ANASTASIA (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Stars ììì

Anastasia—interesting animated story from Fox Animation Studios—completes itself with terrific music and outstanding songs. However, this film does not have enough time to tell its story and actually seemed rushed, especially at the end of the script, almost as if there wasn’t enough money to finish the film at its proper pace. The script begins with no background story. The audience is ‘dumped’ into a quite complicated story without preparation and it takes a while to ‘catch up’ to the tale which makes this animated feature seem a little too sophisticated for younger children.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eight-year-old Anastasia, daughter of the Romanov Russian ruling family, escapes with her Grandmother Marie during the Russian Revolution only to become separated from her Grandmother after a nasty fall that leaves her in a state of amnesia. Ten years later, Anastasia leaves the orphanage where she was raised and through a series of fortunate events becomes briefly reunited with her Grandmother only to find that she has awakened exceptionally evil spiritual forces still intent on completing her destruction.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Maureen Donley for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Anastasia (voice of Meg Ryan), Dimitri (voice of John Cusack), Vladimir (voice of Kelsey Grammar), Rasputin (voice of Christopher Lloyd), Bartok (voice of Hank Azaria), Sophie (voice of Bernadette Peters), Young Anastasia (voice of Kirsten Dunst), The Dowager Empress Marie (voice of Angela Landsbury), Czar Nicholas/Servant/Revolutionary Soldier/ Ticket Agent (voice of Rick Jones), and Phlegmenkoff/Old Woman (voice of Andrea Martin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Do some research on the plot for this film before buying the ticket. Ten minutes of explanation before the film will greatly enhance the adult/child entertainment experience and expand the family’s knowledge of different ways that various cultures understand supernatural powers.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers