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The Swan Princess (Special Edition)

The Swan Princess (Special Edition)

List Price: $14.94
Your Price: $13.45
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This DVD is Already out in MN!
Review: I don't know why this is listed as not yet released. It's been in stores here in Minnesota for almost three months now! And I've been seriously debating about getting it on DVD since I saw it when it originally released in theaters and I have the VHS. I am disappointed that it's not widescreen, but, as much as I hate to admit it, this is better than a lot of the Disney movies I've seen (namely Lilo and Stitch.) The animation is gorgeous! The VHS had the Eternity music video, and I would hope the DVD did too, since the music from this film was outstanding. I just watched it last night and fell in love with it all over again. I urge anyone who has ever loved fairy tales to buy this. It's well worth your money and your time.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Hung Lake.
Review: At least the Japanese version gives Odette a love Rival; Odeal the Black Swan, & it's almost tragic ending made the happy moment more blissfull, with the music Tchaikovsy intended it to have.

I absolutely would not reccomend this video to anyone who like the original story or music (plus lip-sync toons are bad for foreign sales)Plus it's irritatingly too modern for the time its set in.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: IT CHARMS YOU WITH ITS SPLENDID VISUALS AND MELODIOUS MUSIC!
Review: Dazzling, colorful animation accompanied by sweetly dulcet music bring this fairy tale to life, which will definitely leave a lasting impression on your mind. Directed by Richard Rich, The Swan Princess tells us the story of a beautiful princess named Odette. Her birth brings great joy to her father King William, who on this occasion betroths her to the heir of the neighboring kingdom, Prince Derek; son of the widowed queen Uberta. The two children are brought together each summer with hopes that they would one day fall in love. This eventually does happen; (though as kids they were always fighting) but when asked by Odette what he sees other than her beauty, Derek fails to proclaim his love for her. Meanwhile the evil enchanter Rothbart, who had been banished from the kingdom, ambushes the king and princess, kills William and kidnaps Odette. She is turned into a swan and changes back to her true form only when the moonlight touches her wings. The spell can alone be broken by a vow of everlasting love from Derek. With the help of her hilarious friends Jean-Bob, the frog and Speed, the turtle; she must prove her true love and defeat Rothbart.

The animation, which consists mostly of hand painted cels, is simply majestic; the backgrounds and characters looking nothing short of spectacular. The movie took three long years in the making and the intense labor of the artists is indeed observed in the stunning visual style of the film.

The music, by Lex De Azevedo (with lyrics by David Zippel) is brilliantly composed; songs like 'This Is My Idea' and' Practice, Practice, Practice' being well-placed and catchy. 'Far Longer Than Forever' is matchless in its melody, with its haunting tune and luscious music that touches your heart (it received a Golden Globe nomination for best song in 1994). As to why it did not receive an Oscar nomination is still a big mystery to me, as in every way it is comparable to 'A Whole New World' or 'Beauty And The Beast'. The end-title solo 'Eternity' is beautifully performed by Miwa Yoshida. The score (also by Azevedo) is rich and vibrant, brightly highlighting the emotional sequences in the film.

The portrayal of the characters is done marvelously. Odette is beautiful and kind, her romantic heart making sacrifices for her true love. Prince Derek is handsome, brave and passionate, and he proves his love for Odette in the end. The villain Rothbart, though sometimes a bit scary for younger viewers, provides a strong negative character. The sidekicks, Jean-Bob, Speed and Puffin are hilarious and they bring most of the humorous moments. Derek's mother Uberta, his mentor, Lord Rogers and his cowardly companion, Bromley are wonderfully depicted, their presence adding comic warmth to the movie.

The voice cast comprises of talented artists. Jack Palance is superb as the dark voice of Rothbart. John Cleese voices Jean-Bob with a peculiar French accent which is simply loveable. Sandy Duncan brings Uberta to life with spasm and liveliness and Steven Wright well portrays the character of Speed. Howard Mcgillin is excellent as the speaking and singing voice of Prince Derek and Michelle Nicastro is the perfect choice for Odette, her voice both warm and gentle.

Overall, a well done movie, which although does not earn the title of a classic or masterpiece; is yet unique in beauty and offers something for the entire family. It brilliantly conveys the message of love and sacrifice (although I believe that the script could have been developed a little more). Sadly, the DVD of this movie has never been released in the US. I had to import mine from Europe (where it has been officially released by Columbia Tristar video). So if you enjoy spectacular animation and melodious music, this movie will be wonderfully entertaining. As for me, I simply adore it and shall always keep a special place for it in my heart.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Movie for kids of all ages.Blows Disney out of the water!
Review: Excellent family film, kids of all ages will love.
Could be compared to the work of Disneys, original story book back ground, action, adventure, beautiful princess, fairy tale creatures, and an evil villan.Oh! and of course, a handsom prince to rescue princess Odet.Funny and Enchanting....the Swan Princess flows along like a dream.
Anything other then Disney gets no credit, great films such as this one or The Chipmunk Adventure, Daffy duck (tales from the duck side)My Little Pony, Snorks, Smufs (and the magic flute) to name a few:-)if you haven't seen it, you should

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: OK Story... Not Much Else
Review: First of all, I'd like to warn you that I love to mock and nitpick at EVERY movie I watch, even the ones I like. Second of all, I'd like to mention that I DO actually know a little about music, animation/drawing, and writing, so I have the ability to criticize things with a knowledge of what I'm talking about. OK, here we go:

FIRST: The Music--
What THE heck. I have no idea who this person is, much less how to pronounce his name, but I know that he REALLY needed someone like an editor. He writes music that doesn't fit the situations that they're supposed to be describing. For example, there's this one shot where we come over a series of waterfalls to a wide view of the evil sorcerer's citadel. You know, a kind of foreboding setup. Yet, there's this unfathomably cheerful, light music. Ooooooookay. Also, when Odette changes into a swan (and vice versa), there this rise in the music--and then it gets all peaceful and slightly soppy as you see her other form. WHAT!? Oh, and the "Princesses on Parade" thing? Totally pseudo-cheesy-tyypical-bad-Broadway music. WRONG. Not to mention the peppy, cutesy, ANNNOYING song "No Fear"--as they're sneaking into the evil fortress, attempting to steal a map. It's just not RIGHT.

SECOND: The Characters--
Here, I WILL actually say something good. Derek was cool and well-developed for a "Prince Charming" character. Odette as a kid was pretty cool, too, but then, as she got to be older, she turned into the usual "basic DID: Damsel in Distress". Not only that, but I thought that she looked like Pocahontas with blonde-dyed hair. Speed was actually a bit funny because he sounded so cynical about the whole movie (I can identify with HIM). Jean-bob was JUST annoying and self-centered; I mean, I would have preferred a soppy "change of heart"/humiliation by the end to his thinking he was a prince. And BROM!? Don't EVEN go there. He was supposed to be a comic relief, but he was (A) not in the least funny, (B) a fool, (C) a cheat, and (D) a coward. Everyone else was trying SO hard to be funny that they weren't at all. The conductor-guy was funny once or twice.

THIRD: The Animation--
Okay, The effects were good--you know, all the flashes from Rothbart, and Odette changing form--but if you've seen the Black Cauldron (which is SO bad that if I were to take time out from this review to discuss would result in a 200 page essay), it looks like they had animated actors that play parts in EVERY SINGLE DANG MOVIE. Eilonwy (which they don't pronounce right) looks like Odette, and Taran and Derek look EXACTLY alike. Not to mention that the only well-animated character, whose gestures MAKE SENSE (gasp! A novel idea) is Derek. HE doesn't do weird, jerking motions with his head and hands as often as the other characters.

FOURTH (and last): The Story--
This is the one area where it was really pretty good. The story is pretty well thought out, and I'm happy with what they did.

Well, I'm done.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Okay
Review: I don't want to be rude since it does get kids attention but I think it was to perfect. I'm 13 so that may be the problem but the kids I babysit love it. I only like the begining when Derek and Odette are litlle and the frog and turtle. Sorry!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: As Good as I Remembered
Review: I first saw this movie in the theaters, and it has been ages since I've seen it. I've now watched it twice since I bought it a couple weeks ago, and I like it more each time. The characters are well drawn and well developed, the story is involving, and the songs are great. I'm twenty years old and I love this movie. It does it's job, which is to entertain and teach a good lesson. What more could you ask for in an animated film?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Classic!
Review: I first saw this movie when I was about eight or nine years old and I loved it, and I still do. It's a classic fairytale/romance that is very similar to Disney's "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Cinderella". Although it is very similar to those movies, it is still original. The theme of loving people for who they are is a vital theme to this movie. The animation is beautiful and the songs are great. I greatly recommend this movie to everyone, especially those with children.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Two Thumbs Up!
Review: I first watched this when I was six (I'm thirteen now) and loved it - I saw it a dozen times in one week. This is a great movie for young children - and even now it's one of my favorite animations. Avoiding the 2D-ness of the characters, the music is wonderful (I've got a song stuck in my head right now; I rewatched it yesterday and just had to keep replaying the first song in the movie, "This Is My Idea").

Perhaps it's the fact that I loved this movie beyond words when I was a child - I even made up a game with my sister where I was named Odette and she Jasmine - but I still can't shake the feeling that this is a great work of art and something that should earn a spot on your shelf.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: i love this movie
Review: i like this movie alot, the animation is good and so are the songs and characters, i havent seen this movie in ages and i wish i could again...


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