There are just no words capable of expressing how about feel about this great film. This is one of the best Disney films of the 90s, one of the best films in Disney's 70+ years of film-making, and possibly one of the best films ever.
It was bizarre move when Disney choose Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame de Paris" (Notre Dame of Paris), otherwise known internationally as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," as the basis for their 34th full-length animated feature. The original novel isn't something that is normally thought of as being something for children: such a dark and depressing tale. But in the 90s, Disney were pioneers and innovators, and it was a bold move when they decided to make this film.
And it all worked. Here is perhaps one of the beautiful animations Disney has produced (heck, this is from the same guys who brought us "Beauty and the Beast"), featuring excellent artwork and stunning scenes. The animators actually went to Paris and made sketches of the actual Notre Dame cathedral to ensure accuracy. And what efforts! Fifteenth Century Paris is brought to life -- full of laughter and festivity...poverty and injustice. You will marvel at the Gothic splendor of Notre Dame cathedral, which is very detailed.
But at the heart of all this is good story. Here is one of the most tender tales out there. Hugo enthusiasts have cringed at the changes Disney has made from the original novel. But this movie has the spirit of Hugo. The original novel was about social issues, about injustice and religion. And Disney does a great job of addressing these themes, yet making this movie tolerable for family viewing. Added to the movie are the themes of about looking part appearances in favor of what lies inside. This "Man vs. Monster" theme is embodied in the hideous but kind-hearted and courageous Quasimodo.
Quasimodo is a not so typical hero, and he and a cast of memorable characters are the players in this powerful, moving tale. You will be shocked by the crowd's treatment of Quasimodo during the Feast of Fools scene. Entertained by the brave antics of Phoebus, captain of the guards. Amazed by the courage of the beautiful Gypsy Esmarelda to help him. You will also be repulsed by the villainous Claude Frollo -- perhaps the most frightening, and more complex, foe in any Disney movie. There has never been a foe like him before -- so cruel, so pitiless, so obsessively lustful to the point of wanting to destroy someone -- and yet so devout and religious. You will be overwhelmed at the final fight scene near the end. And you will be touched by the ending, in which a young girl approaches the monstrous-looking hunchback and gives him her hand, and inspired and uplifted when he is carried away by a joyous, cheering crowd -- the crowd that once rejected him.
The music plays a vital role in telling the story. Before he gave us "Wicked," Stephen Swartz lovingly composed these amazing songs. "The Bells of Notre Dame" is subtle and haunting, "Topsy Turvy" is upbeat, and "Heaven's Light" and "Children of God" are tender and touching. In this film is also "Hellfire" -- so intense, so heart-pounding, dark, mature, and yet so powerful, the best Disney villain song ever. Adding to the songs is Alan Menken's beautiful score, which makes good use of classic choirs; from the haunting, mysterious Gregorian chants in the beginning, to the glorious chorus in the end.
This movie is dark, it's mature. It's inspiring and it's powerful. It is simply a beautiful film.
It was bizarre move when Disney choose Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame de Paris" (Notre Dame of Paris), otherwise known internationally as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," as the basis for their 34th full-length animated feature. The original novel isn't something that is normally thought of as being something for children: such a dark and depressing tale. But in the 90s, Disney were pioneers and innovators, and it was a bold move when they decided to make this film.
And it all worked. Here is perhaps one of the beautiful animations Disney has produced (heck, this is from the same guys who brought us "Beauty and the Beast"), featuring excellent artwork and stunning scenes. The animators actually went to Paris and made sketches of the actual Notre Dame cathedral to ensure accuracy. And what efforts! Fifteenth Century Paris is brought to life -- full of laughter and festivity...poverty and injustice. You will marvel at the Gothic splendor of Notre Dame cathedral, which is very detailed.
But at the heart of all this is good story. Here is one of the most tender tales out there. Hugo enthusiasts have cringed at the changes Disney has made from the original novel. But this movie has the spirit of Hugo. The original novel was about social issues, about injustice and religion. And Disney does a great job of addressing these themes, yet making this movie tolerable for family viewing. Added to the movie are the themes of about looking part appearances in favor of what lies inside. This "Man vs. Monster" theme is embodied in the hideous but kind-hearted and courageous Quasimodo.
Quasimodo is a not so typical hero, and he and a cast of memorable characters are the players in this powerful, moving tale. You will be shocked by the crowd's treatment of Quasimodo during the Feast of Fools scene. Entertained by the brave antics of Phoebus, captain of the guards. Amazed by the courage of the beautiful Gypsy Esmarelda to help him. You will also be repulsed by the villainous Claude Frollo -- perhaps the most frightening, and more complex, foe in any Disney movie. There has never been a foe like him before -- so cruel, so pitiless, so obsessively lustful to the point of wanting to destroy someone -- and yet so devout and religious. You will be overwhelmed at the final fight scene near the end. And you will be touched by the ending, in which a young girl approaches the monstrous-looking hunchback and gives him her hand, and inspired and uplifted when he is carried away by a joyous, cheering crowd -- the crowd that once rejected him.
The music plays a vital role in telling the story. Before he gave us "Wicked," Stephen Swartz lovingly composed these amazing songs. "The Bells of Notre Dame" is subtle and haunting, "Topsy Turvy" is upbeat, and "Heaven's Light" and "Children of God" are tender and touching. In this film is also "Hellfire" -- so intense, so heart-pounding, dark, mature, and yet so powerful, the best Disney villain song ever. Adding to the songs is Alan Menken's beautiful score, which makes good use of classic choirs; from the haunting, mysterious Gregorian chants in the beginning, to the glorious chorus in the end.
This movie is dark, it's mature. It's inspiring and it's powerful. It is simply a beautiful film.