{"id":35668,"date":"2014-12-16T09:04:37","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T14:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=35668"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:53:56","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:53:56","slug":"movie-review-fantasia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-fantasia\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Fantasia"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DVD<\/a>
DVD Cover \u00a9Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A unique experiment to combine animation with classical music, Fantasia <\/em>was theatrically released on November 13, 1940 as the third full-length animated feature in Disney history. A sequel, Fantasia 2000<\/em>, was released on December 17, 1999.<\/p>\n

Plot Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

In what is presumably a concert hall, composer Deems Taylor takes the stage as the master of ceremonies while the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra tune their instruments and prepare to begin the program. Taylor explains that the ensuing film will feature animation derived from the imaginations of the animators while listening to the respective classical music that will be played.<\/p>\n

Eight segments based on the works of different musicians, all introduced by Taylor, follow: \u201cToccata and Fugue in D Minor\u201d by Johann Sebastian Bach, \u201cNutcracker Suite\u201d by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, \u201cThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice\u201d by Paul Dukas, \u201cThe Rite of Spring\u201d by Igor Stravinsky, \u201cIntermission\/Meet the Soundtrack,\u201d \u201cThe Pastoral Symphony\u201d by Ludwig van Beethoven, \u201cDance of the Hours\u201d by Amilcare Ponchielli, and \u201cNight on Bald Mountain\/Ave Maria\u201d by Modest Mussorgsky and Franz Schubert, respectively.<\/p>\n

There are three types of musical segments in the flick: those with music and a definite story, those with music and definite pictures if not a fully-developed plot, and those that showcase music for music\u2019s sake. The first two segments and the intermission fall into the latter category, \u201cThe Sorcerer\u2019s Apprentice\u201d and \u201cThe Pastoral Symphony\u201d feature definite stories, and the remaining segments fall, in my opinion\u201d in the middle category, though this sentiment can be debated.<\/p>\n

A Grand Experiment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love it or hate it, Fantasia<\/em> is undoubtedly one of the most unique animated films in history. With the cooperation of conductor Leopold Stokowski and his Philadelphia Orchestra, Disney animators attempted to combine animated segments with classical music. This concept infuriated some critics, who bemoaned the use of the chosen numbers in a film for the masses; following the flick\u2019s premiere in New York City, Walt Disney blasted the detractors, saying they had no right to tell him what to do. (1) Controversy notwithstanding, the endeavor was exquisitely accomplished, with the animation effectively complementing the tunes.<\/p>\n

In some segments, action is synchronized with the music. A fish\u2019s tail moves with silk-like fluidity during a sequence of smooth music in \u201cNutcracker Suite,\u201d Russian flowers quickly move up and down during a series of short notes in \u201cNutcracker Suite,\u201d and rushing lava and water accompany intense music in \u201cThe Rite of Spring.\u201d<\/p>\n

The segments that feature music for its own sake include abstract images. For example, during \u201cToccata and Fugue in D Minor,\u201d random lines and shapes dominate amidst alternating background colors. Also, during \u201cMeet the Soundtrack,\u201d a generic geometrical line\u2014the soundtrack\u2014radiates different waves for different instruments, a harp, a violin, a flute, a trumpet, a bassoon, and a bass drum. The wave image for the bass drum reminded me of a tiki pole that you might encounter at Walt Disney World\u2019s \u201cEnchanted Tiki Room.\u201d Harkening back to Taylor\u2019s introduction, I do not think that these images would be in my head if I was listening to the numbers on my own time, but the animators\u2019 choices successfully complement the music.<\/p>\n

The Problem with Borrowing<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his first two full-length animated features, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs<\/em> (1937) and Pinocchio<\/em> (1940), Walt Disney added his own touches to well-known stories. Fantasia <\/em>featured a similar process, but instead of seeking inspiration from stories, Disney turned his attention to music. The addition of imagery and story to said music angered some critics, who believed that these manipulations \u201crobbed them [the musical pieces] of their integrity and thus demonstrated a fundamental disrespect for the masters of the musical art.\u201d (2)<\/p>\n

Themes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice\u201d demonstrates the hazards of cockiness and laziness. Despite not yet being an expert in spells, Mickey, the sorcerer\u2019s apprentice, decides to empower a broom to complete the mouse\u2019s task of filling the cauldron with water. The plan backfires, and it is unknown whether Mickey lost his apprenticeship. So, remember kids, do not take shortcuts!…unless you know a quicker route to Disney World, but that is another story.<\/p>\n

Getting back on track, a second theme of Fantasia<\/em> is morality. By combining the \u201cprofane\u201d [Taylor\u2019s word] \u201cNight on Bald Mountain\u201d with the \u201csacred\u201d [Taylor\u2019s word] \u201cAve Maria,\u201d Disney instigates a battle between good and evil. Go team good!<\/p>\n

Finally, the evolution of earth is highlighted through \u201cThe Rite of Spring.\u201d Get ready to see protozoa, volcanoes, and dinosaurs!<\/p>\n

Interesting Elements<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fantasia<\/em>\u2019s title card, indicating the flick\u2019s name and copyright information, does not appear until the intermission, approximately sixty-six minutes into the film.<\/p>\n

Despite being an animated film, almost all the dialogue comes from the live-action Taylor and Stokowski. After \u201cThe Sorcerer\u2019s Apprentice,\u201d Mickey\u2019s shadow gets a few lines on stage with Stokowski, but the shorts themselves are silent.<\/p>\n

At 126 minutes, Fantasia<\/em> is by far the longest of Disney\u2019s fifty-four full-length animated features, surpassing its nearest competitors, Frozen<\/em> (2013) and Big Hero 6<\/em> (2014), by twenty-four minutes. After Fantasia<\/em>, no Disney animated feature reached 100 minutes until Tangled<\/em> (2010).<\/p>\n

Length<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think the running time is Fantasia<\/em>\u2019s main problem. A two-hour movie is on the long side for many plot-based movies, let alone for one that, impressive as it is, has no actual story. I had my fill by the intermission. To fully appreciate the effort, it may be best to watch Fantasia<\/em> in multiple sittings.<\/p>\n

Humor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walt Disney dissuaded his animators from making the film a comedy, saying, \u201cPlease avoid slapstick gags in the ordinary sense; work instead toward fantasy and business with an imaginative touch.\u201d (3) The animators got the message. Some awkward lines by Taylor, dancing hippos, and marching brooms will likely make you grin, but I did not think anything in the movie was laugh-out-loud funny.<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

The structure of Fantasia <\/em>is akin to Disney\u2019s \u201cpackage films,\u201d such as Melody Time<\/em> (1948), in that it features multiple segments based around a common theme, in this case music, as opposed to a single plot-based story. Fantasia<\/em> is of much higher quality than the \u201cpackage films,\u201d though.<\/p>\n

Dinosaurs, featured at length in \u201cThe Rite of Spring,\u201d take center stage in Dinosaur<\/em> (2000).<\/p>\n

Many of the mythological players in \u201cThe Pastoral Symphony,\u201d including Zeus and Pegasus, reappear in Hercules<\/em> (1997). The blue centaur in \u201cThe Pastoral Symphony\u201d reminded me of the Genie from Aladdin <\/em>(1992).<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFantasmic,\u201d a nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World\u2019s Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Resort\u2019s Disneyland Park, features the sorcerer\u2019s apprentice\u2014Mickey\u2014fighting Disney villains so that, as in the final scene of Fantasia<\/em>, good can triumph over evil.<\/p>\n

At Walt Disney World, guests can partake in Fantasia<\/em>-themed mini-golf at \u201cFantasia Gardens.\u201d This separate-admission experience features both a putt-putt option as well as the more difficult Fantasia Fairways path, a scaled-down version of a real golf course.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Fantasia Gardens Photo Copyright Liliane Opsomer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo<\/a>
Fantasia Gardens Photo Copyright Liliane Opsomer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Photo<\/a>
Fantasia Gardens Photo Copyright Liliane Opsomer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sorcerer\u2019s hat from \u201cThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice\u201d has served as the official icon of Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios since 2001, but it is scheduled to be taken down in early 2015.<\/p>\n

If you are craving dinosaurs, you can see them in numerous locales at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland: the \u201cDinoLand USA\u201d area of Disney\u2019s Animal Kingdom, \u201cUniverse of Energy: Ellen\u2019s Energy Adventure\u201d at Epcot, and the “Grand Canyon\/Primeval World” diorama section of the \u201cDisneyland Railroad\u201d at Disneyland Park.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fantasia<\/em> is a brilliantly-executed experiment that goes on about forty minutes too long. Alas, this post is going on too long, so until next time, thanks for reading!<\/p>\n

Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Watts, S. (1997). Disney and the Depression: Populist Parables. In The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life<\/em>. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, p. 88.<\/p>\n

2) Watts, S. (1997). The Entertainer as Artist: Sentimental Modernism. In The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life<\/em>. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, p. 117.<\/p>\n

3) Ibid., p. 114.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Fantasia? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sponsored Ad:<\/strong>\u00a0 Would you like to help support The Mouse For Less website in continuing their mission of being THE Disney vacation planning resource?\u00a0 You can do so by purchasing Fantasia <\/em>from our Affiliate Link through Amazon.<\/a> Thanks so much for your support!<\/p>\n

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