The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) - Full Reaction
Added 2024-02-27 17:25:52 +0000 UTCI mentioned in the update post but sometimes you need something light and Disney, but then actually it was pretty dark! Haha! I liked the music and message though. I think this is one where the more you watch it, and listen to the music, the more you love it!
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Comments
I like the movie now but it was always the weakest soundtrack out of all of them, anyway I heard that you guys didn't see Hercules and I definitely vote to watch that one. Aladdin and Hercules were my two favorite Disney animated movies and soundtracks as a kid, I like the rest of the Disney Renaissance but as a Disney prince in a era of princesses those were my two, Lion King's in there somewhere too 😂😂 Please do Hercules one day
DreBone1986
2024-08-21 06:38:40 +0000 UTCBeauty and the Beast was on repeat for me growing up. To the point I know it word for word, scene for scene...and I hate the live action lol
breanna
2024-03-08 16:25:48 +0000 UTCI don't know if anyone has pointed it out yet, but the voice of Quasimodo was Tom Hulse, who you saw as Wolfgang Mozart in Amadeus. No maniacal cackling laughter in this one though.
BibbitduBois
2024-03-07 01:24:46 +0000 UTCThis movie was too much for me as a kid, but I loved it after I revisited it a few years ago. Great animation, along with one of most underrated scores and soundtracks. It definitely doesn't get the appreciation it deserves. So glad this was chosen for a reaction!
Jordan Malloy
2024-03-05 13:10:20 +0000 UTCYes, it is dark. But the contrast between the evil and the good in this movie just transcends everything. And the music and animation is just so classic Disney plus a lot, lot more. It tackles such amazing topics - racism, prejudice; it show the darkness of the human soul, but also the glorious light that can exist in all of us. Do me and yourselves a favor and listen once more to the songs sang by Clopin (voiced by the INCREDIBLE Paul Kandel) and just listen to that guys range. Just absolutely amazing. And yes! Do Encanto! With Carly! I could watch that movie anytime, anywhere.
Damon Corrigan
2024-03-05 02:11:47 +0000 UTCI liked this movie as a kid. but you're right about the music. usually in a Disney movie I can't wait to get to the songs.. but with this, even as a kid, I knew I liked the story more then the music. the gargoyles singing to give him confidence, I feel could have been shorter or cut. but I get it, need some filler to make this a full length feature film.
Mister Lou
2024-03-05 01:30:38 +0000 UTCI never watched this one growing up. After The Goofy Movie, I only watched the Pixar movies. Even though I was only 10 or 11. For some reason, I must have thought I was getting too old for Disney Animated Films, which is Weird. My Adult Self thinks this is Weird, but it’s the only reason I can think of. I didn’t see any of the Non-CGI Disney Films after The Goofy Movie until about 10 years ago. I had seen the 1939 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame before, and liked it. So I knew how dark the story was. (I have not read the original Novel, by Victor Hugo from 1831, but I hope to one day.) I really liked this one and was surprised at how dark they kept it, being Disney and the original source being more on the Tragic side. Overall I thought they handled it really well. Certainly more adult than normal for Disney, which is nice, because like others have said… Animation ain’t only for Kids. There was a major character that Disney eliminated from the original story and film and blended with Phoebus. That character was Gringoire. I hope y’all get to see a more traditional version of the film, like the 1939 version. But my guess would be… the 1996 animated version would be your favorite.
Larry Darrell
2024-03-02 21:58:03 +0000 UTCFirst First… The Rescuers (1977) then The Rescuers Down Under (1990) then Quigley Down Under (1990)
Larry Darrell
2024-03-02 20:44:44 +0000 UTCI just added Over the Hedge on the Popcorn Request site. Really shocked you haven't seen it. It's a really good animated film.
Brent Petty
2024-03-01 08:49:56 +0000 UTCMy personal favorite was the Jungle Book - not the new one, the animated old school version from the 1960s...Not sure it was either 67 or 68. The songs are fun. It's also a watchable family friendly movie for your kids.
John Liebling
2024-03-01 03:50:22 +0000 UTCMary Poppins would be a good film to watch with Carly and your daughter and two boys. I know you're not going to put them on camera, but they can still enjoy the experience. Maybe it's a good one to bring in mom.
John Liebling
2024-03-01 03:46:14 +0000 UTCThe actual story is DARK. Why they chose to adapt this story and disney-fy it, is a mystery for sure.
hurryupmode
2024-03-01 02:54:46 +0000 UTCThe unfortunate but realistic turn of events.
My_Cousin_Mose
2024-02-29 18:58:34 +0000 UTCThis movie is a bummer. The hunchback is left alone at the end while the hot blonde guy gets the girl.
orc_daddy
2024-02-29 15:40:29 +0000 UTCDark. Not sure if for kids. We visited Notre-Dame but only viewed from the outside -- didn't go inside.
Clay F
2024-02-29 15:14:00 +0000 UTCI love the nostalgia of VHS. I kept some of my VHS cassette tapes although I won't be able to watch them. My VCR-DVD combo player quit working several years ago. In fact, the bluray player that I bought in 2012 quit working a week ago. I just bought a UHD player.
StaticBlaster
2024-02-29 01:25:58 +0000 UTCThis is actually my least favorite movie in the Disney Renaissance era which spans from 1989 - 1999. (The Little Mermaid - Tarzan)
StaticBlaster
2024-02-29 01:23:14 +0000 UTCNotre Dame officially reopens in December '24 for Christmas Mas..I want to be there..
Celeste McAllister
2024-02-28 23:56:07 +0000 UTCAlso the goat sees Hugo come alive briefly and Frollo, before he plummets to his death, sees one come to life as well. In the subsequent stage show, it is more strongly hinted that they are all in Quasimodo's mind
Stick Figure Studios
2024-02-28 22:22:58 +0000 UTCI'll admit to putting on Moana more often than most 45+ guys would! But, Lion King and Aladdin are favorites as well.
Mike H
2024-02-28 18:04:28 +0000 UTCMaybe I should start a reaction channel. I have never watched an animated Disney movie. They weren't available when I was a kid in the 70's and we lived far from a theater in rural Washington. I think I watched half of Beauty and the Beast because an ex of mine was obsessed with it, but that's it. Maybe Hunchback will be my first with Cassie.
Scott Macaulay
2024-02-28 16:06:43 +0000 UTCStill a toss-up between The Lion King and Aladdin as the teenage years are the most formative, but I will proudly admit that I loved Frozen as an adult, and it’s right up there. Team Anna!
Cole Jennett
2024-02-28 13:31:19 +0000 UTC"Aladdin" is probably the one I watched most on VHS as a kid. Can't go past Robin WIlliams' "Genie". Later when I was in my mid-teens I saw the original "Toy Story" , which I still think is one of the best animated movies, although the animation had moved one from traditional to CGI. I think I still have it on VHS somewhere. I also love "Robin Hood", I remember having a vinyl record that told the story accompanying a read-along book. It wasn't until later that the VHS was released and I got to enjoy all the '70s music in ye olde English times. First time I have seen this movie and it was alot darker than I thought. But then the subject matter isn't the lightest. I did guess Tom Hulce (Amadeus, Parenthood) as "Quasimodo" early on and when I checked and saw Kevin Kline's name I knew it was going to fun to see if Cassie recognised the voice as she has just watched "Dave". The recognition was there was it wasn't clicking and it does take a bit to find his name because of the way the cast order works in this movie's credits. I thought the gargoyles were in "Quasimodo's" subconscious, as they were never around when there were other people, they turned back to stone. So when they were singing and the ladies were talking about them not getting his hopes up, I interpreted that as him not getting his own hopes up.... then they started piffing bricks of the top of Notre Dame onto guards at the end and I wasn't sure what to think.
Mojo One Thousand
2024-02-28 13:12:15 +0000 UTCI thought this was cute https://youtu.be/ZVd0-ka1Brk?si=lsbcPV9-N1eZmISv
Zachary K. (Swiftie)
2024-02-28 10:08:41 +0000 UTCHellfire is my favorite Disney villain song and definitely among my favorite Disney songs all together (Out There is a great song too) The Archbishop is voiced by the wonderful David Ogden Stiers who voiced many Disney characters, including Cogsworrh the clock in Beauty & the Beast.
Justtired
2024-02-28 07:57:57 +0000 UTCLittle Mermaid was a family favorite. Lady and the Tramp was a personal childhood favorite
Shawn Kildal
2024-02-28 06:49:14 +0000 UTCI'm a huge fan of Aristocats, The Rescuers, and Mulan. As a kid in the 70s, the first movies I saw out were a double feature (at the drive in) of "The Cat from Outer Space" and "Shaggy DA". Good times!
Jen Barnes
2024-02-28 04:54:06 +0000 UTCAccording to her Letterboxd account, she's already seen ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN. However, I would love her to watch more movies by Don Bluth like THE SECRET OF NIMH, AN AMERICAN TAIL and LAND BEFORE TIME (Despite being a big Bluth fan, I never cared for ROCK-A-DOODLE).
Stick Figure Studios
2024-02-28 04:23:38 +0000 UTCAnother they both should see is The Iron Giant.
Brent Petty
2024-02-28 04:15:26 +0000 UTCJust in case Cassie ever watches VISION QUEST the song at the climax of the movie is played by Toronto band, Red Rider. “Lunatic Fringe”, from the movie, was their greatest hit. Tom Cochrane, the lead singer, wrote the song after he had heard that John Lennon had been killed.
Uncle Phoenix
2024-02-28 04:02:20 +0000 UTCWould like to see your reaction to some classic animated films I grew up with, like All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Rockadoodle!
Rainbow Dash
2024-02-28 03:29:00 +0000 UTCThe Lion King; saw it more times than I can count back in the VHS days and to this day still not tired of it 🦁
JL_83
2024-02-28 03:17:03 +0000 UTCLOVE Fievel.
Uncle Phoenix
2024-02-28 03:14:46 +0000 UTCI know my nephews and nieces love the KUNG FU PANDA movies and the CARS movies.
Uncle Phoenix
2024-02-28 03:12:13 +0000 UTCSo glad you checked this movie out and loved it. Very underappreciated Disney Classic. Speaking of which, please check out Treasure Planet.
James Keller
2024-02-28 02:35:13 +0000 UTCI have seen every original Disney movie. Between my girlfriends kids, my nieces and nephews I even saw those "collections" they made During World War II, like Melody Time. Fantasia but only at certain times. They classify Bambi as a horror movie. I would say Alice in Wonderland, you know Jefferson Airplane made a song about that. I grew up watching The Rescuers, The Fox and The Hound, The Aristocrats. So they would be my go to. And of course An American Tail I know it's not Disney but I used to have a Fival stuffed animal.
Zachary K. (Swiftie)
2024-02-28 01:54:01 +0000 UTCI guarantee she hasn't seen Victory Through Air Power (1943), but her "already watched" list (not 100%) is at - https://letterboxd.com/pib1/films/
Mike Lemon
2024-02-28 01:00:50 +0000 UTCSLEEPING BEAUTY is a masterpiece.
Stick Figure Studios
2024-02-28 00:01:55 +0000 UTCThe Disney Renaissance, as it's come to be known, was an exciting time. After losing its way a bit in the 70s through the mid-80s, the studio had a real return to their glory days of animation that was kicked off by THE LITTLE MERMAID and continued with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and LION KING. I was in junior high when it started and I remember seeing all of these films in the theater. For me, it ended with POCAHONTAS, a film I did not care for when it came out (though I like it more now), partly because I was in college by that point and had grown out of Disney (or so i thought). Consequently, I didn't see HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME on the big screen, a decision I later regretted when I did finally watch it and was blown away by it. It has gone on to become my favorite animated feature from the House of Mouse: a bold experiment by the studio to try to tell a deeper, more sophisticated and more adult story through animation -- a medium which, for the record, has never been just for kids -- and the classic novel by Victor Hugo (the French author also responsible for LES MISERABLES) presented just such an opportunity. Despite the fact that they still had to "Disney-fy" it up with colorfully goofy supporting characters and a much happier ending then the bleak one in the book (I won't spoil what happens, but I will say that not all of the characters alive at the end of this film are alive at the end of Hugo's original story), they retained much of the narrative's underlying darkness and mature themes such as religious hypocrisy, cultural persecution and sexual obsession. It is, to date, the most courageous, most ambitious and most grown-up Disney animated film. Needless to say it was controversial at the time. On the one hand, you had literary enthusiasts who thought Disney was absolutely the wrong studio to adapt the story. On the other hand, you had parents who were horrified by the film's violent and creepy imagery (it managed to get a G rating, but many thought it should be PG, a rating Disney was terrified of because their previous PG animated feature THE BLACK CAULDRON flopped horribly), especially considering this was a movie that was being promoted with Happy meal tie-ins where kids could play with a cute and cuddly Quasimodo doll and then go to the theater to see him get tortured by a mob. To try to counterbalance the film's scarier and heavier aspects, they added a lot of silly, cartoonish slapstick and if I have one criticism of the film it's that all that seems really unnecessary nowadays and makes it feel tonally all over the map. You get whiplash going immediately from such a powerful and emotional scene like Quasi being mercifully liberated by Esmerelda to a Three-Stooges-like takedown of the soldiers. Honestly, I wish the filmmakers had just had the courage of their convictions to say, "Screw it, we'll take the PG" and make the film more consistent and more provocative at the times when it seems to retreat from that. It is no surprise to me that the gargoyles, whom I always found kind of annoying, have been completely excised from the subsequent stage adaptation (there are still gargoyles that talk but they are not nearly so buffoonish, and the play actually treats their nature with some ambiguity, suggesting that they could just be in Quasimodo's mind rather than figures of Notre Dame actually come to life). Still, even with those "lows," the film's highs are extremely high and when the it's good, it's great. Obviously the animation is gorgeous and their ecreation of Notre Dame is stunning, but the music by Alan Menken (LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, TANGLED, etc) is where the film's heart really comes from. His use of church bells and choral voices on the soundtrack add weight, humanity and even spirituality to the music score. It is some of Alan's best work and the closest he's ever come to writing an opera. Tom Hulce (Mozart from AMADEUS) provides the delicate yet strong soul of Quasi and his number "Out There" is one of the greatest "I want" songs from any musical. The part of the film where Quasi rescues Esmeralda, climbs Up Notre Dame, holds her aloft and yells "Sanctuary!" Is some of the best 90-seconds of animation I've ever seen done and it is helped and no small part by Alan Menken's dramatic music. Anyway, truly one of Disney's most unique and most underrated works. I'm always pleased when someone discovers it anew. So glad you got a chance to watch it and even more glad that you both seem to enjoy it. As always, keep up the good work. P.S. A couple of other Disney animated movies you should check out are THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE, THE FOX AND THE HOUND, ATLANTIS and THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER. Of the various non-Disney films out there, I've always been a big fan of those made by former Disney animator Don Bluth who did THE SECRET OF NIMH, AN AMERICAN TAIL and THE LAND BEFORE TIME (I see from your Letterbixd account that touve already watched hia ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN and ANASTASIA).
Stick Figure Studios
2024-02-27 23:45:08 +0000 UTCCassie you and your sis have to watch rescuer dawn under its amazing truly amazing
MatthewBrown74m
2024-02-27 23:42:45 +0000 UTCAre you thinking of 1939 THOND with Charles Laugton and Maureen O'Hara? Because I couldn't find a 1941 one. That 1939, it really did have so many great movies. I haven't seen the 1939 THOND in so many many years, but I remember I loved it when I was younger. I do think of it as the definitive version, but I might have seen the Lon Chaney silent only once. The 1939 version, another one I would like Cassie to see.
MikeLL
2024-02-27 23:32:57 +0000 UTCMy favorite Disney movie was always " Sleeping Beauty" because the art style as old medieval gothic is just so different from all the others and when there is color it really "pops". Also Malifecent as a dragon is awesome. As a child Disney used to release the classics into the theaters every ten years or so and I remember seeing most of them in the theaters and Drive In's. I also grew up with many of the Disney animated movies as read along records. I had probably 12-20 of them and I listen to them all the time, and my favorite ones to listen to were "The Aristocats" and "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too".
Damien beatty
2024-02-27 23:27:14 +0000 UTCWhat other disney films have you not seen?
MatthewBrown74m
2024-02-27 23:08:30 +0000 UTCSo excited
MatthewBrown74m
2024-02-27 23:08:12 +0000 UTCRescuers!! Down Under too! Heck I'll watch it all, maybe even a rewatch with some w/Carly! The Great Mouse Detective!! Fievel American Tales! An American Tail: Fievel Goes West!
Riley
2024-02-27 22:47:44 +0000 UTCThe Fox and the Hound
Walter
2024-02-27 22:19:01 +0000 UTCI wish Quasimodo was the worst thing kids called each other when I was in school.
Brent Petty
2024-02-27 21:42:16 +0000 UTCMan, so after this reaction, we are getting the Cassie lives with Masters of the Air and Star Trek?!? Looks like Cassie got me booked for the next few months.
Todzilla
2024-02-27 21:31:44 +0000 UTCAnd the affectionate therapist in STRANGER THAN FICTION.
Stick Figure Studios
2024-02-27 21:02:16 +0000 UTCIt's my favorite too.
Stick Figure Studios
2024-02-27 21:01:30 +0000 UTCCassie, don't tease me like that. I thought you were doing the 1939 version of Hunchback
Habman
2024-02-27 21:00:10 +0000 UTCThis is a good not great Disney movie. "Out There" is a wonderful song, the animation is great, love the opening sequence and Frollo is a very good villain. The gargoyles are fun, but their song is cringeworthy. Esmerelda is completely unlikable to me. I give Disney credit for being bold in taking on this project, not an easy one at all. I feel that Disney was trying to show that animated movies were not just for little kids, which is true. They just didn't quite hit the bullseye on this one.
Mark Vaderr
2024-02-27 20:04:11 +0000 UTCQuasimodo's voice actor was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, himself, Tom Hulce (also black sheep son, Larry, from the movie Parenthood)
D. T. Nelson
2024-02-27 20:00:04 +0000 UTCLove this movie
Wyatt Nuxoll
2024-02-27 19:58:47 +0000 UTCThis movie came out when I was working at Disney. I was Goofy for 3 years. I actually got approved as a 'face" character to play Phoebus. So, how that works is that they bring you in, put on all the makeup and the wig, and the costume, then you have to get "approved" by the higher-ups. I'm 6'4" so the height helped. Unfortunately, the movie was not a big hit. Also, I worked exclusively in the Magic Kingdom, and none of the Hunchback characters appeared there. They did have a Hunchback show at the Studio location, but for those shows they hire professional actors. So I never got to play a face character, but I did get to play The Beast, King Triton, Braer Bear, Queen of Hearts, Medusa (in the night parade) and many others. Best job ever. (But hot as heck in the Florida summers!)
Super Powered Design (Jim)
2024-02-27 19:57:54 +0000 UTCThis is my favorite Disney movie to day. But Rescuers Down Under is definitely one of my faves as well! You should definitely watch. The humor is top notch in that one. I hope you'll do more Disney movies of old, when they were top notch. :D
Avastrasza
2024-02-27 19:33:27 +0000 UTCWon't be able to watch til after work tonight but regarding the intro- I watched a ton of Disney growing up and through young adulthood. If I had to pick just 3 I would have picked The Loin King, The Little Mermaid, and The Sword in the Stone. And thats a REALLY tough choice. I actually didn't like The Hunchback as a kid, it wasn't until I was a teenager that I gave it an honest shot and loved it. The Aristocats was good, The Rescuers Down Under was another of my favorites (though I grew out of that one quicker than the rest), I noticed on your letterboxd it says you haven't seen The Fox and the Hound yet? I'd rate that one up there with the best Disney movies. In recent years my opinion on the company has gone down the gutter but the nostalgia is strong with these movies, and I still sing the songs when I'm driving. Would I watch Encanto with you guys? Its not a definite no but I've never seen that one and I have no interest in it. The number one reason being the animation style- I was pretty upset when they switched over to primarily using cgi. Edit: ok that was really fun to watch with you guys! I understand you not "bopping" to the songs but man do I love Hellfire. Sad as it is I'm glad they didn't have Esmerelda fall for Quasi. The movie went pretty heavy and dark and that would have cheapened it. Not everyone gets the girl in the end. I fully support more animated films to be watched both Disney and non-Disney.
My_Cousin_Mose
2024-02-27 18:10:35 +0000 UTCGreat movie! I watched enough just before I had to go to work to see where Cassie looked up that Phoebus was voiced by Kevin Kline! Such a satisfactory moment! Cassie, you will love him in SILVERADO! Watching Cassie discover new performers is one the best things about this channel!
MikeLL
2024-02-27 18:09:18 +0000 UTCNO Disrespect to The Secret of NIMH (Because I love The Secret of NIMH), but for NON-Disney My Favorite has to be ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN. It was so tender in the BTS, when REAL LIFE BEST FRIENDS Burt Reynolds and Dom Deluise made each cry doing the voice acting work. “I THOUGHT I WAS YOUR FRIEND.”
Uncle Phoenix
2024-02-27 17:49:23 +0000 UTCIn our family, the two main ones were Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. You should react to Disney's The Fox and the Hound featuring voice actor Kurt Russell (!) and the non-Disney animated film The Secret of NIMH.
Brent Petty
2024-02-27 17:37:39 +0000 UTCThe music is excellent, especially in the French language 😜. The real Notre Dame will rise from the ashes in a few months!.. 🥰
Grégory Gautier
2024-02-27 17:36:14 +0000 UTCWow this was quick, I do love a Disney movie. Great choice Cassie.
Zachary K. (Swiftie)
2024-02-27 17:36:09 +0000 UTCNotre Dame,it took 182 years to construct and has stood for more than 850 years,if those walls could talk!..the 1941 THOND,has a darker vibe..
Celeste McAllister
2024-02-27 17:30:33 +0000 UTCSuch a classic, it was shortly after this I became to OLD for disney movies and missed out on some good stuff because of it. Glad I reached a point I can go back and enjoy these.
David RedEagle
2024-02-27 17:29:33 +0000 UTCLincoln will be up tomorrow!
Cassie
2024-02-27 17:29:28 +0000 UTCOne of those under appreciated Disney movies. I haven’t seen this since it came out!
Wes
2024-02-27 17:29:27 +0000 UTCI only just watched this for the first time recently too! I was most surprised at how many songs from this have been used in TikTok trends. 🤣 Excited to watch this with ya!
kaiielle
2024-02-27 17:28:26 +0000 UTCLincoln coming soon?
Brent Petty
2024-02-27 17:27:32 +0000 UTC
