Hey folks, Harry here. You may have been lucky enough to see the enormous lobby displays for FANTASIA 2000, here in Austin, it's displayed in all it's giganticness at the Cinemark BartonCreek.... but man... To see this trailer huge.... I bet it's impressive as hell. Well, let's hand it over to Big Tex....
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRAILER
Harry, I don't know if you've seen this or not - but if you haven't, get in the car - get on I-35 north and go to Dallas because you HAVE to see this. Go to the State Fair, grab a Corny Dog and a Turkey Leg and go see the IMAX Fantasia 2000 Trailer.
Tonight, I got to see it and it is astounding ! The film has definitely jumped to the top of my 'passionate to see' list for at least the next few months. Remember how everyone was jazzed that 'Prince of Egypt' was going to be the next step in Animation because of the preview shots of the Parting of the Red Sea ? This preview is filled with that times ten !!!
If there was any quibble, it was that the Imax really put you ( I thought) a little too much into the action. It was a bit disorienting. But that was a minor, minor quibble if they have achieved what it appears they have achieved.
The Preview starts off with a small old black and white tv shot of Walt explaining his plans of the original Fantasia, then Roy (? - the brother, Roy, right ?) Disney comes on and explains that his brother had always wanted Fantasia to be continuing and changing. They then show a clip of Sorcerer's Apprentice (still small) and when Mickey calls the waves up, they suddenly fill the entire screen.
Each of the segments was highlighted with (from what I could recognize) music from Pomp and Circumstance, Beethoven's 5th, Rhapsody in Blue, and The Firebird.
Note- although it alludes to the fact that The Sorceror's Apprentice is the ONLY returning segment ( I miss Dance of the Hours, dammit) - there is a quick shot from The Nutcracker of a spiderweb in the dew.
These are first impressions (which are nothing but first impressions- could be completely off the mark) minor, minor spoilers ahead - It's all so abstract- I don't know if you could really spoil anything.
1- Beethoven's 5th - only a couple of interesting abstract shots - some colors falling like water across a landscape and some abstract triangles playing like butterflies
2- The Steadfast Tin Soldier - This was the segment I was least looking forward to, but I think it may be a sleeper. The character animation, especially in the faces, is incredible and amazingly heartbraking (especially for seeing maybe 3 seconds of it)
3 - Sorcerer's Apprentice - you know the drill already ( I will really miss Dance of the Hours)
4 - Carnival of the Animals - This one I'm not too sure of - lots of bright colors and fanciful animals. The brightness was more abrasive in IMAX for this segment than the lushness of the other sections. This one could either be another Dance of the Hours or, God forbid, Pastoral Symphony.
5 - Rhapsody in Blue - This is one where the kids will squirm, but it looks fascinating. An Al Hirschfield type view of New York in the early twentieth century. Abstract color and character design. Looks more like a twentieth century art work animated than anything I've ever seen before.
6 - Pomp and Circumstance - Couldn't tell much more than the basic idea which is a winner - Donald Duck is Noah's assistant getting the animals on the Ark. ( I was surprised that they didn't show more of this segment)
7 - Pines of Rome - WHALES !!!! You can tell from the preview where Disney thinks the audience is going to leave their hearts and minds and that is on the whales. Gorgeous - astounding - the shots are breathtaking. (note - I had heard this was computer animated - it looked like conventional animation to me - but I was wetting my pants with excitement at the time which could've caused my mistake). There is one 'money shot' at the end of the trailer of two whales jumping up and into the ocean while a third in the background is doing a somersault in the air that brought tears to my eyes.
8 - The Firebird. I originally was against changing the Night on Bald Mountain / Ave Maria ending because I think it is such an integral part of Fantasia. But, again -this appears freaking astounding ! I don't know much of the story about the Firebird that this was taken from. The glowing red Firebird portion was showed very brief and not in much detail. There is, however, another portion with this green tinted goddess rising up from a forest (?) that had some of the most beautiful animation I have ever seen. One shot in particular took my breath away - an explosion of flowers as she rose from the ground.
This is going to be wonderful, ground breaking stuff. 2 notes 1 - I read a rumor that Disney is thinking of not releasing this in 35mm. I think that's a mistake - a lot of the audience miss out on what might be such an incredible piece of art and film. Also, a lot of Imax theatres(esp. the ones in museums) are uncomfortable for movies that last more than an hour or so. Especially for ones like this where there are going to be a lot of kids who are going to be squirming and getting up and wanting to go to the bathroom because some of the segments are over their heads.
2- These IMAX Theatre owners better get ready because much like 2001: A Space Odyssey thirty years ago, a lot of people are going to be indulging in their favorite mind altering substance before and during this film. This is going to be the biggest 'Trip' film in a long, long time. If you ever wanted to meet up with your stoner friends from High School - here's the place to do it.
It's incredible - I can't wait. The trailer just by itself is the third best movie I've seen this year (after American Beauty and Election)
Just call me Big Tex.
