Review of Fantasia (1940) by Andrew S — 13 Dec 2010

This is not a film in the traditional sense, but Fantasia was utterly groundbreaking more than 72 years ago and remains a joy to watch today.

Dialogue is minimal and story is not present at all; this is only a feast for the eyes and ears, with a large litany of emotions derived from the wordless vignettes like nothing else like it. Humor, sorrow, anger, and contentment swirl throughout the entire experience, and a couple of these vignettes are notable Disney classics in and of themselves today.

Fantasia started my love for the fusion of music and visuals, and as a creative person I have looked to Fantasia as a source of inspiration. It transcends logic because it appeals directly to the emotional sense, penetrating even the roughest exteriors and taking its viewers on a ride through the right side of their brains. As such, it's difficult to explain it on a technical level, especially considering its uniqueness in the film industry. This was a bold move for Disney and would still be a bold move today that honestly may be bashed by critics and audiences alike for being too different. That's not taking into account the awesome wonder of the experience, however. It's still a work of art despite its different nature.