May contain spoilers
This movie is an unfortunate example of the "disneyification" of a story, whereby even a feasible work of fiction is dumbed down through such vices as the establishment of unquestionable villains and heroes, as well as the happy ending bereft of loose ends. To begin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an extremely dark story, reminiscent of the time period in which it is set, and therefore the near antithesis of any Disney animated feature. Secondly, it clearly establishes Phoebus as a "good guy" and Frollo as a "bad guy". Nearly the opposite is the case--in the book, Phoebus was a womanizing S.O.B., who even stood by and watched while Esmeralda was executed for his own murder (ahh, the wisdom of justice). Presumably, this is changed because Phoebus is attractive and young, a suitable mate for Esmeralda, thus allowing the story to play to its ideal conclusion. Secondly, Frollo is by no means an evil man, but like many REAL people is tempted by circumstance to commit acts of sin. In the end, when Quasimodo sees Esmeralda's hanging, and himself throws Frollo from a rooftop, he laments the loss of everyone he loved, and dies holding Esmeralda's corpse in his arms. It is a searing parable of life and love, and the consequences of cherishing beauty. Though, I guess the kiddies are a little oblivious to that, in which sense this film seems to fill a niche. In that vein, I'll give it a 7/10.
Followed by a sequel (ughhh...)
This movie is an unfortunate example of the "disneyification" of a story, whereby even a feasible work of fiction is dumbed down through such vices as the establishment of unquestionable villains and heroes, as well as the happy ending bereft of loose ends. To begin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an extremely dark story, reminiscent of the time period in which it is set, and therefore the near antithesis of any Disney animated feature. Secondly, it clearly establishes Phoebus as a "good guy" and Frollo as a "bad guy". Nearly the opposite is the case--in the book, Phoebus was a womanizing S.O.B., who even stood by and watched while Esmeralda was executed for his own murder (ahh, the wisdom of justice). Presumably, this is changed because Phoebus is attractive and young, a suitable mate for Esmeralda, thus allowing the story to play to its ideal conclusion. Secondly, Frollo is by no means an evil man, but like many REAL people is tempted by circumstance to commit acts of sin. In the end, when Quasimodo sees Esmeralda's hanging, and himself throws Frollo from a rooftop, he laments the loss of everyone he loved, and dies holding Esmeralda's corpse in his arms. It is a searing parable of life and love, and the consequences of cherishing beauty. Though, I guess the kiddies are a little oblivious to that, in which sense this film seems to fill a niche. In that vein, I'll give it a 7/10.
Followed by a sequel (ughhh...)