Absolutely Fantastic

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

One obviously has to overlook Disney's lack of conformity to the Victor Hugo novel in the retelling of this tale about the Hunchback of Notre Dame. But the basics are there, put in animated form to make it more appealing to a younger viewing audience. I guess I would question whether this would have been a suitable subject for a Disney project but it appears to work for the most part. The principal message of course is to not judge a person based on appearances but for their inherent humanity and principled character. Unlike a lot of viewers on this board, I didn't mind the introduction of the gargoyle characters as they added an element of humor and whimsy to the story. What would a Disney animated feature be without it? Of the theatrical versions of the Hunchback, I'd cite the 1939 film with Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara as the best adaptation, although the 1923 silent film with Lon Chaney does have it's merits. In the animated version here, one doesn't experience the everyday squalor of Parisian city life that forms the backdrop of Quasimodo's quest for dignity, and how he found solace in the ringing of the church bells. But then again, younger viewers probably aren't ready for that kind of a message, and the one they get with this film might be considered a good stepping stone to experience the earlier dramatic versions.

One of the few Disney films I can watch over and over. The voice talents are fabulous, the songs are written and sound spectacular. A very dark/ thrilling children's film with so much sexual attraction that you may not notice as a child, but as an adult watching you catch some of the inappropriateness that this film has. And that's okay. Aside from Jane and Megara, Esmeralda is drawn with so much beauty. She looks so real as opposed to the various characters we see in these films that look unrealistic.

Let me just start off by saying WOW! This is easily the most mature work by Disney ever to be put to the big screen. Where do I start! Frollo is simply one of the most cruel and frightening Disney villains ever. And his motivations are still so painfully realistic! A personal experience of mine was early in the movie when the interaction between Frollo and Quasimodo really scared me. It does not happen that often, but here it was intense. Just like, let's say, when Mufasa was found by Simba. Esmeralda, voiced by the feisty Demi Moore, is also a really underrated female character in the Disney catalog. She is truly an independent woman with a great heart and a mission to complete and she perfectly teams up with Quasimodo who is also a great character with a great and tender voice performance by Tom Hulce from Amadeus. The music is also a wonderful mix of bombastic orchestral musical numbers with immense choirs and fine sensitive ballads. Nothing more to say than just fantastic (exept one, but more of that later). The visual aspect of the movie is also astonishing to watch. Especially the Cathedral of Notre Dame, both inside and outside and during most of the majestic climax with swooping angles and gigantic epic scope. And the one major problem I have with this movie: those gargoyles are a pain in the butt throughout the whole movie. They could be justified and even add a little bit to the overall tone of the movie if they were truly a figment of Quasimodo's imagination. It could be a great addition to his tragic backstory of being isolated in the belltower for so long. But several times during the movie they reveal themselves as living creatures which ruins the otherwise justifiable perspective of them. Their musical number is not of equal greatness of the musical numbers and was awkwardly placed in the movie. But there is enough great stuff in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame to make up for those annoying attempts at comic sidekicks. I simply can't give less than 10/10 for Disney to make such a dark and serious movie adressing such heavy subject matters.

***CONTAINS SPOILERS***The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Disney's darkest stories. There are traditional Disney elements to prevent it from being too dark, such as the comedy sidekicks and funny animals. It has a silly show number in the middle that is out of place. The traditional elements actually end up hurting the overall picture. The straight to video sequel goes even further with the traditional elements, making a very much weaker picture. They are a touch of comedy in a serious more adult picture.What sets this one apart from other Disney films is that the movie is more adult in its themes. The film deals with many heavy themes such as, religious fanaticism, sexual desire, racism, and social norms. The songs are mostly serious, not the normal sing-a-long type of Disney song. Hellfire is an amazing serious, dark Disney song. The film does not take place in a beautiful kingdom, but instead in a poverty stricken Paris. Our female lead is not a princess, but a commoner. Our hero is not handsome, and doesn't get the girl. Then there is our villain Frollo.Frollo, in my opinion is Disney's most sinister villain; he makes no jokes, nor is he silly. Frollo brings no comedy to the picture; he is not played as a fool or coward. Frollo is fearsome, and a character that seems very real. Voiced by the late great Tony Jay, Frollo embodies the idea of religious fanaticism. He is so blinded by his beliefs; he does not question any of his beliefs. Frollo is so determined to save his city he that he is willing to first destroy it, he will even attempt destroy Norte Dame. Frollo is beyond the foolish and silly Disney villains (Captian Hook/ King John/ even Cruella DeVille), he is in a class alone. He is a man of hatred and violence that should chill even the oldest viewer. The film is so well made it is sad it is not seen as up to the standards to its fellow Disney pictures of the time. The film is forgotten because it is ugly. Our hero is seen as grotesque, the city is dirty, and many of the scenes are darker in color. But really what makes this film ugly is it deals with the ugliness of humanity. We see the cruelty and violence of man. No other Disney picture deals with such adult themes and darkness. It is a great film that should be seen, don't turn away from the ugliness, but understand it. This is Disney's dark gem, but a gem all the same.