Movies

"Fantasia 2000" is a beautiful sequel of the classic animation "Fantasia" (1940). The conductor is James Levine and each segment is introduced by the actor Steve Martin, the violinist Itzhak Perlman, the actress Bette Midler, the entertainer Penn & Teller, the actor James Earl Jones, the conductor Quincy Jones and the actress Angela Lansbury. The audio is in DTS and THX and the program is the following: (1) Symphony No. 5 in C minor-I. Allegro con brio, by Ludwig van Beethoven.(2) Pines of Rome, by Ottorino Respighi.(3) Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin.(4) Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major-I. Allegro, by Dmitri Shostakovich.(5) The Carnival of the Animals, Finale, by Camille Saint-Saëns.(6) The Sorcerer's Apprentice, by Paul Dukas.(7) Pomp and Circumstance – Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4, by Edward Elgar.(8) Firebird Suite – 1919 Version, by Igor Stravinsky.My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Fantasia 2000"

It's a reworking and remaking of the classic Disney Fantasia. The first superior aspect of this one compared to the original is the shorter length. Not all of it works but it works well enough to be compelling throughout. I love the George Gershwin section. It is obviously NYC but I also love the 1930s era. I love the animation style. I couldn't stop smiling and it has some great laughs. There is the redo of Mickey Mouse in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. It looks a little brighter without taking away the animation style. Donald Duck in Noah's Ark is funny. Overall, there are some slower sections but I just love the Gershwin section so much.

Fantasia 2000 is a treat! The animation and music are splendid--whales in the first segment--cartoons set to Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin in the second(the best)--a Noah's Arc montage with Donald and Daisy Duck --and my second favorite--Stravinsky's Rite of Spring with a wood nymph battling the death force of a volcano.Definitely 4 stars out of Four..... Highly recommended!