The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
So basically this is Disney's version of Les Misérables (the musical). We didn't watch this one as religiously as the first four renaissance films and saw it first when we were a bit "older". Despite its glaring problems, it mostly works for us. To be honest, for Disney's standards we think it's a pretty good film and is at least somewhat different from the same old, same old.
Characters
Quasimodo: A great protagonist. For sure, the kindest and the most gentle main male character Disney has ever had. He's in a really interesting situation; his guardian has taught him that the world is evil and that he himself deserves no love from anyone. Yet he remains hopeful and curious about the outside. His character arc is a tear-jerker.
Frollo: Hands down the best Disney villain ever. The design, the song, the perversion and the zealous religious hypocrisy, it's all perfect. We think his character and particularly Hellfire was inspired by Judge Turpin (Sweeney) way more than anything from the book.
Esmeralda: Kicks some major ass. Not only physically. She's one of our favourite Disney females. Like Leia in Star Wars, Esmeralda isn't ruined by becoming a prize for the main hero. It doesn't follow that if a female character ends up with the hero that she's gone, but only in cases where there's no romantic chemistry, hence they are not on an equal footing. To Frollo she's a temptress, to Quasimodo an angel but to Phoebus an equal. She's one of those characters that you aspire to be more like.
Phoebus: Maybe the main reason we like him so much is because his sense of humour is exactly like our dad's. Not sure if that's a compliment, but it makes for a lovable character. Also a rarity in the Disneyverse because he has a moral awakening, which prompts him to switch sides.
Minor characters: The irredeemable problem of this movie, the gargoyles... The only way to have salvaged this, would have been to make them imaginary. Of course, coming from a Mormon background we can mental gymnastics any shit. The gypsies are funny, but the story wouldn't have suffered from additional complexity concerning them.
Story
It borrows much more from Les Misérables (both book and musical) than the book it's based on. This version is definitely not about the church, but about the Hunchback. Book lovers may abhor this, however, the film's storyline functions better from a visual standpoint. This is probably the most epic project Disney has ever undertaken. The music, the animation and the simple ambition to attempt something like this. At points, it fails and spectacularly so (looking at you gargoyles), but when it works, it's fucking breathtaking. We defy anyone to watch Hellfire and not be impressed. Even our nephew, who's only into action/adventure went "WOW!" It has all the same lessons that every other Disney movie has, but the execution tends to be more interesting and engaging.
Miscellaneous
The music is just amazing. Absolutely the most epic score from Disney, Menken really surpassed himself here. You heard us, Elton John! (But we still love you!) There is some serious tonal dissonance in this film, but it's nowhere near as bad as it is in the next movie. Hercules, here we come.
