Reviews

The only reason people watched this movie is because it was Cameron Boyce's final role, as is my reason as well, knowing him from "Jessie". Lots of the acting was cliche and stereotypical, and there was no depth to any character besides a glimpse of Cal. It seems to have everything but a plot and lore behind these characters, even as the film goes on, these characters end the same way they were introduced to us as, with no redemption or change to them to give us a reason as to why we should root for or care about them.

"Runt" is the name of Cal's dog, not because it is a metaphor for how Cal's character is treated or because it's his character's nickname, and there is very little screen time of Cal and Runt, which is disappointing, as it was the only part of the film I found life in. Which is a waste of a part of this story that would have made this title or the film make more sense.

The plot is very predictable, even with Runt's fate and the reactions of the characters, which makes for a slow-moving, boring film. It is also extremely stereotypical in an attempt to "stand out" in every single character trope in a teen movie you can think of. Every single scene can be imagined before it happens, and you will be right in how it plays out.

Watch if you're a fan of Boyce and want to see his last film. Otherwise, there's sadly not much if a movie to see overall as it will forever live in the shadow of his death.

I've seen most of the notable past versions of NDP, and I can say confidently that no performance, past and present, lives up to the original show. This is no exception.

First off, some of the new costumes are a big downgrade, especially Quasimodo's. What did they do to him? At first glance, he looks like a mime as Angelo Del Vecchio's face is painted white as snow and given lipstick with a shaky hand to represent the sores on Quasimodo's lips. He is also given a fluffy red wig instead of the more bristly, spike one they have had in the past and occasionally have still. With others, they just look so much cheaper, including Gringoire's, but Frollo's I find okay, but the original one was simpler and his here just stands out a bit too much. The costumes outshine the actors that wear them, to put it simply. I can't see anything past them.

As for the singing. We have some veterans here, including Richard Charest and Daniel Lavoie, and rookies Angelo Del Vecchio and Hiba Tawaji. They're just fine as talent, but they don't have a lot of chemistry together, it looks forced. I just see them as Angelo and Hiba, unlike Garou and Helene Segara in the original. Jay as Clopin does a good job. He's not as unpredictable and hard as Luck, but he has his own identity. Lastly, Alyzee is and Martin are just... fine. Martin reminds me of the Las Vegas Phoebus, both in appearance and voice.

While this dvd is hard to find I have seen most of the songs of this cast online. Were it not for Daniel Lavoie sticking with the show after 20 years, this show would be a train wreck. This is a newer, younger cast, unlike the Italian cast, who still retains most of its original cast (Gio, Graziano, Vittorio, etc). As much as I like Angelo Del Vecchio, who plays Quasimodo he seems distracted from the character he is supposed to play. He pairs well with Lavoie, but he appears to focus more on singing the songs rather than playing a believable Quasimodo, although maybe it is just the flashy, cheap costume and makeup. It is also noticeable in his voice he's straining a lot to sound like Garou, and he takes a VERY obvious breath in between every line, which can't be ignored after you hear it. It may just be the way he sings, I don't know. But it distracts me a lot, because he has a great voice and it interrupts that.

The show had a few revisions after 2000, which makes it more show than story in my opinion. In some songs characters interact more with the ensemble (ex. Gringoire in La Fete de Fous) than others. In the original, having no ensemble interaction and being more direct to the audience makes it more engaging, and sometimes when they do interact with ensemble members in the new show it may be even frustrating, as if they're wasting time.

The new cast members seem to focus more on singing rather than playing their parts, and for that, it's mixed for me. Maybe it's because I prefer the original cast first, but when you play a part you need to convince the audience that you are that said part above anything else. I would rather have a mediocre singer with amazing acting skills than an amazing singer who does nothing to show me they are indeed who they are playing the tole of. I am intrigued by the newer cast members, and they have a lot of potential to improve.

Everything impressed me. Foster was terrific and EVERYTHING resonated with my own school experiences. Tying in the play with the plot worked. The ending was something wonderful.

10 out of 10. Just amazing.

A crazy film, but accurate to some parts of our own world. The dystopian utopia controlled by an external being - I nearly wished there would be more movie to explore it. Arman and Chloe were great in their roles. I would describe it as a combination of "The Gift" and "Brave New World", with a satisfying feeling of hope at the end.

I decided to watch this after warming up to Mandy Patinkin's Quasimodo and although he was not the best there I decided to watch anyway for its hype. It's insanely mediocre. Low budget fantasy and no reason to care for any of these characters at all. Even Inigo, who's arguably the only character who I'd say I like in this movie. Everything is solved so quickly. There's no truly evil villain. Inigo's famous line is almost comedic.

Watch The Mask of Zorro instead - true storyline, memorable characters, and Anthony Hopkins.

I had been looking forward to watch this film after reading reviews praising the acts of Derek Jacobi and whatnot, but was disappointed. His Frollo seems very detached from Esmeralda, even with his talent, it doesn't connect.

Also, this Esmeralda is laughable. The hair is hilariously 80s and doesn't work. Nothing against the actor.

The one that saves this rating from even being a 6 is Quasimodo. Unfortunately we don't see a lot of him until the last half (sort of like the book), where we almost get to see more development of him but hardly see any from anyone, not even Q with Frollo. The only good scene would be the aftermath of the flogging and Quasimodo talking to Esmeralda in the tower (but only Quasimodo's dialogue, a nice touch being it's mostly lines from the book).

The ending got to me, I will admit. Hopkins does a stellar job. One of the better adaptations, but wouldn't be so quick to recommend. Watch the 1997 version if you're looking for a modern live-action Hunchback.

As I've rewatched it I find myself liking it much better than others, even 1939 where Patinkin draws many parallels from throughout. It's not eye candy nor does it have anything that necessarily "stands out" but that's fine. The flogging is very powerful ("She gave me water!") and personally I believe this is better than 39. The characters are much more into their roles compared to the book. It also takes in the issue of printing from the book and put it into the plot and had it work. It may take a couple rewatches to like it but it's worth it. A very good adaptation.

I finally found this with English subtitles and as one who usually is turned away from musicals, this was absolutely beautiful. Garou is truly the star of the show as Quasimodo. He brings you in with passion, heartbreak, and talent I've never seen in other versions. The end will crush you just like the book. This is the first musical I'll likely buy the album of, it's that good.

I thought the Mondo TV version was bad, but this one tops it since that version was insane. Quasimodo here doesn't seem to be deaf but speaks it, and in third person too for some reason. Esmeralda is a witch... just because. Frollo even admits that. I couldn't stand to sit down and watch this all the way through, and I could tolerate the Dingo Pictures version. At least that version, as infamous and terrible quality Dingo is, followed the story and was to the point. I could not stand Quasimodo nor Frollo in this (he looked like the magician from Frosty the Snowman). As soon as I finished it, I completely forgot it. Skipable unless you're committed to watching every version of HOND. The Burbank Australia version is much more superior.

It's Dingo. It's absolutely terrible. But... it tells the original story just like the 39 version (for the most part).

That's sad.

Not a lot happens until the end. I liked the buildup with Jesse and Walter but I was disappointed to see that end so soon. The mother and daughter are so unlikable. Jesse (who is played by Arman Darbo) should've been the main focus who had to deal with these awful characters the whole time.

Also, the ending was confusing and nothing prior to it was even explained.

I've seen this film a few times now, very good acting, but the story needed more. The ending was barely seen, as in the final event happens, but all you see really is blur and the voices are muffled. There wasn't a lot of development from anyone, and Edwin and especially Flake needed it the most. Things just happen that don't explain anything as to why the characters act the way they do. Zero Day does this much better, with its video diary style and final scene completely seen to the viewer, but I prefer this over that but only because of its clearer visuals, music, interaction, and less drag. It was good, but could've been better to give this a 10.

I saw this episode because I saw that Sawyer Barth was making a cameo. Not even he could save this show. It switches too much and needed to focus on the most important one, whichever it was. Barth's, for example, wasn't even relevant to the plot at all. He did a good job though despite the cringe worthy script he was given.

This movie was so flat. I felt forced to laugh at the slightest bits of "comedy" given throughout, no genuinely funny moments I saw. A cliche "dead father, race against time, almost get it but 'you learn something all along along the way'". Exposition was TOTALLY rushed and gave no backstories or reasons to like these characters or care for them. The Ian character is your typical average teen character with a voice that nearly got on my nerves. Barley (what is this name lol) was okay but not developed as fully or focused on he should have been. Manticore was just Miss Fritter from Cars 3, mother reminiscent of Squishy's mother from Monsters U. No real chance of any character (not even Ian!) to be fully developed for me to grow a connection to them. It was rushed, cliche, and predictable. Ending was an attempt to pull me in, and almost did, but it just wasn't enough.

And no, it was not even close to being like Frozen besides the "only having each other" cliche despite these two having their mother. But would definitely recommend over it.

The ONLY thing I liked about it was the ending song. Watching the 2-part Exodus was infuriating. You are better off watching the 1985 or 2011 TC because absolutely nothing is explained and the characters are written like trash. Heck, the MAD parody, ThunderLOLcats, was better well written and animated (and actually funny).

This is my favorite Simpsons episode. Pairing Homer and Clancy together is my favorite pairing to see as well. A bit similar to "The Fat Blue Line". It really shows Chief Wiggum's insecurity and just wanting a friend, which is something we usually don't see as he is shown as the dumb cop stereotype very often. Very heartwarming, very worth the time. Homer and Wiggum make a great pairing, I'd love to see them together more often.

This was a great episode. I wouldn't judge an episode just because modern Simpsons gets so much hate. It focus more on secondary characters and really gives some character development on Chief Wiggum and Fat Tony the best. Makes for a warm and sweet ending too.

Nine kids in a family of eleven. It's not like Outdaughtered in the sense that they're a real family with real family values. I love watching the babies and big boys alike with their unique names (although some I worry about... "Blu Wellington" is very, very odd) and adventures they go on together. Courtney is a wonderful mother and so is Eric as a father. They strive for that bond with all their children and have their acts together unlike the Busbys. 10/10!