Play like a champion today

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Rated: G

Runtime: 91 minutes

Princess/Heroine: Esmeralda

Prince/Hero: Quasimodo

Sidekicks: Captain Phoebus, Hugo, Laverne, Victor, Djali

Villain: Frollo

Music: “The Bells of Notre Dame”, “The Court of Miracles”, “God Help the Outcasts”, “A Guy Like You”, “Heaven’s Light/Hellfire”, “Out There”, “Topsy Turvy”

Rating—out of 5 Mickey Mouse ears: 3 ears. 1 for Quasimodo, ½ for Esmeralda, ½ for Frollo, and 1 for “Heaven’s Light/Hellfire”.

The coulda-shoulda-woulda movie. It was nearly Disney’s second PG rated animated movie, and it was good if you took out its want-to-be Shrek moments, even though Shrek didn’t get released until 2001. Quasimodo was a good guy and great hero. Esmeralda was really kind and brave; I just wish she would have ended up with Quasi. Captain Phoebus was ok, but the gargoyles were not funny. Frollo was a bad man and had some extremely terrifying moments. The music was good but again too many songs. “Heaven’s Light/Hellfire” was by far the best.

Overall a movie that was better than I had expected, but could have been much more. The ‘90s have been my favorite decade so far for Disney movies, but this one is a bit low on the list. Quasi should be a fan favorite, maybe even deserving of a slow-clap ... or chanting of his name from the cheap seats. Quasi ... Quasi ... Quasi. It might/might not do well in the bracket.