
projected on a shimmering wall of water during the
simply fantastic "Fantasmic" show. Mickey uses magic
to ease himself of daily chores, but ends up making a
huge mess.
Grade ................................. A-
Pomp and Circumstance
Donald is Noah's right-hand duck as the animals march
two by two. The awkward match of this popular
graduation classic to biblical cartoonery is
unflatteringly humorous. Fine for Saturday morning,
sure ... but in a feature classic? Nope.
Grade ................................. B-
Firebird Suite-1919 Version
The intangible spring renewal is personified in a
beautiful maiden whose vine entwined hair flows like
a blanketing magic carpet, setting the darkest of
winter scenes alive with lush grasses and flowers. A
powerful Elk looks on. Strong climax and fitting end
to the entire piece.
Grade ................................. A-
Each "Fantasia/2000" segment gets its own host,
from Steve Martin to Quincy Jones. My question is ...
why not Mariah Carrey, Ricky Martin, Jenifer Lopez,
or even Jim Carrey? The closest hosting to any
current pop icon is Pen and Teller -- but even they
are on the fringes of "in." My point? "Fantasia/2000"
takes time out of itself to preface each section with
what seems to me would make great introductions for
the younger generations into the classical world. But
there are no Will Smiths to help make the transition.
Along the same lines, only "classical" works are
included (albeit some 20th century). Why not include
Rock, Rap, or Jazz? Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson
orchestrated an album full of his rock tunes -- a
selection from that CD would have made for a richer
mix while at the same time brought a new audience to
symphonic music. Run DMC's Aerosmith cover "Walk this
Way" which fused the rock and rap worlds, played by
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra could fuse yet another
musical world. In "Fantasia/20xx" I challenge Disney
to lose the "matured" hosts and go for the icons of
the younger crowd while opening up Walt's wonderful
idea of "Fantasia" to a richer musical fusion. All
types of audiences will benefit.
"Fantasia" was the first film ever recorded and
released in stereophonic sound, "Fantasia/2000" is
the first (near) feature-length (though not really a
feature) originally released only at the giant screen
Imax theaters at the turn of the millennium
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