Rating: 
Summary: Disney's best since SLEEPING BEAUTY!
Review: This movie had all the elements that I love in an animated movie: a dark back-drop (the Roman Cotholosism), the excelent music, breath-taking animation.What was also something about this film, was that Frollo, unlike any other Disney villian, was just pure evil. No humor and gliter, just pure, unadulteraded evil. And, again, I love all the religion packed in this. Yes, it talks about God and sin and Hell and brimstone, but that's how it was in Paris in that age. They were historically-correct (something I certainly can't say about POCAHANTAS). It's just nice to see Disney do someting serious for once. I'd also like to say that the musical number "Hellfire" was, in my opinion, Disney's BEST musica number. I have to say, though, it was, well . . . rather suggestive. In the flames, Esmerelda danced sunsually, and she licked her finger in a sexually taunting manor. He sang about sin and lustful desire. This also wansn't the only suggestive moment in the film. His whole masquerade for her was derrived from his want for her sexually. This should've received a PG rating for its suggestivenss and drama. As for the animation, WOW!!! I think this is Disney's most beautiful film since SLEEPING BEAUTY (which I have in widescreen). This is a must-see/bye! But parents beware: some material may be too intense and or inapropriete for young children.
Rating: 
Summary: It was good
Review: I just wish people would stick closer to the books when making a movie. So the ending of the book would have upset little kids. The solution - don't make the movie. Other than that, I was happy with it. Great animation & good songs. Just PLEASE stay close to the story!
Rating:
Summary: A Disney Must See
Review: This is the first video I've owned that I've had to replace because I literally wore it out by watching it too often. "Hunchback" is a wonderful adaptation of Hugo's novel. Of course it has the Disney touch. This movie has everything - from intense drama to hilarious scenes that make me laugh just thinking about them. The animation is fantastic and the story is engaging. You'll hear the voices of Kevin Kline, Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, David Ogden Stires and Tom Hulce. The music is by the award winning duo of Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz and it is captivating from the biggest show stopping numbers down to the almost subliminial latin liturgical chants in the backgrounds of some songs. As Disney videos go this one can be considered pretty intense at times with perhaps the most well developed and complicated villan of any Disney film. Watch it first before you let the very youngest kids see it just in case. You'll want to see it twice anyway. It's lots of fun for most kids and just about everyone else. If you liked Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast you'll most likely love Hunchback of Notre Dame. END
Rating:
Summary: A Disney Must See
Review: This is the first video I've owned that I've had to replace because I literally wore it out by watching it too often. "Hunchback" is a wonderful adaptation of Hugo's novel. Of course it has the Disney touch. This movie has everything - from intense drama to hilarious scenes that make me laugh just thinking about them. The animation is fantastic and the story is engaging. You'll hear the voices of Kevin Kline, Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, David Ogden Stires and Tom Hulce. The music is by the award winning duo of Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz and it is captivating from the biggest show stopping numbers down to the almost subliminial latin liturgical chants in the backgrounds of some songs. As Disney videos go this one can be considered pretty intense at times with perhaps the most well developed and complicated villan of any Disney film. Watch it first before you let the very youngest kids see it just in case. You'll want to see it twice anyway. It's lots of fun for most kids and just about everyone else. If you liked Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast you'll most likely love Hunchback of Notre Dame. END
Rating:
Summary: WOW.
Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTORE DAME WAS THE BEST. I M GETTING IT ON VHS,I WATCHED IT HALF AND IT WAS ASWME. LOVE IT. COOOOOOLOE.WALT DISNYS MASTERPIECE.WOW.JUST WOW.
Rating: 
Summary: Not too good.
Review: I saw this movie when I was maybe seven I suppose. It was downright disturbing. I mean they tie up Quasimodo, throw rotten fruit at him at him, they show Quasimodo's Mum being killed while trying to seek refuge in a chruch, we see the evil guy nearly drowning baby Quasimodo in a well, a house is set on fire with children inside, there is predjudice against gypsies, there is a song about Hell (I didn't fully comprehend the message they were trying to get accross at that part, I'm pretty certain it was Hell though), they nearly burn Esmeralda at the stake and a whole bunch of other really WEIRD stuff goes on. It's a big royal mess from beginning to end. I understand bad thing shappen in the world but this movie was intended for children and I don't recommend it for small children or anyone else for that matter. In a few short words, it creeped me out and I didn't see a point to it.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully drawn, wonderful music, and story
Review: Disney truly does do Victor Hugo justice in their adaptation of "Hunchback of Notre Dame."
Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) disobeys his Master, Judge Frolo's (Tony Jay) orders and leaves his bell tower to go down into the city of Paris for the "Festival of Fools." While he's among the people, he meets gypsy girl Esmerelda (Demi Moore) who admires Quasi's mask and pulls him up on the stage for the King contest. When Quasi wins as the ugliest, they try to pull off his mask and discover his face is real. This sets off a riot in the streets and draws Judge Frolo's attentions to Esmerelda and the gypsies. Frollo wants to eradicate every gypsy in Paris and orders Capt. Phoebus (Kevin Kline) to do his dirty work. What ends up happening is that Quasi, Esmerelda, and Phoebus form an uneasy alliance and work to save the gypsies.
"Hunchback" is one of Disney's first features with strongly enhanced animation. Initially, the depth, intricacy, and vividity of color of this style literally blew audiences away. The acting, music, and general pacing of the story is also very good.
One star deducted because violence and adult themes in this film may not make it suitable for very young children. My friend and I watched "Hunchback" in the theatre with several families of children. At least 3 under the age of 5 years had to be removed by a parent during the more violent scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Dark: Disney at its Best
Review: Simply put, this is a magnificent movie, and with the exception of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, the best movie Disney ever made. The animated rendition of Hunchback of Notre Dame, although marketed as a family film, is a cover for vastly more adult themes rarely touched upon in the likes of Disney movies. The combination of the wonderful, colorful animation and the dark subtlety of more sophisticated adult themes is absolutely brilliant, a combination that Disney needs to return to. Its recent movies lack this children-adult crossover that made Hunchback of Notre Dame a masterpiece.
The music is most definitely the best aspect of the movie. The score is beautiful--Alan Menken is a genius--and gave the movie an air of power lacking in most other films. As for songs, it has some of the best and worst. The worst are just garishly tacky kid songs thrown inserted in overcompensation for the overbearing darkness. Fast foward these. Yet the best songs in the movie are some of the best in the genre of Disney movies. Bells of Notre Dame, the song that covers the opening sequence, God Help the Outcasts, and Hellfire, are stunning. Hellfire is my favorite Disney song of all time. Dedicating an entire song to Claude Frolo's repressed sexual desire surpasses brilliance. Besides, the melodic quality is dark and gorgeous. Classic. Absolutely classic.
I admit that when I first saw this movie in theaters at age nine, I was not particularly fond of it. Then I saw it years later as a teenager and loved it. It is truly a movie for a mature audience, which I feel makes it one of the best. Disney really needs to make more movies of this calibur that are able to transcend the mold of a kid movie and become something greater for all ages. Hunchback of Notre Dame is the underrated hidden masterpiece of Disney and never achieved the recognition it truly deserves. Buy it, own it, and cherish it. It will be the jewel of your Disney collection.
Rating:
Summary: wicked awesome
Review: Okay folks, I rarely give anything five stars but this film from Disney deserves nothing less. Purists are complaining that the film is not faithful to the book (is any?) and mummies are complaining that it is far too sexual for their children. First of all this film puts Disney in quite a predicament. It is obvious from the start that this isn't for anyone under the age of 12 due to the violence and highly adult dialogue. Get rid of the singing gargoyles and you have an adult film. I don't believe that animation is only for kids. I watched this film in awe of the beautiful depiction of Notre dam cathedral. The animation is beautiful, very dark and quite frightening in some places. The score is exciting with Gregorian choirs and great ballads. Which leads me to frollo's song `hellfire'. I have included the lyrics here as everyone seems to mention it in their review and yet to someone that has never heard it, it wont mean anything:
Priests:
Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti (I confess to God almighty)
Beatae Mariae semper Virgini (To blessed Mary ever Virgin)
Beato Michaeli archangelo (To the blessed archangel Michael)
Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis (To the holy apostles, to all the saints)
Frollo:
Beata Maria
You know I am a righteous man
Of my virtue I am justly proud
Priests:
Et tibit Pater (And to you, Father)
Frollo:
Beata Maria
You know I'm so much purer than
The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd
Priests:
Quia peccavi nimis (That I have sinned)
Frollo:
Then tell me, Maria
Why I see her dancing there
Why her smold'ring eyes still scorch my soul
Priests:
Cogitatione (In thought)
Frollo:
I feel her, I see her
The sun caught in raven hair
Is blazing in me out of all control
Priests:
Verbo et opere (In word and deed)
Frollo:
Like fire
Hellfire
This fire in my skin
This burning
Desire
Is turning me to sin
It's not my fault
Priests:
Mea culpa (Through my fault)
Frollo:
I'm not to blame
Priests:
Mea culpa (Through my fault)
Frollo:
It is the gypsy girl
The witch who sent this flame
Priests:
Mea maxima culpa (Through my most griveous fault)
Frollo:
It's not my fault
Priests:
Mea culpa (Through my fault)
Frollo:
If in God's plan
Priests:
Mea culpa (Through my fault)
Frollo:
He made the devil so much
Stronger than a man
Priests:
Mea maxima culpa (Through my most griveous fault)
Frollo:
Protect me, Maria
Don't let this siren cast her spell
Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone
Destroy Esmeralda
And let her taste the fires of hell
Or else let her be mine and mine alone
Hellfire
Dark fire
Now gypsy, it's your turn
Choose me or
Your pyre
Be mine or you will burn
Priests:
Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)
Frollo:
God have mercy on her
Priests:
Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)
Frollo:
God have mercy on me
Priests:
Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)
Frollo:
But she will be mine
Or she will burn!
I think this song pretty much speaks for itself. If this film was rated PG 12 then everyone would have been happy. Buy this film if you are looking for great animation, a memorable score and if you looking for a different rendition of Hugo's original tale. Do not bye it for your kids. The theme and message is way over their heads.
Rating:
Summary: Disney's Best - a Miracle of a Movie!
Review: A risky wedding of wholesome classic animation, to adult and often dark-themed material. The risk paid off and the result is one of the greatest achievements of Disney Studios.
The animation here is first rate and the entire thing is shot like a live-action film with some incredible long shots, great theatrical panning and even at one point, during Quasimodo's song "Out There" a realistic camera flare (I did a double take the first time I saw it!) Hunchback is filled with all sorts of great "tricks" like this. Lighting effects here are nothing short of magnificent - often subtle they sometimes change in an instant dramatically altering the mood of the piece. Frodo's demonic song "Hellfire" is perhaps one the most sinister and frightening moments to emerge from Disney and the animators let loose.
The prologue to the movie alone is a minor masterpiece and, like Beauty and the Beast, marvelously prepares us for the whirlwind of a story to take place.
The complaints about the singing and dancing gargoyles Victor, Hugo and Laverne, are simply wrongheaded. I read the Hugo classic too, and know they're not in there. What the complainants fail to realize is these gargoyles live only in Quasimodo's imagination. He invented these companions to ease an otherwise tortured, lonely, friendless life. The culmination of all of this becomes obvious in the spectacular song "A guy like you" which finishes with pigeons flying and hearts and banners and ribbons and Quasimodo being celebrated and then BAM immediately upon the conclusion of the final notes, the room becomes the same dark, dank, splintering tower filled with relics, junk and heartbreak. It's one of the movie's most shattering effects.
While deserved praise goes to the animators and crew, the voice talent here is, in my opinion, Disney's very best. Tom Hulce goes to the very soul of Quasimodo and gives a performance that is as poignant and shattering as anything he has done (Hulce also happened to be the best Hamlet I've ever seen.) Certain lines ("I am a monster, you know") will ring in my ear forever. Hulce has a beautiful voice and renders "Out there" with such abandon and vigor it makes my hair stand on end. In the quiet "Heaven's light" (which sequences into a stunning shot of the bells frantically ringing the opening theme), Hulce brings a fragility to such lines as "no face as hideous as my face, was ever meant for Heaven's light" that only a heart of stone would not be moved. Switching from pathos to rage, Hulce lets us feel the hidden rage and danger that this character also possesses. It is a truly remarkable performance.
Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Tony Jay, Paul Kandel - and the rest of the cast all sound at the top of their game creating wonderful and vivid characters.
Alan Menkin and Stephen Schwartz get to the heart of the matter with score and songs - a sound - that are as integral a part of the telling of this story as the animation and voices.
Hunchback is a miracle of a movie!
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