The Gargoyles were by in large, the biggest flaw in Disney’s The Hunchback in Notre Dame. Out of the three Gargoyles, Hugo was the most annoying. He was loud, brash and stupid. In June 2013 Disney released a teaser trailer for Frozen that featured Olaf and Sven trying to get Olaf’s carrot nose on ice. This was not a good introduction to Olaf because all he did was laugh. For many people they thought this snowman was going to be annoying. Perhaps not as annoying as Hugo but still annoying. As it turns out Olaf wasn’t annoying, he was likable.

Olaf vs Hugo

Olaf vs Hugo

Olaf and Hugo are polar opposites while still being very similar. They are both short comic relief sidekick who are of the magically variety that help the main protagonist. But where Hugo is loud, Olaf has a soft tone most of the time, where Hugo talks about looks all the time, Olaf talks about people’s warmth. Olaf seems to have a childlike innocences while Hugo is more affective. Olaf wants warm hugs and to see summer while Hugo wants Quasimodo to get a girlfriend or to at least gain some self-worth.

Anna and Olaf Frozen picture image

Anna and Olaf

And this makes sense with their characters. Olaf is newly given life in the movie so his innocence makes sense. I’m sure Disney could have made him loud rough talking like so many of the 90’s sidekick but the soft innocence worked so much better and was refreshing.

Hugo playing poker Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Hugo playing poker Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hugo on the other hand was a product of the other Disney movie cashing in on the wisecracking sidekicks. His affectedness makes sense if you think of him as part of an old work structure. It could make sense if he was a facet of Quasimodo’s personality too. Maybe Hugo is Quasimodo’s Id personified (more on this in a future blog post).

Sven and Olaf from Frozen picture image

Sven and Olaf from Frozen

While Hugo brings down The Hunchback of Notre Dame, it’s not really his fault that he is a product of the Disney Standard of the time. He is a colossal fail and that why Olaf, Sven and even Tangled sidekicks are refreshing and seem better by comparison. Olaf clear winner.

I mentioned Disney’s Mix and Match Villains Book in a post about the villain line but since then I have found my copy of it. Oh the fun of this thing.

The book is a game where you flip segments of a pictures and words to form absurdities.

Frollo's page Disney's Mix and Match Villains Book pictureimage

Frollo’s page

So for example the Hunchback page features Frollo holding a book with Quasimodo and Hugo off to the side and the text reads “Frollo sneered, I’m very disappointed in you Quasimodo.

With a few flips I can change it to this.

Ursula demands that only love's first kiss will awaken Quasimodo Disney's Mix and Match Villains Book  picture image

Ursula demands that only love’s first kiss will awaken Quasimodo

Oh such fun. Though I confessed as child I loved using Alice’s Head in the mix.

Frollo wants to marry Alice's Head Disney's Mix and Match Villains Book picture image

Frollo wants to marry Alice’s Head

(sorry for the bad pictures)

Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topic Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Madeline and Quasimodo laugh about Dumb Topics... again

 

What else can I say about the sequel; it’s uninspired, mindless dibble that isn’t even good enough to baby-sit babies. It’s sole purpose way to get people to buy it, not to watch it but if people were to watch it, it was meant to show people that if you’re as ugly as Quasimodo, persistent enough and you say all the right things maybe you’ll the get the door mat who is right for you. Because this movie thinks everyone should be in pairs, even Achilles get some cheap floozy erm Filly at the end, Djali submits in to Hugo’s obsession, and there is “sexy” puppey show.

Achilles and a random filly Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney 2 sequel picture image

Achilles and a random filly Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney 2 sequel

Djali giving Hugo a Kiss Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney 2 sequel picture image

Djali giving Hugo a Kiss Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Clopin's Sexy Puppet Show Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney Sequel 2 picture image

Clopin's Sexy Puppet Show Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real problem with this movie is it’s not bad enough to be good, it just exists in this realm of mediocrity. However there is one positive thing about this movie and that is an exchange between Victor, Hugo and Quasimodo and it’s funny.

Quasimodo, Victor, Hugo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney Sequel 2 picture image

Quasimodo, Victor, Hugo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

Victor – “What does one wear to carnival event?” 
Quasimodo – “Nothing”
Hugo – “Daring!”

 

 

 

That’s pretty much the highlight of the movie.

 

This isn’t a love story, it’s romantic superficiality wrap-up in blatant commercialism. It’s a horrible sequel and the people who made it should be ashamed that so many trees had to die for this piece of expleteive deleted.

Madeline and Quasimodo in Love Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney Sequel 2 picture image

Madeline and Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Esmeralda and Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney Sequel 2 picture image

Esmeralda and Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney Sequel 2

Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Zephyr sums up the movie "yuck" Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Adapation: Der Glockner Von Notre Dame

Der Glockner von notre Dame German Musical of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Der Glockner von Notre Dame German Musical of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Disney is known for many things; Music, Animation etc. Conversely what Disney is known is thrown out in their sequels. So let’s tackle the music of this monstrosity of a money-making scam ( their direct to relase sequels). This first song on the list; the opening song, Le Jour D’Amour or Not Topsy Turvy – it’s the festival song.

Clopin Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Clopin Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Clopin and Quasimodo Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Clopin and Quasimodo Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Clopin and Quasimodo Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Clopin and Quasimodo Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Clopin’s one and only song. But Wait, it’s not just Clopin’s song it’s a duet with Quasimodo. Remember in  the original  film when Quasimodo was shoved down our throats, it’s even worst in this film. And also the Gargoyles get in on this song (eye roll).

Djali Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Djali Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Phoebus and Esmeralda Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Phoebus and Esmeralda Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Clopin with an extra Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Clopin with an extra Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

This song introduces us to the fact that this movie is about love. Le Jour D’Amour is supposed to a Valentine’s Day-Love is great- and a pox on you if you don’t have love in your life Day. The premise of the day, in that people yell declarations of love while some bell rings. And for some reason yellow Roses are the flower of chose for Le Jour D’Amour. Yellow Roses are yet one of many, many, fun anachronisms in this movie. The Yellow Rose wasn’t discovered till the 18th century. Yellow Roses are a very stupid chose because according to the meaning of flowers they mean Friendship, Joy, Get Well, not very good chose for a festival of love. If only roses came in other colors, a color that denotes Love and Passion, a “Lover’s Rose” if you will. Darn if only rose came in RED! Stupid movie!

Quasimodo with Zephyr and some little girl Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Quasimodo with Zephyr and some little girl Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Clopin and Quasimodo with Puppets Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel image puppet

Clopin and Quasimodo with Puppets Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Extras Dance Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel  picture image

Extras Dance Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now compared to the actual movie, the songs are bad. I probably could have just end my music  discussion of the sequel right there but that’s too easy, plus Le Jour D’Amour is the least guilty. It’s somewhat period appropriate, uplifting, and at least you can sing along to it, through why you want to is beyond me. I think the worst part musically is the Gargoyle’s part and I’m not fond of Quasimodo’s solo right before that. But this is my least hated song of the movie (I hesitate to use the word favorite). Don’t get me wrong it’s a stupid song about a stupid festival with stupid people dancing around like dumdums. And despite it being the best in my opinion, I’m always forgetting  it. ( in my last article post when I said what  would be next, I used a picture from Ordinary Miracle instead of a picture from Le Jour D’Amour)

Hugo and Victor Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Hugo and Victor Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Laverne as Esmeralda  Le Jour D'Amour Disney Hunchback  of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel picture image

Laverne as Esmeralda Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Quasimodo Le Jour D'Amour Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Disney Sequel picture image

Quasimodo Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I would like to point out that the lyrics try to justify  this festival (maybe even the movie) as the “best of all” over the the original and certainly over Topsy  Turvy, but Topsy Turvy would win with both hands tied behind its’ back and little pieces of duct tape covering its’ eyes and Le Jour D’Amour can have a spear even. No contest.  (Hey, two points go to the person who knows what I just referenced with that little battle scenario comment if you know what it it)

Quasimodo with dancing extras Le Jour D'Amour Hunchback of of Notre Dame II 2 Sequel piciure image disney

Quasimodo with dancing extras Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Sad Quasimodo Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Sad Quasimodo Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Clopin Evil Smile Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney picture image

Clopin Evil Smile Le Jour D’Amour Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since Le Jour D’Amour is the best of the songs in this explicit deleted fest, this is only going to get worse for me.

Next Time – Ordinary Miracles (bleh)

Quasimodo with Madeline Figurine  Hunchback of Notre Dame sequel 2 II picture image Disney

Quasimodo with Madeline Figurine Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

One of the “selling” point of the sequel is the return of main characters with their original voice actors. Try and guess which pictures are from the sequel, I  bet you’ll be shocked.

 

Quasimodo in new threads Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Quasimodo in new threads Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Quasimodo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Quasimodo's Reveal Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quasimodo – In this movie Quasimodo wants to be in love. He meets new character Madeline and tries to convince her that he’s awesome. It works because she’s has low self-esteem.

 

Clopin Evil Smile Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney picture image

Clopin Evil Smile Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney

Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clopin– Clopin is in this movie, though he does very little. He’s once again the Master of Ceremonies for the Le Jour d’Amour and that’s it.

 

Esmeralda Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esmeralda– She’s a wife, mother, dancer, and fortune-teller. She retains her sassiness but other than that she doesn’t do that much. Oh and she wears shoes now.

 

Phoebus getting hit with a ball Sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney picture image

Phoebus getting hit with a ball Hunchback of Notre Dame II Disney

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame cross eyes picture image

Phoebus cross-eyed Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoebus– He’s a father and Captain of the Guards. He doesn’t trust the circus people and he’s makes kind of a jerk out of himself.

 

Gargoyles  Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney  picture image

Gargoyles Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gargoyles – They don’t do that much and don’t contribute that much to the importances of the plot and yet still they are still annoying.  However they have one decent joke.

 

Djali  Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney  picture image

Djali Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali's reaction to Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

Djali– Djali is still awesome

 

Achilles and his Filly Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney picture image

Achilles and his Filly Hunchback of Notre Dame Sequel Disney

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

Achilles– Achilles somehow learned how to count, I guess he’s not the dimwit any more and he gets a girlfriend. Thank you movie for making single people feel bad with your random coupling of  horses

 

So  yeah the main characters from the first film are there but other than Quasimodo they do not do that much. They’re really just side characters, just there as a selling point so you’ll watch thinking you’ll see your favorite return but no it’s mostly Quasimodo and the New Characters.

 

Next Time – New characters starting with Quasimodo’s main squeeze Madeline

Madeline Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame sequel II picture image

Madeline Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame sequel

Since it’s October and October means Halloween and Halloween means Pumpkins!

Here are some Hunchback of Notre Dame Pumpkins by  Pumpkinman 01

Quasimodo on a Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo on a Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Laverne on a Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Laverne on a Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hugo on a Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Hugo on a Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame image picture

Pumpkin by Pumpkinman_01 from Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So It’s Fan-Art Friday here’s the lastest find. Art by Coelasquid

Victor, Hugo and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image

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. I hate this song, there I said it, I hate a Guy like you.

 

Hugo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Hugo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gargoyles and Quasimodo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

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 picture image

Gargoyles and Quasimodo at the barber shop A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gargoyles Victor, Hugo and Laverne, make an Amadeus reference Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 image picture

Laverne Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hugo, Victor Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Hugo, Victor Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

A Croissant A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

Victor singing A Guy Like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Victor singing A Guy Like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hugo in drag Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gargoyles and Quasimodo A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

Clopin, Phoebus,and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

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Frollo's Long is nose and he wears a truss/dress Disney Hunhcback of Notre Dame picture image
Frollo’s Long is nose and he wears a truss/dress Disney Hunhcback of Notre Dame

Hugo, Victor and Laverne are the agents of forced levity in Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. They all have distinct personally and looks.

Hugo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Hugo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hugo is the short and fat one. He has a pig nose, thin horns that point straight up, bat-like wings, hooves for hand, rounded teeth and animal-like ears. He also for some reason is the only one of the three gargoyles to have a belly button. Hugo is the most animal looking among the three. This is he is the crudest and I think Disney thinks that he’s the funniest, in the infantile sense so he has to look somewhat amusing or people are going to believe he’s the “funny” one.

Victor Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Victor Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Victor is the tallest  and largest of the three. He also the most muscular of the three. He’s the only one not to have horns, instead he has elf-like ears, large angel wings, an underbite, two fanged teeth and his hands are more like claws , almost human but a tad more beastly than human. His nose is stylized but almost human. His more human-like form is  indicative of his prissy-like, prime, introverted personality.

Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
Victor and Laverne singing A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

Laverne is the female of the group. She has the most human-like hands. Her face looks old and she has no teeth. She has cherub wings, fatter and short horns than Hugo and there’re wider. She also have like a crown like detail that frames her horns. Her ears and nose like the most human too except her nose is a bit bulbous.  Her no nonsense, tell it like it is personality is the reason why her features look more human than Victor and Hugo. The human-look enables Laverne to be take more seriously. I mean if she looked like Hugo, I doubt people who believe her “old women who tells it like it is” persona.

Gargoyle Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Gargoyle Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyles Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Gargoyles Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gargoyle Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Gargoyle Concept Art Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Looking at the concept art, the gargoyles went through a lot of revisions. But the gargoyles went through at lot of revisions as the film progress during the course of it’s animation.  It was originally convinced that these three gargoyles were the stone mason’s cast-off and they’re something of outcast which is why Quasimodo gravitated towards these three, if the imagination theory is true (which like so many other things in this movie is inconsistent in it’s execution).  The film never did played this angle. Also they were going to have tiny imperfections like a chip ear, but that was never realized either in the film.

Stains on Gargoyles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Stains on Gargoyles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Early in the production and this can be seen on the gargoyles in their  introductory scene, the gargoyles have stains on them from the elements. The studio had maps for each gargoyle in order to keep the stains consistently placed.  Then the idea was abandoned as the film progress.  Funny it’s it, they tried so hard to be consistent on a detail that few noticed and then abandoned it but they very inconsistent with the light in the characters eyes.

Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next Time – The Looks of the Archdeacon

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali about to enjoy a feast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

If Achilles gets one of the most concentrated  laughs in the movie, then Djali gets more laughs spread out through the movie. Djali is a mascot type of character for the film like other cute animal Disney side-kicks. The up side is that Djali was not created for the film but came out the source material.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali is Esmeralda’s pet goat. Djali helps her make money and reminds of her not to leave money when she about to run off.

Part of Djali’s function is to be Esmeralda’s double. In the book this meant that Djali was dainty, pretty, and talented with gilded hooves and horn and was white.

Djali flips Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali flips Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

In the Disney movie  Djali is grayish white with black hooves and an earring. The earring is meant to link Djali and Esmeralda. Like the book, I think Disney’s Djali is also a double for Esmeralda. In DVD commentary, they discussed that the reason why they cast Demi Moore as Esmeralda is because they wanted the heroine to have a rougher quality to the the voice, that sounded like (and I’m quoting this from commentary, I’m not making this up) like “she had been around.” Not saying that I think Djali has been “around” but Djali is not the dainty, delicate goat she is in the book. So I think Disney’s version fits Esmeralda’s aesthetic more in this movie.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also has another functions than being Esmeralda’s better half. Djali is her security system.

Djali is distrustful of anyone Esmeralda meets (Phoebus and Quasimodo included). Djali also bleats when someone  is approaching them (Frollo or guards).

DJali as a old man Dinsey Hunchback of Notre dame picture image
DJali as a old man Dinsey Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also aids Esmeralda in her old beggar disguise. This enables her to go undetected by Frollo and the stupid guards .

Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also kicks ass in a fight. More than a few times Djali springs into action

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So what makes Djali a great character? Djali provides levity without hindering the movie (like Achilles). Djali reacts to things in the movie and does not inject the movie with randomness to try to make a joke like the Gargoyles.

Another aspect of Djali that is charming which is a good attribute for a mascot character. All of Djali emotions and thoughts are always showed on  his (her) face.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali’s reaction to Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali reactiom to Phoebus’ name Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali glaring at Esmeralda for falling for Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali started off in the Disney movie as a minor character but do to the animation done by Ron Husband (Commentary, got love them) the executives demanded more Djali and so the screen time was double.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali isn’t a fan of heights Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali didn’t enjoy the ride Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali is called a “him” throughout the movie and Hugo has a thing for Djali  (Hugo being gay is a sensitive issue with Disney). My guess is this is a case of male pronoun default. Djali’s sex mattered in the book because Hugo(the author) wanted to communicate that Djali is Esmeralda’s double, so Djali is a female goat. In the Disney’s version, it doesn’t really matter so the default male pronouns are used. (Remember this movie came out in 1996)

Next time – a little bit more on Achilles and Djali (there is something more alike about these two)

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Djali and Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame