Fantasia

Movie review by Paul Trandahl, Common Sense Media
Fantasia Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Breathtaking animation feat -- with some creepy visuals.

G 1940 120 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 18 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 44 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Fantasia is a very early animated film (1940) contains numerous sequences in which the combination of ominous, dark music and violent, scary visuals could be frightening to very young or very sensitive kids. While there are enchanting dancing flowers, hippos, unicorns, and striking visuals that show the relationship of sight and sound, there are at least as many very threatening images intensified by the shadowy dark music. Out-of-control broomsticks launch a massive flood; ferocious dinosaurs with teeth bared and giant clamping jaws fight a death battle; lightning and thunder introduce death and despair in the guise of skeletons, graves, bats, evil armies, and ghosts. There are several scenes which depict the romance of many mythological beings (centaurs, cherubim) and in which many of the characters are modestly unclothed. Some additional selections, including one which follows the evolution of the species over millions of years from an amoeba to the end of the giant dinosaur era, are very long, slow and may not fully engage today's kids. The film is most valuable as an historical experience.

Community Reviews

oceansidevettech
oceansidevettech Adult
February 6, 2022
age 2+

Love the film

My babies love the music and the little cartoons that go along with it. There’s very little dialogue, as it’s mostly classic music. My little kids would get fidgety when the conductor spoke or when the cartoons weren’t on. Other than that, they loved it, and it relaxed them. Let’s talk about the negative reviews of the film that I’ve seen. First off: let’s talk about the nudity. The most you actually see that comes close to genitals are little baby butts on the angels. They don’t even have genitals; all you see are little tushies. My kiddos have seen baby butts in real life- their own. You see breasts on the human/ horse characters with no nipples. I teach my kids that breasts are for nourishing babies, not sex. You see no penises or vaginas. Only breasts without nipples and baby butts. Next is the violence. Most kids, especially boys, like dinosaurs. Mine do. And they know that dinosaurs kill one another for food, which is exactly what happened. My kids didn’t seem upset by it. This may upset other kids, though. my kids were taken back when Mickey Mouse brought a broom to life and then axed it to death, which was only the silhouette. They thought that was strange. Mickey gets popped on the butt with a broom after that. Big deal. My kids laughed at that. I didn’t see anything worth getting too bent out of shape about. It’s a cute music video with cartoons.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
jcmcdowell
jcmcdowell Adult
September 27, 2021
age 4+

A Classic for Sure!

I saw this movie many years ago when I was little, and I did not appreciate it for what it is. Now, having many years to ponder it, I now know that it is a classic for the whole family and it paved the way for many Disney movies that we have today, considering that it is the second Disney movie ever to be made (the first being “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” in 1938). I think it is something everyone should see, and I want to see it again soon with all of this in mind. Highly recommended!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much consumerism
See all 18 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Donald Duck began to eclipse Mickey Mouse in popularity in the late 1930s, Disney conceived of a lavish comeback vehicle for his first cartoon star: FANTASIA. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," set to the music of Paul Dukas, was the end result, and no expense was spared to make this a crowning jewel in the mouse's career. When Disney realized that the company couldn't possibly recoup its investment releasing the piece as a short subject, he conceived an entire animated feature set to pieces of classical music, of which "Sorcerer's Apprentice" would now be a part. Walt Disney's groundbreaking feature combining classical music with extravagant animation retains its status as a landmark in animation history. Both "The Rite of Spring," with its realistic recreation of the age of the dinosaurs, and "Night on Bald Mountain," with its vividly spectacular depiction of evil personified, took animation into realms that were unimaginable just 10 years earlier.

Is It Any Good?

Disney's most experimental movie may bore kids used to more straightforward storytelling, and preschoolers may need to skip the scary parts. However, these are minor quibbles when confronted with the breathtaking artistry that dominates the movie.At the time the movie was made, the Disney factory was at the absolute peak of its powers. Fantasia exhibits a stunning attention to detail that would never again be duplicated (a result of the movie's initial box office failure). "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" remains a tour de force of music, character animation, and photographic effects.

Nevertheless, there are some dry spots. "Dance of the Hours," with its dancing hippos and alligators, is funny, but drags on longer than necessary. The "Pastoral" is the blandest sequence; its scenes of teenage centaurs courting one another are more reminiscent of prom night than ancient mythical worlds. Seen decades later, much of the film's imagery continues to astonish, even when compared with modern, computer-enhanced extravaganzas.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about fantasy vs. reality in Fantasia and in general. How can you tell when something is made up? Can you be sure something is real if you haven't ever seen it? Can something be scary even if you know it's not real?

  • How does the Magician's Apprentice (Mickey Mouse) demonstrate curiosity, courage, and perseverance in Fantasia? Do any other characters show those qualities? Why are those important character strengths?

Movie Details

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