Rating: Summary: Typical Disney... Review: The scene where Quasimoto rescues Esmerelda from the fire is rather stunning. That is the only reason I give this 2 stars. Other than that, it's typical Disney....
Rating: Summary: enchanting Disney epic Review: An entertaining extravaganza packed with music, merriment and unforettable characters, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is a resounding animated wonder that will dazzle you every time!High above the city of Paris, in the mammoth Notre Dame belltower, the warm-hearted bell ringer, Quasimodo, and his gargoyle friends dream of going outside. He is attracted to the beautiful raven-haired gypsy girl Esmeralda, and longs to tell her his feelings of love. As the story swells to it's spine-tingling conclusion, you'll experience the power, scope and majesty of this supreme achievement from the Disney studios. With the voice talents of Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Mary Wickes and Jason Alexander.
Rating: Summary: Disney's Best Review: I saw this film 11 times in the theater. After reading the book between the 6th and the 7th time, I was able to better appreciate how well Disney kept the dark themes of Hugo's novel. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz's work is absolutely incredible. I remember children crying during the Hellfire song (and after reading the corresponding part in the book, so did I) so be careful with the youngin's. Buy the video (...and read the book!)
Rating: Summary: Wonderful-Best film of 1996 Review: This was my favorite movie of 1996. I was literally left breathless after seeing it the first time. I was so impressed that after the first time I saw it, I ran back and bought tickets for the next showing. The animation, the depth and richness of the colours is absolutely exquisite. As is the acting. For some reason I thought that it would be a joke--considering the actors. But everyone involved did a great job. Hunchback is one of Disney's better films and unfortunetly it was not as successful as it should have been because of the content. It is a cartoon --excuse me --an animated feature for adults, and may not appeal to little ones. This movie is about societies outcasts and those who do not fit into the prescribed roles. It also shows the corruption and hypocrisy of the ruling elite. I have the sountrack for this movie and tears still come to my eyes when I hear the song "God help the outcasts" (which I used at my Baptism) it goes: "God help my people they look to you still/God help the outcasts or nobody will." Similar movies to this are Princess Mononoke, Prince of Egypt and of course Disney's timeless classic Beauty and the Beast. Get this movie and you won't be disapointed.
Rating: Summary: A Classic adaptation with Disney touches Review: Let's face it, we KNEW that the folks at Disney were not going to be true to the letter of Victor Hugo's classic novel. Having said that, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is a classic piece of Disney animation that is true to the spirit, if not the letter, of the book. The film handles the themes of racism, hypocracy and friendship with style and grace. The voice casting is supurb with Tom Hulce (Quasimodo), Demi Moore (Esmeralda), Tony Jay (Frollo) and Kevin Kline (Captain Pheobus) delivering moving performances. Jay's solo "Hellfire" is an inspired work that never shies from Frollo's dark obsession for Esmeralda. Indeed, this film is an excellent introduction to Hugo's classic, while entertaining in its own right. Hopefully, the DVD version will come out soon. Highly recommended!!!!
Rating: Summary: Fantasic ! Review: This movie is aboutsely outstanding everytime when I'm worried I just turn on The Hunchback Of Notre dame and I forget about my Worries ! It's all about Quiasmodo who go's to the Feast of Fool's there he meet's the Beatiful Gypsey Esmeralda , Quisamdo had fallen Madly in love with her ,of course I mean she is bound to love him back right ? Wrong ! The Next night he happen's to see Captian Phoebus and Esmeralda kissing ! Quiasemodo was heartbroken ! Stopping with the story ,The Animeaton for this is just Wow !!!!!! Frollo is a great Villian I mean every Disney villian is funny exept for Frollo ! Oh the Gargolyes Victor,Hugo ,and Laverno are just Plain funny ! Clopin is Very good whoever knew that he was King of The Gypyie's .You can't quite tell until he captures Phoebus and Quisamodo ! Then you start to get a little Frigten ! Take it from a female who has been watching this movie for 5 years (I'm 11 turning 12 in Januray ) . This movie rocks ! Bye
Rating: Summary: A Masterpeice Review: When I first heard Disney were making a feature film based on The Hunchback of Notre Dame, I was shocked they had decided to tackle such an adult and controversial story. But any misgivings I held were soon quashed from just about the first second the film opened. The film opens with a panoramic shot of Notre Dame cathedral rising above the clouds, from here the story focusses on the disfigured bellringer Quasimodo, imprisoned in the belltower by his surrogate father, Frollo as a punnishment for his disfuigurement. The hunchback soon falls in love with a young gypsy named Esmeralda, a romance we all know is not going to happen. At the same time, Frollo becomes obsessed by Esmerada at a time when he is trying to cleanse Paris of gypsies and theives. But Esmerlada has already fallen in love with the soldier, Pheobus, Quasimodo accepts this but Frollo relentlessly demands Esmeralda chooses him or burns at the stake. Qusimodo rescues her from certain doom in a jaw-dropping set-peice centred around the balconies of the cathedral, and concluding with Frollo plunging to his death in a fiery pit, after failling to murder both Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Quasimodo escapes the confinement of the cathedral and is accepted by the people of Paris. This is quite easily Disney's most mature and sophisticated production to date. Every chacracter is developed to perfection, Frollo is by far the most complex and twistedly evil Disney villain ever, Esmeralda is the first postfeminist Disney heroine (not a squeaky voiced princess from Beauty and the Beast or The Little Mermaid) And Quasimodo shows that it's OK to be the hero of the tale and not be a handsome, young prince who always gets the girl. The songs when compared to other Disney yardsticks (Under the Sea, Circle of Life etc) are not outstanding but they work perfectly within the scope of the movie itself. The actual score however is a masterpeice, the signature bell notes make up much of the dramtic intensity. The animation is more real and thourough than previous animated movies, hats off to the animators who succeed in developing Notre Dame into a playing chracter. And I disagree with the opinion that the talking Gargoyles come over contirved and goofy, anyone who's read Vistor Hugo's novel knows it was he who first gave the idea that the stone statues were Quasimodo's only real friends and who he poured his heart out to every day. With such an ironic love tale and such pure strentgh in charcter, Disney confronted the challenges set by the novel and produced perhaps there most rounded and complete adaptation yet. The real misconception about this film is that people assume it was made for children, when in truth (like all Disney features) it was made for the child in all of us. And on that level, it is a crowning acchievment.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely Outstanding, Disney's 2nd Best EVER!! Review: This film has got to be the 2nd best animated feature Disney has produced, ever, to date.....the first being Lion King. Yes, Hunchback is not entirely true to the original book but HELLO folks, when has that ever stopped Disney before. So, that point being made, on we go. The score and songs are brilliant. I cannot say enough about them. The soundtrack as a stand alone is 98% perfect *except for A Guy Like You* and I urge you to go get it on CD if you liked the film. The animation and visuals were incredible. I myself saw it in the theatre 10 times and was as blown away by the art and effects just as much the last time as the first. *I NEVER, EVER see a film more than once. If Disney re-releases Hunchback I will go see it another 10 times in a heartbeat!!* The characterizations were great. The only thing I would have changed would have been to tone down the gargoyles, but they had to have something for the kids. In short, the only other Disney animated film to have this type of effect on me was Lion King. Get Hunchback, watch it, enjoy it and listen to the music. You won't regret it. My only caution is that it is darker than the ususal Disney fare. I would not recommend it for kids under the age of 10.
Rating: Summary: Wow!! Review: When I hear of the release of a Disney animated movie, I am among the first in line at the theater. I anxiously awaited this release and was blown away. This is an emotional masterpiece not just for children. Alan Menken's score is no less than operatic. Disney secured a knockout vocal cast, as well. Buy it, and prepare yourself for an emotional journey!!
Rating: Summary: Parents, take note Review: We got this movie because I was curious how the people at Disney would interpret a very adult story. The movie is stunning and I was completely engaged by it (the little bits of Disney "comic relief" were kind of out of place, but not unexpected). However, I was very glad I watched this WITHOUT my kids. The film is not at all a "family" film despite the Disney name and typical cover on the box. If you have any thoughts of showing this to kids, watch it FIRST. If you want them to see this story probably the old black and white live action version is more appropriate.
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