Because I delude myself into thinking that people like this game, here’s another round of “Spot the Differences”. This time it’s Esmeralda and Quasimodo, a la Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame. 11 differences this time. Leave comment if you you can find some or all.
Esmeralda and Quasimodo spot the difference game disney hunchback of Notre Dame
Esmeralda getting close to Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Please Enjoy
yeah, In the grand tradition of The Hunchblog (a few weeks) Friday is Fan-art day (or Fan-art Friday).
And since it’s everywhere else I’m posting it here it’s Phoebus by David Kawena, from his Disney Heroes series, enjoy
Phoebus by David Kawena Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
He’s very sexy.
Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
After some build up to the The Court Of Miracles
Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin, Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is Clopin and crew basic telling what the Court of Miracles is, why it’s called that and that their going to die from intruding. This scene is taken from the book when Gringoire (not in the movie but his characterization is merged with Clopin and Phoebus) stumbles into the Court of Miracles). Unlike the book, Phoebus and Quasimodo aren’t married off as means of getting off the hook, (though in a deleted song Phoebus and Esmeralda do get married). Instead Esmeralda spoils Clopin’s fun.
The Blind Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is fun. It shows off Clopin’s personality as he delights in tormenting Quasimodo and Phoebus. The song is split into two parts the introduction to the truth of Court of Miracles; where scum of Paris collect. The Miracles reference to beggars faking ailments, like the lame walking and the blind being able to see. The second part is reason for the Court of Miracles: a safe haven for the nomads. Since the court are not Frollophiles, they seem more than happy to Phoebus, Captain of the Guard and Quasimodo, Frollo’s lackey, hang. This is the part of that is a little more fun as Clopin is tormenting Phoebus and Quasimodo as he about to hang them. He dress like a lawyer and a Judge ( Frollo), he also takes out his puppet clopin, and finally say that they are innocent but they are going to hang anyway.
Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin, Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin and Phoebus Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The real difference between the two parts is the fist part is in the dark spooky catacombs, where they are piles of bones and members of the Court are dressed like skeletons. This part is dark with a greenish undertone. The second part which is in the safe-haven, has a warm feel, bright lighting and colorful fabrics everywhere. It’s interesting to note that historical the Cour des miracles (Court of Miracles) were the slums of Paris not catacombs. But I guess the slum would have been easy for Frollo to find and it more intriguing as a concept, living in the scary catacombs.
Clopin coplay as Frollo while tormenting Phoebus and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin coplaying as Frollo overruling his puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is fun and well sung by Paul Kandel. When I was a kid I didn’t really care for it but now it’s in the top tier for me in Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Next time – Bells of Notre Dame Reprise
Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
After the intensity of Hellfire, the movie gets a little dark. Frollo goes on a tear extorting Gypsies, arresting people, attempting to kill people including Phoebus and burning a good portion of Paris. After these scenes the movie needs some levity, after all this is a children movie. The levity we’re given is A Guy Like You
Hugo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles and Quasimodo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
In a Guy like you the gargoyles once again build Quasimodo expectations of Esmeralda being love with him. They tell Quasimodo that since he’s special, she has to be in love with him. What examples does the song give that Quasimodo is special? Well he has “something more”, vague statement song. But the song is mainly focused on his looks. Sure there being positive about it but that’s all they can say about Quasimodo is that he looks special. It’s interesting, the movie’s moral is about looking beyond superficiality but this song really only talks about his looks not how amazing or kind or even talented he is.
Victor, Laverne and Quasimodo playing poker A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles and Quasimodo at the barber shop A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles make an Amadeus reference Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song has some good musicality, it’s sung well (though Jason Alexander can’t seem to pronounce Dieu), and it has some clever lyrics but it’s annoying. It tries to have that certain Disney magic but it just doesn’t. I’m little hard-press to categorize it to the Disney song scheme. I would say it’s a sidekick song but those numbers are usually fun and most of the time a show stopper. A Guy like you stops the movie but not in a good way. After so much drama this just weak levity.
Laverne Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo, Victor Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
A Croissant A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Then there is all the anachronism. I dislike the use of anachronism in this movie on the part of the gargoyles. It made sense with the Genie in Aladdin, he’s a supernatural magical entity with cosmic power. With the gargoyles they’re part of the architecture, how can know what poker is, hairspray, Mozart and grand pianos and the like. Here is a list of all the anachronism just from a A Guy like you ( if you know of more let me know, the links are pictures from the song)
Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
Victor singing A Guy Like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo in drag Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
– Modern playing cards, there were cards but not the playing card and the card here look too modern
– Paris as the city of Love (not in 15th century),
– Accordion music is used, it’s basic form for wasn’t created till 1822
– Cigar, Hugo smokes a sausage like cigar and Laverne is smoking cigar at the poker table, your a decade too early for that. Victor and also wear visors.
– Poker wasn’t invented till 1937
– Barber shop is too modern
– Hair spray, 1940s
– Mozart 1756-1791, I get that it’s a reference to Tom Hulce as Mozart in Amadeus.
– Croissant, 19th century
– Grand Piano, well the Piano concept was it until the 17th century
– Laverne wears a Feather Boa, Feather Boa were documented in 1820 but they could have been wore in the 17th century but in the 1480s nope
– Victor wears a bow tie, Bow ties flourished 18th century not in the 15th
Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles and Quasimodo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Seriously Disney thinks they can get alway with anachronisms when a character is magical but they can’t. The fact that you’re seeing less and less of this referential and anachronism humor in their movies means I guess Disney learned it’s lesson but this type of humor wasn’t that funny to begin with. I’m sure the song was meant to be hilarious and/or witty but it’s neither. It’s the most light-heart song but it’s the weakest in the movie.
Next Time – Court of Miracles
Clopin, Phoebus,and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hellfire is Heaven’s Light’s
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Esmeralda as a fire demon dancing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hellfire is a villain song, but it’s not just any villain song, it’s “THE” villain song. Many people consider it the best and one of the darkest Disney villain songs. So what makes this song so good and dark?
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Esmeralda as a fire demon dancing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song starts with Frollo singing to Notre Dame both figuratively and actually ( The building and the Virgin). He claims that he’s purer than the common people and still as pure as he is, he can’t understand his obsession for Esmeralda and why she is invading his mind. For Frollo this lust is not in conflict with ethics or his own deep religious convictions; it’s all about pride and fearing losing control within himself. You can see him visually losing of control: he starts calm and become more and more crazy as the song progresses.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
For Frollo there are two ways to resolve his problem, either Esmerlada must die or she must be his. Hellfire has a very similar vibe to Frollo in the book. Victor Hugo’s Frollo was very proud of his purity. But much like Disney Frollo Hugo’s Frollo felt that Esmeralda was sent by hell to take him away. Unlike Disney Frollo, Hugo’s Frollo is more of a stalker who is hopelessly seeking out Esmeralda. He doesn’t really want her to die but doesn’t want her to be with anyway else. Disney’s Frollo is more black and white, either she is his or she dies, he only going to ask once. Frollo in Hellfire does have a twinge of gray (which you’ll never seen again), he asks for God to have mercy on both him and Esmeralda. If as he knows he’s wrong but he won’t do anything about it because he too far gone. The Latin chanted “Mea Culpa” (Through my fault) also drives that point too.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo and an illusion of Esmeralda during Hellfire
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
It’s an odd Disney Villain song as Frollo isn’t revealing in his evilness or what his brilliant evil plans are, he is simply singing out his desperation which ultimately gets worse. Unlike other songs, Frollo is not singing to anyone, usually a villain is rubbing something in the hero’s face, being a demagogue, or exposing their master plan of evil to minions. Frollo is singing to himself. It reminds me of La Monture. In the original staging in Notre Dame de Paris, where Fleur de Lys (Phoebus’ fiancee) is singing about her desperation for Esmeralda to be hanged. In the original staging, she singing to her shadow. In singing alone Frollo’s feelings come off more intense, power, and frantic while he sings to the fireplace while seeing illusions and the becomes engulfed in specters.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is perfectly sung by Tony Jay, he showcases control and then goes intense. The Latin chanting is great mood enhancer. The music is intense and the Hellfire melody makes up a lot of the Hunchback of Notre Dame’s score. The Music was inspired by Mozart’s Requiem Mass which completes the dark presentation of the song.
Frollo at the end Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The music, the singing, the lyrics, and visuals with the intensity, insanity, sexuality, and religious overtones create a great piece of moviedom. I wish Disney would explore their darker side more, because when they do it’s better than some of their more saccharine fair. I mean Disney enjoys going dark, it’s part of their history (Night of Bald Mountain). So Disney embrace the darkness more often! Please…
Next Time- A Guy Like you
Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
Quasimodo's figurines from "Heaven's Light"
Frollo and an illusion of Esmeralda during Hellfire
Heaven’s Light and Hellfire
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Heaven’s Light is the second ballad in the film and is Quasimodo’s final song though it is reprise later in the movie. It’s the only romantic song to make into movie. In this song Quasimodo equivalents love to being heavenly. Since Quasimodo believes himself to be hideous, he thinks he not meant for love. However since Esmeralda gave him a peak on the cheek without fear, he calls her an angel and he’s hopeful that she could love him. This hopefulness is gestalt of song.
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
There is lot going on in this song: Quasimodo explains what love is like, he feel he’s not meant for it but then not a beat goes by and he turns his hopeful-o-meter up to max, as he hopes that Esmeralda could love him because she wasn’t afraid of him. The song seems to do a lot. This is because it’s such a short song and that’s it feels kind of ADD. Quasimodo goes from being emo to sappy. Anarkia in Notre Dame de Paris has a similar ADD feel to it.
Victor and Laverne's drawing of Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hugo draws Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The elements of humor in this song by the gargoyles are actually good. It’s relevant and cute to the song. In the song each gargoyle draws a picture. The pictures reflect their personalities, Laverne and Victor draw Esmeralda and Hugo draws Djali. It’s cute relevant humor. I like Victor’s drawing the best.
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I have to admit that for me this song gets a little lost because it’s the song that comes right before Hellfire, which is for many people is their favorite song in the film and their favorite villain. However listening to the song in isolation, it’s a sweet, well done song that develops Quaismodo’s character as both hopeful and naive.
Quasimodo reprise Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Phoebus and Esmeralda Kiss Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo reprise Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Later when the song is reprised it’s a bittersweet sting to Quaismodo as his heart breaks as he watches Esmeralda and Phoebus kiss.
Quasimodo singing Heaven's Light Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
All in all it’s a good song, not terrible but not not fanatic. It’s one flaw is being next to Hellfire.
Next Time – Hellfire.
Frollo singing Hellfire
I love My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic
If you would like use any of my fan-art I made on your website/blog, all I ask is for a hunchblog credit. Fan-art is meant to be shared and enjoyed. ^_^
So as I was working on my God Help the Outcast I noticed things that didn’t fit into song content so I’m posting them now. (Beware I run off on a bit of a tangent)
Quasimodo listening to Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo watching to Esmeralda during God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I once agian suspect that the Disney Production team didn’t read the book (well maybe a few did), I say this because in the book Quasimodo is deaf but here in the Disney movie Quasimodo has such a amazing hearing. He can hear a soft ballad in the sanctuary all the way in the bell tower. I don’t think it was necessary to have Quasimodo listening in on Esmeralda. They did it to include Quaismodo since he had not been in the movie for 5 whole minutes. I mean it also worked to get Esmeralda and Quasimodo to reunite and to give them a chance to bond but they couldn’t have thought up another way.
Frollo’s Female Doppelganger singing a line in God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Judge Claude Frollo
The Lady who asks for love. Frollo’s twin sister? Could be. Frollo has no back story so he could have a sister. My guess is since they look so much a like and look to be the some age, they’re twins. What else is Frollo hiding in his past? I want back stories, Disney. It’s interesting to learn what pushes a character to doing less than wholesome things. Like;
Ursula Disney The Little Mermaid
Why was Ursula exiled? Many speculate that Ursula is Triton sister but maybe Triton pulled a coup d’état and stole the kingdom from the octopus people. That makes sense but it would make Triton look bad. Really Disney don’t say that Urusala once lived in the palace and was exiled if your not going to into why she was exiled.
Gaston Disney Beauty and the Beast
Why did Gaston like Belle? I mean sure she’s pretty and Gaston is a shallow idiot but she didn’t feed his ego and that’s what he needs. He is governed by outward appearances, but where did this superficiality come from? His upbringing?
Jafar Disney Aladdin
Why was Jafar so stupid? He sent years searching for the Cave of Wonders so he could get the lamp so he get three wishes and the when that plans fails his bird tells him to marry the princess. However, Jafar had military control over the city-state and a mind control ring. My goodness, is Jafar one stupid idiot, it would have taken his less time and energy to pull a coup d’état and I’m sure the people of Agrabah wouldn’t have notice a shift in power. The Sultan seems more interested in toys than his people. My guess is Jafar was drop repeatedly as a baby and that him more than a little dense.
But Frollo had a job, control and perhaps an deep emotional connection with a women who prays for love. I have to wonder if Frollo is so tightly wound and his sister wants love, what was their family dynamic like growing up? Assuming that she is his sister, but she looks too much like Frollo for it be coincidental where as the rest of crowds look generic.
Who do you think that lady in Notre Dame is? Think she could be important or just some extra that looks like Frollo and nothing more? Opinions, Thoughts, Anything!
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
God Help The Outcasts
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song is simple, it’s Esmeralda praying for the welfare of her people. This humble and selfless prayer is shown in contrast to the other parishioners who pray for selfish things like wealth, fame and love. This scene is pretty much lifted from the 1939 version albeit with some differences but the overall scene and content is the same.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Unlike in the 1939 version, during the course of the song Esmeralda walks through the sanctuary of Notre Dame. It’s the only time in the Hunchback of Notre Dame where we get to see the interior of Notre Dame other than the bell tower. While it’s nice to see the sanctuary portion of Notre Dame there are more than a few things wrong with how Notre Dame is presented. I’ll go more in depth on that later for now let’s get into the reviewing the song’s content.
Esmeralda singing “God Help the Outcast” Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The song musically is nice and is pleasant. It’s one of two ballads that made it into the film. It’s the prettiest song in the movie and it’s sung well by Heidi Mollenhauer. However there is an air of condescension with this song. As Esmeralda is trying to sound humble she is saying some really condescending lines. She asks for nothing because she is lucky and better off then most of her people and if God doesn’t help no one will help them. She also reminds Gods that everyone is “children of God” and that Mary should relate to her because she thinks Mary was once an outcast like her. This another fault with the song, she’s in Notre Dame de Paris, in any Notre Dame, Mary is the figure of reverence. However she starts praying to Mary and then instantly switchs to God. Maybe it’s her “outcast” “pagan” ways that she would do this flippantly but my guess is God is more dramatic and fits song meters better, Even though Mary embodies compassion. Then again Frollo prays to Mary to burn Esmeralda, so what is the movie trying to say about Mary? I mean everyone seems to be trying to get out of Notre Dame.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
There is also all her “I” statements that are kind of off putting. Her lines are “I ask for nothing, I can get by, but I know so many less lucky than I” these lyrics just seem to reek with “I’m better than you” mentality.
Esmeralda looking at the Virgin Mary, Maureen O’Hara 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame
In the spectrum of the “Esmeralda’s Prayer” which isn’t in the book, God Help the Outcast is the worst. Beside this song there are two other prayers, the fore-mention 1939 version and Ave Maria Paien from Notre Dame de Paris. In the 1939 version, Esmeralda (Maureen O’Hara) asks “The mother of God” to help her people, she says that Mary can take all that she has but Esmeralda presents Mary with a Method; she asks to speak to the King as he is a authority figure and can help her and her people, which he does as the end. In the 1939 version, Esmeralda is sincere and humble, and as she not insulting anyone by saying she’s better off. In Ave Maria Paien (The Pagan Ave Maria) Esmeralda is (pending on which version your listening to) asking for a few things, protection from the fools who are in control and the joining of all people. The essence of the song is she wants Ave Maria on her side. Is it humble and selfless? Not really, she does come off as humble and sincere though. Disney Esmeralda is sincere but she seems to have a defeatist attitude, only god can help and no one else can, she’s powerless to do anything. Maybe Esmeralda should have ask God to make Frollo tolerant. At least that would have been proactive.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcasts Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The problem with God Help the Outcasts isn’t the music or the singing, it’s the content. While it’s great that Esmeralda is mature and is capable of praying selflessly but in the course of the song she’s pretty much insulting her people, and due to juxtaposition of the her prayer with other parishioners she is making them look bad. So she can’t be selfless and humble without bring others down?
Next Song – Heaven’s Light (I have a little bit more on God Help the Cast, so stay tuned)
Quasimodo’s figurines from “Heaven’s Light”
Remakes of both Les Miserables and Hunchback of Notre Dame are slated to be released in 2013. So far Les Miserables is directed by Tom Hopper and will star Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Hugh Jackman as TBA.
Anne Hathaway
Hugh Jackman
The Hunchback is still in the rumor phase by as I mentioned before Josh Brolin is attached to it and may play Quasimodo and Tim Burton is rumored to be the director. Hunchback will also be given a an adventure al la Pirates of the Caribbean. And since Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway are attracted to Les Miserables I have to assume it’s going to be a musical. So Hugo’s two most popular books, both of which haven’t been touch in a about a decade (by Hollywood) are going to be made into an adventure and a musical (guess). Les Miserables as a musical isn’t unbelievable as it’s a very popular musical but Hathaway and Jackman are just there to get people to see the movie who wouldn’t have otherwise. I think Jackman would do fine as either Valjean or Javert (his casting is not official yet) but Hathaway as Fantine, no, no, no. I don’t dislike Hathaway or dislike her singing but I can’t see her as Fantine at all, not even remotely.
If this is how casting is going on Les Miserables, it doesn’t leave with a ton of confident with casting on hunchback. I mean casting in Hollywood is awful but given the trend of casting people regardless of talent or what is required of the role I fear for Hunchback. My guess is that for Hunchback they’ll just get Megan Fox for Esmeralda (because the masses think she’s hot and the masses pay to see movies) and probably Alan Rickman as Frollo. I think many people like the idea of Rickman as Frollo, and truthfully it not a bad casting idea, he would make a decent Frollo. But if the new movie makes Esmeralda overtly sexy, you know that it’s just to get a demographic in the seats.
If they cast someone like Fox as Esmeralda, expect a major rant from me. I stomach the idea of Hathaway as Fantine better than Fox.
