| Title: | THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME |
| Stars: | The voice talents of Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Jason Alexander, Charles Kimbrough, David Ogden Stiers and Mary Wickes (her final performance) |
| Distributor: | Disney |
| Category: | Animated romantic adventure |
| Rating: | G |
| Content: | (a couple scenes may frighten very little ones if Mom or Dad aren’t there to reassure; three stone gargoyles who hang from the Cathedral parapets, come to life to befriend the unloved Quasimodo - although these three are far from fearsome, some consider gargoyles satanic; one sequence has the villain singing his frustrated desire over Esmeralda in the midst of fiery flames - this may cause questions from the little ones; the three lead men are each enamored of Esmeralda, bringing sexuality into this production, but I felt it was handled tastefully; the film deals with the suppression of the masses, but is far tamer than Hugo’s tragic themed book) |
| Review: | Loosely based on the
Victor Hugo classic about the deformed bell ringer who
rescues a beautiful gypsy accused of witchcraft. A
remarkable piece of work. The animation, both computer
and hand drawn, is so three dimensional, I swear many
crowd scenes came to life. The musical score by Alan
Menken (THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ETC.)
Although not his most memorable, contains several
poignant pieces, including a prayerful ballad, "God
Help the Outcasts". This reverent and melodious
piece serves to remind us of a true spiritual
supplication, one which pleads for the poor, downtrodden
and unloved. Character actress Mary Wickes, who made a lifelong career playing curmudgeonous busybodies, leaves us with one last Red-letter performance - Laverne, one of the stone gargoyles who councils Quasimodo. The film-makers pay her tribute, by giving this Queen of Wisecracks the film’s final bon mot. Never condescending, this family treat is filled with humor, adventure and positive messages. A winner for the entire family |
Review: |
For a different, more tragic version, try the video alternative: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME with Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara |