Today’s quick review: Anastasia. In Russia in 1916, the curse of Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) brings about the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. The surviving royal family flees to Paris, but young Anastasia (Meg Ryan) is lost. Ten years later, Dimitri (John Cusack) and Vlad (Kelsey Grammer) plan to collect a handsome reward by passing off Anya, an orphan with no memories, as Anastasia, not realizing she is the real duchess.
Anastasia is an animated family adventure set during a fictionalized version of the end of czarist Russia. Anya, a young orphan unaware of her royal blood or the deaths of her family, yearns for a better life and a place she can call home. Dimitri and Vlad seize upon her as a dead ringer for the missing duchess, and together the three of them set out for Paris, Anya to find her family and the other two to collect their fraudulent reward.
As a family film, Anastasia is a mixed success. A solid soundtrack, high production values, and a talented cast of voice actors give Anastasia plenty of raw quality to work with. Yet its grim historical backdrop and gruesome villain make Anastasia a darker film than the usual children’s fare. Combined with its predictable plot and imperfect animation style, these elements make Anastasia an odd watch for anyone expecting a movie that conforms to the Disney mold.
Other aspects of the film are similarly mixed. Rasputin is an inspired choice for a villain, but he serves as a remote threat to the main characters, not anyone they can interact with. Anastasia’s songs are well-produced but not particularly memorable. Its themes of belonging and honesty are typical for the genre, but they do fit the story well. The historical setting allows for detail and drama, but at the cost of some levity and sense of fantasy.
Watch Anastasia when you are in the mood for a family film with decent execution and a few unusual quirks. Weaknesses in its tone and writing keep it from being a standout, but its cast and musical numbers are enough to give it some appeal. Skip it if you are looking for a princess story with a more conventional tone or a less conventional plot.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good quality offset by a handful of flaws.