Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411230039
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But given the standards that have been set by such recent releases as "The Lion King" and "Aladdin," not to mention the appearance of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" on home video, kids who appreciate really good animation may lose patience with this one. The pace is so slow that the detailed backgrounds are the most impressive visual aspect, and about the best that can be said of the songs is that they're short.
The plot is made up of familiar elements. Beautiful Princess Odette (voice of Michelle Nicastro), who appears to be closely related to Barbie, is meant to wed handsome thick-headed Prince Derek (Howard McGillin). But the evil sorcerer Rothbart (Jack Palance) kidnaps her, casts a spell ... you know the drill.
Among the cutsey-poo cast of supporting characters are Jean-Bob (John Cleese) the obnoxious frog; Speed (Steven Wright) the brave turtle and Puffin (Steve Vinovich), a bird with an Irish brogue.
Writer/director Richard Rich seems to have used Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" as the model for his characters' appearance and personalities, and for the film's overall look. The musical numbers undercut the fairy-tale atmosphere with 20th-century slang and references. One entitled "No Fear" turns into a team sports parody, and another, "Princesses on Parade," is based on beauty contests. Neither does anything to advance the story, and compared to a spectacular production number like "Be Our Guest" from "Beauty," they're pretty puny.
Of course, those criticisms won't mean much to kids of the right age who really like this kind of story. Any parent or grandparent who sits through the whole film with them deserves a gold star.
The Swan Princess **
A New Line Cinema release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 90 min. Rated G.
by CNB