Rating: 
Summary: It Was Alright.
Review: I have mixed feelings about this movie in general. I LOVED the original Fantsia to death so I was excited when this one came out. However, it didn't get me as excited as the first one did. I watched the first movie in my art class back in sixth grade and fell in love with it. This movie however is just too different. I mean the same concept is there. Using images to highlight wonderful music. But I, like many other reviewers out there would have been much happier if most of the movie was animated by hand. Most of this film was done with computer graphics. Now this may have looked amazing on the IMAX screen but it wasn't as great on my 15 inch screen. Also, not everyone needs to have complicated enhanced computer and digital stuff to enjoy a movie. To be perfectly honest this movie really didn't need it. It was almost as if they did it so that we would be distracted from the fact that it wasn't as good as the original. Also many of the storylines weren't that great. I liked the fact that they added a piece from the old Fantasia on it. My advice is to stick to the original or don't expect too much from this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Walt would be elated
Review: "Fantasia" was Walt Disney's passion and obsession. Likewise, "Fantasia 2000" became the same for Roy Disney who became preoccupied with completing his uncle's vision. Walt had originally envisioned "Fantasia" as a continually running feature that would metamorphose over time, adding new segments to replace the originals one by one. F2000 is essentially a fast forwarding of that process, producing an animated feature that is almost completely new. Only "Sorcerer's Apprentice" remains from the original.F2000 is an excellent work that suffers from unfair comparisons to the original. The problem with any sequel that follows a groundbreaking film is that the novelty has worn off. A launch of the Space Shuttle just doesn't have the same drama and excitement as the launch of the first manned Mercury capsule, even though the Mercury program was crude by comparison. F2000 represents a giant leap forward in animation technology, blending hand drawn animation with digital animation. I was actually surprised at how much hand drawn animation was still used in this film, and I was impressed that Disney didn't opt for the easy way out by creating a completely computer generated feature. The marriage of old and new was very evident, not only in the technology, but in the themes. They matched highly digitalized new age flying whales with Ottorino Respighi's "Pines Of Rome" in the same feature as a retro 1930's New Yorkeresque rendering of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Ironically, both pieces were composed in the same year, 1924. If there is one area that is clearly better in F2000, it is the sound. As advanced as Fantasound was in the original, it still can't compare with the crispness and channel separation of modern audio technology. The DVD really brings this difference to the fore, creating a true concert hall experience. The finale in F2000 was magnificent, even better than the finale of the original. The theme of death and rebirth was uplifting and inspirational, and the meld of animation and music was powerful. All the segments were wonderful in different ways and marked a level of creativity and entertainment that matched the original, far ahead of anything else available. I took issue with a few areas. I could have done without the introductions by the comedians, especially Steve Martin. They trivialized an otherwise superb work. In addition, at 75 minutes, this was a good deal shorter than feature length. However, these are minor criticisms of a great film. "Fantasia 2000" is another example of Disney's utter dominance of animated films. Despite my slight preference for the original (probably just sentimental from my childhood), F2000 is a brilliant film in its own right. I rated a 10/10. Walt would have been proud of his nephew's work, and elated at the realization of his dream that "Fantasia" live on as an evolving animated feature.
Rating:
Summary: Simply delightful
Review: "Fantasia 2000" is the same concept as "Fantasia": a kind of animated MTV for classical music. The movie tries to be more popular than the previous one, in terms of selecting recognizable music pieces (Symphony #5, Pomp and Circumstances, Rhapsody in Blue, etc...) as well as more segments with a "plot" (Donald as Noah's helper, the brave tin soldier, and other) and less subrealism, which apparently most of the public does not appreciates. The movie is delightful for the ear and the eyes (see the fantastical segment of whales "swimming" in the air and up to the space). A brief recommendation will be: if you liked the first one, buy "Fantasia 2000". If you hated the whole concept, probably you should rent this one before purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Decent Though not Without Flaws
Review: "Fantasia" is best described as the classical equivalent of MTV. While MTV plays videos of rappers dancing around on the streets of New York, the idea behind "Fantasia" involves things such as hippos and flamingos and flowers dancing around to orchestral music. Such was the original version of "Fantasia" released in 1940 (long before the days of MTV). Designed by Walt Disney himself, the movie was over two hours long and featured (fairly) abstract interpretations of well-known classical pieces: Tcaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 6," among other less-famous works. At the time of it's release, Disney had planned to continue to update these classical "music videos" in future releases of the film. However, due to the fact that the movie turned out to be a commercial flop, no such updated version was ever made. At least until now. For at least the last twenty years or so, the original "Fantasia" has been an esteemed classic, and finally Disney got around to making the follow-up, originally released as an IMAX last spring. Following the same theme as the original, "Fantasia 2000" uses pieces such as Beethoven's 5th, Resphigi's "Pines of Rome," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," and Stravinsky's "Firebird Ballet." Overall, the animation seems a bit more concrete; dinosaurs and Greek gods being replaced by the streets of '30s New York. While such concrete interpretations don't detract from the animation too much, they do sort of diminish the context of the music, which was often composed with a different story attached to it.My other complaint with "Fantasia 2000" is that it seems quite a bit too short, featuring only seven different animations (one of which was re-used from the old "Fantasia" and two of which were extremely short). In addition, a considerable chunk of the 74-minute movie is taken up by various celebreties introducing the animations and making fruitless attempts at humour. However, despite these complaints, the overall quality of the animations was good, as was the musical selection for the most part. All in all, "Fantasia 2000" was a movie well worth watching - but certainly don't miss out on the classic "Fantasia" over it.
Rating: 
Summary: a Insult to Music lovers and those of the Original
Review: "What do you think of a three minute version of Beetoven's 5th? The right three minutes would be beautiful" and "I'm sure glad Elgar's not around to complain about me messing with his music" are just 2 of the apalling remarks in the Featurette of the DVD.
This movie is outrageous. The producers make a big deal about how they're trying to match the original Fantasia, and they proceed to offer edited(Beetoven's fifth, Pomp and Circomstance, Pines of Rome, Firebird suite)and dated music(Rhapsody in blue). Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against George Gerswin, but JAZZ does not belong in Fantasia. The steadfast toy shoulder and the Carnival of the Animals are the only segments in Fantasia 2000 where the stories were changed to fit the music, and not the other way around. My opinions are that if the full compositions were too long, then they should have choosen differant peices all together. Granted, I have to cut them some slack over the Firebird suite (the story, not the music) not being equel to the Stunning "Night on Bald Mountian/Ave Maria" of the original, because the original Finale was definately religious in nature, and would certainly appeal to religious people like me. However, the ending of a sunrise was a universal symbal of hope that could appeal to every one. That is the only excuse. The Rest of this movie is an insult to music lovers and people who loved the original.
Stick with the original Fantasia. It is so much better.
(I did not say anything about the Sorcorer's apprentice in this review because to me, it will always be a part of the Original Fantasia, and should remain so.)
Rating: 
Summary: So close but yet so far
Review: *Fantasia 2000 (G)- Walt Disney always envisioned Fantasia as a series of never ending films. With the failure of the original at the box office, the dream was stashed away. Disney the studio has finally taken the dream out of the cupboard, dusted it off and brought it to beautiful if not complete life. While Walt Disney put more emphasis (at least on the film Fanatasia) on the art form rather than the commercialability of the product, the factory that his studio has become is too afraid to go the extra mile. Thus we get an all too short and less mind blowing rendition of its 50-year-old successor. Don't get me wrong. Fantasia 2000 is gorgeous, it is beautiful, and at one point I was fighting back tears. But the abstract beginning of the original film is less abstract, having a storyline even! The already short running length is shortened even still by including The Sorcerer's Apprentice from the original film. By all means go see this film (well, rent/buy it now). Love it, you should, I certainly did. I just felt it was like a jigsaw puzzle you have spent days putting together, just to realize you are missing that final piece.
Rating:
Summary: proof that Roy E. Disney should be CEO of Disney!
Review: ...after seeing this wonderful compilation of absolutely brilliant animation & music I simply couldn't believe Michael Eisner was opposed to the idea of making FANTASIA 2000! It's far superior to some of the studio's more recent animated efforts. I suppose Eisner disapproved because F2K isn't the proper movie to push the sale of toys and happy meals! I remove my hat and applaud the true heart & soul of the Walt Disney corporation today: Roy E. Disney. The final sequence, 'the firebird suite', is simply a masterpiece...!
Rating:
Summary: Very good, but...
Review: ...too short. I felt that the "Pines Of Rome" was beautifully done. Having always associated that piece with the Italian landscape, it was very interesting to see it with whales. The score was breathtaking. Beethoven's 5th symphony was almost magical, but I feel that a great thing was wasted by only performing the 1st movement. Everything else was fine: good music, good cartoooning. It could have been spectacular, but it comes up just a little short. I recommend using the DTS sound for the DVD. It enhances the experience ten-fold.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasia 2000, A Trip through the Future and the Past!!!
Review: A combination of music and animation makes up one of Disney's latest movies of all time, Fantasia 2000. With a wide variety of music this makes for a treat for a person of any age or background. You start with "Symphony No.5" one of the best selections of music in the whole movie. The picture creates a Picasso type setting and as they fly and flutter, the music takes you on a journey though time unknown. Then though "Pines of Rome" a quieter setting evolves. Computer takes this animations to the next level. "Rhapsody in Blue" one of my favorite songs ever. A story unravels itself as this song progresses. You can feel the storyline pull together, it almost takes your heart away. How sad can they get. Mystery takes place next in "Piano Concerto No.2 Allegro, Opus 102". Rain comes down and thunder strikes, will the good ever win??? In this you shall never know. "Carnival of Animals", ahhh what a perker. Yo-yo's flying, it just can't get any funnier, wait, flamingos!! Out with the new and in with the old," The Sorcerer's Apprentice" comes to life. Just the good old times. "Pomp and Circumstance- Marches 1,2,3,And 4". Are we graduating??? No, but Noah's Ark evolves, in a different pair of shoes, and it's not Noahs. And the ending "Firebird Suite- 1919 Version". A tale of good and bad around the forest. Can it get any better??? Not now that's for sure. A great selection of music and animations makes this movie one of the best I've ever seen. if you haven't seen it, hurry up, rent it today.
Rating:
Summary: Now THAT was a great experience (READ THIS)
Review: A few years ago, I discovered the film "Fantasia" and I became a lover of it. On 3rd January, during a trip to Orlando, FLORIDA, I went to see "Fantasia 2000" in an Imax theater. I WAS COMPLETELY DAZZLED BY IT ! (if I could, I would put 6 or even 7 stars up there). The movie was WAY BETTER than what I expected. My only regret is that the film only lasts for 90 minutes, but it does not matter at all. My favourite pieces of music in the film are : Beethoven's "Symphony n°5" (an intstant familiarity, since I love that piece of music, and a very good start with the movie), Respighi's "Pines of Rome" (THE breath-taking sequence of the whole film, an extraordinary piece), Saint-säens' "The carnival of the animals" (the funniest sequence and a beautiful melody), Dukas' "The sorcerer's apprentice" (A classic. Everybody loves it, just like I do. It was really something seeing it on an Imax screen. Mickey Mouse is back) and Elgar's "Pomp & Circumstance" (The 2nd most breath-taking piece of music of the movie. The music was extremely magistic and what a good idea to have chosen it, whith all its reputation. Donald Duck has his best role in his whole career, now). As for the others, they are great too, don't worry ! I went to see it again in Paris and will see it once or twice more when it will be released in normal theaters, with my best friends. To conclude : you are strongly advised to go and see it with friends and family, you will all love it. Go ahead and enjoy...
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