Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I__ Disney revisits 'Fantasia' by Ruth Nettles Gamecock Critic Think back to the movies you saw as a kid Adorable deer, dogs eating spaghetti, searching for Big Bird... And then there was that one with no words, only classical music and animated images that made you wonder what kind of connections Dis ney had to Colombian drug cartels. As the opening to “Fan tasia” explains, the original corjcept for the movie was that it would be an ever changing piece. Segments would be added and taken away over the years so that you would never see the same “Fantasia” twice. In 1940, Walt pisney created the orig inal “fantasia” on that premise and insisted it only be shown in his new “Fantasound,” an assembly of 64 speakers that was America’s first experience of modem surround sound. Unfortunately, most theaters were feeling the oncoming war and weren’t interested in frills like Fantasound and refused to have it installed. Now, 30 years after Disney’s death, his nephew Roy has resurrected his crushed dream as “Fantasia/2000”. If you haven’t heard much about “Fantasia/2000” yet, you’re prob ably wondering why you haven’t seen it in the local listings. It’s because Roy Disney went beyond the idea of Fanta-* sound and had “Fantasia/2000” produced in IMAX, the movie format that uses a screen up to eight stories high and many more than Walt’s 64 speakers. The only segment remaining from the original “Fantasia” is the popular “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment with Mick ey, dancing brooms and a small flood. The section went through a degraining process to be suitable for IMAX, but it still looks old. Not that that’s bad - it’s a reminder of the “Fantasia” concept. The rest of the segments range from enter taining to a drug-free acid trip. (Don’t be frightened 6y the shower scene with Mick ey and Donald.) In the beginning seg ment of “Fantasia/2000,” pairs of triangles that some what resemble butterflies concerned me. I hadn’t seen the original “Fantasia” in many years, but I didn’t re member it being quite as sil ly as evil-looking triangles chasing pastel triangles to the tune of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Fortunately, it improves from there. The segments are introduced by a wide range of hosts. Where else are you going to see Steve Martin, Bette Mi dler, James Levine, Itzhak Perlman, James Earl Jones, An gela Lansbury, Quincy Jones and Penn & Teller all in the same movie? Some of the introductions are enjoyable. Others seem a little forced. But they aren’t the important part of the “Fan tasia” experience. Unless, of course, you’ve always dreamed of seeing Steve Martin so laige you could fit inside one of his vort almost everywhere but in the ocean. Gershwin’s much-overplayed “Rhapsody in Blue” is paired with animation inspired by car icaturist A1 Hirschfield. Per sonally, I still think of airline commercials when I hear that music. I did enjoy the story told in this piece that began with one small drawing, the outline of New York (think “Frasier” opening), and then followed several New Yorkers through their day to the relieving end . Just after you ’ ve relived your first “Fantasia” experience with the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” piece, Donald and Daisy take the screen to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” in a combination love story/Noah’s Ark retelling. Try not to think too much about graduation when you see it. And if you watch the animals boarding the ark and say “But where are the flamingos!?”, just wait until the next scene. It’s an en tertaining combination of Saint-Saens’ “Canjival of the Ani mals” and flamingoes w’ith yo-yos. One other familiar story is offered in Disney’s concept of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tm Soldier” to the tune of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Many people, however, have found a favorite segment in the closing piece. Stravinsky’s beautiful “Firebird Suite” is used to tell a story of nature’s birth, death and renewal process. At 75 minutes, “Fantasia/2000” is only the second MAX film to exceed 45 minutes. (The limit is because of the size of the film reels. For inter esting facts about the size of IMAX films and theaters, vis it www.imax.com.) And this production of Disney with, the help of the Chicago Sym phony Orchestra (directed by James Levine) is definitely worth seeing in IMAX. “Fantasia/2000” will play only in IMAX until April and will be released in regular theaters during the summer. Although there are IMAX theaters in Myrtle Beach and Charlotte, “Fantasia/2000” was released to only 75 theaters worldwide, and so the closest show for USC stu dents is in Buford, Ga., at the Mall of Georgia near Atlanta. I definitely recommend the drive to see it in IMAX. Showtimes are 1:00,3:00,5:00 and 7:00 p.m., but I rec ommend getting your $ 11 tickets (plus $ 1 handling fee) in advance. The shows tend to sell out. The trip takes about 3 to 4 hours each way, but with a few friends, its no time at all and hardly a sacrifice for such an experience. Scenes from Fantasia/2000 nostrils. To complete the animators-on-drugs feeling, imag ine the music “Pines of Rome.” Even if you’ve never heard it. What comes to mind? Trees? Italy? Whales? If you guessed No. 3, submit your application to Disney Animators, Orlan do, FL. During this piece by Ottorino Respighi (unless you’re a music major, feel free to say, __ “Who?”), whales frolic and ca Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures New album releases Courtesy of Papa Jazz Record Shoppe February 1 Beach Boys - Greatest Hits VoL 3: Best of Broth er Years (Rock/Pop) Bugnon, AlexAs Promised (Jazz & Big Band) ’ Dixie Drags- Ca&bmiaScreamin'UvetRock/Pop) Dr. John - Duke Elegant (Rock/Pop) Hancock, Herbie - Perfect Machine (Rock/Pop) Kool & Tl® Gang - Best Of: 20th Century Masters (Soul) Lagvragan-Let’s Talk About Leftovers (Punk) Marie, Teen# - Ultimate Collection (Soul) McLean, Jack® - Nature Boy (Jazz & Big Band) Metallica - Ride The Lightning (Gold) (Rock/Pop) Mils, Stephanie - Power of Love: Ballads Collection (Soul) Morphine - Night (Rock/Pop) Ohio Players - Best of: 2Qth Century Masters (Soul) Olsen, Mary-Kate & Ashley - Greatest Hits (Giildren’s) Patitncd, John - Imprint (Jazz) Pendergrass, Teddy - Teddy Pendergrass (Soul) Peskfents - 13th Anniversary Live In Tokyo '85 (Rock) Rota, Nina - Piano Concertos (Classical) Screeching Weasel - Screeching Weasel (Punk) Snoop Dp® Presents - Eastsidaz (Rip/ Hip Hop) Taylor, Johnnie - Just Ain't Good Enough (SouD Turner, Tina - Twenty Four Seven (Soul) Ymgstar - Throwed YungPIaya (Rap/Hip Hop) February 8 Dinosaur Jr. - BBC Sessions (Pock) Everiy Brothers - DevtAed To You: Love Songs (Rock/Pop) Ghostfece KiBa - Supreme Clientele (Rap/Hip Hop) Jennings, Waylon - Ramblin ’ Man (Country ) Jones, Tran - Best of: 20th Century Masters (Adult) Loggias, Kenny - More Songs From Pooh Comer (Children’s) Mitchell, Jran - Both Sides Now (Ltd. 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