The Hunchback of Notre Dame v. Tarzan

[REINIER]

Hunchback in terms of storywork, visually I do think more could have been done with those ghastly gargoyles we all hate

[thelittleursula]

ghastly gargoyles we all hate

I think I've mentioned this before, but I don't hate the Gargoyles. Are they funny ? No. Are they important to the movie ? No. You could take them away and the movie would still be solid [ which somebody has done on YouTube ]

But I think that people have to remember that the Gargoyles are their for the children and the younger audience. This movie can be pure nightmare fuel under the age of Eleven, and the Gargoyles just soften all the darkness and adult themes the movie explorers. And Disney movies are for all-ages, they are family movies.

[REINIER]

I stand corrected little ursula! You make some good arguements

[Pokeholic_Prince]

I really like both films. Hunchback is dramatic, darker, and tackles more mature subject matters. Tarzan is a coming of age story, but also about family and belonging. But the edge for me goes to Tarzan as it is more consistant with tone. Tone is everything in movies and one thing with Hunchback is that it goes for such a darker more bleak tone, but just as you're being absorbed into the drama they cut to a comedic moment in the film that is just so out of character for the movie. It makes it feel as if you're watching another movie. However, its narrative is incredibly strong as well as its villian and soundtrack. Tarzan on the other hand is more consistant with its tone. I also feel the emotions are more riveting. The relationship between Tarzan and Kala is heart wrenching. I personally love Collins soundtrack in the film especially You'll Be In My Heart and Strangers Like Me.

[dollover]

You could take them away and the movie would still be solid [ which somebody has done on YouTube ]

Ooooh where?! I tried searching for it but couldn't find it. Do you have a link? Thanks.

[DisneyFan09]

Sorry for bumping this thread, I just want to voice my opinion.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the minority who considers "Hunchback" to be a better movie, haha. Which means that my vote will go for "Hunchback", too.

Yes, "Huncback" is flawed. In fact, it is incredibly flawed. The film is zigzagging between the controversial and comedic moments, without really fulfilling neither. In fact, the comedy in this film (gargoyles or not) is the weakest flaw, being annoying and not funny.

However, the strenghts of this fim are stellar and does make up for the flaws. First of all, the animation is incredible. Both of the details to the city of Paris and the Cathedral itself, to the character designs and the animation. It may be silly to say this, but several parts of the animation seems as if they could have been real. Another strenght "Hunchback" has are the characters. Never before has the characters been so compelling in an animated movie (and this is without taking consideration of the gargoyles). Quasimodo may be goody-goody, but he's so likeable, adorable and enderaring. Esmeralda may be more flawed, but she's vivacious and has a good heart. Phoebus is a charming and witty hero and Frollo is one of the most superb villains ever. The Third and definitively most important strenght of this film is the music. It is absolutely amazing. Alan Menken really pushed himself to another Level. In fact, the music of "Hunchback" haven't got the recognition it deserves.

As for "Tarzan", it has it's definite strenghts too. The opening is stellar. The films is visually gorgeous and the songs of Phil Collins are catchy and help to serve the film. Mark Mancina's score is quite beautiful, too. The deep canvas scenes are really impressive and the action sequences are dynamic. While the flaws on "Tarzan" are minor than with "Hunchback", I still think "Tarzan" has a rather unconsistent pace at times. "Tarzan" suffers from an incredibly busy script. As with "Hunchback", most of the humor is obnoxious and juvenile (although I'm one of the minority who could live through Terk). Tantor and Professor Porter are horrible and although Jane is charming, none of the characters really stand out. I also wish "Tarzan" could been a little bit darker, though the film does includes several deaths. However, I still think "Tarzan" is a good Movie and it's in fact better than both "Hercules" and "Mulan".

[Atlantica]

Hunchback in every sense; not to take away from Tarzan which is a good film on its own, but compared together, Hunchback wins for me. The most obvious comparison for superiority is the music; Hunchback is one of the best scores Disney has produced, Tarzan (in my own opinion) has a very weak score and song set.

[Marky_198]

Hunchback by far. Better animation and better music.

I think the animation in Tarzan is very disappointing. The designs are way too saturday morning-cartoony for me.
Tarzan could have been much better visually and musically.

People always speak about "2d animation" as if it's one style. But the animation in Tarzan or Home on the Range has nothing to do with some of the other classic titles.

[Scamander]

Tarzan is a good film but let's be honest, it's nowhere near the same league as Hunchback. I'm actually a little surprised, that the majority in this forum thinks the same, because in the German Disney community it is totally underrated and even utterly hated by many fans.

[DisneyFan09]

I think the animation in Tarzan is very disappointing. The designs are way too saturday morning-cartoony for me.

I agree about the designs on the main leads.

[Jay]

Hunchback.

The animation is gorgeous in HoND. Not that Tarzan is bad but Hunchback's animation is beautiful. The score is phenomenal and it features some of the greatest songs in the Disney canon. Also all the characters are well done. Quaismodo is my personal favorite hero and Tom Hulce does a great job bringing him to life. Esmeralda is a great heroine. She is feisty and vivacious but has a good heart. "God Help the Outcasts" is one of the strongest moments in Disney imo. I personally think she was Disney's best post-Ariel female lead. Frollo...what else is there to say that hasn't already been said. And Phoebus is funny and snarky. I agree he has much more personality than John Smith or Shang. Clopin is a fun character who I wish had more screen time. I love his mysterious, omniscient presence. And his vocals are top notch. The gargoyles get a lot of hate but I agree they aren't as bad as they are made out to be. I enjoy Laverne and Victor. If Hugo had been toned down and/or had a different voice actor he wouldn't have been as bad. I personally agree that Timon and Pumbaa/Meeko, Percy and Flit are worse.

Tarzan is a good film but I haven't seen it in a while. I honestly don't remeber much from it. Clayton is an extremely weak villain and aside from his death scene is forgettable. Poor Brain Blessed was wasted in the role. Jane is charming and quirky. Tarzan and Kerchak's relationship is interesting and well done. I'll have to watch this film again but I Hunchback has always stood out more for me personally.

[pinkrenata]

It's been a while since I've seen Tarzan, so I can't say for sure. I think, though, that Tarzan just might MAYBE be a better movie, however, HOND will always be a personal favorite for me.

[disneyftw1]

I'm not going to fight. I like them both. Both have its flaws and its many great strengths.

[DisneyFan09]

Story: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I find the story in both films flawed

Why?

[robinhood21]

Both films are not my best, but I am going to say The Hunchback Of Notre Dame because I prefer Quasimodo's story to Tarzan's. I can hear him and Quasimodo interacting with each other and saying each other's names as well as Jane and Esmeralda interacting with each other in my head and I wish Frollo could fight Clayton.