I've always been a fan of cartoons and as most kids, I used to watch a lot them during my childhood. But when it came to full-length features, it was always those from Disney which appealed to me. Don Bluth's and other full-length features from other studios appeared as cold, generic and lifeless to me. But with "The Swan Princess", the story is another one. The previews of the film looked actually quite promising and the film certainly didn't disappoint when I finally saw it and it's undoubtedly one of the best non-Disney hand drawn films – at least from the 90's.
"The Swan Princess" has the same tone and feel of Disney film and the lighter moments does resembles the lighter tone from "Beauty and the Beast" (without the deep love story and dark undertones). Even the enjoyable songs are Broadway-inspired and sounds like they could appeared in a Disney film. Although this film is not equal to Disney's very best, it still come as very close.
The main plot may be a conventional fairytale, but it does have a twist; It's a normal component that the Prince and the Princess falls in love with first sight without further question, but in this film the Princess literally asks her Prince if her beauty is the only reason for loving her. A quite refreshing twist and actually a more realistic plot point, which is nice for the kids to see.
"Swan Princess" actually does have a bunch of enjoyable characters. Derek and Odette may not be the most memorable protagonists in a animated feature, but are likable and engaging enough and portrays at least more personality than the Disney Princes and Princesses from Walt's films (pre-90's). The sorcerer Rothbart may not surpass the Disney villains, but he's passable enough. The most memorable characters are - just as with the Disney flicks - the sidekick characters, especially the turtle Speed and the bird Puffin (Jean-Bob was just too self-centered and annoying for my taste). Even the minor characters as Queen Uberta, the conductor Lord Rogers and Prince Derek's friend, Bromley, are quite likable.
The animation may not live up to Disney standards, but it's still nice-looking. The score of Lex de Azevedo isn't' despicable, either. Otherwise, if there should be any complains about "The Swan Princess", it would be that the film lacks overall the depth that the Disney movies usually have. The screenplay is mostly solid, but does have a few plot holes now and then. In spite of the refreshing plot point about love shouldn't just be all about appearance, the love story between Derek and Odette comes off as contrived and underdeveloped. And in the end, it's up to the Prince to save the day. Considering that this flick was made in the 90's, it could had a more original climax.
But the mentioned "issues" are just quibbling, since besides that, "The Swan Princess" is a cute and enjoyable cartoon. So if you want to see a enjoyable non Disney-cartoon, "Swan Princess" is definitely worth a watch.
"The Swan Princess" has the same tone and feel of Disney film and the lighter moments does resembles the lighter tone from "Beauty and the Beast" (without the deep love story and dark undertones). Even the enjoyable songs are Broadway-inspired and sounds like they could appeared in a Disney film. Although this film is not equal to Disney's very best, it still come as very close.
The main plot may be a conventional fairytale, but it does have a twist; It's a normal component that the Prince and the Princess falls in love with first sight without further question, but in this film the Princess literally asks her Prince if her beauty is the only reason for loving her. A quite refreshing twist and actually a more realistic plot point, which is nice for the kids to see.
"Swan Princess" actually does have a bunch of enjoyable characters. Derek and Odette may not be the most memorable protagonists in a animated feature, but are likable and engaging enough and portrays at least more personality than the Disney Princes and Princesses from Walt's films (pre-90's). The sorcerer Rothbart may not surpass the Disney villains, but he's passable enough. The most memorable characters are - just as with the Disney flicks - the sidekick characters, especially the turtle Speed and the bird Puffin (Jean-Bob was just too self-centered and annoying for my taste). Even the minor characters as Queen Uberta, the conductor Lord Rogers and Prince Derek's friend, Bromley, are quite likable.
The animation may not live up to Disney standards, but it's still nice-looking. The score of Lex de Azevedo isn't' despicable, either. Otherwise, if there should be any complains about "The Swan Princess", it would be that the film lacks overall the depth that the Disney movies usually have. The screenplay is mostly solid, but does have a few plot holes now and then. In spite of the refreshing plot point about love shouldn't just be all about appearance, the love story between Derek and Odette comes off as contrived and underdeveloped. And in the end, it's up to the Prince to save the day. Considering that this flick was made in the 90's, it could had a more original climax.
But the mentioned "issues" are just quibbling, since besides that, "The Swan Princess" is a cute and enjoyable cartoon. So if you want to see a enjoyable non Disney-cartoon, "Swan Princess" is definitely worth a watch.