Everything about this movie is bad - the plot, the acting, CGI, filming - nothing deserves a single good word. But then if you're hungover and want to watch some ridiculous trash (as i was when watching it) this might be the movie for you.
A princess unfamiliar with concepts like swings and spaghetti? Sure. Some witch credited as Yara the Enchantress being the mastermind behind the 1917 revolution? Sounds credible. Rasputin starting breakdancing for no reason? Gimme more.
46 Reviews
This is a family movie
nikospastel26 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I have seen everyone bashing this movie so hard so i ve decided to check it by myself.
First things first, this is a very low budget, family friendly TV movie. You expect way to much from such a kind of movie to be honest.
Let's get started then
The movie is taking place in two-periods, first is in Russia including Romanovs and the second one is taking place in USA 80's. Anastasia ( protagonist ) faces the loss of her parents and Rasputin transfers her ( in a time travel trip ) straight to 80's USA on order to protect her from Lenin and a bad... witch or whatsoever . The entire idea behind the concept isn't that bad but the execution was poor. BUT you must watch this movie as a family friendly movie and not as an adult. If you are looking for a historical memorial for the Romanovs then this isn't your movie because everything is wrong in so many ways. If i had to rate this as normal i would rate it as 2/10 because, lack of the protagonist to mimic at least the Russian accent. Historical fraud led to movie's conclusion. Rasputin being nice and caring is the exact opposite from what he really was. Dialogs were poor, there isn't a timeline of events and it's really a very simple story, that's what it is.
First things first, this is a very low budget, family friendly TV movie. You expect way to much from such a kind of movie to be honest.
Let's get started then
The movie is taking place in two-periods, first is in Russia including Romanovs and the second one is taking place in USA 80's. Anastasia ( protagonist ) faces the loss of her parents and Rasputin transfers her ( in a time travel trip ) straight to 80's USA on order to protect her from Lenin and a bad... witch or whatsoever . The entire idea behind the concept isn't that bad but the execution was poor. BUT you must watch this movie as a family friendly movie and not as an adult. If you are looking for a historical memorial for the Romanovs then this isn't your movie because everything is wrong in so many ways. If i had to rate this as normal i would rate it as 2/10 because, lack of the protagonist to mimic at least the Russian accent. Historical fraud led to movie's conclusion. Rasputin being nice and caring is the exact opposite from what he really was. Dialogs were poor, there isn't a timeline of events and it's really a very simple story, that's what it is.
Good idea but poor execution
kmkarina22 June 2021
This seemed interesting at first but it turned out to be one of the worst movies I've ever watched. Such a waste of time! How do I begin? The idea of a contemporary movie about the Romanovs fascinated me. The first ten minutes were really interesting but then the disaster began. How do you expect to get something good when you mix the 80s with old Russian history? This was a very low budget movie. The actress who was casted as Anastasia played so bad, her accent was so fake and gross! Don't forget Anastasia was a royal princess who really received education. Also, they really ruined the 80s era. What I've seen in the movie is nothing more than a cheap copy. The ending was so unrealistic. Next time when making such a film, read more about the history.
Dreadful
alexmcbeath-122 February 2021
This is utterly dreadful everything from the script to the special effects to acting performances. A special mention must go to the actor playing Lenin's hair, rarely in cinema has an actor's performance been worse than that of his wig.
Russophobia in a nutshell
lemonkate16 September 2020
Don't touch russian history ever again. If you're not able to respect other cultures, if you're too lazy or ignorant to study them before filming, then STOP. Just don't come near it. As a russian I feel extremely offended right now. This movie must be deleted from the existence.
Worst film I've seen for nearly a decade
christineleung-315783 March 2020
This is truly awful. Mix of attempts and non attempts for accents, really bad acting, graphics are horrendous especially for todays technology, The budget must have been so low... the random guy in the confusing suit looks like they slapped some felt onto his head. They didn't even try to make it the same colour. Some sound effects are incorrectly timed. Music is also too loud at times to hear people talk. I would go on but it would just cause more wasted time and I feel it's taken enough of that from me. One of those which is so bad you can't stop watching just to see if any talent kicks in.
Worst acting ive ever seen, do yourself a favour and watch the 1997 version.
little_devil-301912 September 2020
This has to be the most ridiculous low budget movie ive ever seen. They would have done better to just not bother with the Russian accents since they were terrible and the actors frequently dropped the accent anyway. The costuming is terrible, it looked like the romanov princess had bought her dress at a cheap costume store. Most of the props looked cheap and gawdy which made it much less magical than what they seemed to be going for. The storyline is kind of pointless. Even as a young child i think i would have found this movie pretty lackluster. Nothing about it was actually good.
Russophobia, Cultural appropriation
isometricvoid16 September 2020
This is disgusting. Stop mocking other cultures, and learn to use google for once if you don't have normal history textbooks at schools. Russian people are depicted as barbarians and I find it offensive, as if this mocked me personally. If you can't create normal representation and respect other cultures, then please don't even try ever again and mock your own culture (oh wait, you don't have any! whoops!)
One star is being kind.
halcyonbear20 November 2020
Tasteless doesn't even cover this. Regardless of your opinions of the Russian Revolution and casting disproven conspiracy theories aside, the historical fact remains that a young girl was killed alongside her family. To try to turn that into some kind saccharine feel-good family fantasy movie is very disrespectful. Why not just do an animated musical about Anne Frank if we're going to be so tasteless? Some subjects need to be treated with due gravity. This is the kind of story that should be done as a serious drama. If you want to make a family film about hope and friendship, fine, there are other tales that can be adapted, or better still, do something original. At some point whilst the idea for this was being pitched, someone should have had the lightbulb moment that this is a horrible idea. I can totally understand why people from Russia are so angered by this film.
Far worse than sanctions
virtusrgpro17 September 2020
This movie is a total disgrace to the whole cinematography world. It seems that in 2020 you can blame Russia for almost anything, but descending to the level when you literally start mocking its history and culture? This time you guys managed to cross the line. Absurd plot, bad (and I mean really bad) acting and a total disconnection from reality are just tip of the iceberg.
Bad acting, low budget, historically inappropriate but fun for a tv-movie!
shyhartc9 July 2021
I never expct anything when I sarted this movie, I understand this supposed to be a fantasy and of with magical touch into it. Just from the start obviously a low budgeted and introduction was not impressive. Just when Jo Koy (a comedian from Netflix) entered the scene that's when I realized this is supposed to be a comedy. JoKoy as the villain and the acting was suposed to be bad(?) lol! It made me laugh the whole time. I guess just take it easy. A fantasy-Comedy mix- Sure! It doesn't have to be all historically appropriate.
I was laughing the entire time
mij-1689319 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Absolutely hysterical movie. I can't believe this made it into production, but I must admit I was smiling throughout the movie with some drinks in hands. The ballroom dancing in the first scene was impeccable, but the budget went downhill from there. Also it was kind of a musical? They definitely blew their budget on "Time After Time." Minus three stars for being a proponent of the monarchy and capitalism.
This film is disrespectful to Russian culture
nastyav-5797617 September 2020
Anastasia Romanova was 17 when she and her family were mercilessly shot. This is a terrible tragedy, that should treat with respect and historical credibility.
This is film that doesn't care about historical context. It shows that in the Russian Empire the Grand Duchess does not know the norms of behavior.
This film is a devaluation of Russian culture and a disregard for a 17-year-old girl who was ruthlessly shot.
Ignorance at it's peak
kisaxeniya17 September 2020
Absolutely disgusting and disrespectful story about a poor girl who was brutally murdered with her whole family in her 17 years old. This is mockery of Russian history. Anastasia was canonized. This film disrespects our history, culture and religion. I am so enraged and frustrated by this.
lol
williamspeter-0094524 October 2021
I cannot believe that this actually got made. It appears to be a film version of a fan fiction written by a twelve-year-old girl, complete with self-insert character. Everyone should watch this. I was genuinely conflicted on whether to give it 1 star or 10 stars.
How is this possible?
nogodnomasters2 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Anastasia (Emily Carey ), Annie to her friends, with the assistance of kindly Rasputin (Armando Gutierrez) escapes to the future in 1989 Madison (filmed in Louisville, Kentucky because they look like they are 30 years behind the times). She makes friends with Megan (Amiah Miller) who is picked on by the proverbial mean girls.
They turned this into a mediocre musical. Clearly aimed at girls who like to jump around and dance. While Lenin (Jo Koy) is the bad guy in this, he was also seen as a hero of the common man against the Romanov family who have so much.
They turned this into a mediocre musical. Clearly aimed at girls who like to jump around and dance. While Lenin (Jo Koy) is the bad guy in this, he was also seen as a hero of the common man against the Romanov family who have so much.
Turning a Historical Tragedy into a Fantasy
working_class_peon-370081 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I admit. I have mixed feelings about this movie. On the one hand, I understand that this is a movie which targets young girls, that it is about enduring friendships, and that it is a fantasy. This becomes evident rather quickly due to the magical elements and effects which are incorporated into the early parts of the story. Taken from that perspective, the film does have its sweet and touching moments.
Yet at the same time, taking into consideration the fact that this movie is derived from actual tragic events in Russian history -- the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his entire family by the Bolsheviks in 1918 -- I almost find it disrespectful and inappropriate that this movie was even made. The movie totally ignores the horror of those events, and some viewers might even say, makes light of them. It just wants to be a feel-good, happy ending movie.
To add injury to insult, part of the plot is based on a longstanding conspiracy theory regarding Anastasia, which, from what I can tell, has no basis in actual historical fact.
So, weighing all of these various points, I can give the film a 5 at best. If you would like to see a movie which more realistically portrays the reign of Czar Nicholas II, and the ultimate demise of him and his family, I encourage you to view 1971's "Nicholas and Alexandra" starring Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman and Tom Baker. Obviously, it is not 100% historically accurate either, but it is a lot closer to the truth than this feel-good fantasy.
Yet at the same time, taking into consideration the fact that this movie is derived from actual tragic events in Russian history -- the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his entire family by the Bolsheviks in 1918 -- I almost find it disrespectful and inappropriate that this movie was even made. The movie totally ignores the horror of those events, and some viewers might even say, makes light of them. It just wants to be a feel-good, happy ending movie.
To add injury to insult, part of the plot is based on a longstanding conspiracy theory regarding Anastasia, which, from what I can tell, has no basis in actual historical fact.
So, weighing all of these various points, I can give the film a 5 at best. If you would like to see a movie which more realistically portrays the reign of Czar Nicholas II, and the ultimate demise of him and his family, I encourage you to view 1971's "Nicholas and Alexandra" starring Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman and Tom Baker. Obviously, it is not 100% historically accurate either, but it is a lot closer to the truth than this feel-good fantasy.
Emily Carey... and others
bandimal9 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'll admit I've been a fan of Emily Carey since she was on the British drama "Casualty"... and I see some of her excellence here, too. She is the only one to hold accent throughout the film, but the directing spoiled much of her talent.
The editing is choppy; Rasputin is not portrayed accurately and his costume changes several times; there are scenes in the trailer that were apparently cut from the film. It's a lot of 1980s fluff with little plot to be found. There's no historic accuracy and this must be viewed as a fantasy (as it is justly billed).
I wish I could give it a higher rating, but this just wasn't worth the two year wait. Sorry, Emily.
The editing is choppy; Rasputin is not portrayed accurately and his costume changes several times; there are scenes in the trailer that were apparently cut from the film. It's a lot of 1980s fluff with little plot to be found. There's no historic accuracy and this must be viewed as a fantasy (as it is justly billed).
I wish I could give it a higher rating, but this just wasn't worth the two year wait. Sorry, Emily.
Feels like an 80s kids film, in a good way.
awesomeawesome-2868119 March 2020
I'm fascinated by the many rumors of Anastasia, and although this is fantasy, I liked where it took the legend of her, especially the reveal at the end. Lots of heart and shot beautifully by one of the greatest DPs of all time, with visual hints of his work like Back to the Future and Hook. Music is wonderful too. It's not a big budget film but doesn't have to be for this take to work. In an age where there seems to be very little indie family/kids films, I'm glad this one found a home. It felt like an 80s film to me and my family, in a good way.
Very cute...
RosanaBotafogo24 August 2022
Cute, I hurt in s2 for the bullying, for the true story behind the legend that for many years enchanted us, in the hope that the girl Anastácia was still alive, however in 2007 our hopes died, our magic together with the confirmation of the DNA of all family members, the movie is very silly, but very cute...
Brandon Routh is transcendant, as always!
saraherfarrell19 September 2020
This movie genuinely confused and upset me, while I do think it's funny young children will google "what happened to Anastasia?" and learn some upsetting historical truths, but more than that is the frankly baffling choices made on every level.
disgusting
poebat17 September 2020
Have a good laugh. Why the hell does this film exist in 2019?
wandererfromvn17 October 2021
This film is even worse than a high school playrole performance. The only thing good is actors' beauty. A lot of nonsence scenes, stupid situation with a ridiculous way to try to create humour and fantasy. I can't believe this film was produced in 2019 and I have watched it on Netflix in 2021. LOL, like a kid wrote this movie.
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