![[IMAGE MAP]](/images/sidebar2.gif)
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
1/2
Jack Choo
Directed by : Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise
Written by : Inspired by the novel by Victor Hugo
Voices : Tom Hulce (Quasimodo), Demi Moore (Esmerelda), Kevin Kline (Phoebus), Tony Jay (Frollo)
Produced by : Walt Disney Pictures
Running Time : 1hr 35mins
Rating : ***1/2 out of *****
Theatres : Just about everywhere.
BEAUTY & THE BEAST' AND THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is the brainchild of the same team who made BEAUTY & THE BEAST and THE LION KING. Its unnervingly dark theme (for a Disney cartoon) will not prove to be too popular among children but it will most certainly grasp a larger group of audience in the older age groups. Like in BEAUTY & THE BEAST, HUNCHBACK tells the tale of a lonely protagonist, whose life of recluse was not of choice but of circumstance and his eventual ability to break free from those circumstances which hold him.....and of course the strong-willed beautiful girl who helps him.
Quasimodo, the hideous bell ringer of Notre Dame was raised by Frollo, a wicked and cruel judge. He "imprisons" him in the belltower of Notre Dame, feeding him with reminders and negative thoughts of how physically ugly he is and how he would be scorned by the outside world. So Quasimodo stays put in his private belltower and ringing the bells of Notre Dame is his official job. His only companions are the stone gargoyles Victor, Hugo and Laverne who encourages him to get out into the open when Quasimodo expresses his dreams of attending the annual Peasant's Festival. At the festival, he was saved from shame by Esmerelda, a ravishing Gypsy dancer. Frollo, not exactly fond of Gypsies nor the idea of Quasimodo venturing into the public's eyes sets his evil ways to destroy both the Gypsies and Quasimodo's dream of being accepted by the peasants of Paris.
HUNCHBACK is filled with witty lines and the comic relief provided by the gargoyles Victor, Hugo and Laverne (!) are always hilarious and never too childish. For a cartoon, the characters of HUNCHBACK are very well developed and delved upon, bringing audiences closer to each character's aspirations and toil. Adults will most probably relate better with Quasimodo's dream of coming out into the open world and Esmerelda's of freeing her people from the oppression of Frollo's regime. As for Phoebus, he's a decorated soldier who is torn between his humane thoughts and Frollo's evil orders. There is also a powerful scene of Frollo, in his solo-singing-effort, in which he exposes his true self as a genuine manifestation of evil.
The music and songs for the film should earn the team of ALAN MENKEN and STEPHEN SHWARTZ a couple of Oscars(tm) next year. They are mostly very atmospheric and sometimes dark, thanks to the occasional canto-gregorian chantings. HUNCHBACK features some of the best on-screen animation ever seen on the big-screen. The zoom-ins and zoom-outs into the city of Paris were very nicely done and the computer generated crowds and church of Notre Dame was nothing short of breathtaking. If lately you feel that movies are getting a bit too bleak for you, then THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME will have something nice in store for you. It has a tale to tell and most importantly.....morals to enlighten. I highly recommend this film.
The Flying Inkpot Rating System:
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
Jack Choo still believes that STAR WARS is the greatest movie ever made and truly idolizes George Lucas. He started reviewing as a hobby (its still a hobby) about 1 1/2 years back when he was really bored during his industrial attachment. He can watch just about anything.
Other film reviews by this writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with this writer's name.Other film reviews by other writers can also be obtained from the InkVault through key word searches.
Explore the Flying Inkpot
They're Alive!
Concert Reviews
Bit deadish:
Other Resources at The Flying InkpotHome
