Fantasia 2000 on Blu-ray

by Brian Bice
February 22, 2011

Rating: 10/10

Fantasia was conceived as an ongoing series combining music and animation.  Each new presentation of Fantasia would combine old favorites with new productions.  Unfortunately during World War II Disney Studios suffered many financial troubles and the project was subsequently canceled.  That is until 1999 when Disney revived Fantasia with Fantasia 2000.  Keeping true to the original concept this movie brought together seven new stories with Fantasia’s signature piece The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Disney seemingly pulled out all of the stops with Fantasia 2000.  They hired James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to play the masterworks.  Disney brought together some of the best animators and storytellers to bring the music to life.  They hired celebrities to introduce each segment.  The selection of music ranged from some of the most popular works such as the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, op. 67 to daring pieces like Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

My favorite segment is the arrangement of Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1-4. To me the concept of setting it to the story of Noah’s Ark is genius.  The contrast between the lightness and heaviness of Elgar’s music is perfectly paired with the variety of animals getting on to the ark along with the underlying story of the separation and eventual reunion of Donald and Daisy Duck.  The special arrangement combing the four marches is flawless.

It is a joy to see such a wonderful movie like Fantasia 2000 get the royal treatment on Blu-ray.  Like Fantasia on Blu-ray this movie is crisp and vivid.  The color, picture and sound really shine.  There is also a bonus short included on the Blu-ray version of Fantasia 2000. The Walt Disney and Salvador Dali collaboration Destino.  This short is a fascinating story set to the song Destino by Armando Dominguez.  The art of Dali in this piece is nothing short of captivating.

Walt Disney had once described the art of animation as a voyage of discovery into the realms of color, sound and motion.  With Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 Disney has encapsulated that description.


Click to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon.com