Rating: 
Summary: Quasi-Disney
Review: It was a strange move for Disney. After phenomenal success with animated features like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King, the animation studio took a risk. Feeling audiences were tiring of the same ol' song and dance routine, Disney Animation branched out into other narrative territories. A brave move indeed seeing as the studio had the biggest animated film of all time (The Lion King) and the only animated feature to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar (Beauty and the Beast) under their belts. The results of such daring and ambitious aspirations were...well mixed. For no one thought Victor Hugo's dark story and Disney's bright storytelling was a perfect match. One can certainly see the appeal of that juxtaposition as a challenge. The artists must have been thrilled to explore gothic architecture and cathedrals that served as the stories setting. That inspiration came through loud and clear in the film's design and it's intricate backgrounds. Notre Dame literally dwarfs everything around it and this concept was beautifully taken to an extreme in the film's design. The character animation in this film is also amazing. Movement and timing are perfect, a rather amazing feat given the unusually sophisticated character designs. Re-watching this film illustrates how almost flawless the animation is. Noteably, a dancing gypsy evolves out of the flames in an extremely dark (by Disney standards) but memorably striking song. With all this style and talent it's a shame the film lacked the magic and graceful storytelling of the Ashman and Menken years. Too often this duo is reduced to a musical comedy team, a witty laugh factory utilizing the Broadway mentality. But they knew how to tell a story and tell it well with real emotion and character development. They used all the elements Walt had established as well as the strengths of musical theater. They didn't so much re-define the animated feature as much as they perfected it. Without their graceful touch on this film as well as Pocahontas, the magic was lost. The songs were nice but not memorable. The characters were never fully developed though wonderfully voiced by Kevin Kline, Tom Hulce and Demi Moore. Technincally this film is outstanding but it takes more to please the heart than it does to please the eyes.
Rating: 
Summary: perfect paris
Review: The misconception going on is that all Disney films are only for children. By no stretch is this a "kiddie" movie. There are several very dark moments, some moments of repressed sexual longing (!), and religious bigotry! whew!
The well-known story of Quasimodo the bell-ringer is given a refreshing twist in this film, and comes off as being very original and extremely entertaining. The animation is, as always at Disney, top-notch, and the musical numbers are wonderful. The cast of all-star voices is exceptional in their roles, and the whole production rolls along at a fine pace.
As I said earlier, to anyone who thinks their 4 or 5-year olds can watch some kiddie entertainment without supervision, this movie will challenge that notion. There are moments where parents would be wise to explain the meanings of certain situations with their children, to avoid confusion/fear. That being said, don't let that keep you from watching this film. It truly is one of the finest films, animated or not, to come from Disney in a long time, and should be seen to be believed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The music was excellent if you're into the choir sounds, whcih I am. The addition latin added a certain touch. While it's not a movie you should buy for your five year old, if they're mature enough children should like it. I know I did. If you're looking for a copy of the book, it's not here. While the movie is pretty sugar coated compared to the book, I still appriciated it.
Rating: 
Summary: Cracked Bellringer
Review: One of Disney's weakest animated features (along with bottom-of-the-barrel "Oliver & Co." and "Robin Hood"). The animation is strangely lifeless, the songs are forgettable, and -- worst of all -- Quasimodo is zapped by Disney's pixies and changed from a terrifying, nearly speechless deaf bellringer into a lovesick teenager who won't shut up; it's enough to make a movie fan look for "Sanctuary!" I have a complete set of Disney DVDs to date, but I won't be buying this one.Stick with the Lon Chaney and Charles Laughton versions, which are better for adults AND kids.
Rating:
Summary: Disney's oddest ever kids film isn't one at all; nice change
Review: Disney's oddest ever film designed for children turns out not to be for children at all, and it's a nice change. Taking a compelling story from the classic Victor Hugo novel, this features some of the darkest moments ever in animation history, but the result is amazingly brilliant. The DVD was originally set for a December 2000 release -- why was it delayed? -- but fans will be rewarded for their paitence. For the first time sicne the original 1996 theatrical run, people can experience this groundbreaking Disney classic as it was meant to be seen, with thrilling stereo sound and the original eye-popping 1:851 anamorphic widescreen viewing format along with several special bonus features, including audio commentary, a "making of" doccumentary, a "Topsy Turvy" sing-along song, a set-top game, multi-language reel on "A Guy Like You," and more. More spicific bonus feature details and reviews upon the disc's March 2002 release. ***** (5/5)
Rating:
Summary: Disney's Modern-Day Masterpiece -- An Entertainment Gem!
Review: This visually and acustically stunning masterpiece was not given its proper due when it ran in cinemas. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" easily ranks among "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Murmaid" as a modern day Disney Classic! -- Although the Victor Hugo story was written for adults, the innocent treatment given to this deep material is pure Disney Magic, making it another family favorite. -- The film is filled with touching moments; my favorite scene is where Quasimodo carries the injured and unconscious Esmeralda into the Church and repeatedly yells "sanctuary!" as the mob roars. -- This is one of modern Disney's best films. The DVD version is superior, but the video is wonderful as well. Highly recommended!*****
Rating:
Summary: A Change for the Better for Disney
Review: Out of all the movies I`ve ever fallen in love with and gotten mad at how underrated it was, this one makes me the most dissapointed. Reviews complain about how it doesn`t contain Disney`s classic kiddie humor. No, it doesn`t. It has a much more adult humor that had me cracking up the first time I saw this masterpiece in theatres. Phoebus is one of the most hilarious characters Disney has come up with in a long time. (Besides, I get very tired of little kid pun humor, and those obnoxious sidekicks to the villian that you feel like punching by the middle of the movie.) No, there is nothing using the kid gloves in this movie, and while others sit there and complain about it not being an exact replica of Cinderella, I find it extremely refreshing that Disney only tried something different for once, resulting in a phenomenalyl brilliant outcome.
One thing we can all stress is a good element in "Hunchback" is
the beautiful animation put in it. Compare the colorful Paris setting in this one to the way old-day France was illustrated in Disney`s "Beauty and the Beast" and you`ll see how much times have changed (Watch for Belle`s brief appearance in the town while Quasimodo is singing his first song in the movie.) There are so many beautiful images in this movie; the powerfully drawn Notre Dame "herself", the sky turning red as Paris burns, and the powerful symbolism in the scene when Quasimodo raises Esmerelda`s unconscious body over Paris`s population below to claim sanctuary in the cathedral.
The character of Esmerelda is well over enough to make you want to buy the movie. Nowadays Disney`s acknowledgement of strong female character is rustry and unrefined; you see merchandise in stores of characters like Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White, all of which do nothing to prove themselves as good characters but just sit there looking pretty while stuff happens to them. Esmerelda is not a princess, and in fact she and Quasimodo have it in common that society wants nothing to do with them. She is an outcast, but she is in my opinion the greatest heroine animation has ever seen. Never in the movie is she screaming for help, only standing up for the right thing and bravely spitting in Frollo`s face in the midst of her doom. Esmeralda sees things as they really are - she knows what kind of people are monsters and what people are good. If Quasimodo is Boo Radley than Esmerelda is Atticus Finch. She`s not a damsel in distress, but she is vulnerable and needs to be saved from Judge Frollo at the end, but it`s her who rescues Quasimodo in the beginning. Esmerelda does not marry a prince, become trapped under a spell, or eat a posion apple, but she is a very symbolic supportive character in this film. It`s easy to lay in a bed waiting for a prince to come break a spell, but it`s not easy to be as tough as Esmerelda. The fact the she is voiced by Demi Moore only adds to her sporty qualities.
"Hunchback" doesn`t only have the best Disney chick in a long time, but a very kick-ass villian. Judge Frollo would outdo Captain Hook in any match of scariness. Jafar, Ursulla, and Governor Ratcliffe were all a pain of a villian, yes, but this guy is one of those bad guys that you just can`t believe because they`re just plain EVIL. This is shown in his treatment of Quasimodo, his prejudice against gypsies, and the way his secret desire for Esmerelda leads to his out-of-control need to kill her. Some villians don`t stand for anything, they`re mean because they feel like it, but Frollo represents pure evil. I can think of no better villian (and as a final note, his horse is very cool, too).
Last but not least, I have to put a good word in for Alan Meken`s soaring music for this movie. I`m not talking about the sing-alongs, though there are some good songs in this movie that address themes of the story like "Heaven`s Light" and "God Help the Outkasts." The songs are commendable, but the score is like nothing else I`ve heard in any other films. Menken uses piercing vocals to make action scenes sound beautiful; the final scene during Esmerelda`s execution is good enough to watch over and over again just because the music in it is phenomenal. And then there`s Frollo`s trademark villian song, "Hell Fire," which is the scene you watch and then you KNOW this is not a movie for four-year-olds. Everyone agrees that this movie has a very dark mood, and I don`t think the mood would be at all that way without the cathedralesque music.
So in conclusion, it`s no walk through the park for kiddies, but for older viewers I believe "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is one of the best full-length animated features of all time. If you do want to show it to the kids you better be ready to explain what damnation means and why Frollo`s really into smelling Esmerelda`s scarf.
Rating:
Summary: Kid's work?? Not really, but excellent anyway.
Review: With one of their most adult themed masterpieces, teamed with wonderful music and splendid animation, this animation came through. Although the part of the gargoyles did distract from the overall story, the movie held together through it's extremly adult theme, and wonderful cast parts. Not one I would let a child see, but definetly a great piece with wonderful music.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, but more for adults
Review: Disney did some pretty good ones like 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'the Little Mermaid', but after that he went sort of downhill with 'Pocahontas' and 'Aladdin'. I think that his best after that was the 'Hunchback of Notre Dame.' With it's superb animation of the Cathedral and its interior and it's great adaptation of the story by Hugo, it's a great movie.
The first thing i should mention is the music and songs. Elton John wrote the music and he did a great job! From the strong 'Bells of Notre Dame', to the moving 'Out There' and even the passionate 'God help the Outcasts', the songs are high-score. I thought 'Topsy-Turvy' and 'A Guy like You' were more or less out of place, but fit into the story. You can't help but feel a shiver down your back as you watch Frollo sings his haunting 'Hellfire'.
The characters and story is pretty good too. They did a good portrayal of the poor, lonely bellringer Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) confined to his belltower for the rest of his days. Demi Moore did a great job as the lovely gypsy Esmeralda who befriends him at a festival. Tony Jay's ominous voice makes a good portrayal of the demented judge Frollo, after Esmeralda and all gypsies for prejudical reasons. Kevin Kline is Phoebus, the captain who falls in love with Es and becomes an outcast, along with the Gypsies and Quasimodo. I have no idea who did the voices of the Gargoyles, who were there for a little humor to the story, but they weren't bad. In the end, of course, good conquers over evil.
I think the movie was more or less dark and little children wouldn't understand a lot of it, so I think it was ore adult or teen oriented. Still, it was one of Disney's better efforts!
Rating:
Summary: my all-time favourite!
Review: animation is breath-taking, plot is tight (ok, so it didn't stick to the original, but view this for itself!), and the characters, (how can i forget to mention them?), are believable.
i love this show, besides disney's beauty and the beast, and highly recommend it. it's rather dark and little kids won't understand much of it, but hey! who's stopping the rest of us to watch?
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