Fantasia 2000 -- The original ranks among the best animated
movies of all time, so any attempt to duplicate it has to meet a
very high standard. This doesn't quite do it, although it
sometimes comes very close.
The flaws in this are not too great, but they were annoying.
The introductions veered strongly away from the music and instead
were cameos from famous actors (Steve Martin, Bette Midler, et al.)
whose connection was not at all apparent. Perhaps Disney felt we
needed the star power to get people into their seats, although I
have no idea why.
A more personal objection comes from the orchestra itself. I
grew up listening to the late-Ormandy era of the Philadelphia
Orchestra, which continued the lush strings from the Stokowski
era of the original Fantasia. The Chicago Symphony seemed too
brassy for my taste.
The 8 pieces recycle the original Mickey Mouse as Sorceror's
Apprentice from the original, while the others are all new. The
greatest successes were the Shostokovich Piano Concerto No. 2
with a Little Tin Soldier-ballerina romance and Stravinsky's
Firebird.
Totally enjoyable, but just not as good as the first. 3 1/2
planets (out of 4)
