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Anastasia
Metascore
59 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    100
    A gorgeous piece of work. It pulls every heartstring a good romance should, yet bursts with G-rated fun, wonderfully human characters and several solid and hummable songs.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Picks and chooses cleverly, skipping blithely past the entire Russian Revolution but lingering on mad monks, green goblins, storms at sea, train wrecks and youthful romance.
  3. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    Easily the best non-Disney animated movie in recent memory, and it is good enough to rival such titles as “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.”
  4. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Chris Gore
    80
    With A+ voice talent provided by Meg Ryan (Anastasia) and John Cusack (Dimitri), Fox has a winner on its hands.
  5. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    75
    Lavishly produced animation makes imaginative use of familiar formulas, filling the screen with handsome images accompanied by sprightly songs and lively voice-performances.
  6. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Susan Wloszczyna
    75
    Flawed but not fatally, this ambitious epic's strength lies not just with its haunting melodies, pretty pictures, star voices and kid-friendly sidekicks - the usual shtick that makes Disney tick. [14 Nov 1997, p.D6]
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  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    70
    Impressive, big-scale scenes, such as a train derailment from a snow-covered bridge. And the vocal performances of Ryan and Cusack give us a real sense of romance.
  8. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    67
    This sumptuous-looking film clearly spared no expense in its visual rendering; its optical flourishes and attention to detail aim for the Disney gold standard and, for the most part, come pretty darn close.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    67
    Anastasia has the Disney house style down cold, yet the magic is missing. Perhaps that's because the story's somber emotional hook--Anastasia's thwarted desire for home--is asserted rather than dramatized.
  10. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Walter Addiego
    63
    Lacks the spark of the best recent Disney spectaculars, like "Beauty and the Beast."
  11. Empire
    Reviewed by: Philip Thomas
    60
    Manages to be a charming little movie, nothing to write home about but a perfectly acceptable way to while away a rainy Sunday afternoon with the child, or children, in your life.
  12. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    60
    Though originality is not one of its accomplishments, Anastasia is generally pleasant, serviceable and eager to please.
  13. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    60
    A deeply silly movie, but it is sumptuous to look at, and it never stands still. Its creators, Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, have given the story a lilting rhythm and glittering surface of the most extravagant jewel-encrusted fairy tale.
  14. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: Yahlin Chang
    60
    Meg Ryan lends her trademark feistiness to Anastasia, and John Cusack makes Dimitri eminently likable.
  15. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    50
    Decent songs, an amusing script and some surprisingly imaginative animation.
  16. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    50
    Lacks the special creative spark needed to lift it to an uncommon imaginative level.
  17. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Maria Schneider
    30
    You can set your watch to the musical cues, and the songs themselves are forgettable at best, insipid at worst.
  18. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    30
    A story that holds little suspense; we know exactly how happily this animated musical will end--and the wait isn't very diverting.
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User Reviews

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User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AwesomeReviewer
    8
    “Anastasia” is more of a “what if” story taking on a fantasy aspect of true life events. Kinda like Disney, where they take stories and twist it into their own adventures, this movie does the same thing. The film is about finding yourself and being who you are, overused messages, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It is directed fairly well, some really nice shots and camera work. Capturing the whole country of Russia with a magical vibe and the depression of its people at the time. It is also fairly well written with some strong dialogue, but at times it tends to point out the obvious. Characters in the film range from good to great. They have the funny side characters, the villain, and the two leads. The side characters are funny when there supposed to be and add some heart to the film, but mostly they’re forgettable. Rasputin, the villain, is actually are pretty cool character. He’s vicious and threatening when he’s supposed to be and at the same time he can be funny when he’s doing his own thing. However, I felt some of his jokes kill his overall persona just a little bit. Dimitri, the hero, is interesting and likable. He is a con man and at first he is sort of a jerk, but grows into someone we can care about. Anastasia, title character, is strong and independent. She has a strong wit and much like the princess during her time she actually has a personality.The romance between her and Dimitri is real and it has a chance to develop. And of course this is a musical so we have to talk about the music. The overall score is fairly beautiful. It has something familiar to it, but at the same time it feels fairly new. It’s haunting and magical just like the movie. The songs are great too and fairly memorable. “Once Upon December” is my favorite song in the movie. It has a haunting score while mixing it with mysterious lyrics. “Journey to the Past” is also a good song with haunting and magical lyrics and score, it was nominated for an Academy Award. The Animation in the film is gorgeous, blending hand-drawn animation with CGI beautifully. The characters movie fluidly and realistically, while keeping it in the tradition of animation of over exaggeration. Bright beautiful colors fill the screen with magical special effects. The best is during the sequence of “Journey to the Past,” where everything just pops and there is just a sense of beauty. Overall “Anastasia” is a really good movie Don Bluth’s 2nd best only behind “Secret of NIMH.” It has likable and strong willed character with gorgeous animation and some beautiful songs. However the side characters aren’t that interesting or memorable and the movie does tend to talk down to you while pointing out the obvious. As well some of the humor, mainly the slapstick doesn’t work well with the movie and its town, becoming a little kiddish. I give it a low, 4/5. good story with likable and interesting leads, gorgeous animation and music, but bogged down a bit by its writing and issues with tone. “Muy Caliente”… Full Review »
  2. paulgreen
    10
    Marvelous! Easily the movie! I am from Russia and I know a lot abour Anasrasia.... May be it si not true , but I think It is the greatest animation movie has ever been !… Full Review »
  3. MovieLonely94
    10
    It looks like a Disney knockoff, but not very similiar to Disney. It has great animation, solid voice acting, and very catchy songs. Don Bluth did a very good job at making this non-disney masterpiece.… Full Review »
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