What separates Fern Gully from other environmental films is that the human characters aren't completely demonized. There's no evil corporate head who knows exactly how much harm is being caused by their actions and just doesn't care. There are is no Captain Planet villain here. The humans in Fern Gully are just doing their jobs and have no idea how their actions are impacting the world around them. Once they know the harm they cause they want to make a change. The film isn't as complex a story as say, The Lorax (The book and animated short, not that terrible movie). But Fern Gully does manage to get its point across without being completely preachy.
this excellent movie isn't a Disney copycat, it follows whats called the hero's journey recognized by mythologist Joseph Campbell and each character embodies a specific archetype as you just identified for us.
I think Matt did a really good and fair review of this movie. Of course Fern Gully is going to be cheesy, corny, and have the "save the rain-forest" message shoved in your face. It's an environmentalist movie from the 90's what do you expect? Its different from the others because it's execution is better and has the animation to back it up. It may not be the best Non-Disney movie ever, but it is a really good movie of its time. It continues to be one of my favorite movies from my childhood and I wish other people knew about it.
this is my all time favorite childhood movie. it's the first movie i ever saw in theaters. even at 26 years old i still love to watch it and i got my 4 year old son loving it too
While I admit its pretty bad we all will admit there r a few good things about it. Almost every bad movie usually has at least one good about it if not then its really bad. Well cloudy ones story I thought it was clever with the idea of that machine turning water to food. Animation is really colorful even though its bad. I thought Steve was funny in the first one especially when he fights the gummy bears. I respect all opinions and please don't duch at me plz.
considering how long the Fairies have been in the area, wouldn't it make more sense if they called Mount Warning by it's Aboriginal Name "Wollumbin"? and how come none of the Human Characters are Australian? this film does take place in New South Wales after all.
If you REALLY listen to the lyrics of Batty Rap you'll see EXACTLY how DARK that song is. I mean the song is about a bat being tortured & experimented on. & if you don't think that's creepy you should hear the extended version which is TEN TIMES as creepy. But seriously the song is good.
Even though I'm sick of environmental films, this movie I like, since it holds it's environmental message dearly, unlike other corny environmental movies.
It´s funny since the environmental Message was one of the Things I loved the most about this Movie when I was a Child. I could show it to others to get them to empathise with my own Message of nonwaste and recycling wich I developed really early. It´s also a Childsmovie, and I think, saying a Movie is bad for taking something seriously, telling people to be more carefull towards Nature just shows how we still are not willing to change our thoughts about what we do to the Planet and our responsibility towards this fact. In the end it´s one of the Movies I loved to watch as a Child and still can enjoy today. So besides this I would agree on most things said here ^^
Although Ferngully has a nicely executed message and also Blue Sky's Epic has some pretty awesome action scenes, nothing can beat Princess Mononoke in terms of how it shows the realites of life itself.
@@MidnaFan2005 The producer of this film Wayne Young said that his passion for the environment is his biggest motivation for making this. He even stated that the films gross would be donated to Greenpeace, the Rain Forest Found and the Sierra Club.
Full Voice Actor List Samantha Mahis: Crysta - Johnathan Ward: Zak - Robin Williams: Batty Koda - Tim Curry: Hexus - Grace Zabriske: Magi Lune - Christian Slater: Pips - Geoffrey Blake: Ralph - Robert Pasterolli: Tony - Cheech Marin: Stump - Tommy Chung: Root - Tone Loc: Goanna the Newt - Townsend Coleman: Knotty - Danny Mann: Ash - Neil Ross: Crysta's Father, Multiple Males - Kathleen Freeman: The Main Elder, Multiple Females
Right when the Super Mario 64 music began playing, I knew his next classic review would be Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. The "arch nemesis" part gave it away because I remembered back to what he said in his review of The LEGO Movie. And then, right when he said Lockwood, that was his way of saying "Yep, you're right. It's Cloudy."
I remember liking this movie a lot when I was younger. Unfortunately, I didn't own a copy and my mom couldn't ever find one. Though my cousin had a copy. Cept her parents wouldn't ever let me borrow it and she never wanted to watch it with me. And again, as I got older, no one still ever wants to watch this movie with me. Because they believe that it is a bad movie. And sure, a lot of people say that any movie during the 90's that isn't Disney is bad since they're all trying to BE Disney but give them credit! Those aren't movies that Disney was doing or seemed to EVER want to do.
BY THE WAY, FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION! MAT SAID TO SEND A EMAIL TO HIM OF WHAT HE SHOULD REVIEW NEXT. DO NOT COMMENT BELOW, IT IS LESS LIKELY HE WANTS TO GO THROUGH THIS COMMENT SECTION WITH BILLIONS OF RESPONSES WILL BUSY WITH HIS DAILY LIFE AND OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS! IF YOU WANT HIM TO REVIEW BALTO or studio ghibli: make his life easier by sending to his email, it is not a hard task to do!
I love his review, but how dare you not include the score music such as genesis and spirit of the trees, especially the last one and the stunning images that go with it, it's some of the best instrumental music ever. PS. Can you rip Ferngully 2 a new one. PPS. Please review Sprit stallion of the cimmaron.
11:29-My reaction if I ever have to personally review anything "Steven Universe". (Which is something that I can't stand in the least,while everybody else enjoys)
Judging by your reaction, and when you said, "Get ready, Lockwood!", I'm guessing that it's the first Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs movie? *shudders*
Lol as a kid, I would only watch the Ferngully movies just for the animals! XD Also, I don't really think Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (first one) was that bad... I watched it yesterday and thought it was funny. But that's just me I guess. ^_^
I remember I loved Fern Gully as a kid. Now, I just find it okay. I'd at least give it a 6 or 7 out of 10. I'll admit, as much as I love and care about animals and nature, they were being a little pushy with their environmental message but, to their credit, they still did a pretty nice job of giving us the message. Plus, I actually kinda like the song "A Dream Worth Keeping".
When i heard that mario 64 music at the end i thought he was suddenly reviewing that mario movie next but then i realized thats a live action nintendo film :P
Revisiting this video, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs as the next review was the first ever animated film for AniMat's Classic Reviews where I knew what the next film was! XD And even without looking down in the comments too! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!
Yes, I saw an environmental message in FernGully, but the truth is, what I saw in it was an actual story. Even with the environmental message, the characters still felt like ACTUAL CHARACTERS. Crysta still had to develop trust for Zack, She happens to be an apprentice to Magi Lune, and Hexus had a backstory. If anything, I actually saw more 1990s than environmental message, and not even that much Disney influence. When I saw Batty, despite knowing Robin Willaims's voice, I rarely thought of the Genie. I've decided to assume that everyone is overreacting to this movie. Yes, I still recommend this for environmental lovers, but I don't even think the message is that obnoxious.
ferngully doesnt beat you over the head with the protect the environment message too much i loved this as a kid. has a S tier villain with the best singing in the entire film.
I feel like it’s a bit unfair to retroactively judge Ferngully for using a similar formula to Renaissance Disney films when Disney didn’t invent those archetypes and would keep using them long after Ferngully released. Ferngully’s worst crime is being cheesy and a little bland, but that already puts it above movies like Pocahontas in my book.
I think you gave some fair criticisms, but I love this movie. I don't think the film having an environmental message is a bad thing, and it is handled well. I always loved Zak's arc, and his relationship with Crysta. Batty is a delight, and not just because of a great performance by Robin Williams. This movie is a little like Disney's Snow White or Bambie, in that there is an emphasis on feelings an emotions, but I also find parts of it tense and parts very funny. Also love the Batty Rap. I also like that the ending is a call to action. I think that is important for the message. Hexes is a fun villain, but the humans work as antagonists because they are not evil. They just aren't aware, and don't think about the problems they are causing. Certainly not a perfect film, but still a good and enjoyable one.
Alright, can I say something? I liked this film too. Not the best, but still. Swan Princess was okay, as was Thumbelina. Now, I don't know about you, but I liked Quest For Camelot even though many didn't. Anyway, may I ask that you review that one soon? Thanks!
I recommend if you are doing cloudy with a chance that this sucks. You should just make it a full on rant. Not even an actual review. That way you can get all the negativity from that film out of the way. Also you should review sherk the third and tell us why you hate that movie so much.
My friend, I am 34, and have a copy of Ferngully on my computer. It is not strange to like this movie; it is some kind of a classic for sure. For me it is one of THE classics from childhood. Love this movie ☺ On another note, I recently revisted Land Before Time, and it made me cry myself dry, and the music...WHAAAT? That movie is over-the-top heartbreak.
Animat I don't think ur insane I respect ur opinion. I honestly think its kinda cute as a movie and the voice acting was pretty good. Especially robin Williams and Tim curry's performances.
When I saw that you were reviewing this movie, I got really excited. I like it. Yeah, I do. But as I remembered what you think about environmentally aware movies I started to be scared as I expected a Seal of Garbage thrown at it. Luckilly, you were fair enough to look at it for what it's trying to be. I loved the Fantasia comparison (Hexxus/Spring Sprite = OTP), and I TOTALLY agree about the songs: they're bad, but in an enjoyable way, like (IMO) a Lil Wayne song (again, IMO, don't hate me Lil Wayne fans). Toxic Love is my personal favourite: I love/hate it the most due to its "dirty" feel. But also Batty Rap. Then I enjoy some of the characters: Chrysta has her tough moments, and I enjoy independent female leads, Batty is pretty funny at times and I love how hyper he is, Pips is jealous but not so jealous he switches sides, and I appreciate that too, and then there's Hexxus. Now THAT is a villain. Tim Curry knew EXACTLY what he was doing, and I just love that smoky design, and how he can be threatening and suave at the same time. And again: Hexxus/Spring Sprite = OTP! I have that head canon that they love each other in spite of their power, and that they have to coexist in order to keep the world alive, and that they can't touch one another or else they get badly wounded. So, in the end, 7/10 is a good mark. Now I'm expecting a review of: Anastasia, Quest For Camelot, Osmosis Jones, The Swan Princess, A Dinosaur Story and Freddie as F.R.0.7
considering how long the Fairies have been in the area, wouldn't it make more sense if they called Mount Warning by it's Aboriginal Name "Wollumbin"? and how come none of the Human Characters are Australian? this film does take place in New South Wales after all.
I have a question about the fairies in the movie. Do they fly by using magic or by flapping the wings on their backs? Because more than once I see fairies levitating; yet their wings are not moving much or at all, I wasn't sure it that was on purpose or just an animation mistake.
Ferngully maybe kind of dumb, but I still find it enjoyable. I find it so weird that there's a song about pollution that sounds sexy, wait until you hear the female cover.
Actually, Batty is not a disney rip-off. Robin Williams did the voice work for this film prior to Aladdin, because he really liked the enviroment message, Jeffrey Katzemberg actually tried to sabbotage the production of ferngully and convince Robin Williams to withdraw from the project.
*music, but it would be funny to see your reaction to Cloudy 1! Also, could you possibly do a classic review of American Tail, separate from your Don Bluth animation lookback?
Besides Quest for Camelot, Ferngully is one of my favorite Disney movies! To me, everything was awesome (except for Hexxus and his toxic love). Especially Batty Koda!
