Fantasia
1940, Walt Disney
As a concept, Fantasia was way ahead of its time: here's the father of the modern music video. Audiences at the time had a mixed response, and World War II interfered with its release. Composers got their panties in in knots over the liberties taken with the compositions. But gradually over time the film came to become wildly popular, and one of Disney's biggest moneymakers; subsequent re-releases and home video helped, although some bits were cut owing to their racist imagery. For myself, I thought the concept was brilliant; I especially enjoy the opening piece with its abstract patterns, not unlike some modern screensavers and music visualization generators. I'd often wanted to do some of these myself. My only quibble has to do with featuring Disney characters in so many pieces, although I understand why Disney did this.
DKS 4/7/22
FART-O-METER® Rating:
Fantasia 2000
2000, Walt Disney
Despite having CGI and other modern techniques at their disposal, Disney created a surprisingly tepid, uneven sequel that barely broke even. Some bits are intriguing, some bewildering; most of them unremarkable and easily forgotten. It was the first animated feature released in Imax, not that it made much difference. Plans for a third Fantasia in 2008 were eventually scrapped, and two of the segments already in production for it were finished and released as standalone shorts: The Little Matchgirl and Lorenzo.
DKS 4/7/22
FART-O-METER® Rating:
