Jim on Film
Page 4 of 5

Visually, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the definition of breathtaking animation. From the opening titles in colorful medieval letters and the site of Notre Dame through the parting clouds, this film is a visual roller coaster ride, with one visual thrill following another. The backgrounds feel like medieval Paris in design and color. To top that, the character animation is incredible. While this is what we have come to expect from Disney and have always received, the complexity of the three main characters make them even more remarkable, particularly in the stunning performances of Kathy Zielinski leading the animation of Frollo, James Baxter leading the animation of Quasimodo, and Tony Fucile leading animation of Esmeralda. Furthermore, the whole film is swathed in shadows, providing mood and beauty.

(c) Disney

As always, the “sidekick�? characters play a key role, more so than just providing laughs. As has be written by others, Victor represents the superego, Laverne the ego, and Hugo the id. This breakdown reflects the forces at work within Quasimodo. The three characters, functioning together as his friends and confidants, have the balance to offer sound advice. Furthermore, without these characters present, Quasimodo would either have too have many solos written for him or would have to start talking to himself. The addition of Victor, Hugo, and Laverne allow Quasimodo to share his ideas with the audience and allows the audience to understand what drives Quasimodo to make the decisions he makes, and the idea of using gargoyles who come alive only for Quasimodo is brilliant. And while some have criticized their style of humor, its abrasive nature is reflective of the time, which is echoed in the streets by how the people use Quasimodo for their own humor. In addition to all this, the antics they do provide are always humorous, despite that abrasive quality, and when looking at the film as a whole, they provide much needed light moments in an otherwise very dark film.

But the film is full of other great characters as well. As referenced before, Frollo is one of Disney’s baddest baddies. It’s easy to love to hate him. But as great as it is to love to hate Frollo, it’s a feat on the part of the filmmakers that Quasimodo is also easy to love. He is physically hideous, but he’s also such a lovable and heartfelt character. In fact, he’s so lovable, people did buy toys and memorabilia with his “half-formed�? likeness on it.

Quasimodo himself is very complex. He’s very childlike--trusting, fearful, and loyal--but as the film progresses, he matures into adulthood. As he faces the truth about the true nature of his master Frollo, he loses his fear while remaining trusting when Esmeralda pulls him into the street and loyal to his friendship with Esmeralda and Phoebus. In the final scenes of the film, when he is accepted and loved by the people of Paris, they are only catching up with what the audience has felt since they first met him.

Esmeralda is one of the many great Disney characters of the last decade. Even though she is designed to be visually stunning and is, once the audience gets to know her, that is really secondary. Esmeralda is courageous as she faces down Frollo to free Quasimodo, and in her courage, she speaks wisdom, proclaiming that “You speak of justice, yet you are cruel to those most in need of your help.�? Not only does she speak out against Frollo, but she does so to a mob of people, putting so intelligently into words that which the audience wants to scream themselves. Through her courage, she comforts and befriends Quasimodo, later giving him the hope that he really is not a monster. Part of her courage and her kindness comes from her scrappy nature as a discriminated person living on the lower rung of society, where she learns to get by with her wits, such as when she throws the rock that hits the horse, thereby saving Phoebus’ life. But she’s also a great witty character. Her interchange with Phoebus is another highlight of the film. After complimenting her by saying, “You fight almost as well as a man,�? she returns, “Funny. I was going to say the same thing about you.�?