|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
The Swan Princess (Special Edition) | Year: 1994 Classification: Feature Film Family Directed: - Richard Rich Actors/Actresses: - Jack Palance - Howard McGillin A Classic Fairytale This classic fairytale story is based on possibly the most famous ballet of all time - Swan Lake. It is loosely based however, and follows the traditional Disney pattern of storytelling with romance, adventure, slapstick, musical numbers animal sidekicks, and of course with love conquering all. Princess Odette (Michelle Nicastro)and Prince Derek (Howard McGillin) are betrothed from an early age by their parents in the hopes that their two kingdoms will be united. The only problem is - the two can't stand each other. However, unlike most other romance movies where the hero and heroine go through many trials before realising they're in love, Odette and Derek fall for each other within the opening five minutes of the film as they grow from child to adult during the opening song. However, due to Derek's claims that Odette's beauty is the only thing that matters to him, Odette rejects his marriage proposal and she and her father return home to their kingdom. They do not get far however - the evil Count Rothbart (Jack Palance) is waiting for them, and transforms into a terrifying beast and kidnaps Odette, changing her into a swan. At the reclusive lake that Odette is taken to, Odette learns that she is a swan every day, except for an hour each night when she changes back into human form. The only way to break this curse is for her one true love to make a vow of everlasting love and prove it to the world. Rothbart's reasons for kidnapping Odette are to force her into marriage so that he might take over the kingdom. Odette refuses, convinced that Derek will save her, and with her animal friends Speed the turtle, Jean-Bob (John Cleese) the frog and Puffin the (what else?) puffin they lure Derek to the lake to witness her metamorphosis for himself. Reunited, the lovers make a plan - tomorrow night at his mother's ball Derek will give Odette his vow of everlasting love. However, Rothbart is one step ahead of him and imprisons Odette, sending his disguised servant to the palace in her place... The protagonists Odette and Derek are a satisfactory hero and heroine for the story. Odette is the typical fairytale princess (blonde hair, blue eyes, etc) but has some very twenty-first century ideals - she refuses to marry Derek if all he sees is his beauty (though strangely enough she is singing a few minutes later about how much she loves him) and takes it into her on hands (or wings) to bring Derek to the lake. Derek, however is an imbecile. Among other things he insults his bride-to-be, nearly kills her, and then confesses his love to another woman. His redeeming features are his singing voice and his heroic athletic abilities with a bow and arrow. The secondary characters are far more enjoyable - Odette's animal friends will appeal mostly to kids - the heroic Scottish Puffin, the slow but steady Speed, and (cleverly following the fairytale of the Frog Prince) the snobbish and proud Jean-Bob who believes all he has to do to be transformed into a pr "For Longer Than Forever..." Normally I don't go for fairy-tale movies, but I decided to watch it with my sister when she rented it. It Totally blew me away!!!!!!!!! It was a brilliant mix of humour, romance, & awesome songs!!!!!!!! "For Longer Than Forever" will stick in your head for days!!!!! The main characters are: Princess Odette-Damsel in Distress Prince Derek-big hero guy Rothbart-evil sorceror Jean-Bob, the ego-filled frog who thinks he's a prince Lorenzo Trudge-A-Long/Speed, wise turtle & Jean-Bob's best friend Puffin-a tough puffin bird who owes Odette There's also Queen Uberta & Lord Rogers, but I'm too lazy too describe them. Anyways, enjoy this movie, but don't even THINK about the sequels, THEY [STINK]!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the movie, hate this DVD THIS DVD IS NOT IN WIDESCREEN. If you want widescreen and you have a way to play Region 2 DVDs, get the UK verson. (The same is true for The Last Unicorn.) I guess Americans aren't good enough for widescreen cartoons! Buy The Swan Princess at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Swan Princess Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Swan Princess This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
