If you saw the original Disney "Fantasia" film in one of its' many revivals over the past 60 years, then you know what to expect of this new version. Snippets of eight classical pieces of music have been used to inspire animators to create visual "stories" to illustrate the music (e.g., Beethoven's "Symphony #5," Stravinsky's "Firebird," Saint-Saens, "Carnival of the Animals," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue,"etc.) But when you add IMAX to the mix, it ups the ante considerably. Now, the screen and the images are the size of Rhode Island, and the sound is almost deafening. The overall effect is overpowering, and quite wonderful. Don't wait until it comes to your neighborhood theater; see it in IMAX if you can. The best sequence is the moving and majestically beautiful "Noah's Ark" sequence set to Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" Marches (you know, the graduation march?) The next best sequence is the one with the whales (using incredible life-like computer graphics,) set to Respighi's "Pines of Rome." You might ask, what do whales have to do with Rome and its' pines. Nothing! Celebrities (Steve Martin, Bette Midler, James Earl Jones, etc.) introduce each of the selections. Some of these intros are very funny. Let me say it one more time. If you can, see this larger-than-life show in IMAX. It's worth the trip from wherever you are.

After many years, Disney remakes one of its most treasuerd films, FANTASIA. Combining timeless and extraordinary pieces of music with the creative minds at Disney, you get vignettes that are sometimes whimsical, sometimes deep and sometimes just meaningless but always beautiful. Two criticisms I have with this, however: 1. I think that Disney's decision to retain the sorcerer's apprentice piece was right, but they should have redone it- it has definitely aged, and 2. whose decision was it to have Angela Lansbury showing cleavage? Ooooh, gross! But overall I enjoyed it, my favorite piece being New York City life set to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Next its a toss-up between the last two pieces, Pomp and Circumstance (starring Donald Duck) and the Firebird Suite. Try and see this one while you can in IMAX.