| Credited cast: | |||
| Steve Martin | ... | Self - Introductory Host | |
| Itzhak Perlman | ... | Self - Host (segment "Pines of Rome") | |
| Quincy Jones | ... | Self - Host (segment "Rhapsody in Blue") | |
| Bette Midler | ... | Self - Hostess (segment "Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102") | |
| James Earl Jones | ... | Self - Host (segment "Carnival of the Animals") | |
| Penn Jillette | ... | Self - Host (segment "The Sorcerer's Apprentice") (as Penn) | |
| Teller | ... | Self - Host (segment "The Sorcerer's Apprentice") | |
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James Levine | ... | Self - Host (segment "Pomp and Circumstance"), Conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) |
| Angela Lansbury | ... | Self - Hostess (segment "Firebird Suite - 1919 Version") | |
| Wayne Allwine | ... | Mickey Mouse (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice) | |
| Tony Anselmo | ... | Donald Duck (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice) | |
| Russi Taylor | ... | Daisy Duck (segment "Pomp and Circumstance") (voice) | |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Chicago Symphony Orchestra | ... | Themselves (as The Chicago Symphony Orchestra) |
In this update of Disney's masterpiece film mixture of animation and music, new interpretations of great works of music are presented. It begins with an abstract battle of light and darkness set to the music of Beethoveen's Fifth Symphony. Then we see the adventures of a humpback whale calf and his pod set to "The Pines of Rome." Next is the humorous story of several lives in 1930's New York City, scored with "Rhapsody in Blue." Following is a musical telling of the fairy tale, "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" set to Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2. Then a goofy flamingo causes havoc in his flock with his yo-yo to the tune of the finale of "Carnival of the Animals." This is followed by the classic sequence from the original film, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" starring Mickey Mouse and followed by "Pomp and Circumstance" starring Donald Duck as a harried assistant to Noah on his Ark. Finally, we see the awesome tale of the life, death, and renewal of a forest in a sequence ... Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@home.com>
I watched this one way more than the original as a kid. I never owned it, but my family must have rented it a dozen times. I kind of know the shorts like the back of my hand, so its hard to remain objective - not that I have too much nostalgia, but it just isn't as good after the twentieth viewing. :P
Whenever Fantasia 2000 exceeds or disappoints compared to the original depends on your tastes, and the mood you're in when you watch them. While they share the same structure, they're quite different movies. The first was uniform in art style, with mostly abstract tales. The shorts in 2000 vary greatly in style, and most do have a concrete narrative. Animation has also changed drastically through the decades, so 2000 feels distinctly modern.
I'd say Fantasia is the more beautiful, timeless of the two. But better? Well...I also like Fantasia 2000's energy, its variety, its attempts to portray character and plot without words as well as atmosphere. I'd love to call Fantasia my favorite animated film of all time...but its a slow, long sit. 2000 is more immediately entertaining, and is significantly shorter to boot.
Two notable flaws - A. The comedians between segments weren't that funny. B. They latched on "Sorcerer's Apprentice" for nostalgia's sake. They're not enough to effect the rating, though.
I don't know which is better. I think they're about equal. 2000 is a fine follow-up. Perfect? No. But its an enjoyable collection of animation. After rewatching it recently, I was still pleased. Even if you think it doesn't have a chance to capture the majesty of the first, its quality and originality make it an important movie for animation buffs to see at least once.