Toy Story 4, mini movie review

 

Rating: A

When I heard that there was going to be another Toy Story movie I honestly rolled my eyes.  "Seriously? Another one?" I thought, and went about my day unfazed.  A little time later the trailer came out, and I was still not excited.  What could they do more?  Does this story about toys need rehashing?  How is this not going to be a simple repeat, just with a new kid?

Out of obligation I went.  Dragging my feet a little.

Boy did I have fun!

Andy is in college, and the homage he receives is that of nostalgia and background retailing.  Not too much.  Just enough.  Bonnie is the toys new kid, and they're all still wonderfully together, except for Bo Peep, who we haven't seen in quite awhile, but she wasn't Andy's toy, she was his sister's, and out of no where she disappeared.  I felt her loss back when, but moved on.  Bonnie is the focus now, and she's growing up a little.  Not growing out of toys, but entering a new phase in life: Kindergarten.  In order to cope with this transition Bonnie creates a toy out of trash and unknowingly brings it to life.  Forky.  A spork with doodads.  Forky has an identity crises, and in the midst of a road trip there's much insanity mixed with hilarity.

Toy Story 4 is a charming movie filled with warmth.  There's friendship, forgiveness, love, second chances, all the Pixar good stuff.  And plenty of jokes.  Seriously a ton of "laugh out loud" moments with a giggle here and there.

And we finally find out what happens to Bo Peep!  She's doing well.  Real well.  She's tough.  I really love what they did with her character.

There's plenty of new characters mixed in at a steady rate, adding to the story instead of overcrowding.  The new characters are interesting and fun.    One of them has me laughing on the inside right now just thinking about them.  But all the classic characters are there as well, fully utilized: This is their story.

So, without giving too much away, Toy Story 4 is a nice new chapter.  A great family film.  Worth seeing many times. 

MPAA: G

Moana, mini movie review

Rating: B-

Moana, Disney's latest animated offering, is about the teenage daughter of an Hawaiian chief, apprehensive about her future leadership role while dreaming of traveling the dangerous ocean, the vast Ocean which has been calling her since she was a baby.  Travesty hits the island where her people live, and she must choose to head her father's warning of entering the sea verses her desire to help save the future of those she will one day lead.

Moana is a beautiful movie.  The art of the Ocean as its own entity, and nature in general, are all so wonderfully captured through animation.  It's amazing how far computer animation has come, especially with water.

I'm mixed when it come to the music.  There are some songs I really like: all the songs in the Hawaiian language and You're Welcome is an amusing song.  It's obvious Dwayne Johnson was having fun portraying Maui.  How Far I'll Go, which is Moana's solo piece, is a good anthem, but it's not to the same caliber as Let It Go, Part of Your World, and Just Around the River bend.  How Far I'll Go got way too many reprises; by the third offering of the song I wished they had written Moana another theme.  I REALLY don't like the songs Where You Are and Shiny.  Where You Are is a weak opening chorus number in the same vain as Honor To Us All from Mulan.  The song Shiny, sung by that 5 minute in the movie Crab, is just annoying.  I just can't like it, and I've listened to it several times trying.

Moana as a character is really likable, and I like newcomer Auli'i Cravalho's interpretation, but overall I have the same problem with her as I had with Rey in Star Wars: A Force Awakens.  I understand Disney wanting to create strong female characters, but strong is being confused with perfection. Fear or apprehension during an unknown journey is not enough of a weakness to shake both Rey and Moana from being two-dimensional.  Though likeable, I wish Moana was more fleshed out.

Moana, the film, plays out as a typical, predictable Hero's Journey.  The formula is thoroughly used to the fault of the movie. 

In the end I did like Moana, and even though it's polished, it's not without faults, and doesn't have the same magic as Frozen or Tangled.

MPAA: Rated PG for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements.

  

Zootopia mini movie review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First of all, before I get into this review, I just took a look over at Rotten Tomatoes and saw that Zootopia, the latest animated offering from Disney Animation, is at a 99% fresh tomato rating.  99%!!!!!!  I don't even know if I've ever seen a fresh rating that high.  It's so high that these fresh tomatoes are still green!  And now I want fried green tomatoes, dang it.

Ever since Judy Hopps, played by Ginnifer Goodwin, was a little bunny she dreamed of becoming a police officer.  But in her family and community nobody has never left, always giving up dreams to grow carrots.  It's expected.  In fact, no bunny, female or male, has ever become a police officer, as that job has always been performed by larger animals: polar bears, bison, elephants, etc.  Intimidating creatures.  Judy Hopps is an optimistic little animal with a big dream, proving along each step that nothing is impossible.  All dreams are possible.

Along her journey of acceptance she stumbles upon Nick Wilde, a sly fox played by Jason Bateman, who oozes charm and sarcasm.  While she struggles with her acceptance of him, Judy always keeps fox spray strapped to her belt just in case, they find themselves spending a lot of time together.  Can two previous foes ever become friends? 

There is a huge social political underlying theme, which is why I believe the fresh tomato rating is so high.  Zootopia has it's own set of politics based on their unique culture of prey verses predator.  Although society has evolved to where they all live together, there's fear of a return to the primeval instinct.  Can foxes and bunny's ever get along?

In terms of some of the underlying messages that only adults will read into, I will not comment.  My mind did start spinning into possible implied implications and so forth, "what are they saying?" and so forth.  In this day and age, with so many opinions, current racial climate, and Disney's liberal slant, it's hard to say, so I'm not going there.  Read into it as much or as little as you wish.  The social-political climate works within Zootopia.

With what is happening currently in American world events, the degrading and attacks on police officers, I appreciate the positive image created in Zootopia in regards to cops.  It's nice seeing those who are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect our lives portrayed in a positive light.

Overall I love the positive message in the film, and I love Judy's incredible optimism and drive.  And I love Nick's one liners and attitude.  The chemistry these two characters have compliment Zootopia.

And, oh my goodness, the animation and world building in Zootopia!  One of the early shots when Judy rides a train is really breathtaking.  So much thought and brilliant artistry has been put into this movie.  And seeing how the different animals  live together is really fun.  The town of little rodents that we get to see later on is so cute!  Creatively Zootopia is a fun film.

And I love the music.  The soundtrack is rich.  And the theme song "Try Everything" by Shakira is catchy.

A good movie with an intriguing plot, vibrant world, and strong characters.

MPAA: Rated PG for some thematic elements, rude humor and action

Animal nudist colony. -_-;;  Definitely humor aimed at adults.

Frozen: Movie Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

It seems like the advertising for Disney's Frozen has given the film a "shrouded in mystery" feel.  Unless you watch the Disney channel, confession, you don't really know what this movie is about . . . or that it's a musical!!  (Why does Disney feel the need to hide this?  They did the same with Tangled.  It's a selling point.)

For months movie theater audiences have been treated with an animated short featuring two non-human characters from Frozen: Olaf the snowman and a reindeer.  It was cute and funny at first, until it stopped being cute and funny . . . but that's probably because I'm a movie theater addict.  An interesting approach to advertising, though the trailer says nothing about the movies theme.

I didn't have high hopes going into the theater, but my apprehension was wrong.  Frozen's Fantastic.

Frozen is based on the Hans Christian Anderson's story of the Snow Queen, but like most Disney Fairy Tales this story is loosely based on the original.  I feel the more I say the more I spoil, and not knowing much going into this film was a nice, refreshing change.  I liked being surprised.

I loved Tangled.  LOVE Tangled, the last Disney musical animation based on Rapunzel, but there wasn't enough songs!  Only four main songs with a bunch of reprises.  Mulan, amazing as well, had the same problem with only four main songs.  (Though "I'll Make a Man Out of You" and "I See the Light" are stellar.)

With Frozen we are given eight main songs and one reprise.  Eight!  "Let It Go" is this movies stand out song, sung by Elsa (Idina Menzel).  (Okay, side note, when I found out Idina Menzel, from Elphaba "Wicked" fame, was voicing a character in Frozen my first thought was, "She better sing a song!!"  That was my biggest complaint with the movie "Enchanted," Idina not singing . . . though from a story standpoint it wouldn't work, but if there was ever a sequel . . .) "Let It Go" is such a strong, spirited song with fantastic, gorgeous animation.  A lot of the songs in Frozen are fun, though I must admit that some of the lyric choices made me cock my head to the side a couple times, but overall great songs.

And opening the movie with the choral piece "Vuelie (feat. Cantus)" was brilliant!  The music geek in me was tripping out.  Combining African like chants with medieval tonality was so cool.

The acting is good.  The music fantastic.  Animation great.

A fun family movie just in time for Thanksgiving :0)      

. . . now I wonder how long it will take Disneyland to give the Matterhorn a Frozen theme.    

MPAA: Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor.

Learning to Understand Bronies

Looking at the picture of this cake you would think the birthday that happened this last week was for one of my nieces.  If you assumed this you are wrong.  This cake was for my brother Michael, who is closer to 30 then 20.  Then you might assume that being the father of two little girls is starting to get to him . . . and you would be partially right.  Just partially, because there is a phenomenon sweeping the geeky nerd World that I don't yet understand.

You see, my brother is a Brony.  And what is a Brony?

(Taken from the Urban dictionary:)

The male, older fans of my little pony: friendship is magic.

Bronies internet convo=

Brony "yo man, you seen the new episode last night?"
Brony 2 "totally, midnight sparkle was the bomb with that friendship blast."

Micheal's a Brony.  Michael and Robbie's friends are Bronies, and I'm not talking gal friends, it's all their guy friends who love My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.  Robbie went to a friends birthday party and every one of his friends presents were my little pony gifts!  Shirts, toys, etc.  

So to enlighten my Mom and I, who still have a hard time believing the core audience of the new My Little Pony series are teenage/young adult guys, my brothers showed us the first two episodes of season one.  My Mom and I kept looking at each other in shock.  This show is what's causing this craze?  

Apparently, according to Robbie, the show really takes off after episode 13.  And I must say I do like the animation style.  A lot of animation these days are just plain bad ( *cough* Sponge Bob *cough*).  Back in my day we had Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Darkwing Duck, Duck Tales, and a few other great kid shows. And I did watch the original My Little Pony, Strawberry shortcake, Care Bears, and Rainbow Bright.  I had it pretty good as a kid, so I am glad that the younger generation is getting quality, new animation.

I don't know, I need to see more episodes to decide if I'll become a fan.  Chances are I will, and I'm just avoiding the inevitable.  Though I got to say the below clip, with John de Lancie channeling Q through Discord, is pure awesome.

   Sarah

Wreck-It Ralph, Movie Review

"I am bad, but that's good.  I will never be good, and that's not bad.  There's no one I'd rather be then me."

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

Ralph is an 8-bit game villain who has been terrorizing the small towns apartment building for 30 long years, and he's tired of it.  What glory is there in being the bad guy?  No one likes you.  No one ever wants you around.  If you're bad in the game, then you must be bad in your personal life as well, right?  That's what all the other game characters think, and Ralph is tired of being treated as trash, and sleeping on bricks.  Never mind the fact that he's never been invited to a party or eaten cake.  He wants to change this, but will he go "turbo?"

In all honesty I would give this movie a 3.75, but clever fun ideas, and the animated short that takes place before the film, bumps the movie experience to a 4.  Paperman is the animated short, a solid 5 out of 5 stars, and is simply the most brilliant animated short I've ever seen.  I don't want to give any of it away, only that I loved every moment.  I can go on and on about what I think about it, but go see Wreck-it Ralph, and you can judge for yourself what you think of Paperman.  It's so good.

The actual film, Wreck-it Ralph, was very entertaining, and original!  How often do we get anything original out of Hollywood these days?  Um, practically never.  Everything now is a remake, prequel, sequel, or based off of a book.  This movie is none of that, though we do get a lot of video game cameos.     


As reported by Total Film, they asked Disney Producer Clark Spencer how they went about getting all those cameos (and there are a lot . . . it was fun geeking out, recognizing random characters):

"We talked early on about making the film authentic and the only way to do that was to have real game characters in the film as well as the characters we'd created, otherwise it would feel like an artificial environment.  But when you do that, you don't know the reality of what characters you're going to be able to license for the film.  Rich [Moore, director] and I went to E3, and pitched the movie to all the different game companies, talking about the concept.  What was great about that was we developed a one-on-one relationship [with the people at the game companies], and people warmed to the idea.  So they felt like it could be something interesting, but they were still a little skeptical, as they were giving their own creative characters over to Wreck-It Ralph.  And so we said we'd keep them involved in the process, and give them the script pages. We showed them the models, we showed them the early animation tests, and even the final animations.  We brought them along the entire way, and it made companies willing to participate, because they felt like we were going to be true to their characters.  As a result we got pretty much almost anything we wanted, because the companies started feeling the momentum and everybody pretty much said yes to us."

Where the film went wrong with the pacing in the middle act.  The beginning and the end of the movie flows nicely, but the middle dragged on a little, and as much as I like Sugar Rush--a cutesy Japanese style, super Kawaii, go-kart game--there was just a little too much Sugar Rush in the movie.

Overall I found the movie quite fun, and the animation was just brilliant.  I loved all the different styles and details.  For instance the Wreck-it Ralph townspeople are very jumpy in their movements, which is key-frame animation without tweening (thank you Steven for the vocab), representing their 8-bit roots.  I asked Steven why Ralph and Fix-it Felix, Jr. were so smooth compared with the rest of their game, and he said that in animation all key characters, objects, building, etc, are called Hero's (even if you're a villain), and they receive special attention, detail, and time.  

I did enjoy this movie and recommend it, and you get a fantastic animated short in the process.