Fantasia 2000

“Fantasia 2000” is a animated musical film released in 1999 as a sequel to Walt Disney’s classic animated film “Fantasia” from 1940. Like its predecessor, “Fantasia 2000” is a unique blend of classical music and stunning animation, creating a visual and auditory feast for the audience.

The film is made up of eight segments, each set to a different classical music piece conducted by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor James Levine. The segments include:

1. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5: A colorful abstract animation set to the famous four-note motif of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

2. Respighi’s Pines of Rome: A beautiful segment featuring flying whales over the city of New York.

3. Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue: A jazzy and whimsical segment showcasing the lives and dreams of various New Yorkers during the 1930s.

4. Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2: A comedic segment featuring a young flying flamingo trying to escape from a flock of flamingos.

5. Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals: A delightful animation featuring flamingos, yo-yoing flamingos, and a humorous ending.

6. Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: A reprise from the original “Fantasia” featuring Mickey Mouse as the apprentice.

7. Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite: A stunning and visually impressive segment featuring a spirit of spring and a destructive firebird.

8. Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance: A segment based on the story of Noah’s Ark.

Throughout the film, celebrity hosts, including Steve Martin, Bette Midler, Angela Lansbury, and others, introduce each segment and provide a link between them.

“Fantasia 2000” was released in IMAX theaters to showcase the film’s groundbreaking animation and to give audiences a unique cinematic experience. The film received positive reviews for its creativity, innovative animation, and its ability to introduce classical music to new generations.

While “Fantasia 2000” did not achieve the same level of commercial success as the original “Fantasia,” it remains a beloved film among Disney fans and animation enthusiasts for its artistic merit and the unique approach to blending music and animation. It continues the tradition of creating a magical and immersive cinematic experience through the power of classical music and visual storytelling.

Fun Facts

1. The first segment, “Symphony No. 5,” was originally planned for the original “Fantasia” film but was cut due to time constraints.
2. The film’s most popular segment is probably “Rhapsody in Blue,” which tells the story of various New Yorkers during the Great Depression and is set to George Gershwin’s iconic piece of the same name.
3. The film was released in IMAX theaters and was the first feature-length animated film to be released in that format.
4. The film features a new version of the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment from the original “Fantasia,” with Mickey Mouse once again in the lead role.
5. The animation for “Rhapsody in Blue” was designed by caricaturist and illustrator Al Hirschfeld, who was known for his stylized caricatures of Hollywood celebrities.
6. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which was performed by pop singer Linda Ronstadt.