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Review

Fantasia 2000

Director

James Algar

Gaëtan Brizzi

Paul Brizzi

Hendel Butoy

Francis Glebas

Eric Goldberg

Don Hahn

Pixote Hunt

Year

2000

Rating

Reviewed by

José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris

Review date

Friday, April 06, 2001

We all know the story about the first Fantasia. It was a flop and in time it became the classic it always deserved to be. It marked a whole new world where animation and classical music collided and created something unique, special. Many decades later, this follow-up arrives. With totally new segments, all with different styles of animation, and seen through an IMAX theater, it again marks an unforgettable experience.

The opening number is a bizarre blend of animation with no sense at all. It has water, butterflies, nature, all moving through the very well known tunes of Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony". The second number, Ottorino Respighi’s "Pines of Rome", is a breathtaking dreamlike sequence of whales swimming through the seas and flying through the sky. It is so powerful that it could make you cry and be astonished at the same time. The third number is performed as the "Blue Rhapsody" by George Gershwin is heard on the background. It is also an excellent piece where many simultaneous stories are told. They are about different people living in New York and it is a very truthful and sad allegory of the way of life in that city and in general, where happiness must be found no matter where or how, as long as you feel the need to survive.

Then there's the very well-known story about the "Steadfast Tin Soldier", performed at the rhythm of the "Piano Concert No.2" by Dimitri Shostakovich. It is beautifully told and true to its origins. A quick number follows up, at the sound of Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals", where we get to see what happens if you give a flamingo a yo-yo to play with. Funny and fast paced, it is very effective. Then Mickey returns as we remember his now famous number, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". After him, Donald Duck surprises us as he stars in a number where he is the Noah’s personal assistant and must help him reunite all the animals before the rain stars pouring in. It is a very touching segment, helped by the "Pomp and Circumstance" by Sir Edward Elgar, which gives it the right touch.

It is amazing how this short animations can cause such a strong emotional reaction in us. Therein lies the magic of it all. Finally, Igor Stravinsky's "Fire Bird" plays as we witness the fight between a beautiful fairy and a fire bird coming from an erupting volcano. It is a fight between good and evil, between what is beautiful and what isn't. A metaphor of our times, perfectly animated and performed. This is how we come to an end, after witnessing a very strong work of art. Its only flaw might be the celebrity appearances between each number. They seem out of place, as we just want to go to the next level. But all in all, a perfect fantasy.

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