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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells of Notre Dame!, April 15, 2006
I am a classic lit fan, but I have not read Hunchback of Notre Dame. I do know what was used from the book in the movie and what they changed to make it suitable for kids. But I am not here to discuss the movie.
I am here to discuss the music. People seem to diss this movie, but they tend to forget that the songs are quite truthful to the book. Stephen Schwartz is a GOD when it comes to lyrics; Alan Menken is an amazing composer. They work togethter amazingly. Unlike Pocahountas, I think this was much better because they were working with a story that was different than the fairytale children stories that Disney usually did. (This was done by the directors of Beauty and the Beast, and that was quite adult too if you can think about it.) The lyrics are adult themed in a sense.
The Bells of Notre Dame--Always gave me chills listening to it. You can just picture the story in your mind. You can feel the fear, the anger, and the mystery. "Who is the monster and who is the man?"... Who is?
Out There--This song is my personal favorite. It just captures Quasimodo's want to be like everyone else. It also expresses his gentle natured side that seems to be hidden behind the darkness of the catherdral's walls. I think Tom Hulce has an amazing singing voice.
Topsy Turvy--This is the longest of the written songs and the most interesting on screen. There is so much wit and creative humor thrown into this scene that the song ends up in your head for a couple days. I like the fact that they said the word "beer", but edited it later on in the Sing-Alongs. Oh well, more fun for the adults.
God Help the Outcasts--Now, I like this song...but I really didn't want it to be the actual song chosen for the movie. I much prefer "Someday" (which was going to be the song sung). I think this song just feels a bit out of place. I would have also liked it to feature Quasimodo dueting with Esmerelda, so that he feels a link between him and her. (If you purchase the rare Berlin Musical Cast of Hunchback of Notre Dame, he does!)
Heaven's Light/Hellfire--When I saw the movie in the theatres (I was 8 or 9), I loved these scenes. First, Quasimodo showing his adoration for carving a figure of Esmerelda and including it among the people in his figurines. It's sort of symbolic because he feels Esmerelda belongs among the people that she feels she is distant from. And then it flips to Frollo, over in his Palace of Justice. There, as in the book, he is tormented with the lust of killing Esmerelda and having her for his own. The choir, the voice of Tony Jay, the lyrics simply give you chills when hearing it. You can almost feel him ready to "go get her". Seeing it on film defys all other Disney movie scenes. Adults may be against their children seeing this, but really, it's not all that bad. My mother loved it.
A Guy Like You--I hate the Gargoyles and for a while I hated this song. But when watching the commentary, and having the directors saying that this was more of a fantasy in his mind--after all, the gargoyles are only made out of stone--it makes more sense and it's more appreciated. It'd be kind of stupid having Quasimodo going all "split personality" and singing this song. But it's good humor, wity lyrics, and it builds up for such a heartbreaking scene later on in the movie.
--Not included in the soundtrack is the reprise of "Heaven's Light" when Quasimodo sees that all hopes with Esmerelda are nothing now. It's a short little ditty, but I think it should hae been on the CD. Hopefully if the movie ever gets a special edition, the song will be included. And also some of the missing music...--
The Court of Miracles--I don't like this song. I feel as if it were created because they wanted kids intrest. So point being, it's for kids, don't expect anything from it.
And then we get the best of the best by Alan Menken. I call this, The Rage of Menken. Because he just goes all out with this soundtrack. Most importantly in the "Santcuary/And He Shall Smite the Wicked"... I think he just had a blast with that scene. Just listen to it and you're like, woah. I think it just captures the theme of the book to a "T". And if you take Latin, the choir is chanting actual words and phrases that correspond in what is happening in the scene. I find this to be the best of the soundtrack.
The Bells of Notre Dame--Makes more of an impact on screen when seeing all the characters for the last time. But still, it gives another moral to the kids, and it also answered the question in the begining of the movie, "what makes a monster and what makes a man?" Perfect. :)
And then there is "Someday". I love Someday, I'm not a fan of One-4-All singing it but it's good. I just would have liked a man and a woman duet of it, or perhaps just a woman singing it.
God Help the Outcasts sung by Bette Midler is torture to my ears. I just don't like that song being sung by her and I feel that he place on the soundtrack was just a bad choice. The song is just not something I would see her singing, her voice is unfit for it (watch Hocus Pocus, watch Gypsy). She's better singing songs that she can belt to. This one she tries to belt to, but it just sounds like crap.
In the end, out of all the Disney soundtracks, this is a true beauty. You get amazing lyrics, talented singers, and beautiful music. This deserves a spot on your shelf. Buy it now. And if you have not seen the movie, SEE IT. You'll love it, not over it's inconsistancies, but perhaps the moral of the story.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This gave me CHILLS, August 16, 1999
By A Customer
Wow, what to say about this movie? It is by far my favourite movie now, above Titanic and Braveheart both. I saw the movie in the theater when it first came out instead of ID4 and I fell in love with the soundtrack then. My favourite song on this ("The Bells of Notre Dame") still brings tears to my eyes when I hear it (the reprise as well), and I have probably heard it 1000 times now. "Heaven's Light / Hellfire" is incredible... beautiful and chilling, inspiring and haunting (just like love). When I hear "Hellfire" it gives me chills. This soundtrack is just as good as the movie, in fact I think that it makes the movie complete. I am recommending it to all of my friends (I am 20) and they all look at me funny. Being the Mommy of a wonderful 2 year old I get sick and tired of Disney stuff, but this will always be an exception (however although she loves the music I do feel that this movie was meant for a much more mature audience). This soundtrack will move you, and will tap into the deepest, darkest and most sensitive parts of your heart.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
All for Clopin!, March 31, 2004
The main reason I got this PERFECT CD was... Clopin. I am obsessed, and I give you permission to pity me. I just loved 'Hellfire' and 'Bells of Notre Dame', but by far my two favorites would be 'Topsy Turvy' and 'The Court of Miracles'. Both sung by Clopin... Half of these songs made a shiver go up my spine and I think I giggled a couple of times... My favorite Disney Movie. EVER. Wonderfully dark and a nice twist from the traditional Disney. If I could I'd give this 100 stars... But 5 is okay, too.
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