Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


The Swan Princess (1994)

Director: Richard Rich

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

This likeable animated fairytale takes the story of Swan Lake and ruffles up its feathers for '90s PC audiences. Prince Derek is about to marry his childhood sweetheart Princess Odette when he goes and spoils it all by making a chauvinistic remark regarding his bride-to-be's gorgeous looks. Miffed, Odette sulks back to her own kingdom only to be abducted by Rothbart (voice by Palance), a morphing megalomaniac desperate for her hand in marriage so that he may become ruler of her father's kingdom. When she proves unwilling, Rothbart seethes, then rages, then turns her into a swan for the hours from dawn to dusk. Derek, in the meantime, enlists the help of the cute forest creatures - a frog called Jean-Bob, a turtle called Speed, and a puffin called Puffin - to investigate her disappearance. Youngsters will find much to enjoy in the jokey dialogue, lush landscapes and comical action sequences, though not, one suspects, in the naff theatrical songs.

Author: DA

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing