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Anastasia [1998]
![Anastasia [1998]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YSZCDPR2L._SL160_.jpg)
20th Century Fox's big-money gamble to horn in on Disney's realm is worthy. The songs, especially the recurrent "Once Upon a December" by Broadway team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, are better than Disney's recent efforts. It's worth picking up the soundtrack. The mix of cell animation and computer work is vivid. The collection of vocal talent is also strong, from John Cusack (as Dimitri, who wants to earn the reward by bringing Anya to Paris) to Hank Azaria as an amusing albino bat. Kelsey Grammer helps turn a roly-poly sidekick into a warm and strong supporting character. The biggest drawback is Bluth/Goldman's insistence on having a typical villain. Surprisingly, the story would be strong enough without one and the undead corpse of Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) is unneeded and unoriginal. --Doug Thomas
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Stomping out their usual cuteness and carbon copying Disney's grand animation style to a tee, directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman (An American Tail) create a successful musical comedy from the story of the lost Russian princess. Adapting the story of imperialism and revolution is tricky, and subsequently the film's opening is weak. Once Anya (voiced by Meg Ryan, sung by Liz Callaway) is a teenager and on her own (suffering from some degree of amnesia), Anastasia is quite pleasing though never refreshingly new.
Four stars, very reluctantly
Review date: 2007-06-07 Rating: 8 out of 10
I recently bought this DVD in a fit of nostalgia. I remember seeing "Anastasia" when it was first released in cinemas ten(!) years ago now, and I blame it entirely for my lasting obsession with all things Russian. I settled down to watch it, fully expecting my childish whim to be satisfied.
Visually, this is an outstanding film. Half its power is in the appearance of St. Petersburg and Paris, both of which are a feast for the eyes: I defy anyone to not want to live in early-Communist Russia after watching this! Joking aside, real attention has been paid to fabrics and buildings and as a result they look truely magical. The characters, too, move well in front of their backdrop, and I have to congratulate the production team for making them and their actions look realistic, more noticably so than many animated films.
And not only are their movements pleasing, but the characters are likeable as well. It is almost impossible not to root for their success, and be pleased when they achieve it. Dimitri, the vaguely Dickensian crook, is a particular highlight, as is his growing relationship with Anastasia. Together they amuse as a bickering pair of unlikely companions, who grow to find love with one another. The songs are also excellent. Though perhaps not quite up to Disney's standards, "Anastasia" is nevertheless leaps and bounds ahead of Dreamworks' attempts. "Once Upon A December" is particularly enchanting.
The plot, sadly, leaves a lot to be desired, and I think that the Amazon review was spot on in this case. While the main story of Anastasia redisovering her identity is compelling and believable, the decision to include the Rasputin plotline - especially when combined with the magical undead corpse element - was very unwise. As good a job as Christopher Lloyd does in voicing Rasputin, it doesn't change the fact that his story is entirely unnecessary, to the point of detracting from the film as a whole. I'd even go so far as to say that it felt as though I was watching two different films: the paths of Rasputin and Anastasia only really intertwine at the beginning and climax, with Anastasia even completely ignorant of Rasputin's existence for most of the film. Furthermore, there are some gaping plot-holes. Granted, some of them may be explained as being common to the children's film across the board: why does Rasputin not spend every waking minute sending his green smoke fiend things after Anastasia? Others I felt were more problematic. Why does Dimitri choose to return to Anastasia's side? How stupid is Anastasia anyway for not realising that Dimitri was a conman?
There is, moreover, a certain nastiness about putting this spin on real, highly unpleasant events. It is very easy to give Anastasia a happily-ever-after in Paris and slap a bit of magic on the side, but is this right? It seems almost distasteful, given the eventual downward spiral of Communism in Russia, to ignore that side of it for the sake of a good story. Will Disney's next outing be set in the early years of Nazi Germany? Ought generations to come look out for "George Bush: The Musical!" from Dreamworks?
Ultimately, I've given this a four. I think this is an unfair rating: I'm almost certain that I've bumped it up out of nostalgia, and were this a film I had only just watched for the first time, it would probably rate a three at most. The DVD extras are so minimal that they don't do much to help argue its case. It's never pleasant to find out that something much-loved in childhood doesn't quite stand up on its own when rediscovered later. Children should - and probably will - love this; adults, on the other hand, would do well to watch with a slightly more cynical eye.
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Reviews
It's not a Disney film
Review date: 2007-06-03 Rating: 8 out of 10
I really enjoed this film! :D so I thought I would look at the reviews on this website, it is not a disney film! it is Fox Home Entertainment, that is why it says Disney NOWHERE on the cover, yes it is similar to the style of disney animation, but search it on the internet, it's not disney! nor is it on the disney classics list.
But still an excellent watch, I would recomend it tooo anyone! :D
Dreadfully disappointed
Review date: 2006-01-31 Rating: 2 out of 10
Now it may sound a little odd that a nineteen year old student likes watching Disney and other animated films of the same genre, but me and my four other cartoon-fixated friends all gathered round to watch this in eager anticipation - for only me and one other person to be left watching it by the end and I have to admit that by that point all we had to say was 'thank God thats finished!' I hate to spoil the run of positive reviews this film has received but we all found this quite a painful experience. None of us had the faintest clue what was going on Rasputin, who seemed to have been made into some kind of evil bogeyman who was entirely unbelievable and not even scary - not a patch on Jafar or villains of that kind. The songs were cringeworthy and the plot so far-fetched as to be simply ridiculous try as we did to suspend our disbelief. If you're after any kind of historical accuracy then I'm sure you already guessed that this is not a film to watch, but believe me I can't find any reasons why it should actually be watched at all. There seems to be no real feelings in it at all. Definitely one to miss, if its cheesiness you want stick to Disney, or go one better and turn to Dreamworks instead.
You must own this!
Review date: 2006-01-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
One of the last visually stunning traditional animated films with a beautifully developed story and loveable characters.
Everything is wonderful-- the sets, the animation, the dresses, the journey to France, Paris, the songs..
This should be a reminder of what Disney feature films could still aspire too, before greed and making a quick buck led them to completely rubbish out the 2d medium.
Kudos to Don Bluth and Gary Goldman yet again.
My favourite film.
Review date: 2005-08-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
Firstly I have to admit that I am 21 years old and this is my favourite film of all time. I know this may make me seem a little immature but I just absolutely love this film. I must have seen it way over 30 times.
I think what appealed to me the most in this film was the growing relationship between Anya and Dimitri. In addition I have always been interested in the legend of Anastasia and I liked how the film dealt with this. The characters were all excellent and I loved the songs, especially 'Journey to the Past' and 'At the Beginning'. Although I have to admit that the character of Bartok does annoy me slightly (but I think he's created more for children to laugh at.)
A wonderful, wonderful DVD and in my opinion, I enjoyed it more than any Disney film I've seen (I keep crying at the end as well, no matter how many times I've seen it.) For children and adults.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Meg Ryan
John Cusack
Christopher Lloyd
Kelsey Grammer
Hank Azaria
Creators:
Meg Ryan (Primary Contributor)
John Cusack (Primary Contributor)
Arthur Laurents (Writer)
Bob Tzudiker (Writer)
Bruce Graham (Writer)
Eric Tuchman (Writer)
Guy Bolton (Writer)
Marcelle Maurette (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036006590
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-07-19
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-11-21
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: Russian (Original Language)