From the opening scene of “Anastasia” (G), you’ll be entranced. The computer-generated animation creates a dazzling fairy-tale world. When snow falls gently in St. Petersburg, Russia, you’ll feel you could reach out and touch it.
And the tale of a lost princess in search of herself, love and happiness is catchy too. The film begins with Anastasia enjoying a ball at the family palace. But then the evil sorcerer Rasputin places a murderous curse on her family. Anastasia escapes, but loses her memory. The rest of the story is about her journey home.
The characters in 20th Century Fox’s animation debut are strong and admirable. Though Anastasia’s a princess, she’s no Snow White. She’s feisty and tough and doesn’t need a prince or seven dwarfs to rescue her. Her love interest, Dimitri, is certainly no prince. He’s a con-man who is saved only by Anastasia’s love. Rasputin and his gaggle of ghouls raise a chill bump or two, while Bartok, Rasputin’s albino bat sidekick, provides great belly laughs.