My Take: First-rate animation, terrific voice cast and brilliant old-fashioned storytelling.
It's hard not to mention Disney when it comes to talking about "Great Animated movies". They really started it by the way, and they perfected it. Anyone who even tries to challenge Disney (and eventually some did) will fail in comparison. Oh! Did I say anyone? Turns out, there is at least one film that manages to stand up and turn out to be a worthy successor. This is 20th Century Fox's animation studios pet project ANASTASIA, a brilliant, colorful and fast-moving romance adventure that, at some point, is a reason for the Mouse House to get a little worried. With colorful animation (rivals any of the studio's recent creations), tuneful music and no lack of energy (be it as an adventure, a romance or a comedy), ANASTASIA takes a big chance, and succeeds magnificently.
It's probably best to mention that ANASTASIA is helmed by director/animator Don Bluth, who once had work at the Mouse House, and after leaving, tried to challenge Disney's work with his own efforts with other studios. His animated efforts, save THE LAND BEFORE TIME, weren't exactly worthy sit at the Disney throne. Despite some charming intentions, Bluth's fairy tales specifically THE American TALE, much-maligned ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN and the by-the-numbers PEEBLE AND THE PENGUIN didn't reach the height already visited many times by Disney. Simply just comparing Bluth's works to Disney's works says it all. Simply the mention of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE LION KING will have these rival films running for cover.
But Bluth's found his BEAUTY IN THE BEAST with this one, and while not everyone will apply, ANASTASIA is a brilliant Disney successor, sometimes actually better and more mature than some of Disney's works (Shhhh! Don't say it out loud but I kinda like it a little more than BEAUTY AND THE BEAST). The animation is an improvement over Bluth's latter efforts, which can easily be described as a poor-man version of Disney animation. The animation here is far better, a marvelous fusion of the new computer-animation and the old traditional paper-and-pencil method. The final effect is outstanding and vibrant, if not nearly flawless. The voice cast is brilliant, living up to the tradition that the only way to drag adults to see an adaption of a fairy tale is to see a big-star name on the top billing. The cast in ANASTASIA are brilliant in lending their acting skills as voices to animated characters. The standout is Meg Ryan, as the voice of orphaned Anya (with singing voice by Liz Callaway) who may just be the long-lost-but-rumored-to-be-alive Grand Duchess of the title, who rivals any Disney princess simply for her spunk.
As Anya's own leading man, a love-hate relationship (a more topical subject for a G-rated effort) with con man Dimitri (voiced by John Cusack, singing-voice by Jonathan Dokuchitz), who plans to get all the money and acclaim he wants when he delivers a convincing Anastasia stand-in to the very-worried Dowager Empress Marie (the great Angela Lansbury). On the other hand, Christopher Lloyd offer his voice to the evil monk Rasputin who wants to avenge his infamy by cursing the Romanov family. Assisting him is his Albino Bat sidekick Bartok (voiced by Hank Azaria). Apparently, the villain is where the film might get its flaws. Whereas Disney villains pack a strong punch, Rasputin is your garden-variety villain. He's a creep, an evil wizard who has command of evil goblins and critters at his own disposal. He's a distraction to be sure, but thanks both to Lloyd's eccentric energy and the animators limitless imaginations (Rasputin's little demons are quite original, not to mention bold and a little scary, for an animated film), he's a welcome distraction.
Overall, the Mouse House is still on top, but ANASTASIA may be one of the few non-Disney movies that gave them a reason to worry.
Rating: ***** out of 5.
It's hard not to mention Disney when it comes to talking about "Great Animated movies". They really started it by the way, and they perfected it. Anyone who even tries to challenge Disney (and eventually some did) will fail in comparison. Oh! Did I say anyone? Turns out, there is at least one film that manages to stand up and turn out to be a worthy successor. This is 20th Century Fox's animation studios pet project ANASTASIA, a brilliant, colorful and fast-moving romance adventure that, at some point, is a reason for the Mouse House to get a little worried. With colorful animation (rivals any of the studio's recent creations), tuneful music and no lack of energy (be it as an adventure, a romance or a comedy), ANASTASIA takes a big chance, and succeeds magnificently.
It's probably best to mention that ANASTASIA is helmed by director/animator Don Bluth, who once had work at the Mouse House, and after leaving, tried to challenge Disney's work with his own efforts with other studios. His animated efforts, save THE LAND BEFORE TIME, weren't exactly worthy sit at the Disney throne. Despite some charming intentions, Bluth's fairy tales specifically THE American TALE, much-maligned ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN and the by-the-numbers PEEBLE AND THE PENGUIN didn't reach the height already visited many times by Disney. Simply just comparing Bluth's works to Disney's works says it all. Simply the mention of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE LION KING will have these rival films running for cover.
But Bluth's found his BEAUTY IN THE BEAST with this one, and while not everyone will apply, ANASTASIA is a brilliant Disney successor, sometimes actually better and more mature than some of Disney's works (Shhhh! Don't say it out loud but I kinda like it a little more than BEAUTY AND THE BEAST). The animation is an improvement over Bluth's latter efforts, which can easily be described as a poor-man version of Disney animation. The animation here is far better, a marvelous fusion of the new computer-animation and the old traditional paper-and-pencil method. The final effect is outstanding and vibrant, if not nearly flawless. The voice cast is brilliant, living up to the tradition that the only way to drag adults to see an adaption of a fairy tale is to see a big-star name on the top billing. The cast in ANASTASIA are brilliant in lending their acting skills as voices to animated characters. The standout is Meg Ryan, as the voice of orphaned Anya (with singing voice by Liz Callaway) who may just be the long-lost-but-rumored-to-be-alive Grand Duchess of the title, who rivals any Disney princess simply for her spunk.
As Anya's own leading man, a love-hate relationship (a more topical subject for a G-rated effort) with con man Dimitri (voiced by John Cusack, singing-voice by Jonathan Dokuchitz), who plans to get all the money and acclaim he wants when he delivers a convincing Anastasia stand-in to the very-worried Dowager Empress Marie (the great Angela Lansbury). On the other hand, Christopher Lloyd offer his voice to the evil monk Rasputin who wants to avenge his infamy by cursing the Romanov family. Assisting him is his Albino Bat sidekick Bartok (voiced by Hank Azaria). Apparently, the villain is where the film might get its flaws. Whereas Disney villains pack a strong punch, Rasputin is your garden-variety villain. He's a creep, an evil wizard who has command of evil goblins and critters at his own disposal. He's a distraction to be sure, but thanks both to Lloyd's eccentric energy and the animators limitless imaginations (Rasputin's little demons are quite original, not to mention bold and a little scary, for an animated film), he's a welcome distraction.
Overall, the Mouse House is still on top, but ANASTASIA may be one of the few non-Disney movies that gave them a reason to worry.
Rating: ***** out of 5.