(out of )It is ironic that Bluth left Disney many years ago because the magic kingdom wasn't making films comparable to the older greats. A few years after his departure, the Disney revival began with The Little Mermaid, and then peaked with Beauty and the Beast earning an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. This duo was followed by the highly successful Aladdin and The Lion King.
The Fox production of Anastasia made the originality mistake of borrowing too much from the Disney formula, particularly Aladdin, so the film is a little worn-out in places. Bartok the Bat is not that bad a creature. This is similar to Iago in Aladdin, proven by the direct-to-video release of the sequel, The Return of Jafar. The male character is troubled by his inability to obtain the love of the female in both Anastasia and Aladdin, but nearing the end, they both perform selfless act to prove their worth. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the above, except Anastasia goes one step too far - there is a bad guy called Rasputin. Rasputin throughout the film offers little substance, and few complications. He was merely included for children's pleasure and some of their idea of a fairytale, but Anastasia would have been a far better film had he been omitted. A person who sold his soul for magical powers in the 1920s? It was not the time for Arabian Nights or Greek Mythology. There was enough drama in Anastasia for it to not need the continuing threat of Rasputin. It already was a longer animated film than usual. If a villain was desired, perhaps a comparatively more sophisticated bad guy, for example Paul in the original Anastasia, would be more fitting. Like Mermaid and Aladdin, the male comes to rescue his princess. But what Anastasia does well is let the female handle her own problems.
The Anastasia in the 1997 took on the name Anya before the visit to the Empress. This in contrary to the Anastasia in 1956. "Anya" was probably taken from the name that Princess Ann in Roman Holiday used when she escaped from the palace.
There are many memorable songs in Anastasia and I would say that "Journey to the Past" wasn't the only one that deserved an Oscar nomination. "My Heart Will Go On" (which failed in lyrics) from Titanic did not deserve the Oscar for Best Song. For the complete recording of all the beautiful songs in Anastasia, with lyrics on the side, visit the Fox web-site of Anastasia.
: Classic
: Highly recommended; Excellent
: Recommended
: Okay; Passable
: Time-Killer
: Ill-advised cure for boredom
: Keep an alarm clock beside you, also usually suitable to end a relationship
: Try to restrain yourself from inflicting pain to anything nearby, including yourself and the screen, on realisation of how much time and money you have wasted
Zero: This is a film?
Welcome any questions, comments, and criticisms to [email protected]
� 1999 Michael Chen
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