The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

One of the best and most underrated Disney movies ever. Very well executed and the soundtrack is amazing! I loved it when I was a kid and I love it now. Rewatch it so many years later was so good and made me understand some things that I couldn't as a child.

This is one of my favorite films. I have not read the book but that doesn't matter, a Disney adaptation, almost by definition, is not going to do the original story or book justice. That's just how it is. It kind of annoys me when people compare the book to the movie because they are supposed to be a little different. Anyway, that is a topic for another day. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a perfect combination of dark and humorous, I know the gargoyles are annoying but that is forgivable because of the amazing storyline, superb epic soundtrack (and epic is the perfect word to describe it), and lovable characters. Something also has to be said for the incredible animation, the movie is huge with a lot of amazing detail and superb shots. I loved the animation of Notre Dame and all the effort into making the city look spectacular. Hand-drawn animation will always amaze me. This is not a children's movie. I know it was probably made for kids but it covers (very well, I might add) some surprisingly dark topics. It teaches a lesson, however, that everybody should learn.

Despite being an approved family film with a G rating, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is profoundly mature and deeply religious. But that is exactly why I love it. The very first frames are a beautiful indicator of the nature of this story. A black screen with real Gregorian chants being sung alongside the haunting echoing of church bells. It sets up the film's tone perfectly. As if to warn parents and families that this is not the usual Disney fan fare that they're used to. Indeed, Hunchback delves into deeper and darker territory than any Disney film ever had before. And they are not likely to ever return to this dark place again. During the prologue of the film, we are given a riddle by one of the film's chief characters: "Who is the monster and who is the man?" This of course refers to the opposing personalities of the hero and the villain of the story. However, it's possible as children that the answer was not immediately obvious to us. I know it certainly wasn't for me. But to be fair, this is a very complicated question for a supposed "children's film" to be asking it's audience: what makes morality? Is it the face you wear? Or the deeds you do?Speaking of complexity, I've found that the more I re-watch Hunchback, the more I begin to suspect that this film was not made for children at all. Or at least I would believe this if not for the film's very appalling tone problem. Scenes vary between extreme highs and lows of Disney-esque wonder and excitement and then completely reverse into scenes of depravity and danger at the drop of a hat. Comedy is injected at inopportune moments, causing shifts in mood that are almost bi-polar and hard to ignore. However, this is the film's only glaring flaw. In it's entirety, it's a well written and well executed story that delivers glorious emotional moments that feel just as real and raw as any sequence from a live action film.The voice acting therein is some of Disney's best. Tom Hulce, Tony Jay, Demi Moore and Kevin Kline are all so genuine they seem to completely disappear into their characters. It is this that makes them feel all the more human and so tragically real. Visually, the characters are compelling and well designed. It becomes very enjoyable to catch the little micro-expressions and small facial quirks of the characters as they move and speak. This is without a doubt some of Disney's finest hand drawn work. In addition to it's visual majesty, Hunchback also has one of the best soundtracks of any Disney film, if not the best. The loud, Latin choirs are intense, epic and chill inducing. The strength the music alone lends to the film is phenomenally powerful. It is sinful that Alan Menken did not win an Oscar for the score. It would have been more than well deserved. Overall, the film is magnificent. It is a grand and exciting tale that feels just as huge and gargantuan as Notre Dame herself. Nearly every frame could be a painting. The craft and artistry that went into this film is without equal. Even with all of it's mature themes of religious symbolism, sexual desire and corruption of the church, it still manages to be a wholesome film of the Disney brand. At it's core, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a story about heroism, justice and self-acceptance. Children and adults alike would greatly benefit from the messages and morals it has to tell.

This is such a classic Disney and one of my favorites and I hate that it is not talked about more! The music and the message of this story is so important and kids should see this film. Maybe 7 or 8 though. Younger than that and it might be a little too scary at times. Anyways, the songs and the characters are so sweet, kind, and charming and smart! Esmeralda is a force to be reckoned with and she is such a strong and powerful female character in an animated film. Omgg!! I wish more people watch this film and I hope Disney recognizes how much of a classic this film is. I love this movie and will always love this movie and I am glad that I watched this when I was younger. Loove it so much!!