Absolutely Stunning (Even In Minature)

I must admit, though I had seen and loved the 1940 original, this update completely passed me by - I knew of it's existence, but had no interest in seeing it whatsoever. It just happened that I was (very drunk) on a long-haul flight from Hong Kong yesterday, flicking through the channels for something to watch when I flicked past something that was unmistakeably soundtracked by my favourite piece of music - George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody In Blue'. Having checked the TV guide and realised what the film was, I had to flick away and wait for the channel loop to go back to the start. An interminable wait, but I wasn't going anywhere...was it worth it?

I must say the film has it's flaws. Despite good intentions, the film doesn't have the ambition of the original, in fact, seems a little self-conscious in comparison; it says a lot that they felt the need to repeat 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', but I suppose, if it hadn't been included the film would just be a little over half the length of the 1940 film. I think it's a shame Disney didn't throw a little more effort into this production (understandably, I guess, since the original was not a financial success and many modern audiences would be turned off by classical music), because when the animators really let loose in this version, the results were amazing.

The two sequences that really stand out are the closing 'Firebird' sequence, which made the hairs on the back of my neck tingle and my eyes well up. I really wish I had seen this in the IMAX theatre, because on a tiny airplane screen with a lo-fi headphone attachment, it was still potent enough to make me worry I was about to bawl in front of my fellow passengers.

But the 'Rhapsody in Blue' sequence was truly something else. One of the greatest pieces of animation I have ever seen. I have never heard of Al Hirschfield before (though his style is instantly recognisable), but whoever suggested his style would work with Gershwin is a genius. It matched the music so beautifully, it didn't even jar me much when it was obvious sections of the music had been snipped. I cannot believe this sequence is not more celebrated, it evokes Gershwin and Hirschfield's era so perfectly, I believe it stands up to (and in certain cases, surpasses) anything from the original film. I am sure Walt Disney would have been extremely proud of this sequence, as would the two men who inspired it. Absolutely spectacular, even on a minature screen.

One viewing was not enough of this gem, and it was obvious I would not be sleeping on this flight. I ended up getting drunker and drunker and sitting through the whole film three and a half times in a row, and I could have easily watched it again. Today, I am knackered and jet-lagged (and rambling on a lot more than I intended, apologies to anyone who has hung on this long with me), but I feel great inside. I reckon this film should be mandatory on every long-haul flight. You won't believe how good you feel the next day...