The Hunchback of Notre Dame - A Movie Review

Don’t spend your whole life in the shadows of Notre Dame. We are all human.

Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame was released to theaters in 1996. Quasimodo, a deformed man has spent his whole life in the shadows in the bell tower of Notre Dame. Ignoring the words of his cruel master, he experiences an eye-opening lesson about himself.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Disney’s most bold animated films. The film is so underrated, in my opinion. Everything from the story, characters, and songs are enriching. It is one of Disney’s darkest films that has glossed the screen. Nobody should ever let their appearances hold them back from living their lives.

Quasimodo is an uplifting figure. Born a hunchback, he is forced to live in the fear of his appearance. Tom Hulce bore an incredible sense of wonder as the voice of the kind-hearted hunchback. Learning a wholesome lesson about trust, friendship, and appearance, Quasimodo endures the fight of his life.

Talk about one of the most sinister villains ever put on the Disney screen. Frollo is not afraid to talk down to anybody, happily making people suffer. Tony Jay belted his signature villain song, ‘Hellfire’ which is now considered to be one of Disney’s darkest songs. It was almost cut from the film for its content!

Esmerelda is a kind and free-spirited woman who also has a different lifestyle from the world. Living like a gypsy, she has never had it easy. Though she has a positive way of viewing the world and its people. She and Phobus shared the best scenes

A notable ensemble of voices and characters light up the screen. Voice talents to include are Tom Hulce, Tony Jay, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Jason Alexander, Charles Kimbrough, Mary Wickes, Paul Kandel, and David Ogden Stiers.

Many viewers have argued over the characters of the Gargoyles. While the trio are wonderful friends to Quasimodo who give their full support, they don’t add much to the story. Their existence is also a question too.

The songs, animation, and colors are spectacular. The animation is rich. Animators did an incredible job with breathtaking designs of characters and the layout. Camera angles were thought out to the highest extreme to take audiences through this dramatic tale.

Animators heavily focused on the designs of the Notre Dame cathedral. To do their research, animators traveled to the actual cathedral to capture the details to present authenticity. I’d say they were successful. Every frame of the cathedral is a work of art.

‘Out There’ is one of the best songs that I constantly replay on Youtube. Other song numbers to mention are ‘The Bells of Notre Dame’, ‘Topsy Turvy,’ ‘God Help the Outcasts’, and ‘A Guy Like You.’ Alan Menken did a superb job with the direction of songs.

Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise distributed a moving film that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Nobody should ever be afraid of their appearance. Though I will say that the final film is dark for young audiences. Using clever decisions, the duo found impactful ways to showcase in this story.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is not a film for young child audiences. It is actually known as one of Disney’s darkest films. Inhabiting matures themes about religion, infanticide, and genocide, topics that children would not understand. I was surprised by the dark imagery when I went back to watch the movie as a teenager.

It’s hard not to watch The Hunchback of Notre Dame whenever it is on. The film is entertaining appointed with a great story.