Was on a roll five years ago watching Russian fantasy/fairy-tale/folk-tale films, animated and live action (Russian film also overall regardless of genre). Decided to do it again recently, remembering with fondness the feelings felt in my viewings five years ago where misfires actually were few and wanting to replicate them. Realised too that there was much more to see than the ones already seen (a great many actually), those of which not seen already due to having no knowledge of their existence until recently.
'Vasilisa the Beautiful' may not be among the best Russian fantasy/fairy-tale/folk-tale films seen, but only there are so many around and a lot so great so the competition is a big one. It does however have more than enough to show why these films appeal to me and has many of the qualities that make even better similar films as pleasurable as they are. 'Vasilisa the Beautiful' is a strange film, though more in its tone and atmosphere rather than it not making sense. It is also though a beautiful one with a lot of charm and imagination, for early Russian fantasy it is overall a winner.
Occasionally 'Vasilisa the Beautiful' is a little crude and lacking in finesse visually, like in some transitions and effects.
Baba Yaga is also a little over-the-top in places from personal opinion.
However, much of the time 'Vasilisa the Beautiful' is a lovely film to look at, the scenery makes one wish you were there or give you the want to book a trip to Russia and the film is beautifully shot as well. The special effects mostly have a sense of wonder and are generally quite impressive for so early on. It is very easy to be taken by the music score as well, because it does have a sense of fantasy and adventure, it sounds very Russian in its tone and its nationalistic feel, it is lusciously orchestrated and sometimes even sounds like a tone poem with a unique structure and interesting featuring of the theremin.
The writing is well-incorporated within the story and sounds generally natural and sincerely delivered. The story is a magical one, even if on the typical side, it unfolds beautifully, isn't hard to follow (pretty straight-forward actually) and the charm and wonder doesn't stop. It does move slowly particularly in the middle, but that is not always a bad thing, if anything it gave the story a sense of freedom, time to breathe and allowed us to become invested in the characters and story. The characters all engage, with a likeable titular character and hero and Baba Yaga is very memorable, sometimes on the broadly over-the-top but more often than not grotesquely sinister. They are fairy-tale clichés certainly but that is not to be taken as a bad thing. The acting is decent enough and appropriate for the characters if not anything to be mind blown by. Valentina Sorogozhskaya comes off best.
All in all, lovely film. 8/10 Bethany Cox
