Word: siam
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Chow's next role is as the King of Siam, opposite Jodie Foster as Anna, in a new version of the story Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musicalized in 1951 and filmed with Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner five years later. So who needs another King and I movie? Kids, apparently. So here is an animated feature that expands and dumbs down the story. There's some kung fu, a Jafar-style villain with satanic powers, a cartoon menagerie (funny monkey, majestic leopard, etc.), and lame comedy with a crudely drawn, Buddha-shaped fall guy. It's all needless...
Unfortunately, once Hayley Mills begins to sing "Getting to Know You," the effect is lost. Mills plays the main character, Anna Leonowens, a widowed teacher who is brought to Bangkok by the King of Siam (Vee Talmadge), to educate the royal children (a group of adorable new talents ranging in ages from...
From the beginning, Anna and the King appear to disagree over everything, from the social position of women in Siam, a position that Anna likens to slavery (a theme further developed in the musical) to the roval tradition of bowing before the King. Anna stomps about in righteous anger while the King barks his royal orders until by the end of the musical they finally,predictably, fall in love...
Some of the best acting and singing come from the supporting cast. Luzviminda Lor easily outshines both Mills and Talmadge as Tuptim, a young slave in love with another but sent against her will to serve the King of Siam. Tuptim's story is part of a larger social commentary on the effects of slavery, both physical and psychological, brilliantly illustrated in one of the best scenes in the musical- "The Small House of Uncle Thomas," a gorgeous Asian version of Uncle Tom's Cabin which features masterfully executed choreography, beautiful dancers and stunning costumes. Tuptim reveals her own indignation...
...have been great to hear one of these characters, preferably the King, really belt one out. Worse still, sexism, classicism and European elitism (the three evil isms) abound in this musical: the fact that European culture is valued over Asian culture, the main reason for Anna's presence in Siam, is continually reinforced. But the royal kids are cute, the costume and set design are amazing and the Rodgers and Hammerstein score is enough to shell out the bucks and enjoy the show...