ROLL M |
Fantasia 2000 (hosts: Steve Martin, Itzhak Perlman, Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, James Earl Jones, Penn & Teller, James Levine, Angela Lansbury; writers -- various; directed by Hendel Butoy and Don Hahn; rated G).
Back in 1940, when Walt Disney produced the original Fantasia, he intended to update this future classic every few years. Alas, the film tanked and languished in the Disney vaults until a generation of turned on head-trippers caught it in the 1969 and 1977 re-releases, and the 30-year-old film became a megahit. Cut to the early 1990s. The studios' animators, inspired by Walt's nephew, Roy E. Disney, went back to the drawing boards to renew Fantasia in pursuit of Walt's dream. It took longer than they had planned, but just in time for the dawn of the new Millennium, they have released Fantasia 2000.
And it was worth the wait. There are many glorious moments in this ensemble of animation set to music. After a colorful opening that follows a rainbow hue of butterflies as they flutter in time to Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5," we are treated to a marvelous and soaring ballet of flying whales, choreographed to Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" (no pines; no Rome; just those wonderful whales). Other numbers include Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," done in the style of cartoonist Hirschfeld; Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," with Donald Duck playing the role of Noah's assistant, herding animals aboard the Ark, and my favorite, Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite - 1919 Version."
The latter has the most emotional appeal and drama, as a scorched Earth is restored by a nimble and endearing sprite. What I didn't like was the intrusiveness of the "hosts." The original film had some narration, along with Mickey Mouse and Leopold Stokowski. But I found the bits by Bette Midler, James Earl Jones, et. al. intrusive, and these segments may make the film appear dated in a few short years. The movie would also have been more enjoyable if the producers hadn't chosen to include the Mickey Mouse-"Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment from the original. Perhaps, after the IMAX exclusive engagement ends after April 30, this number will hold up once it is projected onto a much smaller screen. But on the giant IMAX, Mickey and his marching brooms are grainy and unimpressive. Fantasia 2000 is rated G; however, some very young children may get a bit squirmy. But since the running time is only 75 minutes, most will be glued to their seats. FOUR OWLS OUT OF FIVE