Comments on: ‘The Last Unicorn’

By: Shelley Stillo

Shelley Stillo — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:21:19 +0000

Yeah, I knew Nimh was the Achilles heel of the argument because it WAS studio released, but by MGM, I believe?–not Amblin. But its a different animal, I believe. Like I said, I’m thinking of these 80s films aimed at a Dungeons and Dragons crowd, and I think only one of those three fits the bill. Just check out this promo poster http://www.imdb.com/media/rm883465984/tt0084649 (and when you compare that to the film’s current, very Amblinesque dvd cover, it makes you wanna cry). But honestly, I could be wrong about all three movies, I haven’s seen an of them since I was 5. But there’s only one I’d be willing to watch again.

By: woemcats

woemcats — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:23:12 +0000

it’s funny that you praise “NIMH” but rag on an american tail and land before time, since they were all produced and directed by the same guy, don bluth.

By: Tara

Tara — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:33:31 +0000

My background and experience with this movie are very similar to yours, Shelley. I watched it countless times as a young child, starting when I was four or five. I even recalled it in a similar way—an adult-like story that possibly seemed too sophisticated or complicated for its intended audience. It felt like a different experience from the other glossed-over, vibrant animated offerings of the time. What else I recalled: The frightening harpy scenes, the dark tone of the characters (though, I thought of them as weird, simple and at face value as a child) and the film overall and, of course, the famously bitchin’ music.

This time around, the viewing experience was different, but just as mesmerizing. The story was fairly straightforward, but I found a new appreciation for the characters, particularly Molly. The scene you mentioned was intensely haunting to me. I cursed myself for not trying to understand or appreciate that earlier. Irony, eh. You mentioned in the interview the beautiful scene where the unicorns appear and transform in the wave. It was….wow. The animation was simple but effective in the film—a few vibrant scenes like the wave scene and the running scenes, with the rest of the movie relying on the gloomy tone, basic mood color use and a child’s imagination. This movie had great visual beauty, in almost a….gothic way? I had no idea who most of the voice actors where as a kid. It’s quite an amazing ensemble. I still loved the music, with the exception of Mia Farrow’s screeching, and now, of course, have it stuck in my head. Damn you, America. I must say the film has held up after all these years. Also worth mentioning: You said in the podcast that the Mommy Fortuna/Harpy scene was so memorable as a child, yet seemed small and not as important now. I felt the same exact way. Weird. I also had to give more credit to Christopher Lee, especially after hearing your thoughts on him and his role. I never really thought of him as an impressionable character until this time around.

Very nice interview, Doc. It was so nostalgic to revisit this—like find a long lost friend. I look forward to checking out your others. (Perhaps The Little Mermaid, as a companion piece?)

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:38:30 +0000

First off, thanks for the shout-out! It’s true, Ariel gives up her voice for a vagina. Yikes.
Second, “He was the coach on Stick It.” That had me bustin’ up.
Third, I loved Christopher Lee in “Return from Witch Mountain”
Fourth, this episode got me excited for our collab.

By: Whitney

Whitney — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:42:02 +0000

I was a huge unicorn girl, but this movie was too much for me. I really liked Brave Little Toaster, Never Ending Story, The Dark Crystal, and other dark kids films that came out around then, but for some reason this one was just too scary for me. Maybe it’s because I was such a huge unicorn girl? I haven’t seen it since I was very, very young.

And, yep, I hate the Little Mermaid!