Disneys Fantasia

The host of Fantasia, Deems Taylor leads the production by giving descriptions of what the next piece will be like. These parts weren't included in all versions of the movie, and only recently restored. I prefer to have them included since it lets you relax for a little bit after one of the especially emotional pieces. After the intermission, he invites up on stage the "soundtrack", an animated visualization of sound waves, to illustrate what the sounds from several instruments look like.

This is the first part in Fantasia and turns out to be the most abstract piece. I find it interesting that they would lead off with this since there is no substantial visuals to distract and entertain. The animation is merely there to rouse the imagination, giving examples of thoughts that might enter the mind when listening to the music.

This is where the music lovers are separated from the others, as it may take a slight predisposition to truly enjoy this.

If you watch this with children, gauge their reaction to this first part. It should indicate whether the rest of the movie will appeal to them.

This includes some selections from the famous Nutcracker suite by Tchaikovsky. Abandoning the popular theme from the ballet, this is fully animated to express the vivid changes of nature through the seasons. Its visuals include fairies, flowers, fish and mushrooms, dancing whimsically, indicating transformation and personifying the music.

Mickey Mouse makes a huge debut in Fantasia, and certainly nice to see familiar face. Mickey plays a student to a powerful sorcerer and tries to shirk his tedious chores by cheating with magic. His role in the wizard costume here is so widely recognizable that it symbolizes Disney as a company. The cartoon spans around 9 minutes, utilizes the music of Paul Dukas, and displays a slightly darker mood than a usual cartoon. However, its beautiful, creative, and deserves no less than the "masterpiece" label its given.

This was the most difficult parts for me to watch. In fact, I believe I forced my family to walk out of the theater because I cried during this. Upon watching it again I was able to appreciate the skill and creative effects of the Disney animators. People probably hadn't seen anything like it at the time.

But its a lonely tale, spanning the early desolate life of the planet, and how life began and evolved into dinosaurs. It ends on a sad note with the dinosaurs drawn-out demise. But if you can detach yourself, its very impressive.

The 2nd half of the program starts on a happy note. This piece utilizes Beethoven's Symphony number 6 in F (op 68, "pastorale"), accompanying a scene with centaurs, satyrs, unicorns and gods from Olympus. Sometimes overly cute, sometimes kinda racy, this caters to an affectionate audience. I found it overall entertaining and beautiful. However, this is possibly the most controversial piece of Disney animation ever. Some scenes of possible concern are the centaur's topless bath and the wine festival.

Using one of the most popular ballets of all time, the animators use cartoon animals to represent the different times of day. There are ostriches, hippos, elephants and crocodiles dancing to represent their dominance over one another. A very colorful and whimsical piece.

Other Disney movies have dark elements to them (Frollo struggling with his desire in Hunchback, Ursela turning mermaids into weed slaves), but something here goes beyond that, which transcends normal American animation. This isn't evil just for a hero to come defeat, its symbolizes something more close to reality, and at the same time, abstract with religious overtone.

Despite the chilling visuals, there's nothing terribly explicit or grotesque. The ghastly display of fire and dancing demons lasts for several minutes, before a bell rings and the darkness fades. The demons flee and the music suddenly fades to Ave Maria. They end with tiny animated people holding candles and walking into the forest.

Along with the Rite of Spring you may want to be mindful of children who are sensitive to dark images. I personally never made it this far into the movie as a kid.