Film Review #4: Fantasia

This is easily going to be one of the most difficult reviews that I will be posting on this site.  The biggest issue is the fact that this is that one in a million Disney film that not only doesn't give the audience a specific emotional response, it also doesn't have a set story, or any dialogue apart from the host.  Does this mean Fantasia is a terrible movie?  Absolutely not!  This film is the pinnacle of art, combining rich and classical music with the beautiful animation of Disney's artists.  The film is that once in a lifetime film that goes against conventional wisdom completely, not having anything to do with any of it's predecessors or any of it's successors.  Kudos to Walt Disney and Leopold Stokowski for making the most original and stand out Disney film ever.

I guess the only way to tell a specific plot is to discuss the various movements of the concert.

Toccata and Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565

As described by the narrator, this piece, originally written by Bach, is basically what the animators pictured in their heads when when they listened to the music.  There is simply impressions and patterns floating in and out on screen completely in sync with the music.  Absolutely fantastic!  A+

The Nutcracker Suite

This isn't your ordinary retelling of Peter Tchaikovsky's most recognizable piece.  The suite depicts the seasons going throughout the span of a year (i guess) while also showing the lives sprites, mushrooms, petals, fish, and flowers in that time.  The only unfortunate part of this is that this is an abridged version of the suite.  Since I love this piece, this kind of ticked me off.  B+

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The most well known part of this movie, this is the first piece that tells a definite story.  Mickey Mouse is the apprentice of a powerful sorcerer, but he's tired of doing nothing but menial chores and believes that he is ready to be a full-fledged sorcerer.  That night, he steals the sorcerer's hat and uses a spell to make a broom do his tasks for him.  But he loses control of the broom and the magic broom floods the tower they live in.  A great story and a great piece!  A

The Rite of Spring

This is one of the best parts of the movie and one of the worst parts.  It is one of the best parts, because it tells the accepted evolutionary stages of Earth from it's volcanic days until the parting of Pangaea.  The most annoying part is that is goes on forever!  It gets pretty irritating and boring.  The music is still fantastic.  I just wish this was abridged a bit more.  B  

The Pastoral Symphony (Sixth Symphony)

 Rather than go with a boring folklore story about old Europe, Walt Disney does a very creative thing with Beethoven's Sixth symphony and turns it into a day in the life of Greek Mythological world.  Everything from Unicorns and Fauns, to Centaurs and Zeus hurling lightning bolts at the people below.  The music is simply outstanding, and the change of pace for the film after the dry Rite of Spring is very refreshing.  A

Dances of the Hours

Much like the Sorcerer's Apprentice, this is more for the children than the adults, being a comic ballet performed by various animals including hippos, ostriches, elephants and crocodiles.  The music was well performed and the comedy in this number was actually quite enjoyable.  It gave us all the more reason to be excited for a wonderful finale.  A

The Night on Bald Mountain & Ave Maria

If these two were combined in any other movie, we would view it as a very bizarre idea.  Not only does it work here, it works brilliantly here.  The contrasting music is breathtaking.  The beginning with Bald Mountain is simply stunning, as Chernabog, a demon from Hell, reawakens his dead followers and unleashes chaos throughout the night, only to be stopped by the ringing church bells and the choir singing Ave Maria.  This is by far the highlight of the movie, as the contrasting themes and dark visuals make for a stunning religiously powerful piece of work.  A+

Overall: The film is legendary for a reason.  It doesn't need to follow the traditional Disney Formula of a happy ending or a handsome prince wins a beautiful princess.  This is why Fantasia and The Rescuers Down Under are fast becoming more popular with every couple of months.  This film is the Crown Jewel of Disney's experimenting days, but it would be nearly overshadowed by another film down the road, but we'll get there soon.  But this film is in a class of it's own, and with good reason.

Final Grade: A