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Reviews
Danny the Champion of the World (1989)
brilliant!
This is sterling stuff. A charming film that all the family can watch. Jeremy Irons is really believable as the single father of Danny Smith. Together they hatch a plot to do down wealthy landowner Hazell, played excellently by Robbie Coltrane. It is Jeremy Iron's heartwarming performance that I enjoyed most however, and he works incredibly well with his son Samuel. Their relationship is a joy to watch. I've rarely seen a father and son relationship portrayed so touchingly on screen. Good supporting performances too, from Cyril Cusack and Jimmy Nail among others. I can't think of better actors who could have played the characters in the film. Also lovely music and views of the English countryside. The film is quite evocative of the time it was set in (1955). Great that it's coming out on Region 2 DVD, I think this film deserves more recognition as it definitely captured the spirit of the book.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002)
Very poor sequel to average film
I wasn't very taken with the first Disney version of HOND, with its poor music and weak plot. But hey, this sequel really takes the biscuit! First of all, the animation is appalling. I understand that this is a straight to video movie, but the standard of the drawing here is the worst I have ever seen in anything that calls itself a movie. It even looks worse than your average Disney cartoon. And that's bad. It's really noticeable if you watch the first Hunchback that there's a big difference between that animation and this, and it puts this to shame. As someone else mentioned, Esmerelda's skintone is 2/3 shades darker than before, Notre Dame just looks awful compared with the first HOND, etc etc. Why bother hiring Demi Moore, Tom Hulce etc if the animation isn't even up to scratch.
Next thing. The original Hunchback plot had understandably undergone huge changes as the novel is incredibly dark. Yet the film still had very dark undertones. HOND 2 rips that apart and, as others have pointed out, trivialises the whole theme of the first HOND. There is nothing really dark here. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and don't even get very distressed when Zephyr is kidnapped. Who actually cares about the bell? Talk about a boring plot. The atmosphere and dark situations of the era present in the original are just completely destroyed, as happens often with Disney follow-ups.
The relationship with Quasimodo and Madelaine is also a letdown. It could have been interesting, but it just isn't believable as they spend so little time together and the wider issues weren't addressed enough, like how Madelaine felt about being with someone like Quasimodo, how they were perceived etc. They kiss at the end, but it all seemed a little rushed. It was, however, the saving grace of the film that the relationship existed as it provided food for thought. Should have been developed, though.
The music is disappointing. IMHO, the original HOND had a dismal score, with a few exceptions. Here, the songs are even worse and add nothing to the film. I got the feeling they were just put in to fill up time, and they sounded that anyone just out of college could have written them.
Overall - weak, uninteresting, I don't recommend it. 1/10
Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985)
Excellent series
I agree with the other comments, this was great entertainment. I have some episodes on videotape. Seeing them again recently reminded me of what a cool cartoon it is. The characters were all cleverly created and fun. We have the matriarch, the smart one, the greedy one, the grumpy one... And a villain, Duke Igthorn, for good measure. The stories were varied and original, with both Gummis and human characters. Action was often centered around the castle. One of the best episodes was the one with the magical hat and escape from the castle. Excellent theme music also. Loads of magic and adventure with few dull moments! It's a shame this isn't seen much anymore, as it easily beats all those spin off series Disney made in the 90's.