The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney had two big box-office successes that I didn't think were as good as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. They were The Lion King and Pocahontas. But now, Disney has a major success on its hands. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is brilliant, colorful, and energetic. What it lacks is a trailer that will bring in the audiences.
And that's unfortunate because the movie is very good. Based on the novel "Notre Dame de Paris" by Victor Hugo, the story follows Quasimodo (voiced by Tom Hulce) as he experiences adventure, suspense, and even love. Who does he love? Why, the girl who saved his life, Esmeralda (Demi Moore). But the story is much more complex than that. This is the first Disney movie that has two heros loving the same girl. We know that there will be a broken heart, but whose? I never read the book so I didn't know what was going to happen. I can't compare it to the book so I won't. I know I hate it when critics compare things with the book.
The movie opens with Quasimodo's parents trying to escape (from what?). They get caught, but the mother escapes with Quasimodo. Judge Frollo (Tony Jay) captures her and the baby. He almost drowns the baby, but is saved by a priest from Notre Dame. Frollo banishes the baby to the bell tower and becomes Quasimodo's master. However, after Esmeralda saves Quasi from being ridiculed on stage at the Festival of Fools, he wants the gypsy for himself. So he uses Captain Phoebus (Kevin Kline) to capture her. But Phoebus takes a liking to Esmeralda and rescues her instead.
This all becomes very complex, though it is pretty complex already. I won't say any more, because I want to talk about the overall movie. The story is just the platform for a wild adventure with brilliant colors and outstandingly realistic characters. The style of the movie has a dark quality to it. The colors are vibrant and bright, but the gloomy shadows of Notre Dame give it a Gothic-type look. I felt like I was watching a better version of Batman Forever. As for the music, the songs aren't that memorable, but you might find yourself humming to "Come one, come all." The best song, I think, is the one Esmeralda sings when she is alone in the chapel (actually, there is a chorus there too). It has a beautiful melody and fantastic lyrics.
As for the characters, Quasimodo is one of the most realistic characters I have seen in a Disney film. Belle and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast were good, but Quasi has a complexity to him. He is hideous looking and most people can't see past that. So Quasi stays in his "sanctuary" and plays with little people that he has carved from wood. He also is entertained by three hysterical gargoyles (Jason Alexander, who sings in the movie which is a delight, Mary Wickes, who died 6 lines from the ending of the movie, and Charles Kimbaugh). There is also a fantastic character, Clopin (Paul Kandel). He is colorful and fun. He is probably my favorite character in the movie. Esmeralda reminds me of Moore's character in Striptease. Frollo is just mean. And Phoebus is the bad guy turned good.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is rated G. There is nothing bad in it, but it has some violence that I wasn't expecting. Also, there is some implied language, as in one scene where Esmeralda says, "...you son of a..." Frollo replies, "Watch it! You're in a church!" That was awfully close if you ask me. But this movie is the most adult-oriented Disney animated film ever, but I think little kids will enjoy the gargoyles. Also, there is a lesson to be learned from the movie that has never been taught in a Disney movie. Watch it to find out what it is.