A thrilling story (Anastasia (DVD))

Member Name: Tara

Product:	Anastasia (DVD)
Date:	02/12/00 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see below

Disadvantages: see below

Set at the start of the 20th century, in Russia, the main character is 18-year-old Anya (voiced by Meg Ryan), an orphan, whose first eight years of her life are a mystery to her. The only clue she has to her past is a locket with the words ‘Together in Paris’ engraved upon it. So, naturally when she leaves the orphanage she wants to go to Paris to find her family.

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg there is a rumour going round that the little Princess Anastasia, who was presumed dead after the Russian Revolution, may actually be alive, and her Grandmother (Angela Lansbury) will reward anyone who can find her.

So, having discovered she has a striking remembrance to the missing princess, Anya sets out to reclaim he royal legacy, as she and the dashing con-man Dimitri (John Cusack) battle the crazy evil monk, Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd), who killed the rest of the Romanov family, and his side kick, a little bat named Bartok.

It has all the products needed to make a good children’s tale – a cute animal character, romance, a princess, good versus evil, humour, lots of action and adventure, and above all, music. The songs are enchanting, moving, inspiring and with beautiful lyrics, particularly good is the haunting ‘Once upon a December’.

On it’s down side the plot is very predictable, although I know this doesn’t matter too much with little kids, and the animation could never be compared to Disney. But the characters are very well developed and the ending is very sweet, a happy one of course.

Based on a true story, Anastasia really captures the imagination, and is enjoyable for children (and adults) of all ages.

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