Fantasia/2000 (1999)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Directors:

James Algar
Gaëtan Brizzi

Writers:

Eric Goldberg (story) (segments "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Carnival of the Animals, The")
Hans Christian Andersen (story) (segment "Piano Concerto #2")

Release Date:

31 December 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Fantasy | Music

Plot:

An update of the original film with new interpretations of great works of classical music.

Plot Keywords:

Mickey Mouse | Forest | Classical Music | Donald Duck | Sorcerer

Awards:

4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Leopold Stokowski	...	Himself - Conductor (segment "The Sorcerer's Apprentice") (archive footage)
Ralph Grierson	...	Pianist (segment "Rhapsody in Blue")
Kathleen Battle	...	Featured Soprano (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice)
Steve Martin	...	Himself - Introductory Host
Itzhak Perlman	...	Himself - Host (segment "Pines of Rome")
Quincy Jones	...	Himself - Host (segment "Rhapsody in Blue")
Bette Midler	...	Herself - Hostess (segment "Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102")
James Earl Jones	...	Himself - Host (segment "Carnival of the Animals")
Penn Jillette	...	Himself (as Penn)
Teller	...	Himself - Host (segment "The Sorcerer's Apprentice")
James Levine	...	Himself - Host (segment "Pomp and Circumstance"), Conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
Angela Lansbury	...	Herself - Hostess (segment "Firebird Suite - 1919 Version")
Wayne Allwine	...	Mickey Mouse (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice)
Tony Anselmo	...	Donald Duck (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice)
Russi Taylor	...	Daisy Duck (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice)

Also Known As:

Fantasia 2000 (Philippines: English title) (USA) (alternative spelling)
Fantasia '99 (USA) (working title)
Fantasia Continued (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.44 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS | IMAX 6-Track

Certification:

USA:G (certificate #36995) | Malaysia:U | South Korea:All | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Denmark:7 | Finland:K-6/4 | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Hong Kong:I | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:G | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | UK:U | Greece:K | Philippines:G

Company:

Richard Purdum Productions

Trivia:

The opening abstract segment, set to Beethoven's Fifth, directly mirrors the opening of _Fantasia (1940)_( qv) which also began with an abstract section, set to Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

Goofs:

Continuity: In "Rhapsody in Blue", a sign inside Monica's cafe reads "2 EGGS ANY STYLE 25c". A sign outside the cafe reads "2 EGGS 10c".

Quotes:

Bette Middler: Hi. You may not know this, but over the years the Disney artists have cooked up dozens of ideas for new Fantasia segments. Some made it to the big screen this time, but others - lots of others - how can I put this politely?... didn't.

Movie Connections:

References The Rescuers (1977)

Soundtrack:

Firebird Suite - 1919 Version

Fantastic!

Sixty years after the release of Disney's technicolor classic, Fantasia, comes Fantasia 2000, a brand new animation classic for a whole new generation.

Donald W. Ernst brings to the silver screen a sequel of sorts to the Nineteen-forty animation masterpiece, Fantasia. This time around there is a whole new variety of musical sequences, with a a vast array of new characters, including The Steadfast Soldier and the colossal Firebird, as well as the return of everyone's favorite mouse, Mickey, in his unforgettable role as the bumbling Sorcerer's Apprentice. All sequences are accompanied by a beautiful score, performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by musical genius James Levine. So for an unforgettable visual and musical journey, that will appeal to generations new and old, Disney invites you to visit Fantasia 2000.

Fantasia 2000's segments are presented by Disney animated favorites such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Featured in the presentations is a star-studded live action cast, including Steve Martin, James Earl Jones of Disney's Academy award winning The Lion King, Bette Middler, and the extremely talented Angela Lansbury, who supplied the voice for Mrs.Potts in Disney's hugely popular feature Beauty and the Beast. The list goes on with the impressive names that show up in this film, but again the spotlight is really on the film's animated stars.

Fantasia 2000 is certainly a commendable and worthwhile sequel but by no means is it near as impressive as its predecessor. The animation for the film is really something to behold, especially in the film's book-ending sequences Symphony #5, in which a group of stunning whales travel through a beautiful icy ocean, and Firebird, in which the title character spreads a wave of fire throughout the land destroying anything it touches. It also utilizes a unique blend of old and new style animation throughout, but its just seemed to lack the ingenuity and amazement of the first. I realize that in the film they brought back the Sorcerer's Apprentice for fans of the first, but I saw it as nothing more a lack of originality and a time-filler in a film that really could have used a bit more length, especially for the Pomp and Circumstance sequence. My apologies to those who may take offense, but if I wanted to watch Mickey mess up the Sorcerer's palace again I would just go out and rent the original. Yet I must admit the musical pieces donated by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are spectacular, and do help to elevate this film a few notches.

All in all, Fantasia 2000 is a good film, especially so I'm sure for those who caught a viewing of its Eyemax theatrical release. As I have before mentioned it is not as intelligent and original as the first film, and while it should be pointed out that sixty years later it is much harder to be original, I still find Disney could have displayed a bit more creativity and imagination with this effort, but they certainly could have done worse. Now if your family is only capable of traveling to a different world for an hour and half then I would suggest a visit to Fantasia yet if you have an additional hour and a half then venture onward to Fantasia 2000.

Overall Rating: 7 out of 10