Anastasia (Animated) (Wide Screen) (DVD And CD-Rom) (DVD)

...people know the story about Anastasia but here's a recap for anyone that doesn't. Anastasia was the daughter of Tsar of Russia and when the Russian Revolution happens most of the Russian Royal family were killed but Anastasia life has always been a bit unknown is she alive or dead. Anastasia's grandmother did perform a search for Anastasia but it has never been truly answered whether she was alive or dead.

The Plot
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...trying to find the Princess Anastasia so he can reunite her with her grandmother and obtain the reward. When Dimitri discovers Anya who looks similar to the Princess he convinces her to travel with him.

Dimitri teaches Anya how to walk, talk and behaviour like a Princess but another presence has been awaken, the evil Rasputin who wants to fulfil a curse that he started so many years ago.

Characters
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more

Introduction
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Most people know the story about Anastasia but here's a recap for anyone that doesn't. Anastasia was the daughter of Tsar of Russia and when the Russian Revolution happens most of the Russian Royal family were killed but Anastasia life has always been a bit unknown is she alive or dead. Anastasia's grandmother did perform a search for Anastasia but it has never been truly answered whether she was alive or dead.

The Plot
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This animated film tells the story for Anya who grew up in a Russian Orphanage and cannot remember anything about childhood since she was eight years old she does have one clue a necklace that says "Together in Paris".

Anya wants to go to Paris to discover if she has any family, however on her way she stops at St Petersburg to gain travel passes from Dimitri. He is in the used Palace and it all seems very familiar to Anya.

Dimitri is trying to find the Princess Anastasia so he can reunite her with her grandmother and obtain the reward. When Dimitri discovers Anya who looks similar to the Princess he convinces her to travel with him.

Dimitri teaches Anya how to walk, talk and behaviour like a Princess but another presence has been awaken, the evil Rasputin who wants to fulfil a curse that he started so many years ago.

Characters
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Anya - Meg Ryan
Dimitri - John Cusack
Vladimir - Kelsey Grammer
Rasputin - Christopher Lloyd
Bartok - Hank Azaria
Sophie - Bernadette Peters
Dowager Empress Marie - Angela Lansbury

Meg Ryan is excellent as Anya as the character is quite spirited and Meg Ryan is able portray this very well. The animators have built around the voices, which have truly shown through in the whole film. There is a good chemistry between John Cusack and Meg Ryan, which helps with the love interest in the film.

Kelsey Grammer's deep voice is most suitable for the big fun character of Vladimir. Christopher Lloyd is at his best when he is being evil and the evil Rasputin is the perfect character for him and his sidekick bat Bartok, Hank Azaria is hilarious.

How many people out there watch "Murder She Wrote", come on own up. Angela Lansbury was that star in that show and her voice is able to give the character such regal qualities in this performance.

Extras
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I love the children DVD because there are loads of fun extras included.

Anastasia: A Magical Journey - gives details of the research and work that went into producing the film
Featurette - Making of Anastasia - very similar to the one above but is slightly more an advertisement for the film.
Sing Along 1 - Once Upon a December plays the scene from the film with the words added at the bottom so you can sing along.
Sing Along 2 - Learn to do it - as above
3 Interactive Puzzles - three jigsaw puzzles, the pictures are stills from the film
Clip Reel - Including 2 songs - this is a multi language reel clip and the songs are sang the language changes from English to Thai and Italian to Korean.

Overview
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I am not a huge fan of children's films but I like to keep some at hand for when my niece and nephew come over because it is easy to pop one in the DVD player and they seem to be amused for sometime away.

Though I am not just going to buy a DVD to just keep for the kids, I might like to watch it too and what first interested me in this one was the cast of characters. There is quite a list of stars that have played a part in the production of this film.

This DVD is rated U, which means that it is suitable for all family members and runs for approximately 90 minutes. I bought this from a high street shop (No idea which one) for £4.99, which I think is excellent value for money especially as I only seem to watch it when the kids are here.

I would recommend this DVD for anyone who has children among there family as it will keep them amused for a couple of hours, especially with the puzzle feature.

Thanks for reading. 

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