Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken – A Dark Tale You’ve Forgotten

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During a period when Disney Afternoon boasted a robust roster of adorable and furry animal-themed characters, there emerged an innovative concept to introduce something analogous yet distinct, featuring a more subdued color scheme, grittier tone, and interconnected narrative threads. These were the guardians of the night, ancient beings reawakened in contemporary Manhattan, stone warriors known as Gargoyles, who starred in a film adaptation that might be unfamiliar to you – “Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken“.

A millennium ago, I lived in an era where superstition and swords held sway. It was a time shrouded in darkness, marked by fear. It was the epoch I knew as the Age of Gargoyles.

Back in October of 1994, I was first introduced to the world of Gargoyles through an epic five-part TV series called “Awakening.” This origin story revolves around a legendary gargoyle named Goliath, voiced by Keith David, and his clan. It all starts in Scotland, 994 A.D., where they guarded Castle Wyvern as their home. Unfortunately, the humans living there didn’t appreciate our nighttime protectors, leading to betrayal. But just like many tales from this show, not everything was as it seemed, and we wouldn’t fully understand until much later.

This betrayal led to a curse, turning us into stone even during the day, a spell that could only be broken when our castle rose above the clouds – which, fortunately for us, a man named David Xanatos (Jonathan Frakes) had the money and power to achieve. With Castle Wyvern now perched atop a Manhattan skyscraper, we became the guardians of New York City, despite humans still viewing us with fear.

A significant aspect of the event promotion would involve hosting a first-ever screening of select episodes at the movie theater on Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island in Orlando. To create a grand, cinematic atmosphere, this special showing was intended for members of the press and schoolchildren who were brought in especially for the occasion. As a result, the five episodes were reworked to be more film-like, running approximately 82 minutes and emphasizing scenes involving the two main characters. While Greg Weisman worked on this adaptation with a different team, Frank Paur continued overseeing the original crew to ensure the episodes were ready for broadcast. They recognized that although their content was compelling for television, the tone and pace would require adjustments for a feature presentation.

In September of ’94, Weisman and his team’s movie first appeared, and it might have been the last time fans saw that version until Buena Vista Home Video agreed to distribute “Awakening” on home video. Discovering that there was an abridged, shorter version without intros, credits, and commercial breaks, they opted for this version to save both time and money. Weisman wasn’t entirely pleased with the idea of selling a version with less content, but the company promised additional value elsewhere. As a result, Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken was released on VHS and LaserDisc in early 1995, despite not initially being meant for re-release or public availability.

So what’s the difference?

In this home edition, you’ll find the typical sneak peeks – I always get excited seeing a trailer for Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad, by the way – along with a marketing video showcasing some of the Gargoyles series cast and crew, building anticipation. However, the highlight is the interactive board game at the end. Players must work swiftly against a ticking clock to reach Xanatos before he can destroy the gargoyles. The game includes various event cards and instructions delivered via video. Although it may not have been heavily played as a standalone game, it seems like an easy yet creative effort to enhance the appeal of the tape. It does contain some unique voiceovers and is quite intriguing.

Due to the proximity of the film’s release and television broadcast, distinct groups were tasked with finalizing each version to meet their respective deadlines. Consequently, different editors and sound technicians worked on them, with the cinema edition being tailored for a more immersive theater experience. Numerous scenes were excised from the movie, primarily those not centered around Goliath or Elisa Maza (Salli Richardson), reflecting the Beauty and the Beast relationship that played a significant role in the project’s conception.

As someone who’s watched both versions, I can say that the cinematic adaptation trimmed down some crucial scenes involving secondary characters settling into their new environment and references to the rookery eggs. This could leave viewers a bit bewildered in later episodes if they only watched this version. Lots of dialogue was snipped too, but for a swiftly-paced movie, it’s understandable. However, some lines had to be rewritten or redubbed post-production to maintain continuity. Scenes were also shuffled around for the plot’s sake, ensuring it remained clear without extra content and distributing action more evenly. The film does include a few bonus moments not in the original episodes, such as additional lines or quick animations that intensify key scenes like Goliath awakening from his curse. As Weisman mentioned, the movie boasts superior editing, sound effects, and music choices, but there are also aspects that shine brighter on television. It’s a pity they didn’t have the resources to create an ideal version of “Awakening.

Gargoyles the Movie: Waking Heroes – A Visual Masterpiece

Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken is simply fantastic. This initial series boasts a larger budget, which is evident in its unique style compared to other Disney Afternoon shows of the same era. It stands out with its striking lines, ominous ambiance, and breathtaking cityscapes that still impress today.

The show’s excellence lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in the skillful craftsmanship on display. The creative camera angles and fluid movements give the scenes a cinematic feel, while others resemble intricate paintings. The creators aimed to evoke a superhero atmosphere, and the decision to have the gargoyles fold their wings as cloaks was genius, enhancing the visual appeal of each character. Bravo!

The voice acting is another key element that makes this production shine. Featuring a talented ensemble, the cast delivers commanding lines and navigates complex Shakespearean storylines effortlessly, making it seem as if they were born for these roles. In essence, it’s a perfect marriage of visual artistry and vocal talent.

In essence, this cartoon, originally intended as a comedy like Gummi Bears, evolved into a more dramatic series with a darker tone and higher stakes. It skillfully blended fantasy elements without sacrificing the drama. The writing was refined, incorporating grandiose orchestral music despite budget constraints. They aimed to produce a more mature show, moving away from their previous safe approach, and were influenced by Batman: The Animated Series. Notably, this series tackled sensitive issues such as prejudice, hatred, and even racism. It introduced two significant female characters who played prominent roles in the storyline at a time when this was uncommon. One character was a policewoman of color, while Demona (played by Marina Sirtis) was a complex villain struggling with her own problems, causing children to ponder what it means to be lonely.

Exploring Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken – A Rare Find

The movie Gargoyles the Heroes Awaken has become quite a rarity now. It might be challenging to find a physical copy, but you can still find some on eBay, and for a while, a digital version has been accessible on the Internet Archive, albeit not of the highest quality. This version is more for die-hard fans and collectors who are passionate about the series and wish to immerse themselves in all its aspects. For me, it was an intriguing curiosity that I’m grateful to have delved into, rekindling memories of such a captivating cartoon.

Generally speaking, many fans consider season one of Gargoyles to be its peak, often avoiding discussions about The Goliath Chronicles. This series kicks off powerfully, and this movie is a compressed representation of that beginning. The show’s popularity led to merchandise, games, comics, action figures, some of which I own, both vintage and modern. Despite attempts at revival, the franchise continues to strive for freedom from its stone curse for another adventure. I’m not overly optimistic, but revisiting this story makes me hopeful that the rumors are true, allowing it to continue.

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2025-02-01 01:41