Customer Reviews

Anastasia: Music From The Motion Picture (1997 Version)

5 star:		(106)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

2007 will mark the 10th "birthday" of the animated film, Anastasia. When I was little, this was one of my favorite animated films. (All the way up in the top 10 with The Lion King) One reason I liked it so much was easily the music.

1. A Rumor in St. Petersburg-
A funny song that played near the beginning of the movie. Not something you'd want to play really loud, but still a funny track.

2. Journey to the Past- Anastasia singing about "home, love, family". Isn't that the main theme of the movie? Lovely, high quality song.

3. Once Upon a December- I LOVE this song. It's beautiful.

4. In The Dark Of The Night- O.o An old creepy man singing about killing an innocent girl? Er... yeah. Like the first track, it's not something you should be blasting on a giant stereo system... unless you want to get some weird looks from innocent passer-bys.

5. Learn To Do It- Cute song from another one of those "random characters burst out into song" moments.

6. Learn To Do It (Waltz Suprise)- The music from that scene were Anya and Dimitri were dancing on the boat from the middle of the movie. (Not the scene at the very end.)

7. Paris Holds The Key (To Your Heart)- Another one of those fun "random characters burst out into song" moments from one of my favorite scenes of the movie.

8. At The Beginning- Possibly the reason most people buying this album are probably buying it for this track alone. It's a sweet pop song, good enough to be played on any pop radio station. It was played during the end credits and really captures the "feel" of the whole movie.

9. Journey To The Past (Aaliyah's Version)- A sort of R&B-ish remake of "Journey To The Past". Aaliyah did a good job, it sounds lovely.

10. Once Upon A December (Deana Carter's Version)- Not as good as Aaliyah's song but I still enjoy it.

Tracks 11-16 are all instrumentals, although I think the vocals from when little Anastasia and her grandmother were singing (very beginning of the movie) are in track 11.

17. Viaje Tiempo Atras (Journey To The Past)- Unnecessary track, it's just "Journey to the Past" in Spanish... but if you know Spanish, then enjoy sitting there and bugging people how you know what the woman is singing and they don't. Still a good track, but like I said, unnecessary.

Well, I hope my review of one of my favorite CDs of all time was informative and helpful.
- Charity

I must confess: This is the first ever CD that I bought back in 1997, and it's been a beautiful musical gem that's got me into appreciating other various genres of music! There is not one song on this soundtrack that you could possibly dislike...which brings me to the curious fact: WHY WASN'T THIS NOMINATED FOR BEST SOUNDTRACK (as far as I know)! It isn't a matter of being biased in enjoying the tunes here: whether or not you support Fox, or its fictitious rendition of historical characters, don't matter in this judgement. The music of "Anastasia" is LIVING TALENT on its own.

From the bright start in "A Rumour in St. Petersburg", follows the touchingly nostalgaic "Journey to the Past". "Once Upon A December" is an absolute favourite as a haunting lullaby with lyrics of magical fantasy, whose tune lingers throughout the movie with the theme of poignant memory. "In the Dark of the Night" is a surprisingly amusing "villainous" song (which is effort to take note of, since most composers would think only a lousy tune is befitting of the bad guy, e.g. "Ruber" from the OST of "Quest for Camelot"), while "Learn to Do It" is a brilliant cross between acapella and gospel (coupled with encouraging lyrics to complete the treat). The Reprise sticks to the former's tune with romance, until "Paris is the Key (To Your Heart)" finishes off with a loud entertaining parade of song.

Then comes the pop songs, which I think all mature fans of pop should look out for. "At the Beginning" is a wonderful love theme (why wasn't this nominated for BEST SONG?), and Donna Lewis and Richard Marx do a convincingly great job at singing the otherwise HIT of a love song. The R&B rendition of "Journey to the Past" ain't as good as the original (as expected), but Aaliyah puts in good effort to make this track rather enjoyable. Then the more acoustic version of "Once Upon a December" should've had someone better that Deana Carter - someone with more solid vocals to accompany the wonderful instrumentation.

The scores are, then of course, among the best pieces of music I have ever heard. My particular favourites are the light and funny "Speaking of Sophie" and rejoiceful "Reminiscing with Grandma". All I can say is, David Newman and Stephen Flaherty have reached fantastic heights with this soundtrack. I'm looking forward to greater works in future.

The pop tracks are the only thing, in my opinion, that keeps this CD from being 5 stars. I'm a huge fan of musicals, and this is a good, good album which covers a wide range of moods. From the exuberant "A Rumour In St. Petersburg," to the haunting "Once Upon A December," this is an album that will work its way into your mind and have you humming songs from it. Not only are the vocal pieces fun, and stirring, and full of emotion, but the instrumental tracks are amazing. My personal favorites are track "Prologue," where the Russian chorals have me turning the CD player up as loud as it will go, and "Nightmare," which perfectly captures the dreamlike terror of Anya's trance.

That being said, I understand that it's the animated movie convention to have a single that can be released for the radio, but how many does this one have? In addition to the sheer number of pop "single" tracks (four), the pop tracks are, sadly, nothing special. And why, oh why, is there a track in Spanish on the soundtrack of a movie based in Russia and Paris? Russian or French would have been more appropriate.

My advice is to program your CD player to skip the pedestrian pop tracks and enjoy the amazing emotional range this album has to offer with its other vocal and instrumental tracks.

This is one of the best soundtracks that have ever been produced: each song is nice to listen to. I'm glad that there are three versions of the theme song "Journey to the Past" (the original by Liz Callaway, which is the best on this album, Aliyah's pop version, and Thalia's Latin salsa version) -- they're all great to listen to, although the best interpretation, done by Lea Salonga (voice of Jasmine and Mulan) in her Christmas concert abroad, can't be heard here.

See the movie and get this recording -- you'll enjoy Anastasia!

(instead of extensively describing my obsession with this sountrack, I want to give a review that other people can use for themselves)Originally, I believe, this movie was in a way made to rival Disney's annual animated musical movies. I believe that this movie and soundtrack can definitely do so. This is one of those sountracks where every song is equally great. It Ranges from emotional, beautiful types (Once upon a december) to lighter (Learn to do it) and with more grandeur(Paris holds the key). Great CD.

Sister 1: Without the songs, the movie wouldn't be worth watching. I think they are fun, well done, and great for all ages. The lyrics are great, they rhyme pretty well. I'm not obsessed, but buy this if you want some songs to sing along to and enjoy.

Sister 2: Sister 1 isn't really into these kinda songs. I made her rate it 5 stars, though, because this soundtrack is absolutely amazing!!!! When I was younger, I loved listening to these songs with all of the same voices for the animations singing the lyrics too. That's why I'm not fascinated by the celebrities singing what the animated voices should sing. But otherwise, the orchestra part is also astounding, with wonderful melodies and stupendous rhyming lyrics to sing along with and even, perhaps if you are bold, dance to it as well. I can't believe it!!!! I'm in love!!!!! I absolutely recommend this CD! If you buy it, which you must, you should pay attention to the fun songs, like the beautiful Journey to the Past, the colorful Paris Holds the Key, and the majestic Once Upon a December!

While I must admit to being partial to Walt Disney when it comes to animation and the soundtracks that accompany their films, ANASTASIA caught me by surprise. A classic tale, told in an uncomplicated way that children can follow easily, it's score and songs are a perfect compliment. "Once Upon a December" is a touching and beautiful song, worthy of it's "music box" box stature,and sung wonderfully by Liz Callaway and, while I'm no fan of country music, Deana Carter also delivers a fine version. "Journey to the Past " is another great song , performed by Liz Calloway as Anastaisia's singing voice and also by Aaliyah. The score itself is a wonderful mix of flavorsand influences, acknowledging the settings of both Russia and Paris . All in all, it's a wonderful CD, pleasing enough for children of all ages. Highly recommendable.

ok......this cd deserves way more than only 5 stars! i can't even count the number of stars it deserves. not only is it the best cd....i am obsessed w/ the movie(and i mean obsessed) the movie, the voices the music(need i say more) i know all the words to the song and the movie. i know everything about it. i practiced all summer to get my drawings to look like the ones from "Anastasia." well i don't want to write a whole book here. anyways it only allowes 1,000 words. o well. i hope you enjoy the movie and cd as much as i did. but nobody...and i maen nobody is as obsessed about this movie as i. PERIOD!

I just LOVE the Anistasia CD! My favorite song is "At the beginning". I also have the movie and love it to. I think that everyone that likes the movie should have this CD.

Let me tell you, this is the most amazing, beautiful, moving music I have ever heard! The library must hate me, I keep the CD way overdue! I am saving up all of my money to buy it. It is completely worth it. And for you guys who couldn't stand VIAJE TIEMPO ATRAS...well, I can see why, but I am Hispanic, and you just don't know how cool it is to hear that song in Spanish. Plus, Thalia has a great voice.

1. Rumor in St. Petersburg: **** Very good
2. Journey to the Past ***** Excellent
3. Once Upon a December ***** Excellent
4. In the Dark of the Night **** Very good
5. Learn to Do It *** O.K.
6. Learn to Do It (Waltz Reprise) **** Very good
7. Paris Holds the Key (To Her Heart) **** Very good
8. At the Beginning ***** Excellent
9. Journey to the Past (Aaliyah) ***** Excellent
10. Once Upon a December (Deanna Carter) **** Very good
11. Prologue ***** Excellent
12. Speaking of Sophie **** Very good
13. The Nightmare **** Very good
14. Kidnap & Reunion **** Very good
15. Reminiscing With Grandma ***** Excellent
16. Finale ***** Excellent
17. Viaje Tiempo Atras ***** ¡Excellente!

All the songs were terrific, though my least favorite is Learn to Do It. But still, this CD is great, and I heartily recommend it.

In fact, I love this CD so much, I gave it up for Lent! Phew, it's tough! Pray for me, O.K.?