Ben
Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0
Starsìììì
Fantasia 2000, released
worldwide January 1, 2000 in IMAX theaters, stands on its feet as the paragon,
the crème de la crème, the quintessence, the ne plus ultra, the iconic
blueprint of artistic endeavor of classical music paired with animated
imagery. This nonpareil sequel to the original 1949 Fantasia crowns all Disney achievements while sweeping the board
with its inimitable arrangements. It is artistic imagination at its zenith. If
you’ve been told that joy, happiness, and laughter are not tactile, think
again. Disney, with Fantasia 2000, allows
something almost outside of itself, three-dimensional, malleable like clay to
slide from the big screen embracing, alluring, and seducing completely,
finally, and totally. The only possible criticism that may have some validity
for this work is that at 75 minutes of breathtaking entrancement, it’s far too
short. Set in eight separate pieces, Roy E. Disney captured something that needs,
at least, the length of a complete Carnegie Hall performance.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Thank you to directors: James Algar, Gaëtan and Paul Brizzi, Hendel
Butoy, Francis Glebas, Eric Goldberg, Don Hahn, and Pixote Hunt. Thank you to Executive
Producer Roy E. Disney for making the film possible. Cast include: Leopold
Stokowski, James Earl Jones, Penn Jillette, Teller, Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, Ralph Grierson, Angela
Lansbury, Wayne Allwine, Kathleen Battle, Steve Martin, Itzhak Perlman, James Levine, Russi Taylor, and Tony
Anselmo.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This film deserves an uproar of BRAVO! ENCORE! with a long session of clapping. The music combined with the animation makes a wonderful, re-watchable movie.
Video Critique Available Here:
