Anastasia is from Fox, and the new state of the art computer animation studio in Phoenix, Arizona. The film was three years in the making and features more than three million computer files and 350,000 animation drawings. The result is a wonderful film. The musical sequences are enjoyable (especially an early number called "Rumor in St. Petersburg"). Apparently many of the scenes were actually choreographed and staged by people prior to conversion to animation. Maybe this practice enhances the great human characteristics of the lead characters. But the most enjoyable feature of the film is that the story is so totally engaging.
There's nothing like a real life mystery to arouse the imagination and Anastasia is based on a wonderful example of royalty, romance, and intrigue. A daughter of Nicholas and Alexandra, Anastasia is rumoured to have survived the slaying of the Romanovs and the Russian Revolution. There are so many variations on the story of the Romanovs that truth is almost a non-issue. This new version of Anastasia picks its way through legend, fiction, and fact to create a heartwarming tale about love and family. Nonetheless, the filmcertainly arouses the intellect to ponder the truth of the Romanovs and their famous offspring.
Like most stories Anastasia features a larger than life villain, in this case, the mysterious Rasputin. In my opinion Rasputin and the satanic forces at his control are way too scary, yet, far from running screaming from the theatre, the 5 year-olds around me seemed to lap up the green slimy bringers of evil like strawberries and cream. Maybe I'm a wimp, but parents of sensitive youngsters should be warned that Rasputin is a portrayed as a darstadly door of evil deeds. But counterbalancing all the badness of Rasputin is the wonderful warmth of the Dowager Empress, sporting the inimitable tones of Angela Lansbury, an added bonus in giving credibility to immediately sympathetic creature.
Finally, then, to address the Disney Fox comparison issue. Personally, I found few differences. The film abounds in characters who represent good and bad with some comedic sidekicks thrown in for good measure. And the whole package is wrapped in a blanket of songs and romance. What is readily apparent in Anastasia is the very fine telling of a story that is well-worth seeing. I wholeheartedly recommend the film.