Fantasia Is the Best Child Care Disney Has to Offer

by

A marvelous showcase of artistically animated scenes set to classical music, Disney’s 1940 film “Fantasia” stands out as a true masterpiece in cinematic artistry. Every frame is brimming with thoughtfulness and purpose. The intricate hand-drawn images are visually stunning, requiring great effort to animate. Unlike today’s children’s entertainment with rapid-fire cartoons and quick jokes, “Fantasia” offers a unique contrast. Showing this film to your kids can be a clever parenting trick. For younger viewers, the film’s slower pace might not appeal, but for parents overwhelmed by the noise of fast-paced children’s cartoons, “Fantasia” can serve as a calming respite, and an almost guilt-free choice for screen time that doubles as child care.

One reason Fantasia is captivating is because it’s like a classical radio station for your eyes. Although the claim that classical music makes children smarter (as proposed by Baby Einstein) has largely been disproven, listening to Bach or Beethoven still seems intellectually stimulating. The music, composed before terms such as “screen time” and “Baby Shark” were coined, sets the tempo for the film. Consequently, the visuals in Fantasia mirror the richness and leisureliness of Tchaikovsky’s compositions. The music contains recurring themes and extended crescendos that the animation follows closely, focusing on extravagant scenes or Mickey Mouse and his dance with a broom-marching army. It offers a mix of trippy and wholesome elements. If you have children watching it while trying to work in another room, the music is less disruptive than most modern kids’ entertainment, let alone whatever Cocomelon is shouting about.

The initial part of the movie is a synesthetic animation, presenting a blend of colors and shapes synchronized to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Deems Taylor, the master of ceremonies from Fantasia, provides the only dialogue, delivering soothing mid-century commentary as an introduction to each piece. The subsequent segments have distinct stories, such as the one based on Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” This segment transforms the ballet into a chronicle of Earth’s history. Watching Fantasia, one might think Stravinsky composed it with the intention of teaching natural history, as the music seems to align so well thematically with the action. The timpani drums echo as volcanoes erupt with molten rock on a nascent planet. Tense strings accompany a creature’s hesitant emergence from the primordial sea, and discordant horns blare during a fierce battle between a T-rex and a colossal space-consuming beast. It is quite intriguing that, after over 80 years, the scientific understanding of evolution remains more accurate than one might anticipate.

As a follower, I’d like to point out another captivating aspect: a sequence set to Beethoven’s “The Pastoral Symphony,” a piece that embodies classical music’s essence about the classics. The story unfolds with Greek mythological creatures such as centaurs, satyrs, and baby Pegasi frolicking around, until Zeus, in a sudden turn of events, unleashes his wrath by raining down (and hurling lightning bolts) on the celebration. Unlike traditional adaptations of “The Nutcracker Suites,” this film takes a unique approach, opting to forgo a linear narrative. Instead, it delights us with dancing mushrooms and fairies shimmering in the morning dew.

In simpler terms, Mickey Mouse seems even more enchanting than in any other cartoon he’s been part of, both literally and figuratively speaking. The movie “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” portrays Mickey as a wannabe sorcerer who misuses his master’s magical hat to avoid chores. As a result, enchanted brooms start working on their own, but they soon get out of hand and flood the sanctum with water-filled buckets. Mickey frantically tries to rectify his error. Unlike other appearances where he talks squeakily to educate young audiences or express emotions, this Mickey in “Fantasia” is different. He’s not explaining anything or making things clearer for kids; instead, the movie invites viewers to immerse themselves in his dance. Both children and adults might find themselves captivated by it, experiencing something deeper than just a funny cartoon character.

Opting for the TV to keep your child engaged for a while isn’t exactly a novel concept, but with streaming services and YouTube, this often-used parental solution can become overwhelming, persistent, and at times irritating. However, Fantasia, with its timeless classical tunes, offers a soothing respite to a harried parent’s ear and keeps a child entertained. By presenting Fantasia to your child, you not only provide them with something skillfully created, but also something that you might be enjoying as well. It could be beneficial for parents to watch Fantasia alongside their kids, immersing themselves in the experience too.

Read More

2025-07-23 19:54