Anastasia

Rating:
Summary: NOT DISNEY or historically accurate, but GREAT anyway
Review: Do not give Disney the credit for this movie: they didn't do it! This is a Fox Animation Studios product (the studio unfortunately folded after the disasterous Titan A.E.), and it has some rather glaring animation mistakes throughout, BUT it's still a fantastic film.

The music is wonderful, the colors are absolutely beautiful, the characters are engaging and sympathetic, and the story is fun. The lack of historical accuracy is no problem if you can tell the difference between fact and fiction. If you're in the mood to do some research on the last of the Romanovs, you might check out Nicholas and Alexandra, a great book. And why has no one mentioned the wonderful job that John Cusack has done with Dimitri? He's the only character in the movie who goes through a convincing change of heart. Awwwww.... No matter your age, there is something for you in this movie. And for you hopeless romantics, this in one of the best animated romances you'll ever see.

Rating:
Summary: Very good, interesting play on history
Review: Anya (voiced -- and drawn to look exactly like -- Meg Ryan) is an orphaned teenager who is suffering from amnesia in Russia. A couple of shysters (Jon Cusack as Dmitry, Kelsey Grammar as Vladimir) decide to dress her up "My Fair Lady" style and pass her off as Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of the murdered family of Tsar Nicholas II, whose body was not found amongst her siblings (this part is of course not shown -- it IS a cartoon for children!) They start to train her in the ways of Anastasia Romanov in a plot to introduce her to her grandmother and gain riches. Anya is excited at the prospect that she may have a family after all, and agrees.

Along the way, Dmitry starts to think he might love Anya/Anastasia more than getting rich. This is a potentially dangerous change in the plan, as they are also being followed by the undead ghost of Rasputin.

WARNING: this is rather scary for kids, especially with the knowledge that Anastasia was supposedly killed as a child. Watch with your kids if they are very young, instead of just popping into the VCR or DVD.

Rating:
Summary: IT'S THE RUMOR, THE LEGEND, THE MYSTERY!
Review: When the Russian king, Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown by the Bolshevik's revolution his entire family was taken hostage before being executed and buried in unmarked graves. However, when those graves were at last discovered it seems that the youngest of his children, the princess Anastasia, was not among the bodies. Even before this discovery it was rumored that Anja had escaped her fate with a sympathetic soldier from the Royal Guard. Whatever the truth, to this day, no one really knows what became of the little princess.
Don Bluth's "Anastasia" attempts to offer up a fanciful account of the 'what if' scenerio that, while void of facts, is an engaging piece of musical fiction that really brings down the house. So, in this case, Anja (voiced by Meg Ryan) is a precocious, independant woman growing up in impoverished Russia. She is suffering from amnesia when a con artist (voiced by John Cusack) reasons that she would be a great imposter for his scheme to steal a reward offered by the real Anastasia's grandmother who is exhiled in Paris. One problem - the ghost of Rasputin (a figure of mythical interest in his own time)is out to destroy the last of the royals before she gets to Paris.
As is the case with animated movies, the blood and guts of the story are toned down. Musical numbers are added in and everything is treated to an ultra high gloss glamor treatment that, while not historically accurate, is one hell of a show besides. THIS IS BAR NONE THE BEST NON-DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURE FILM! Bluth and his associates have created a rich tapestry of characters married to lush background drawings and a masterful score that really sets the film on a grand scale apart from anything North American cartoon buffs have seen since Walt Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY, nearly 50 years before.
Fox has given us the film in both widescreen and full frame formats. Unfortunately the widescreen version is not anamorphic - a genuine disappointment. That said, there's really nothing else to complain about. Colors are eye-popping. Fine detail is extremely well defined. The sonic experience has to be heard to be believed. We also get a documentary on the making of the movie which is informative and fun and the original theatrical trailer and Richard Marx music video "Life Is A Journey". This is a great family film that I wish more adults would see. It combines all the virtues and esthetics of the Hollywood/Broadway musical and animated feature film. GET THIS ONE FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE WHO'S YOUNG OR YOUNG AT HEART. Either way, you're in for one heck of a journey to the past!

Rating:
Summary: Great for Kids!!
Review: I thought this was a great movie. The fact that it was by Disney, and a musical with an awesome love story made it all the more worthwhile for kids and the older ones. It might not tell the whole tale, which is okay, but what little kid is going to know? And the songs were amazing. Anyone could pick up the soundtrack and know every word. Great job, Disney!

Rating:
Summary: Great Animated Movie
Review: "Anastasia" is the best animated movie release by 20th Century Fox, hands down. It's a great movie, up there with the 90's releases by Disney. I really love this movie. It has great, memorable characters, and "Once Upon a December" is a beautiful song. The other songs are great, which I have them all memorized. I purchased this movie a while ago for my sister, for her birthday, but in all actuality, it was for me. It's such a funny, and lovable movie, it's by far on my top ten favorite animated movie list.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie for Kids, But Doesn't Tell the Real Truth
Review: Honestly, I though this was a fantastic move. I love the song, "Once Upon A December," and the cast for the voices were great. Based on the Russian Revolution of 1917, Anastasia Romanov doesn't get executed, only to be stranded at a train station trying to go to Paris with her grandmother, Dowager Empress Marie. When she grows into her teens, the only thing that she has of her past is her necklace saying, "Together in Paris." Now, all she wants to do is find out who she is. Even though this movie is great, if you are looking for the truth of the imperial Romanov family, this movie twists everything into a work of fiction.

First, it seems the Revolution lasts only one day, and forget about Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Plus, Rasputin isn't shown as a holy man, only an evil sorceror, who gave up his soul which in this movie starts the crumble of the rule of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. Also, in this movie, Anastasia lives a happily ever after life. Well, in the real story of the Romanovs, that stuff doesn't happen. So, if you are looking for a fairtale of the imperial family of Russia, this is your movie. If you are looking for the real truth, read a good book on it or some of those movies based on the real imperial family and their true fate.

Rating:
Summary: A children's fairytale or...
Review: ...an unapologetic rendering of the male/female "dance"?

Historical accuracy has been rather gleefully abadoned in this (ostensible) kiddy-cartoon (as well it should - do we really want our four year olds to know what actually -did- happen to the Tsar and his beautiful family?). While marketed to younger audiences, adults may well find the story sweet, the dialogue witty, and the music captivating.

Rating:
Summary: Oh, please
Review: This is NOT an historical movie! It's a fairy tale! It's a great movie, with nice songs and a nice portrayal of the twenties - I wouldn't know about that, but it makes me feel nostalgic. It's what made me interested in turn of the century history in the first place. And unlike most animated movies, it's funny, and Anya's a likable caracter in my opinion. She stands up to herself.

Rating:
Summary: Once Upon a December
Review: This warm and romantic film from Don Bluth and Gary Goldman has long been my favorite animated feature. This mostly fictional story of Russia's famous Anastasia and her search for her family is sprinkled with humor and great songs. The animation, from snowy Russia to glamorous Paris, is top notch and the story is both heartwarming and fun.

A great cast of voices, including Meg Ryan (Anastasia), John Cusack (Dimitri), Kelsey Grammer (Vladimir), Christopher Lloyd (Rasputin), and Angela Lansbury as Anastasia's beloved grandmother add depth to an enchanting film. Anastasia wants to leave Russia for Paris because the necklace she wears has the inscription, "Together in Paris," which she is sure holds the key to her journey to discover who she is and where she belongs.

Dimitri and Vladimir plan to pass her off as the real Anastasia for the reward in exchange for her visa out of Russia. The banter between Anastasia and Dimitri masks a growing attraction, of course, and when Dimitri discovers before she does that she really is Anastasia he knows he must step aside.

Complicating matters is the evil Rasputin, who has placed a curse on her family and sold his soul to destroy them. His little fruit bat Bratok (Hank Azaria) is a very funny creation and turns out to be not so evil at all. The story is peppered throughout with great songs, including "Journey to the Past" and the haunting "Once Upon a December." Anastasia is warm and involving, separating it from other animated films. When Anya discovers she really is Anastasia, it is bittersweet, as she now must choose between her past and her future. Love may conquer all, but not if the evil Rasputin has his way.

This is a heartfelt and funny animated feature you'll want to own and watch over and over. Don't miss this one.

Rating:
Summary: Giving the Wrong Infomation...
Review: This was, I have to admit, a cute movie... but that's it. It is mostly incorrect when it comes to historical facts. First of all, Demitri (the guy that "Anastasia" falls in love with) in real life was her cousin who lived in the palace with the family... ok, so now we're teaching kids that it's ok to date family members? Secondly, though Rasputin was a pretty shady guy, he was generally liked by the Romonof family because he helped relieve their son's, Alexis's, haemophilia. Well, those are just a few things that I can think of off the top of my head, but seroiusly, if you're going to make a historical film for kids, the least you can do is try to make it just a bit more correct.