Details
Movie Description
Following in the footsteps of the 1940 Disney classic, FANTASIA 2000 features seven animated short films set to classical compositions, along with the original version of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," starring Mickey Mouse. (This 2000 version also includes hosts such as Steve Martin, Quincy Jones, and Bette Midler introducing each segment.) The film opens with abstract butterfly-like creatures of light and darkness fluttering about to Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony" but quickly moves to the second sequence, featuring an adventurous baby whale and its elders floating along to "The Pines of Rome." Next is the "Rhapsody In Blue" segment, a tribute to 1930s New York City, based on the line drawings of illustrator Al Hirschfeld. The fourth piece is Hans Christian Andersen's tale of "The Steadfast Soldier" set to "Piano Concerto No. 2," followed by "The Carnival of Animals" which stars a yo-yo-wielding pink flamingo. The next two segments feature classic Disney characters; first, Mickey Mouse in the original version of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," then Donald Duck in a retelling of the Noah's Ark story set to "Pomp and Circumstance." Finally, "The Firebird" closes out the film, with a sweeping woodland story of nature's death and rebirth. With its brilliant animation, well-paced stories, and immediately engaging music, FANTASIA 2000 easily matches the wondrous spectacle of the original.
Synopsis
This updated FANTASIA stands as a worthy successor to the original Walt Disney classic, with a broad range of animation styles that employ both traditional and computer-based techniques. With a running time of only 75 minutes (dictated by the original IMAX format), the film flies by. Each segment is magical and fun in its own right--most notably, the scene of majestically floating whales set to Respighi's "Pines of Rome" and Donald Duck doing his best in the Noah's Ark segment. Best of all, FANTASIA 2000 allows the Disney animators to stretch their muscles and experiment with fresh new material.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: December 31, 1999 (IMAX).
June 16, 2000 (35mm).
FANTASIA 2000 is the 38th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.
Industry Reviews
"...Still one of the trippiest journeys you can take without ingesting hallucinogens..." -- 3.5 out of 4 stars
USA Today - p.8E - Susan Wloszczyna
"...FANTASIA [2000] manages to hit the sort of highs most other animated features can only dream about..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
Total Film - p.75 - James White
"...Respighi's 'Pines of Rome' opens breathtakingly with the explosion of a supernova over a shimmering Arctic sea..."
Sight and Sound - p.41-2 - Brian Sibley
"...[The RHAPSODY IN BLUE] segment commands attention...[as] a giddy paean to New York City dreamers..." -- 3 out of 5 stars - A Satisfying Rental
Premiere - pp.97-8 - Christopher Kelly
"...FANTASIA 2000 is splendid entertainment, and the IMAX system is an impressive co-star..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/31/1999)
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