Ariel-28 Reviews

The Hunchback (1997 TV Movie)

An interesting version.

[8/10 · 3 November 2001]

This version of the Victor Hugo story was good as a whole. Quasimodo wasn't particularly ugly, and it was amazing that he had read so much. Esmeralda was sweet, and it was no wonder she rejected Frollo since he looked very old and was far from attractive. However, at the beginning he really wanted to protect Quasimodo.

I was surprised that the art of printing books was so important in the film. It was incredible that Frollo was even ready to kill the King's minister rather than to let the people have books!

The public humiliation of Quasimodo and Esmeralda was shocking. It was touching that Esmeralda tried to appeal the King for the bellringer. I was very delighted that those two became friends, and again, it deeply touched me to hear Quasimodo talk about his appearance.

I had never before seen a version in which Quasimodo addressed Frollo as his father. He wanted to get him to confess his crime, but still, he tried to save him from death. And he was even strong enough to defy his guardian when he said: "You are a freak."

At the end, it was touching to see Esmeralda ring the bells for Quasimodo - at least, he was happy at the moment of his death.

Babe (1995)

Fun and moving

[9/10 · 9 September 2001]

BABE is a really well-done family film, suitable for all who are fond of animals. The characters are lovable and credible, and the dialogue is really good. Babe is so friendly and polite that any of the animals can't help liking him, and Fly gives him good advice. I also understand why Rex is cross when Fly tells Babe about the flood accident. It's also good that even Babe can be furious when he needs to defend the sheep against the "wolves". And it's quite incredible that Babe - a pig! - wins the great sheepdog competition! A really good film, no doubt!

King Kong (1933)

Beauty and the Beast?

[7/10 · 16 May 2001]

I wanted to see King Kong because I have just read a book on researching real gorillas. Of course, King Kong is a fantasy film, but in any case I was curious to see if Kong behaves somehow similarly to real gorillas - and I noticed his breast-pounding!

As a story, King Kong is an interesting version of "Beauty and the Beast" to which there are quite a lot of references in the discussions of the characters. However, the contrast between Ann and Kong is almost too big: think about if a man really could hold his sweetheart in his hand! And Ann was screaming too much, although Kong was indeed a bit frightening because he was so huge.

I rather pitied Kong when he was in chains and thousands of people came to stare at him. But it was incredible how he could cause such destruction in New York.

In fact I realised only in the Empire State Building scene that Kong was in love with Ann, for he protected her not to fall down when the planes were flying right above them, and when he himself couldn't avoid his fate any longer he first made sure that Ann was safe. However, I think it was quite tactless for Denham to say at the end that "it was Beauty who killed the Beast".

At least I will remember all my life how Empire State Building looks, although I would never have the possibility to go to see it!

War Against the Indians (1993)

An excellent document on the Indian history.

[9/10 · 10 March 2001]

WAR AGAINST THE INDIANS is a really well-made documentary film. The sceneries are fascinating. I especially like all the interviewed people being Native Americans.

Best of all is that the film includes so much traditional Native American wisdom about respect to everything that's alive, about the collective ownership of land and about people being part of land. I even recognised the fragment of Chief Seattle's speech.

It was really touching to hear the Indians tell about the boarding-schools where the Whites wanted to assimilate them and they were even sexually abused. After all that it was abating to notice how important it was for many of them to be Indians.

Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001 Video)

Nice film...

[8/10 · 3 March 2001]

Lady and the Tramp II is very colourfully animated, and the songs, especially that of the Junkyard Dogs, are quite good. However, the family seems even too idyllic, and I can't help understanding that Scamp is discontented when everything is forbidden. However, I also pity Angel who never has had a loving family until she meets Jim dear and Darling.

In any case, it's clear that the original Lady and the Tramp is better than this sequel.

102 Dalmatians (2000)

The dogs were sweet, and Cruella was effective once again.

[7/10 · 18 February 2001]

I noticed at once that this movie really wasn't based on Dodie Smith's novel. In any case, it was a nice idea that Pongo and Perdita's son now had his own puppies. The cutest of the Dalmatians was, of course, little Snowball who was completely spotless till the very end of the film.

To be honest, I didn't know what to think when Cruella de Vil seemed to have changed completely kind. In fact I have often thought about the possibility that she could become friendly, but now that she so quickly changed into "herself" again and announced that she was Cruella once more, I almost began to be really worried about Chloe's Dalmatians.

Actually, the scene in which the puppies watched Lady and the Tramp while Chloe and Kevin had their dinner, was much better than I had expected. I also was fond of the parrot who played to be a dog, and it was incredible that the dogs had learned so many tricks for this movie.

Of course I was content that at the end the Dalmatians were saved again, but I would have liked to know what was going to happen to Cruella after she had lost her whole property. And what on earth could the dogs' home do with such a huge sum of money?

Finally, it was quite touching that Snowball also had spots at the very end of the film.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000 Video)

Not a bad film.

[8/10 · 19 December 2000]

Hardly ever have I seen a really disappointing Disney film, and The Little Mermaid II isn't an exception. The story is beautiful, although I thought all the time that Ariel and Eric had made a mistake in not telling little Melody that her mother had originally been a mermaid. The animation was also very good.

I liked Ariel and little Melody, but Morgana and Triton were the best of the characters. I was delighted that Triton was not as strict as in the first movie, and I have always liked wicked woman characters like Morgana. But, of course, I was glad that she was finally destroyed.

In any case, I'm quite sure that H.C. Andersen would not have been very content with this sequel, because his original fairytale was meant to be very sad. I even paid attention to that neither in the first film nor in the sequel have Ariel or Melody any pains while walking on their feet - namely, Andersen tells that every step the little mermaid takes is hurting her as if she was stepping on an edge of a knife.

Anastasia (1997)

Rasputin is once again a really frightening character.

[6/10 · 19 September 2000]

Of course, Anastasia can't challenge the Disney films, but it has very beautiful animation and especially good songs. The nicest of the characters are of course Anastasia herself and Dimitri - I was delighted that he finally was honest. But it was the really horrible Rasputin who made the best influence on me! I also especially liked the Widow Empress.

In any case, I know the film is not very faithful to historical facts.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (I) (1923)

The good old story, surprisingly easy to follow.

[9/10 · 27 August 2000]

This is the first long silent film I have ever seen, and it was much easier to follow than I had expected. How nice it is that we still have the chance to watch the old silent films!

The acting was really superb. Quasimodo and Esmeralda looked again very similar to the characters of the Dieterle version, and it was quite incredible how Lon Chaney could so easily climb up and down on the Cathedral walls with his huge hump. I was also content with Sister Gudule having her own part in this film.

In fact I was quite amazed that it was Jehan, not dom Claude who had lust for Esmeralda. It's also strange that Captain Phoebus could change so much that he really cared for the girl. Once again, I pitied Quasimodo who died after seeing the girl of his dreams embracing another man.

Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Fossey is an example of courage and faithfulness to her work.

[8/10 · 26 August 2000]

The movie was really touching. I'm sure no-one who has seen it can accept gorilla hunting.

Dian Fossey whom Sigourney Weaver played extremely well is an excellent example to all those studying and protecting wild animals. It's quite incredible that someone can befriend gorillas so that they hold her hand and climb sitting on her! Sigourney Weaver was very lucky to have the role of Dian.

Although most of the poachers were African I don't find the movie really racistic, and in fact there were no real villains in the story. However, it was truly horrible that the poachers took the heads and hands of the gorillas and imprisoned the baby female.

The end of the movie was shocking, but it was really honourable for Dian Fossey to give her life for the gorillas.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982 TV Movie)

Almost completely like the novel.

[9/10 · 16 May 2000]

This movie version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is superbly similar to the Hugo novel. Quasimodo looks exactly like it's told in the book, he is almost deaf, and in this movie we see yet another "little Esmeralda", who reminds us of the dancer in the Dieterle version.

I was quite surprised that even Frollo is rather good to Quasimodo - just like in the novel - but when he already at the beginning started to show his passion for Esmeralda, I knew that he is just like he must be. Honestly, I couldn't only hate him because he later seemed to be quite unhappy of being "bewitched" and that Esmeralda refused to answer to his feelings.

I was especially shocked that the film had even the torture scene of Esmeralda. Captain Phoebus, too, was surprisingly similar to the character of the book, and it was good that Gringoire tried to warn Esmeralda about him. It was also really moving to hear Quasimodo talk about his own ugliness.

The only thing I was a little disappointed in was the end; although it doesn't belong to the novel, I had started to hope that Esmeralda could see the truth about Quasimodo.

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

A superb Bible film

[9/10 · 15 May 2000]

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is an excellent interpretation of the well-known Bible story. It really touched my heart to follow the suffering of the Hebrew. Instead, the playing of Moses and Rameses was funny. The music also made a great influence on me. And it was really terrible to see all the water turning to blood and the little son of the new Pharaoh dying. However, Moses was quite right when he said that realms are not built with slave blood, and so I was very content that the Hebrew finally were allowed to get their freedom back.

The Black Cauldron (1985)

The only Disney film that was a real disappointment to me.

[3/10 · 7 May 2000]

When I saw THE BLACK CAULDRON I didn't know the original story at all, and not later either have I read the book, although I don't find the story completely miserable. However, I must confess that in fact the legend at the very beginning was the best part of the film. Of course I liked Taran and the pig, and Princess Elena was beautiful, but I was quite shocked when I noticed that there was not a single song in the whole film! For very often it's just the music that makes the Disney films so lovable!

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Never have I loved any story like this one!

[10/10 · 29 January 2000]

101 Dalmatians is, no doubt, my all-time favourite story and also one of the greatest films I have ever seen. When I was small, I never got tired to listen to or to read the story, and because of thinking especially much about Cruella de Vil I very early noticed that in fact I like wicked characters. But, of course, the unforgettable dogs are best in the film. Because of this story I have loved real Dalmatians all my life and also thought that only the names of the film's dog figures are really suitable for Dalmatians. I have also read Dodie Smith's original story, and I was really glad that it's so much like the Disney film.

Tommy and the Wildcat (1998)

The most beautiful nature film I have ever seen

[10/10 · 26 December 1999]

The film is quite incredible. It's really touching to see Tomi following his mother and calling her at the very beginning.

The attitudes of the villagers get me think what I really have read about the hatred towards the beasts of prey. I myself want to defend them just like Tomi, his father and Helena, but I was quite disappointed that Leevi only kills his preys and doesn't eat them. However, he really isn't just a sweet little cat but a real predator, and that's why I especially like him.

The poacher is quite an unpleasant character, but it's good that Tomi's uncle changes his attitudes and behavior after the boy has heard the truth about him. And even Haapala is OK at the very end.

The nature shown in the film is especially beautiful, and I am also content with the music. However, the best in the film was no doubt the friendship between Tomi and Leevi.

I have also seen the document of how the film had been done. All of the actors, especially Konsta Hietanen and Väinö were really superb, but I must say that all the lynxes were far too tame - in any case, they ARE beasts of prey, and that's what they should be.

Tarzan (1999)

This IS a real Tarzan!

[10/10 · 18 December 1999]

I have read only the first of the Tarzan novels, and I must say that in fact I liked the Disney movie much more than it. Firstly, the filmmakers had changed the story so that Sabor (notice, the leopard, not the lioness) was the enemy of little Tarzan's family. I was really excited while she chased Kala and Tarzan. Kala is certainly the most tender and caring mother figure ever in the Disney films.

It's a really excellent solution from Disney that Tarzan himself gets to know what it means to be different. It's also excellent that he moves like a gorilla and doesn't learn to speak human language perfectly. Finally the apes, even Kerchak, are ready to accept him as one of them, and it's good that he doesn't kill Kerchak like in the book.

The meeting of Tarzan and Jane is one of the finest scenes in the movie. I was especially delighted when they both repeated each other's names - for I had been really amazed and disappointed that the famous words "me Tarzan, you Jane" failed from the novel. It's quite incredible to see the future lovers fly from tree to tree!

Clayton is quite unbearable. I was really shocked when he had the gorillas imprisoned and yet tried to shoot Tarzan! His death was really the only good solution to the situation.

The end is also the only to be possible. The film would not have been a real Tarzan story if Jane and Tarzan hadn't stayed together.

Beauty and the Beast (1946)

A version near the original fairytale

[9/10 · 4 December 1999]

I was very pleased with this film. It's good that it follows the original fairytale very faithfully - for example, Belle has sisters and her father is going to take a rose from the Beast's garden to give it to her.

First, living in the castle, Belle is rather scared of the Beast, which is understandable. I was quite surprised that the Beast gets so straight to the point asking very soon the unforgettable question: "Belle, do you want to be my wife?" (I have seen the film only in French, so I don't know exactly how this should be translated into English.)

The fairytale is beautiful, and I liked the film as a whole very much. However, I must say that if I myself could get familiar with that kind of a beast-man, I would like him more if he really looked like a beast - like in the Disney film - instead of having only beast-like face.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998 Video)

The film was quite exciting...

[7/10 · 26 November 1999]

I was really surprised that Simba's child was a daughter, but it was a very good choice from Disney, because if he had had a son, the battle between the Pridelands and Outlands lions would have lasted forever. Especially the relationship between Simba and Kiara is beautiful, just like a father-daughter-relationship should be.

Zira is quite a frightening character, just a classic type of a really cruel female figure.

Yes, the film is worthy watching, but of course not equally well as the original.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

Quasimodo looks just like in the novel.

[9/10 · 26 November 1999]

This version of the Victor Hugo novel is good, but in fact it doesn't follow the original text as faithfully as it could. For example, it's not Frollo himself but his brother who is the archdeacon. But Esmeralda is just the sweet little gypsy girl from the novel, and Quasimodo, who, what a pity, IS really ugly, looks just like I imagine he would have looked if he had really existed. Frollo, instead, could have been much more disgusting.

I must say that as a whole the film made a deep influence on me, but I was really disappointed in the end. Of course it's OK that Quasimodo didn't get Esmeralda and Esmeralda didn't get Phoebus - but of course, if you think about the novel, both the bell-ringer and the gypsy girl should have died!

The Man in the Iron Mask (I) (1998)

The film makes a great influence.

[10/10 · 8 August 1999]

THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK is a really excellent movie. I was quite upset to see Philippe in the dungeon wearing that horrible mask! And it's hard to understand how King Louis can be so selfish although his people is starving. I must say that the story could never have a greater end, for no other punishment would be enough to the King!

The acting is also very good. I like the old musketeers, especially d'Artagnan, and Queen Mother Anne is sympathetic.

Othello (1995)

Good, but maybe too erotic.

[8/10 · 21 June 1999]

I was especially delighted that in this movie Othello himself was dark-skinned and Desdemona didn't have fair hair like almost always. The cast played very well, too, and I liked the script following Shakespeare's original text so faithfully. But I must say some scenes were acted too erotically for such a character as Desdemona. I have always thought she is very modest, and that's why it is not proper at all to show her in bed with Cassio - although it was happening only in Othello's imagination. At first, I was a little surprised even that a love scene between Othello and Desdemona was shown so openly. But as a whole, I liked the film and especially Desdemona crying in the dying scene.

Othello (1951)

The film is not excellent, but good.

[7/10 · 21 June 1999]

I know the Shakespearian play very well and was delighted to see a movie version. The actors are good, especially Iago, and little Desdemona is very sweet - but I had always thought that she should have dark hair. Orson Welles expresses Othello's fury and jealousy especially well, but I think Desdemona should always speak in a very delicate voice - in this movie she may even shout. And I couldn't understand why she didn't cry when Othello said she had no more lifetime left - after all, she is "little Desdemona". However, the film is quite good, especially the beginning in which the men carry the dead Othello and Iago sees it from the cage.

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

No doubt, this is the best animated feature ever made.

[10/10 · 11 June 1999]

I'm sure everyone who has seen BEAUTY AND THE BEAST can say only good about it as a movie. For example, think about the staff's show during the song "Be Our Guest" - it's quite incredible! And if someone thinks Alan Menken can't make good music he should hear all these songs. I like Belle because she loves reading and doesn't want to marry Gaston, that stupid boaster who doesn't have any manners. I really can't bear the scene in which Gaston "helps Maurice out" of the tavern. When I saw the film for the first time, I had to confess that hearing the Beast's voice really frightened me although I knew no-one needs to be afraid of him. However, I have always liked "The Mob Song". The story is beautiful, too. Belle is and intelligent and friendly girl who teaches the Beast kindness and patience. But once he gets really angry with her, and that's no wonder; think about what would have happened if the rose had snapped!

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997 Video)

Excellent to see the original transformation!

[8/10 · 5 June 1999]

When I first heard that a sequel to BATB was to come, I was surprised: how is it possible that the Prince is the Beast again? But when I saw the film, I found it quite good - it was nice to see something new happening in the castle. And I liked the "nature of a beast" which the enchanted Prince seemed to have more than in the original story. I must confess that Forte was really frightening! And the best in the whole movie was the coming of the Enchantress and the transformation of the Prince into the Beast. Yes, I really liked the film very much.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

I think the film is quite excellent.

[10/10 · 2 June 1999]

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME made an incredible influence on me. I find "little Quasimodo" quite adorable, I deeply respect Esmeralda and Phoebus, and Frollo is the only Disney character I really hate. I have also read the novel, but in fact I prefer this movie. The music is beautiful, especially Esmeralda's prayer, and in fact Frollo's "Hellfire" is quite fine, but it really isn't for the smallest children. I really would like to know what my real gypsy friends would think about the film - I almost shudder of fury while listening to Frollo's disgusting opinions! But the only thing I don't find good in the movie is that Esmeralda can't love Quasi. If Disney ever makes a continuing part to HUNCHBACK, Quasi must either find a girl of his own - or die.