"Anastasia" isn't Don Bluth's first attempt to compete with Disney, but it's certainly one of the most epic ones. While the movie was heavily hyped back in 1997 to be a really competitor to the Disney film, it certainly had the same feel and tone as a Disney classic. However, in spite of that component being a strength, "Anastasia" is still watchable on it's own merits, but it's still hampered by some flaws which makes the hype unnecessary.
As with Richard Rich's "Swan Princess" from 1994, "Anastasia" is more or less as watching a Disney film without the famous and promoted Disney logo appearing on its opening. Ironically, the creators of "Anastasia" followed the same habit as Disney by making a film based on grave, historical events, turning back to it's accuracy and rather focused on the legend. Sounds like a part of the typical Disney-formula, but even for a non-Disney film, the many components of the formula actually works on this film.
Most of the time, "Anastasia" provides as a cute and charming flick, filled with catchy Broadway songs by Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens, which actually sounds like they could been on a Disney flick and a decent score by David Newman. Anastasia herself, wonderfully voiced by Meg Ryan and nicely sung by Liz Callaway, is a surprisingly spunky and funny heroine, with a personality who outshines the Disney heroines. While her love interest Dimitri, despite his sex appeal, is less interesting, he's given a solid voice by John Cusack, which shares a good chemistry with Ryan's voice. Kelsey Grammar is endearing as Dimitri's sidekick Vladimir, Bernadette Peters is charming as the Empress cousin Sophie, while Angela Landsbury provides a great performance as The Empress.
With the exception of some badly drawn townspeople, the animation is lush and gorgeous, especially on the palaces and the architecture. The film opens with a dynamic and exciting action sequence and most of the action scenes are like that. Although some of the lines are a bit clichéd, the characters has a few amusing comments along the way.
"Anastasia's" flaws ultimately lies in it's predictability. Even for a kid movie, the story has no surprising twist and turn. The film becomes a bit sappy and boring during it's third act. While the villain Rasputin does provide some of the exciting scenes, he still comes off as a less compelling villain compared to the Disney baddies. His sidekick, Bartok the bat, has some amusing moments (and it's brilliantly voiced by the recognizable Hank Azaria), but still doesn't become the charming villain sidekick that he could have been. And the predictable love story between Anastasia and Dimitri feels as a forced and rushed, in spite of the lovebirds shares a good chemistry.
Those components prevents "Anastasia" to live up to it's full potential. However, the film still makes a watchable and entertaining effort for both kids and adults. While this film may not be one of the best animated movies ever made, it still is a worthy competitor to Disney and demonstrates an art-form that nowadays is considered as rare.
As with Richard Rich's "Swan Princess" from 1994, "Anastasia" is more or less as watching a Disney film without the famous and promoted Disney logo appearing on its opening. Ironically, the creators of "Anastasia" followed the same habit as Disney by making a film based on grave, historical events, turning back to it's accuracy and rather focused on the legend. Sounds like a part of the typical Disney-formula, but even for a non-Disney film, the many components of the formula actually works on this film.
Most of the time, "Anastasia" provides as a cute and charming flick, filled with catchy Broadway songs by Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens, which actually sounds like they could been on a Disney flick and a decent score by David Newman. Anastasia herself, wonderfully voiced by Meg Ryan and nicely sung by Liz Callaway, is a surprisingly spunky and funny heroine, with a personality who outshines the Disney heroines. While her love interest Dimitri, despite his sex appeal, is less interesting, he's given a solid voice by John Cusack, which shares a good chemistry with Ryan's voice. Kelsey Grammar is endearing as Dimitri's sidekick Vladimir, Bernadette Peters is charming as the Empress cousin Sophie, while Angela Landsbury provides a great performance as The Empress.
With the exception of some badly drawn townspeople, the animation is lush and gorgeous, especially on the palaces and the architecture. The film opens with a dynamic and exciting action sequence and most of the action scenes are like that. Although some of the lines are a bit clichéd, the characters has a few amusing comments along the way.
"Anastasia's" flaws ultimately lies in it's predictability. Even for a kid movie, the story has no surprising twist and turn. The film becomes a bit sappy and boring during it's third act. While the villain Rasputin does provide some of the exciting scenes, he still comes off as a less compelling villain compared to the Disney baddies. His sidekick, Bartok the bat, has some amusing moments (and it's brilliantly voiced by the recognizable Hank Azaria), but still doesn't become the charming villain sidekick that he could have been. And the predictable love story between Anastasia and Dimitri feels as a forced and rushed, in spite of the lovebirds shares a good chemistry.
Those components prevents "Anastasia" to live up to it's full potential. However, the film still makes a watchable and entertaining effort for both kids and adults. While this film may not be one of the best animated movies ever made, it still is a worthy competitor to Disney and demonstrates an art-form that nowadays is considered as rare.