Based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo; the film tells the story about a deformed Bell-Ringer named Quasimodo, who's forced to live in the bell tower of Notre Dame by his master Frollo. Quasi, always dreamed of spending a day in the outside world; and during the annual Gypsy Festival, Quiasi decides to sneak into the festival and he immediately gets recognized and becomes the hit of the festival. However, the crowd turns on him, and a Gypsy named Esmeralda helps him, despite going against Frollo's wishes. The film is mostly Quasi's journey to become accepted into society, and his relationships with the characters he meets. For those who are expecting me to compare this film to the original story, well I'm not. This is Disney's take on the classic yet controversial story, and as you know changes are going to be made so it can appeal to its younger crowd. Not to say that this film doesn't have adult themes as well, it does, but will get to that when, when we get to that.
Our main character Quasimodo, my god is he just an all around sweet, innocent, and lovable character. I honestly, always felt an attachment to this character, even as a kid; and now I still do. He's the kind of character you root for throughout the whole film. You want him to be accepted in society; you want him to stand up to his wicked master, and in the end it all becomes worthwhile. His design is also cool too. I love that while he looks monstrous, his personality again is so lovable that you don't care if he looks hideous, because you're so in love with his innocent and sweet personality, which definitely hits the nail on the film's moral of "Don't judge a book by its cover". I was also surprised that, that was Tom Hulce, who does the voice of him. I mean connecting his performance as this character, to his previous performances in films like "Ammadeus" and "Animal House" is very hard for me to picture him voicing and putting tons of energy into this no non-sense misfit character.
Next we have Esmeralda who is just as sweet as our main character, and I love the many traits that they give her. She's rebellious, she's misunderstood, she's kind, she's smart, she's tough, she's fun, and there are times where she not only helps our characters, but also has some scenes and moments where she helps herself. To me, this is one of the best and strongest female characters that Disney's has ever created. Yeah, she can be a damsel in distress at times, but to be fair, so are most of the other main characters in this film, as well as trying to be as faithful as the film can to its source material. Demi Moore does the voice of her, and she's perfect for the role. She also has a beautiful design as well. Next, we have Phoebus who's the love interest for our leading lady, who's a very fun and heroic character, and Kevin Kline is just as great as all the others. Now there are people, who criticize this film for the good looking hero getting the girl, than our main character who's the opposite of good looking. While I see the argument, I never really found that to be distracting or going against the moral. The two characters already developed an interest in each other earlier on in the film before our hero even met the two, and the film not only gave the two time to fall in love, but the reason why it works for these two to fall in love is because Phoebus treated her like a woman. Quasi defines her as an angel, while the villain defines her as a demon; Phoebus never defined her as a character, he defined her as a woman which is why I think the love relationship works better between them. Also, the two were old and were enough to have a relationship. Quasimodo is not only 20, but he doesn't know the outside world; doesn't know or understand, what it's truly like to be involved in a love relationship; and quite frankly, despite Quasimodo being in love with her, I always saw their relationship as a Mother and Son relationship. Besides the main goal of our main character wasn't getting the girl, it was for him to become part of society.
Now we move on to the most talked about thing in the whole entire film, the villain. This is one of Disney's most darkest and adult villains that they've ever created since The Devil Chernabog in "Fantasia". He's a murderer; he's a racist towards Gypsy's; he treats Quasimodo like a caged animal than a person; Tony Jay gives a hauntingly menacing and fantastic performance as this dark and sinister villain; and the film tries to make him a complexed character by making him think he's doing this evil stuff in the name of the lord, that's pretty adult for a kids movie. I mean, that moment when he sniffs Esmeralda's hair; the infamous "Hellfire" sequence; the villain's plan to either have or kill the Gypsy girl, I can't believe I'm seeing this in a Disney film. They even say words like Hell and Damn, I'm surprised that it didn't receive a PG rating. Now to be fair, I didn't think they went all that far with its adult content. It's there, but it's not in your face, or as obvious to kids as you think. Some of it does look suggestive, but at the same time there is a toned down restraint to it. I also give them credit for making Frollo a Judge, than a Priest because let's be honest, there's no way Disney can ever get away with that. Like I said, the adult content is there and is very risky for a Disney flick, but it does fit with the story and its themes perfectly, and in my personal opinion it isn't as bad or taken as far as some people might think.
Now for the supporting characters. First we have, the Gargoyles, who are voiced by Mary Wickes, Charles Kimbrough, and Jason Alexander. I'm going to be honest, with childhood aside, I still get a kick out of these characters. Yeah, they do take away the seriousness of the film, but remember this is a Disney film, it can't be all serious; and for what they were created for the kids to enjoy, they are entertaining and fun for its target crowd. However, I do indeed would of loved the idea for the Gargoyles better, if they were all a part of Quasimodo's imagination, that would at least flow with the film's tone and atmosphere. Next we have the leader of the Gypsy's Clopin, who's an all around fun character and steals the show in every scene he's in. I just really love this character's fun and upbeat personality, and personally I get more giggles from him than I do with the Gargoyles, despite that I don't mind the Gargoyles. Now I'm going to be honest about the film's look on Gypsy's. While I think it does a fair job showing the complication to them, I do find it confusing for kids, especially if they do not know what exactly a Gypsy is. I mean, Esmeralda said they're not thieves, but they have a place full of stolen goods...kind of confusing isn't it. As for the other supporting characters like Esmeralda's goat, the two guards, and the Archdeacon voiced by David Ogden Stiers; they are good characters too, but not as fun, interesting, or memorable as all the other characters.
Let's talk about the songs, because what's a Disney movie, without its songs, well with the exception of a few. The song that opens the film is called "The Bell's Of Norte Dame", which opens up the film perfectly. The musical narration sung by the Gypsy Clopin is fantastic; it's storyline is a dark opening for a Disney film; and that choir not only makes that sequence feel gigantic and epic, but is also one of the major reasons that helps make the film feel gigantic and epic as well. Tom Hulce's singing is another reason why I was shocked to find out that, that was him voicing the character. He puts so much heart, emotion and energy in his songs like "Out There" and "Heaven's Light" that it makes it even more hard for me to connect his singing, to the actor himself. Then there's the comedy songs in this movie such as "Topsy Turvy" for the festival sequence, and "A Guy Like You" sung by The Gargoyles which are really fun sequences. Then you have some really sad and emotional epic songs like "Stay In Here" sung by Frollo and Quasi, and "God Help The Out Casts" sung by Esmeralda, which that song is not only powerful, but also plays a big role in the films religious themes. There's also the Gypsy's number "The Court Of Miracles" and while being a great upbeat, humorous, but yet being a really dark song at the same time; this is part of my reason why I think kids will be confused by Gypsies. Of course the best song in the whole entire film, hands down, is the villain's song "Hellfire" which is extremely dark, adult, scary, and risque for a kids film, especially for Disney. The only song I found very, very forgettable is the song played during the credits called "Someday", but then again, it's only a credits piece, and not the body or centerpiece of the movie.
Finally, we move on to the animation, and to be 100% honest, it's probably the best animation that Disney has ever created! I mean, just by looking at it along with listening to that choir and flowing with a Disney version of a classic story, it's the heart and the main reason why the film's so giant and epic. Notre Dame looks unbelievably amazing; the use of colors is perfect; the CGI is always used appropriately and blends in perfectly with the 2-D animation; it's dark and foreboding at times; and surprisingly the religious icons, symbols, and statues, that's presented in the film, is not only another risk that Disney made, but it treats them (Aside from the snapping Statues in the Gargoyles song) very maturely! Disney also handled and took the film's themes of Faith, Lust, Sin, Heaven, Hell, Acceptance, Good and evil, and Prejudice very seriously as well, even if it does get a little confusing at times.
This is perhaps one of the best Disney film's ever made! Yeah, it's not all that faithful to its source material, but when knowing that Disney is behind it, I think people will know what to expect. Yeah, at times it's a little too adult or scary for kids, and maybe a PG rating would be a lot more suitable; but like I said I didn't think they went too far with it. It's look on Gypsies is confusing for kids, but from what I understand there is a complication to the Gypsy culture, and the film again does a decent job showing it, even if it is still puzzling to kids. As for characters, voice acting, songs, animation, an epic and gigantic atmosphere, and being a major risk taker for Disney at the time; it indeed stands out as an all around powerful and groundbreaking Disney flick!
RATING 5/5
Finally, we move on to the animation, and to be 100% honest, it's probably the best animation that Disney has ever created! I mean, just by looking at it along with listening to that choir and flowing with a Disney version of a classic story, it's the heart and the main reason why the film's so giant and epic. Notre Dame looks unbelievably amazing; the use of colors is perfect; the CGI is always used appropriately and blends in perfectly with the 2-D animation; it's dark and foreboding at times; and surprisingly the religious icons, symbols, and statues, that's presented in the film, is not only another risk that Disney made, but it treats them (Aside from the snapping Statues in the Gargoyles song) very maturely! Disney also handled and took the film's themes of Faith, Lust, Sin, Heaven, Hell, Acceptance, Good and evil, and Prejudice very seriously as well, even if it does get a little confusing at times.
This is perhaps one of the best Disney film's ever made! Yeah, it's not all that faithful to its source material, but when knowing that Disney is behind it, I think people will know what to expect. Yeah, at times it's a little too adult or scary for kids, and maybe a PG rating would be a lot more suitable; but like I said I didn't think they went too far with it. It's look on Gypsies is confusing for kids, but from what I understand there is a complication to the Gypsy culture, and the film again does a decent job showing it, even if it is still puzzling to kids. As for characters, voice acting, songs, animation, an epic and gigantic atmosphere, and being a major risk taker for Disney at the time; it indeed stands out as an all around powerful and groundbreaking Disney flick!
RATING 5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment