Okay, okay, so the first thing I thought when I received this last christmas from a relative who obviously thought I was in fact 8 and not 16 was "Oh Dear." I am not the consummate Disney fan, as I find most of it too twee for words. This is not a Disney movie, but the style is pretty similar. However, the first thing I noticed about this DVD was the cover.
Althugh the images are not lifelike, and are indeed, not meant to be, there's something about the confused face of Anatasia (voiced by Meg Ryan) and the cheeky look of Dimitri (voiced by John Cusack) that made me just think "What the hell."
So, I opened it up, played it, and was drawn into a world of fantasy.
The film begins with the scene where Rasputin aids a rebellion to gain entry into the palace and, although for obvious reasons it is not know in the film, capture and kill them. All except Anastasia and her grandmother, who escape, but get seperated.
So, Anastasia is a Russian Princess. Of course, she doesn't know that. She calls herself Anya and she's grown up in an orphanage, dreaming of who her real family could be and gleaning what comfort she can from a necklace that was found with her when she was taken to the orphanage. It has on it an engraving which mentions Paris.
Therefore, when she's old enough, she sets off to try and find out if she does have a family after all accompanied by her dog as her only companion.
Meanwhile, Dimitri is trying to find a girl who looks like the lost princess. The Dowager Empress (Anastasia's grandmother) is trying to find her granddaughter, and is offering a substancial reward to whoever finds her. Along with his friend Vladimir (voiced by Kelsey Grammer) they go through audition after audition, and are about to give up, when they accidentally come across Anya.
They persuade her to come with them, offering her a ticket to Paris, where she believes her family is, and they set off.
However, Rasputin is not dead as many think, but is very much alive. He sold his soul for the power to destroy the Romanovs and he will do anything to finish the last one - Anastasia.
This involves a train crash, a suicide attempt whilst asleep and many other problems for Anastasia. However, she comes to like Vlad and even the cheeky, money grabbing Dimitri (although she would never let him know that) and by the time they get to Paris, Dimitri is convinved Anya is no imitation princess. She's the real thing.
This is also a musical, and the whole story is accompanied by songs, some fun, others beautiful, but all heart warming.
This is definately a film for the whole family. Despite my reservations, the only bad thing I could find in this movie is the fact it isn't long enough! Throughout I willed Dimitri and Anya to get together, and was overjoyed when they did so. Vlad is a heartwarming, father like character who everyone likes, and Rasputin with his comical bat sidekick Bartok make the perfet baddies.
Visually, the DVD is great. The colour is sharp and rich and although it's animated and so I can't say whether it was natural or not, it definately was captivating. Sound was also excellent, I was never left disappointed after missing or mishearing a word.
I can't wait to see the sequel and would most definately recommend this movie.
Language - Infreqeunt & Mild. Sex/Nudity - None. Violence - Infrequent & Mild. Animated. Other - Infrequent & Mild Threat.
Stomping out their usual cuteness and carbon copying Disney's grand animation style to a ... more
tee, directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman (An American Tail) create a successful musical comedy from the story of the lost Russian princess. Adapting the story of ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Stomping out their usual cuteness and carbon copying Disney's grand animation style to a ... more
tee, directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman (An American Tail) create a successful musical comedy from the story of the lost Russian princess. Adapting the story of ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Based on a true story and brought to life with stunning animation and the voices of Meg ... more
Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Hank Azaria, Christopher Lloyd and Angela Lansbury, Anastasia is an epic tale of breathtaking action and intrigue certain to capt...
The lost Russian Princess Anastasia and her incredible quest to find her true identity. ... more
When the shadow of revolution falls across Russia Anastasia the royal family's youngest daughter barely escapes with her life. Years later joined by a band of h...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Um... well... let me think... Oh, yes... Its not a DISNEY film, so they don't have to be ashamed of it. Disadvantages: Give me a break, there are way too many to put into this little box! 20th Century FOX should hang their heads in shame that they produced this lemon.
TheChocolateLady 10.02.2003 (30.03.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Anastasia (Animated) (DVD)
Advantages: Memorable scores & songs, characters & stories Disadvantages: Animation level compared to modern is just standard
huntressofthenight 13.06.2008 (13.06.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Anastasia / Thumbelina (DVD)
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![Anastasia [DVD] [1998]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78529364.jpg "Anastasia [DVD] [1998]")
![Anastasia [Special Edition]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/97812287.jpg "Anastasia [Special Edition]")
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