Anastasia

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⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

This is one of those non-Disney animation movies that I wonder if anyone watched besides my family. I remember kinda liking it as a kid, but also being creeped the hell out.

Yup, everything tracks. This movie is good. The songs are absolute bangers. Once Upon a December was this truly moving, melancholy, mystical experience that I didn't appreciate as a kid, but was definitely the highlight for me now. Journey to the Past, Learn to Do It, Rumor in St Petersburg. All bangers. I was very impressed by both the variety and quality across the board.

But let's not forget my man Rasputin. What an absolute horrifying character to put in a kids movie! This guy losing his limbs is icky even now. But he is also hilarious, his song In the Dark of the Night is incredible (some "Be Prepared" vibes), and he forms this amazing chemistry with Bartok who killed me. Great villain.

Meg Ryan is a bit of an odd choice here, and I'm not sure I loved her. Otherwise the voices were pretty great. I also thought how pro-royalist, anti-communist this movie was is worth a laugh in 2023. Also interesting to note that Anastasia was confirmed dead only a few years after this movie came out.

Anyways, great movie, and I'm happy I rewatched. "Grandmama, it's me, Anastasia - *bump bump*" is still killer.

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