tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9748875727243568822024-03-04T23:18:27.072-08:00Moo CartoonThe Cartoons That Moove You!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-86690525180516710592014-03-06T22:32:00.000-08:002014-03-06T22:32:39.421-08:00The Lego Movie (A Review)<div style="text-align: center;">
Ladies and gentlemen...we have it. The greatest 1 hour and 40 minute toy commercial of all time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezKJYxFtft2RQbXABMYiVHzK-cDKMChy8vR_KZ38hZX4G5zyimb85DKv8MMjf6jCTbkON6QKxWUuz7gniGGhf7ER_qDDMYffQvqA5ewBkCcJ-gU7C-CdZmHpvmieJR0niIe0IRwCDrH0/s1600/the_lego_movie_2014-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezKJYxFtft2RQbXABMYiVHzK-cDKMChy8vR_KZ38hZX4G5zyimb85DKv8MMjf6jCTbkON6QKxWUuz7gniGGhf7ER_qDDMYffQvqA5ewBkCcJ-gU7C-CdZmHpvmieJR0niIe0IRwCDrH0/s1600/the_lego_movie_2014-wide.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crazy unique looking cast that works remarkably well together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>The Lego Movie</i> is pure joy. There's no better way to describe it. By all accounts it should be a shallow marketing ploy for one of the most popular toys ever, but the movie is actually so strong of a comedy that it transcends it's superficial marketing purposes. The humour travels a mile a minute, the characters are brilliant send-ups of classic story archetypes, the visuals <span id="goog_278803957"></span><span id="goog_278803958"></span>are bright and colourful, and that song...oh man, that song. Like the song says: "everything is awesome." Y'know, I could just stop there and tell you I highly recommend this flick, but if you're interested in the finer points within this tiny bricked world, then read on.<br />
<br />
First of all this film is written and directed by the duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Don't recognize those names? Well, maybe it's about time you do. They started with the criminally underrated animated comedy <i>Clone High</i> before directing <i>Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs</i> (a movie I thought was gonna suck until I saw it,) and more recently the <i>21 Jump Street</i> remake (a movie which, again, people thought was gonna suck, but then were pleasantly surprised with it.) Are you noticing a trend? Clearly, people need to take note of Lord and Miller and start giving these two the benefit of the doubt on whatever project they're working on. (Or studios need to know how to advertise their shit better.) As soon as I saw these two were attached, I knew we were in for a tight comedy with clever writing and a joyfully juvenile spirit. In short: I was pumped when I saw that they were directing this movie, even more pumped when I saw the first trailer, and yet the movie still somehow met my lofty expectations. That's pretty rare nowadays!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVYA2iq60PoiuybfgOTaw2TKgMh0fQse_EyAtn99q65yh6tYlAA8N_sGb2bIwCy79bjcSECcKvtKw0fsAJbcjChYibU_w97JaXLULYCBRG2cWMmZx44g3LveIwTNslK-f0lzY7MFDV3Y/s1600/The_LEGO_Movie_BA-Abraham_Lincoln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVYA2iq60PoiuybfgOTaw2TKgMh0fQse_EyAtn99q65yh6tYlAA8N_sGb2bIwCy79bjcSECcKvtKw0fsAJbcjChYibU_w97JaXLULYCBRG2cWMmZx44g3LveIwTNslK-f0lzY7MFDV3Y/s1600/The_LEGO_Movie_BA-Abraham_Lincoln.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Fact: Will Forte voices Abe Lincoln in both The Lego Movie and Clone High!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So what's the plot? Well, the best way I can describe <i>The Lego Movie</i> is <i>Toy Story</i> meets <i>The Matrix</i> on a sugar high. Enter a world completely made out of Lego where our hero, a construction worker named Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt,) is optimistically taking part in the corporate system he seems to fit right in with, when suddenly he is thrust into an undercover resistance against the ruler of this Lego land, President Business (Will Ferrel.) President Business (moonlighting as the evil "Lord Business") has separated each themed Lego world into their own sets (wild west, space, etc) and is obsessed with order. Meanwhile, Emmet is recruited by the Master Builders, an underground rebel group fronted by the kick-ass Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) and the wise wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman.) The Master Builders believe in creativity over all, and have the ability to construct wild, new and outstanding things out of the Lego pieces that their world is made out of. As it turns out, Emmet got himself stuck with a mysterious relic, dubbing him "the special" who is meant to fulfil some sort of prophecy (there's always a prophecy) that will stop President Business for good. The problem: Emmet doesn't have a creative thought in his head, and is in no way the messiah-type figure the Master Builders are looking for.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7bPZh9S89lJe72r7nISLpAh7aggFTYVm-jiJoGgNL4r_Ul2c_GvMv4piaV5UIHamwI0xGr2M18MYFdVdcTBnGq0FLlc-a833En8XjjZKkt5FfwqYto9UY0uuPTiQ4kHzf-6H1FGWziA/s1600/the-new-trailer-for-the-lego-movie-is-filled-with-jokes-for-adults.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7bPZh9S89lJe72r7nISLpAh7aggFTYVm-jiJoGgNL4r_Ul2c_GvMv4piaV5UIHamwI0xGr2M18MYFdVdcTBnGq0FLlc-a833En8XjjZKkt5FfwqYto9UY0uuPTiQ4kHzf-6H1FGWziA/s1600/the-new-trailer-for-the-lego-movie-is-filled-with-jokes-for-adults.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hero, Emmet: The Untalented Optimist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If this is all sounding classic "hero's journey" fare, that's because it is. You have the unknowing hero, the evil bad dude, the tough chick, the wise mentor, the Batman (oh yeah, Batman is in this movie. We'll get to that in a bit.) They're all archetypes we've seen a million times, just now they're represented by goofy looking Lego figures... and that's why it's brilliant! Everything is over the top to the point of parody, but without being patronizing. Everyone takes all of this action and plot seriously, despite using terms laughably attempting to be "epic" such as "the special" or "the piece of resistance." And if that was the only note on which this film worked, we'd have a good movie on our hands...but the rabbit hole goes even deeper then that...<br />
<br />
Without giving too much away (and yes there are things to give away in <i>The Lego Movie</i>, so please try to avoid spoilers,) this movie isn't just about characters living in a Lego world, it's about Lego itself. About Lego, the child's play thing, in today's mainstream culture, and about how different people approach the toy. You have those who follow the instruction manuals and builds the structures that are in each Lego set, then you have those who just take whatever Lego pieces you have available and build whatever comes to mind. It's here in where <i>The Lego Movie</i> goes from good to great, and while some will definitely see where this is all going ahead of time, I'm convinced the younger movie goers will mark this as one of the best executions of a film's message of this generation. But again, I don't want to say too much about this, so let's just go ahead and talk about Batman.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HSvaRfX8-7TDvTqkhlz0SSui6bp-k-tql-v0bqyQsTe0pVW-cNIlrZzv6b5pxrGephqVlZoYxjCStU4kfqVRYkXd7iirTnwzk49ypdJod9ia0jcPXUPwpL2pw5x7dcn1aiVS9Z5GDrw/s1600/lego_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HSvaRfX8-7TDvTqkhlz0SSui6bp-k-tql-v0bqyQsTe0pVW-cNIlrZzv6b5pxrGephqVlZoYxjCStU4kfqVRYkXd7iirTnwzk49ypdJod9ia0jcPXUPwpL2pw5x7dcn1aiVS9Z5GDrw/s1600/lego_a.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm the Lego piece that Lego Land deserves..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, the goddamn Batman is in this movie. For you see, since the movie can use any property that Lego has made toy tie-ins for, this leads to the movie having a ton of Lego-versioned cameos from various areas of pop culture. Some you see coming, and some I was genuinely surprised about, but definitely the big one Warner Brothers is focussing in on their advertising is Lego Batman. And for good reason. Not just a cameo, Lego Batman (played by Will Arnet, pitch perfect casting by the way) becomes a main supporting character about a third of the way into this movie. And then he proceeds to totally steal the show. He's a perfect parody of the brooding, gritty Dark Knight era Batman. It's an era of Batman that pulls on our nostalgic heartstrings from our childhood, but is now portrayed as a dark and serious drama. In a way, Lego Batman shows us that this whole damn movie is like that: a epic movie-tie in to what was originally intended as a simple children's product. It's kinda getting meta, I know. I'm surprised Lego Batman got me to this point almost as I'm sure you are. Nevertheless, the lampooning of Batman here perfectly encapsulates why this film works, and on more than just the level of "oh hey look, it's Batman! Cool!"<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAxlzmwJnzxwXNPTs-qUuf3eyZNVBsJtCGShrNSDQS8vTkTKG9IUtfOqEXUPUQXERRFowpSXA_t-2jTTDUjXn4AXvyjyZx_HHst8eIOEF2M4_gUN8lz0ndrNA9RKTizAq_zgvzcxtfz4/s1600/the-lego-movie-movie-picture-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAxlzmwJnzxwXNPTs-qUuf3eyZNVBsJtCGShrNSDQS8vTkTKG9IUtfOqEXUPUQXERRFowpSXA_t-2jTTDUjXn4AXvyjyZx_HHst8eIOEF2M4_gUN8lz0ndrNA9RKTizAq_zgvzcxtfz4/s1600/the-lego-movie-movie-picture-28.jpg" height="166" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limited movement. Unlimited fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What adds even more to the fun is the visuals and animation itself. The film is a computer animated feature, but it takes major cues from the stop-motion amateur animated Lego movies I'm sure many budding animators have attempted at some point (yet another notch for the nostalgic charm-o-meter.) Things like a lowered frame rate in some areas, to attention to texturing details in scratches and smudges on the Lego figures are the little attentions to details that make the film's visuals stand out. But since this film is computer animated, they're not totally limited to stop motion techniques, making things like face acting (blinks, lip-sync, etc) nice and smooth.<br />
<br />
But there are other challenges with animating this movie. Because of the rules they've set up with this world, these characters still move and act as Lego figures. That means stiff movements, light weighed characters, and no character can even bend their knee! It does make some aspects of the animation limited, but I often say that limitations force people to be creative, and luckily the animation team on this feature rose to the challenge to give us something truly different. The lack of joints in a character's model is never an issue with the way the characters dart and move, and also in how the world around them is build and is optimized for the Lego characters to act around. And thanks to some rather obvious animation cheats, the Lego characters can perform hard to imagine tasks (like a Lego man changing a shirt) all while winking and nodding at the audience. It's all self-aware visual humour, which is always a bit of a gamble, but it works remarkably well here.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQokTqxIxDzA9Day4SCSJKG9uJaKSsFiExgg2IbNElwEtNwvoZpcvjjP-twaaiUb04Ujj9hZOS1DCrgYioYgHs4JlmCdNy21EQjYrcsmJV2pThvN3NC6FdqwETDEJF7JAm2IWZbfSj8Rg/s1600/the-lego-movie-bad-cop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQokTqxIxDzA9Day4SCSJKG9uJaKSsFiExgg2IbNElwEtNwvoZpcvjjP-twaaiUb04Ujj9hZOS1DCrgYioYgHs4JlmCdNy21EQjYrcsmJV2pThvN3NC6FdqwETDEJF7JAm2IWZbfSj8Rg/s1600/the-lego-movie-bad-cop.jpg" height="166" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pew, pew!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And I didn't even mention the effects animation yet! Holy jeez, give the effects animators on this feature a prize or a delicious dessert of some kind, because these guys really had to work in a different way for this one. Remember me saying some rules of this Lego universe provides some challenges for the animation teams? One of those rules is everything in this Lego world is made of Legos... EVERYTHING! That includes all effects: water, fire, explosions, smoke, soap, lasers, EVERYTHING! That's really working outside of the box for effects animation, and the team blew it out of the water! You haven't seen anything until you've seen a Lego ship race across an ocean of blue Lego pieces acting like real water with waves and splashes and everything. Good job guys.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjlrFC5xtTkQ3q-lXZsGz79Xi4urgdZkOindwLKxAX7WBJQJ8SKfdbSN8wGinnFl4jUXqJ5sMLaRv34R8P3VMgVlts59vsZwlgVa3pOQWhOsmyiFKC8TUVF_Day40-EmNy6HvqrdlvjE/s1600/the-lego-movie-movie-still-P01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjlrFC5xtTkQ3q-lXZsGz79Xi4urgdZkOindwLKxAX7WBJQJ8SKfdbSN8wGinnFl4jUXqJ5sMLaRv34R8P3VMgVlts59vsZwlgVa3pOQWhOsmyiFKC8TUVF_Day40-EmNy6HvqrdlvjE/s1600/the-lego-movie-movie-still-P01.jpg" height="166" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was that sugar high I was talkin' about...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not surprised this movie worked. The talent behind every aspect has proven themselves, and a movie about a world of Legos always sounded fun to me. What I'm amazed at is how <i>well</i> this movie works, and on how many levels. I didn't even mention characters I loved like Benny the 1980-something space guy (Charlie Day) or the Unikitty (part unicorn, part kitty, all awesome, voiced by Allison Brie.) Hell, there's a whole subplot with Liam Neeson's Good Cop/Bad Cop character, that is surprisingly touching, that I didn't even get a chance to mention! This is a film that revels in creativity, both in its message and it's execution. It's a glorious send-up of a nostalgic brand from our youth being turned into a big budget Hollywood film, while somehow still being it's own special and unique animal. If you still haven't seen this one, I highly recommend you do. It's still early in the year, but I wouldn't be surprised if come December this is in my top 10 movies of 2014. Yeah. It's that good.<br />
<br />
"Everything is awesome" indeed. (I did mention that song is super catchy, right? Cause...y'know...it is.)<br />
<br />
5/5<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-86841031505453342132014-02-01T23:59:00.001-08:002014-02-02T01:19:48.234-08:00Top 10 Animated Horses<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaN24WyZJBnTSte4JwtyfkSbzBegqGuNpFLFSQ6lLb2hkfBkvN42fpu1wTxTq5g5JdARyL6QmtAYqv3sD9FtSA1F-rKtQrLaKcOiZsh9c-20tfEjuDDxitzdKDKY1mE2u5hfVfPNgeLg/s1600/YOxpdxm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaN24WyZJBnTSte4JwtyfkSbzBegqGuNpFLFSQ6lLb2hkfBkvN42fpu1wTxTq5g5JdARyL6QmtAYqv3sD9FtSA1F-rKtQrLaKcOiZsh9c-20tfEjuDDxitzdKDKY1mE2u5hfVfPNgeLg/s1600/YOxpdxm.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special mention to the horse from "What's Opera Doc" for being fantastic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Chinese New Years just ended, and 2014 marks the year of the horse! Because of this event, and because the internet likes lists (my <a href="http://moo-cartoon.blogspot.ca/2012/01/top-10-animated-dragons.html" target="_blank">Top 10 Animated Dragons</a> article is still one of my most popular blog entries) I present to you my top 10 animated horses! Because why not!<br />
<br />
Yup plain and simple, the horse character has been around pretty much as long as animators needed to do a 4-legged walk cycle, but these horses, in my opinion, go above and beyond their colt brethren to become the best of the best! I'm only looking at horses represented in animation (comics and video games are a neigh,) and only 1 entry per franchise. Points for horses with memorable personalities, cool design, or just something funny or interesting about them. So without further ado, let's get started!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">10) Bullseye (<i>Toy Story</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkDA0dghSHBuDncuuM6qEkiz-_hptfrtiVSkW0VWpeQ3iejrF8LHzw85SgT8nfEVTFQ3VyEGfl5LfJFHtGt1vbVaDBMcIKzSvyRboKaff2H1OWgKiK00TyS8HUj-_XHMQutBvGdIpI28/s1600/Bullseye-toy-story-2-30185754-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkDA0dghSHBuDncuuM6qEkiz-_hptfrtiVSkW0VWpeQ3iejrF8LHzw85SgT8nfEVTFQ3VyEGfl5LfJFHtGt1vbVaDBMcIKzSvyRboKaff2H1OWgKiK00TyS8HUj-_XHMQutBvGdIpI28/s1600/Bullseye-toy-story-2-30185754-1024-768.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>It's kind of a played out cliché in western animation: if you want to make an audience connect with a non-human character, make it act like a dog. People love dogs. Whether it be objects, like a lamp in <i>Luxo Jr</i>., or more recently a moose in <i>Frozen</i>, dog mannerisms are always a sure fire way to instantly love a character, even if you don't pick up right away that this thing, that is clearly not a dog, is acting like a dog.<br />
<br />
Horses, being a reoccurring companion to hero characters, are no stranger to being "dogified," but Bullseye from the <i>Toy Story</i> franchise is definitely the least subtle about it. From jumping up and licking people on the face, to his fierce loyalty, I in fact find Bullseye's dog-like behaviour to be even a little too on the nose. However, what saves Bullseye from being cut on this list is the way he's animated. Being a toy horse, Bullseye moves with the same lanky, rag-doll movements that his owner Woody does. It's this extreme acting and overshooting action that makes Bullseye fun to watch for me. His animation kinda reminds me of the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees from Raggedy-Ann and Andy...but, you know, more energetic...and not as depressing...and also not a camel...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">9) The Headless Horseman's Horse (<i>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_d2gUX4O4QWjtEz3255WnEvIGBvvwWaCUo3Xw1eyTVZc-qRNe6CSn37cCTEw56xYqtIG7ylOS_JD6XNwbYX6Cb4dTYrYTjJuUcO_NIYCmgk1TyS3SZqHWrz8eQYMfbBBXu-n0jzYUmnU/s1600/The-Headless-Horseman-walt-disney-characters-19504601-1239-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_d2gUX4O4QWjtEz3255WnEvIGBvvwWaCUo3Xw1eyTVZc-qRNe6CSn37cCTEw56xYqtIG7ylOS_JD6XNwbYX6Cb4dTYrYTjJuUcO_NIYCmgk1TyS3SZqHWrz8eQYMfbBBXu-n0jzYUmnU/s1600/The-Headless-Horseman-walt-disney-characters-19504601-1239-768.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a>Most of the time animated horse characters are companions to the archetypal hero. Usually they're kind, bright, loyal, or as mentioned before, dog-like. Very rare do we get a truly terrifying beast of a horse....but that's what we got here!<br />
<br />
The Headless Horseman from Disney's <i>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</i> (one of two shorts on Disney's film <i>The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad</i>) is a superbly animated force of terror. His pursuit of Ichabod in that short is a great blend of fun and scary, and of course it would be nothing if he wasn't racing along on his manic horse from Hell! (May not actually be from Hell, the ending's a bit vague.) With his blood red eyes, this horse means business...and in this case, business is killing you! Because after all, what's the Headless Horseman without a horse?? Just...."The Headless," and that's not nearly as scary. So points for evil Hell horse for being different, and being an essential part to an awesome villain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">8) Khan (<i>Mulan</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0jMy_5HjPkG26R9QexxgMK1izjVbLjRgdaASMKwjo6VQPIHCBs5faaplzeH7_MJO95R4cieP8CfD2MNyQEhCUf660rxfXxJCjfXiuNNqSIV-4lp6Z4YhyvFY8v3rYIikbZiLvRnv0vc/s1600/Khan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0jMy_5HjPkG26R9QexxgMK1izjVbLjRgdaASMKwjo6VQPIHCBs5faaplzeH7_MJO95R4cieP8CfD2MNyQEhCUf660rxfXxJCjfXiuNNqSIV-4lp6Z4YhyvFY8v3rYIikbZiLvRnv0vc/s1600/Khan.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Okay, not all of these are Disney horses, I swear!! But I felt I needed to put Khan in here somewhere. Not as memorable as other horses on this list, or even as memorable a character in this movie, but I really liked Khan because this horse was so...well...horse-like. There was very little "dogifing" like other animated horses, yet he still had a very distinct personality. He was a warhorse. A horse who is serious and brave; the perfect companion for Mulan to ride into battle! And on top of that, the character design of this horse is truly awesome. He looks very muscular, with such a thick neck, but skinny legs. Plus the style of drawing on Khan goes with the movies Chinese painting motif, making this horse a unique looking entry to the list. Not as memorable, but I think cool enough to make it to number 8. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">7) James Baxter the Horse (<i>Adventure Time</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9fStBla2ez5_71tZM-fgfQYejH6RG6VhgemShtPbLG-FMrLj4oEa5ix6avli2kmCVlIhRWN_RqPsz4QwPZCrgBnDsjMzhzJ8S3bBSUWj8KSPQWabZHKGrqVn0TYjiyvKssRhH6O5nbE/s1600/Vlcsnap-2013-05-07-15h14m32s216.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9fStBla2ez5_71tZM-fgfQYejH6RG6VhgemShtPbLG-FMrLj4oEa5ix6avli2kmCVlIhRWN_RqPsz4QwPZCrgBnDsjMzhzJ8S3bBSUWj8KSPQWabZHKGrqVn0TYjiyvKssRhH6O5nbE/s1600/Vlcsnap-2013-05-07-15h14m32s216.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaaammes.....Baaaaxteeeer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Hurray!! It's time for some animation inside jokes!! So...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To those not in the know, the <i>Adventure Time</i> episode "James Baxter the Horse" might seem odd. The plot is there's a horse named James Baxter who balances himself on a beach ball while saying his name in a horse whiney-like way. Whenever anyone sees James Baxter the Horse, they get so happy that they forget all their troubles. Finn and Jake see this, and they try to emulate what James does, but they just can't seem to spread cheer the same way James Baxtor the Horse can, even outright failing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQtdpWx7I5sOvCxwwufCzI7ctxbuT9AJa1hVNOf6SwmYspn4yjzY8CnVDR629YVaB_Fu9T0AiTRED7uUr9BWdhmfL0ES-eW_F5PWrTnTSVNPpESRGTpIOA-RUypsXYBDyYBD0-abPuMU/s1600/JTH.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQtdpWx7I5sOvCxwwufCzI7ctxbuT9AJa1hVNOf6SwmYspn4yjzY8CnVDR629YVaB_Fu9T0AiTRED7uUr9BWdhmfL0ES-eW_F5PWrTnTSVNPpESRGTpIOA-RUypsXYBDyYBD0-abPuMU/s1600/JTH.png" height="180" width="320" /></a>Folks watching this episode might have some questions like, "who the hell thought up this plot?!" or "why is that horse really, really well animated?!" Well, the answer to that last question is because legendary animator James Baxter (animator on films such as <i>The Lion King</i>, <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> and <i>The Hunchback of Notre Dame</i>) guest animated the titular horse (as well as provided the neighing of his name.) The quality of animation on the Horse is so much more detailed compared to the simplistic and stylish characters that normally populate <i>Adventure Time</i>, it really does cheer people up, both in and out of the show. But even more to that, if you read between the lines of this episode, it could be a metaphor for a wishful animator (maybe even <i>Adventure Time</i> creator, Pendleton Ward) wanting to be as good as these classic Disney animators. However, failing to reach that quality of work, they just have to appreciate the work they do and embrace their own style and techniques. But hey! That's just how I read the episode. Maybe I'm not supposed to read too much into a show where a horse balances on a beach ball...but hey! At least that's a good segue to...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">6) Spirit (<i>Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuPGJ-zIPX0KWazIQFC5FXO77udCyw2y9Ut-soShIcq152nofNvAnGD61RkNtXbDr85YUtyyuW7lHP16XOKgC7pTp-t4lhpNMTDTdMc-0sdecS4BqL7WH8UxcWsUrl9fTWgIIUE9CUwo/s1600/-Spirit-Stallion-of-the-Cimarron-spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron-33182196-1000-720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuPGJ-zIPX0KWazIQFC5FXO77udCyw2y9Ut-soShIcq152nofNvAnGD61RkNtXbDr85YUtyyuW7lHP16XOKgC7pTp-t4lhpNMTDTdMc-0sdecS4BqL7WH8UxcWsUrl9fTWgIIUE9CUwo/s1600/-Spirit-Stallion-of-the-Cimarron-spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron-33182196-1000-720.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maaaaatt Daaamooon horse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, James Baxter (the animator, not the horse) was the supervising animator on the titular character from <i>Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron</i> (there's your reason he was a horse in <i>Adventure Time</i>! Ya happy now??)<br />
<br />
Now, I know a lot of people haven't seen this movie...and let me say, if you want some beautiful animation, check this shit out! Oh man! Most of it is stunning sweeping shots, amazing scenes of running horses, and just jaw dropping animation. And it's one of the few 2D animated features done at DreamWorks Animation, so that alone makes it a unique feature. Like Khan from <i>Mulan</i>, <i>Spirit</i>'s horses are more realistic in their horse animation. In fact the main character, Spirit, doesn't talk or make pop culture references, or anything! Well...there is internal horse monologues provided by Matt Damon, but still!<br />
<br />
Now, to be fair, the character of Spirit is a bit bland, but in my book you can still get to number 6 on this list if you just look really awesome. And yeah...the animation, again, is just really awesome. If you missed this film and are craving the traditional hand-drawn animation of yesteryear, track this one down. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">5) Derpy Hooves (<i>My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqewXlFcGopfAuonmmHhkw8Tf3Em9VbM77gZCHtahHvgUFugL6VlPbsCRLry2rsade5jDxOemePwy6jCx-S6KH-cMF0t8WWXqSzkDv6Y_6gVjIihfyllGJxCDJRPChpBXrr14vYrdp1o/s1600/Derpy_flying_around_in_Cloudsdale_S1E16.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqewXlFcGopfAuonmmHhkw8Tf3Em9VbM77gZCHtahHvgUFugL6VlPbsCRLry2rsade5jDxOemePwy6jCx-S6KH-cMF0t8WWXqSzkDv6Y_6gVjIihfyllGJxCDJRPChpBXrr14vYrdp1o/s1600/Derpy_flying_around_in_Cloudsdale_S1E16.png" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16.1200008392334px; text-align: left;">Ermahgerd! Mah lerttle perner!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Ok, you knew there had to be at least one mention to <i>My Little Pony</i> on this list, right? And I know technically this entry is a pegasus, not a "horse" per say but you know what? Fuck it. It's my list. If I want a wing-a-ling pony on my list, gosh darn it I'm gonna have my wing-a-ling pony! And truly, out of all the <i>My Little Pony</i> characters I could have put on this list, no character is as "special" as the fan named character Derpy Hooves. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As the tale goes, this grey background pony appeared in the first episode of the series with inexplicable crossed eyes. Was it a slip up? A layout artist having some fun with the background characters? Who knows! But pony fans loved this goofy background character, dubbing her with the moniker "Derpy Hooves." But wait! It gets better! The show's creator, Lauren Faust, loved the fan reaction so much that the character was brought back, messed up face and all, to be hidden in future episodes! Starting with their second season the cross eyed wonder played the role of "Where's Waldo." Eventually, even the character name "Derpy" became cannon within the series! Finally Derpy made her way into an episode in a talking role, even being called by name. But of course, controversy over if this character was poking fun at the mentally handicapped was brought up (which, you know, is totally a legit complaint,) and since then all official mention of this character's name was removed. However, love for the pony formally known as Derpy still persists. Even after they removed her name from episodes, Hasbro released a special edition 2012 Comic-Con figure of Derpy just for the fans! The figures don't have the name of the character anywhere on the package...but we all know who she really is...we all know... (PS, it's Derpy.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">4) Horace Horsecollar (<i>Mickey Mouse</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikx6KVF8g5Sks9yFAC1F-PHJXihDhPQYXiF1NU1xuZDZXjAQTxzTLC8N0RKKtsxgQNN-lJxj56e3gRpU-Vcalu8C38SDIhNK9uZaz4SFHxb9Jo370_cjQ2EcBBvOb30xzoaZqde1yIhgs/s1600/tumblr_mv2xqcWXP21sj5h4oo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikx6KVF8g5Sks9yFAC1F-PHJXihDhPQYXiF1NU1xuZDZXjAQTxzTLC8N0RKKtsxgQNN-lJxj56e3gRpU-Vcalu8C38SDIhNK9uZaz4SFHxb9Jo370_cjQ2EcBBvOb30xzoaZqde1yIhgs/s1600/tumblr_mv2xqcWXP21sj5h4oo1_1280.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a>Ohhh...Mr Horsecollar... What happened to this character?! At one point he was pretty much Mickey Mouse's best friend and sidekick! Mickey frickin' Mouse! And hell! This rubber hosed horse even has the honours of being co-created by the same duo that made that massively marketable mouse: Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney! And Disney himself originally voiced Horace, much like when Mickey first got to speak! So I ask again...what happened to him?!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I guess the easy answer is he just got pushed aside. Other Disney side characters Goofy and Donald were, in many ways bigger and more interesting personalities than good ol' Horace. Horace wasn't as dumb as Goofy, or as temperamental as Donald. So even though he was still featured in groundbreaking Mickey Mouse shorts like "The Band Concert," this "cheerful know-it-all" character just remained on the sidelines of Disney history. He remained more prominent as a side character in the Disney comics for a while, acting as a detective partner with Mickey, but even that faded away eventually. I've always had a soft spot for this relatively obscure character though. And hey! We're even beginning to see a reemergence of Horace! Whether it be self-referential about his obscurity in the <i>Epic Mickey</i> video game series, his role as the technician on the TV series <i>House of Mouse</i>, or as a main character in the 2014 short that appeared before <i>Frozen</i> in theatres, <i>Get a Horse</i>, we're seeing a lot more of Horace! Could this be the triumphant return to form for one of animations long-lost sidekicks?? ....no....probably not. But still! It's cool that he's still around. Keep on truckin' Horsecollar. Keep on truckin'.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">3) Twinkles the Wonder Horse (<i>Dave the Barbarian</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PWkOttTAjn-NC2CTbQhHPMI9jxs8in9q3CCgYfNPUfOX5mHGKlJbOl_gIx4Qlp2VwsPZ3L5oo6qM2KG5kKtF0-arQ2edTC_8hr1XHE3cXDyI6ZZUVGdi0XywXsZ_oXBeBVMAx8yKijc/s1600/vlcsnap-2010-10-17-01h32m57s1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PWkOttTAjn-NC2CTbQhHPMI9jxs8in9q3CCgYfNPUfOX5mHGKlJbOl_gIx4Qlp2VwsPZ3L5oo6qM2KG5kKtF0-arQ2edTC_8hr1XHE3cXDyI6ZZUVGdi0XywXsZ_oXBeBVMAx8yKijc/s1600/vlcsnap-2010-10-17-01h32m57s1561.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Ok, if you haven't seen <i>Dave the Barbarian</i>, you should probably get on that. One of the, in my opinion, many underrated Disney saturday morning cartoon shows from the early 2000s, <i>Dave the Barbarian</i> was created by Doug Langdale (creator of <i>The Weekenders</i>) and Savage Steve Holland (creator of <i>Eek! The Cat</i>) and the result is...strangely a perfect blend of those two shows, but with a fantasy setting. It's weird, I know, and by all accounts I would say that wouldn't be a good mix of styles but...surprise! The show is actually really hilarious. It parodies tropes and clichés commonly found in fantasy, has a biting and oftentimes brilliantly sarcastic script, and features some wonderfully strange side characters. For example, the minor character Twinkles the Wonder Horse. A girly looking horse with a beautiful pink and yellow mane who talks like Christopher Walken and has a extreme case of depression.<br />
<br />
...yeah...the jokes just write themselves. Twinkles the Wonder Horse: nuff said. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">2) Maximus (<i>Tangled</i>)</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFuW69iyz7X6W9UToMyst3_GxexsE-m9Nd_9_n-4BaNNEHDY7o32udS8c-2sfPRtKVJde-nT7LS7d0rXmvYxKj8Z0z7iiiJ6g6vToVGgGz6R0MFQPdI29w1CuAnVskjfD5MOiWVsitB8/s1600/Tumblr_lb2ivlkRTL1qde10po1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFuW69iyz7X6W9UToMyst3_GxexsE-m9Nd_9_n-4BaNNEHDY7o32udS8c-2sfPRtKVJde-nT7LS7d0rXmvYxKj8Z0z7iiiJ6g6vToVGgGz6R0MFQPdI29w1CuAnVskjfD5MOiWVsitB8/s1600/Tumblr_lb2ivlkRTL1qde10po1_500.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>This character made this movie for me. Not to say <i>Tangled</i> isn't a good movie. It's fine. It has a nice fairytale plot, an interesting villain, decent songs, yadda, yadda, yadda. But this horse! My God this horse! This took me by surprise!<br />
<br />
There's been so many horse characters from Disney, but Maximus stands out to have the most unique and fun personality of the bunch. Charged with the task of hunting down the thief Flynn Rider, Maximus quickly proves that he's more capable than the captain of the guards who's riding him. And this is where we see the sheer determination of Maximus. He's on a one-horse mission! His persistency won't let up! He's an unstoppable force! Like The Terminator....but a horse!! And that premise alone leads to some of the funniest jokes and scenes in the movie. Much like other horse characters, many dog-like characteristics are given to Maximus, but what makes Maximus even more hilarious is when they give him human-like acting to do. Actions such as shaking hands, or sword fighting (a horse in a frickin' sword fight!) just become that much more hilarious when it's animated with a regal, fairly realistically designed horse.<br />
<br />
And hey, that leads perfectly too...<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">1) Mr Horse (<i>The Ren & Stimpy Show</i>)</span></h2>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u7CaTOmsEOpeOtbrRhPDZ8wf2xt45W6eDayutN3cMhVfLPhQnlRoaDhoBV5mMiAIxVVvrFyOJlukMrKE9ceMv7OuD5tdNdF9TG2dVYgNxzabLadVGRknMPh4orDJpPwKUexJeFjEvhY/s1600/Mr__Horse_by_Ren_and_Stimpy_Club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u7CaTOmsEOpeOtbrRhPDZ8wf2xt45W6eDayutN3cMhVfLPhQnlRoaDhoBV5mMiAIxVVvrFyOJlukMrKE9ceMv7OuD5tdNdF9TG2dVYgNxzabLadVGRknMPh4orDJpPwKUexJeFjEvhY/s1600/Mr__Horse_by_Ren_and_Stimpy_Club.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a>Truthbomb time: I'm not a huge fan of Ren & Stimpy. Even as a kid, I just found it too juvenile. I know I'm in the minority here, but I don't know. Gross out humour never really appealed to me. And that, for the most part, was a lot of what Ren & Stimpy had to offer. But I watched it anyway. I have no idea why. It was...mesmerizing? Confusing? A bit of both?<br />
<br />
And once in a while, a moment will catch me off guard. Sometimes a pose, or a drawing would be so wacky, so off model, so detailed in weird ways, that it would be beautiful in a strange way. And of course, sometimes there were jokes that still, despite my feelings for the show, just made me laugh. And thus we have Mr Horse, voiced by John K himself.<br />
<br />
Mr Horse is one of those jokes that, again, baffle me. I don't even know why I love this guy, but maybe it is because, compared to the rest of the animals on Ren & Stimpy, Mr Horse looked more like a realistic horse, and stands out from the crowd simply by looking normal (relative to the rest of the cast, that is to say.) And on top of that his mannerisms as so very human. The way he talks, the way he dresses. We've seen horses acting like dogs to cute effects. We've seen horses kinda acting like humans for hilarious effect. Well here's a horse who straight up acts human in every way, and it's hilarious. The juxtaposition is so ridiculous, but he acts so serious. It's a simple joke, but for some reason, he stays in my thoughts and is the #1 horse I think of when I try to think of animated horses. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And hey! If you don't agree with me and my list, at least Mr Horse has the perfect response for you.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1IVn-F3x5kDQCnLOBivIzMRiMlrOjUsH6Gg9v_gAOdp9CCGizM6nI6vcrQnFvatgjdDU0VRijNqaf8EO8wmHzs7tzNmhbHbIwpZ1hKE8BGUen9wtfacLYHHcVaiBcfAGGbvUsaZjAkw/s1600/67371_no_sir_i_dont_like_it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1IVn-F3x5kDQCnLOBivIzMRiMlrOjUsH6Gg9v_gAOdp9CCGizM6nI6vcrQnFvatgjdDU0VRijNqaf8EO8wmHzs7tzNmhbHbIwpZ1hKE8BGUen9wtfacLYHHcVaiBcfAGGbvUsaZjAkw/s1600/67371_no_sir_i_dont_like_it.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_226028359"></span><span id="goog_226028360"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy Year of the Horse, folks!<br />
<br />
- Moo</div>
<div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-23940147592324367832014-01-12T21:21:00.001-08:002014-02-02T01:21:37.545-08:00Frozen (A Review)Gosh darn, Disney!! You do not know how to market your own shit!!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz07UzjlACP2YFwLib_7mbGRpjrfaTJUXS3-_0ihU_ki7IhmsXGUZ-ZlGfUqfB2KGwiomALJJsuSC4EWCW4gvTZ0DZwFihgPCm0WCrnSsk9qtpcfouds0aPFw1GQvUWeTMfm5xM-HQIm0/s1600/bestmoviewalls_Frozen_16_2560x1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz07UzjlACP2YFwLib_7mbGRpjrfaTJUXS3-_0ihU_ki7IhmsXGUZ-ZlGfUqfB2KGwiomALJJsuSC4EWCW4gvTZ0DZwFihgPCm0WCrnSsk9qtpcfouds0aPFw1GQvUWeTMfm5xM-HQIm0/s320/bestmoviewalls_Frozen_16_2560x1600.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This movie isn't about the snowman...if you can believe it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was all set to hate on this movie. I had a whole "Disney doesn't know what they're doing no more" rant prepared and everything! The previews looked dumb, the characters looked bland, the tone felt like it was trying way to hard to be "hip" (that's what the kids are saying nowadays, right? "Hip?") I just had a bad feeling about <i>Frozen</i>. Hell, even with the one word adjective title, it felt like I've seen all this before. I even referred to <i>Frozen</i> as "<i>Tangled</i> on ice" for the longest time leading up to this film. Well, as it turns out Disney still knows what they're doing... but Disney's marketing department doesn't know how to market this movie at all. Which is weird, cause you'd think this would be an easy sell. It's a classic Disney formula, involving huge influences from the "Broadway sensibility" that the 90s "Disney renaissance" era brought to animation, but with some awesome twists and turns that make <i>Frozen</i> stand out on it's own and actually ends up being a truly unique fairy tale flick. In other words: DON'T TRUST THE PREVIEWS GUYS! THIS FILM IS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD GUYS! REALLY!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOZjzW4UzGLC-afFrwM9ow0XGuvLoblaQP94hVyBuF1pyKbrW7rZ5Lh3sYBj24ur1n_sEqnTfwQWB0fj6n6osKCHGOZjQQsM6qDsj77TsmBAbPOeVSJjiEdt3hbxWouk_UlaYflGEvME/s1600/frozen_elsa_by_meddek-d6w674h.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOZjzW4UzGLC-afFrwM9ow0XGuvLoblaQP94hVyBuF1pyKbrW7rZ5Lh3sYBj24ur1n_sEqnTfwQWB0fj6n6osKCHGOZjQQsM6qDsj77TsmBAbPOeVSJjiEdt3hbxWouk_UlaYflGEvME/s320/frozen_elsa_by_meddek-d6w674h.png" height="232" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elsa also gets a sweet ice dress that shows off her legs... damn grrrl!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The film is loosely adapted in typical Disney fashion (in other words, incredibly loosely) from the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale <i>The Snow Queen</i>. In <i>Frozen</i>, the plot follows the characters of Anna and Elsa, two sisters who are princesses of the kingdom of Arendelle. The older sister, Elsa, is born with mysterious powers to create ice and snow. One day while playing with Anna as a child, Elsa accidentally strikes Anna in the head with her magic. The King and Queen are able to save Anna's life, but as a result they had to remove any memories of her sister's power, and keep the two sisters separate until Elsa can controls her powers. Unfortunately (and since this is a Disney movie) the parents die in a storm, leading to Elsa to become the queen. At Elsa's coronation she looses control of her ice abilities, takes off into the isolation of the mountains, and covers the kingdom in an eternal winter. This leaves Anna to go on a <i>Wizard of Oz</i>-like quest, meeting up with fun side characters along the way, to eventually try to meet and talk to her sister and hopefully find a way to bring back summer.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9lGMU4GswNBN5MOL5WQcIf9rmzGzHm5ItDqZ-wR39ECr9Xy6Hvjj_fUWCjRog-yaCoIYRJLpEnBnGSSTIdAtFltJUrz8FR0-p1IBuF0cAcpVBomkh6d3ukdebLECJmoNC5XOHeqMTq8/s1600/Elsa-and-Anna-frozen-35034231-282-329.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9lGMU4GswNBN5MOL5WQcIf9rmzGzHm5ItDqZ-wR39ECr9Xy6Hvjj_fUWCjRog-yaCoIYRJLpEnBnGSSTIdAtFltJUrz8FR0-p1IBuF0cAcpVBomkh6d3ukdebLECJmoNC5XOHeqMTq8/s320/Elsa-and-Anna-frozen-35034231-282-329.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could possibly go wrong! ...oh yeah....ice powers...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And that's only the first act! The script does a great job introducing all of this backstory in a entertaining way. But more importantly, it in no way feels forced. What's even more impressive is that once Anna starts playing the "Dorothy" role in their quest, things still don't go as predictably as you might think from a Disney flick. It's not a typical fantasy quest, as there's no dragon to slay, no evil kingdom, no big baddy at the end. There's just two sisters trying to patch things up between them.<br />
<br />
And there in is the biggest change to the Disney formula: this is a story about two sisters. That's kind of a big deal. (And not just cause Disney can add not one, but <i>two</i> more entries into their highly profitable "Disney Princess" lineup.) It's amazing because the focal point for this whole story isn't about finding romance. In a Disney princess movie! It's <i>not</i> about romance! That is just crazy!! I mean, there <i>is</i> love interests in there, and they play a part in the plot, but it really takes a back seat to the true focus of this story. This film is about family. The familial love is what pushes the story forward, and the complex sister relationship is something that is not only not seen in a Disney animated feature, it's a relationship that isn't really prevalent in Hollywood movies in general. So kudos on that call Disney. Ya did good.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJPw33v8t1pxD2GZaIxEOnboGFotmIFb9qH1V4lc31jxqV-BgXJhPbyOmZdENvoiPGNdmbiFkn2VBduXl-uSbjp6KnqEprx18b6NXuV3yLkQehm6yQPhhhagr_BXPpjcjFWJH8TbLz0U/s1600/Elsa-Frozen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJPw33v8t1pxD2GZaIxEOnboGFotmIFb9qH1V4lc31jxqV-BgXJhPbyOmZdENvoiPGNdmbiFkn2VBduXl-uSbjp6KnqEprx18b6NXuV3yLkQehm6yQPhhhagr_BXPpjcjFWJH8TbLz0U/s320/Elsa-Frozen.png" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor X recruits Elsa in the Frozen 2...hopefully...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That leads me to talk about my favorite part of the film: Elsa. Oh man, do I love this character. It's wonderful to get a Disney character who is not good, not evil, just a confused shade of grey. She's far and wide the most interesting personality in this film as she's in a position where she wants to be a good sister and ruler of the kingdom, but bad things happen because of her and her uncontrollable powers. She lives in a world that hates and fears her (just like the X-Men!) and she doesn't even know how to stop what she's doing (just like the X-Men!) It's a coming of age super-power metaphor for puberty (just like....ah, you get it...) In fact, as Elsa finally lets loose her powers during her big power song "Let It Go," you can really feel her happiness and freedom in what is probably the best musical number in the film both thanks to the jaw dropping effects animation of Elsa building her ice castle, and the singing power of Broadway star Idina Menzel (who you may know as Elphaba from <i>Wicked</i>....wow, just clueing in that there's a lot of <i>Wizard of Oz</i> similarities going on in this film...neat.)<br />
<br />
Oh yeah. And by the way, this is a musical. Surprise! Didn't know it was a musical because the previews didn't even mention this fact? Well...yeah! This is a musical. In fact, music is a huge part of this film. Kind of a big thing to sweep under the rug, Disney marketing! And maybe if you embraced it, more people would be inclined to see this frickin' film! Because, surprise-surprise, the songs are pretty awesome. But whatever, Disney marketing, I'm sure you know what you're doing. ...aaaanyway...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtlonxkXsgbviLiJKfjaEKiwswGYjtKBeGeBx7swZb0oPTsPY0lOxOLDHbvasSyVtpqkGD7VITJRVBxuWqWuyhP1racqzehVXl36ij32Fi62tU_CV-B_EJtNExXoSQkOnHYGBQ81eevc/s1600/frozen-let-it-go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtlonxkXsgbviLiJKfjaEKiwswGYjtKBeGeBx7swZb0oPTsPY0lOxOLDHbvasSyVtpqkGD7VITJRVBxuWqWuyhP1racqzehVXl36ij32Fi62tU_CV-B_EJtNExXoSQkOnHYGBQ81eevc/s320/frozen-let-it-go.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did someone ask for an EPIC SONG CUE?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The music is terrific. Much like 90s Disney films employed Broadway familiar employees of the time, here we're treated with some fun musical numbers with a very modern sensibility. Along with getting <i>Wicked</i> flashbacks from Idina Menzel's performance, the songs are penned from Robert Lopez, known for his comedic writing from <i>Avenue Q</i> and <i>The Book of Mormon</i>. And while of course writing for a Disney movie means no raunchy or inappropriate comedy like in those musicals, there's just a huge sense of fun, excitement and at times epic scale to the musical numbers. They're big, loud, exuberant and the centrepieces for all the major plot points. And in my opinion, that's exactly what I want from my Disney flick.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKfE4Dgg0DP4bNJ5A1RDIPsAdDbPjCjaQHhAf8Z_107Ati2tMUgDhEVSWa27LShTQ-5h16sVK-CYlPNZSWSrkuGJwt6DpIOLwdr9_GcoRUTR_Jyj1H3Vws5Sy_yqFaFSshBV2qsrvep0/s1600/anna-Rapunzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKfE4Dgg0DP4bNJ5A1RDIPsAdDbPjCjaQHhAf8Z_107Ati2tMUgDhEVSWa27LShTQ-5h16sVK-CYlPNZSWSrkuGJwt6DpIOLwdr9_GcoRUTR_Jyj1H3Vws5Sy_yqFaFSshBV2qsrvep0/s320/anna-Rapunzel.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They got different hair! ....that's...somethin'...right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, you might think I've pulled a complete 180 degrees on my opinion of this movie compared to my opinion of its previews, and truth be told, that's not entirely the case. I was in awe with the amazing background designs (especially Elsa's ice castle,) but the character designs...meeeh. There's really no denying the character designs play it a little on the safe side, in that the style is very similar to <i>Tangled</i>. Which wouldn't be a bad thing, but I felt at least in <i>Tangled</i> we got more of a variation between characters, with more unique personalities just from the designs. Elsa and Anna's faces have only tiny variations between that of Rapunzel's (and each other's for that matter.) And while I enjoyed the moose character, Sven, acting like a dog, there's no denying that he was trying to fill that animal sidekick role that the horse in Tangled already did so well (as well as having a much more unique personality.) All in all, most human characters I think could have been designed more interestingly, or with a dash more creativity. True it's a safe design choice, and it's not that bad, but I just kinda wish they'd push the envelope design-wise a bit more.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERQ_B59zi0KMQLQhdQoOyIY9sapiN62M6A03poCXSi-9qpRaF5UoZLD5SxPdWzWFrhXsMrDjTTWaQPfhL6-7xHb7kC1e2gWALgYa70EqQ9TlCXtk_q8SHK3y9W91Zb2UaH_ZP9bIYRXA/s1600/frozen-ad-5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERQ_B59zi0KMQLQhdQoOyIY9sapiN62M6A03poCXSi-9qpRaF5UoZLD5SxPdWzWFrhXsMrDjTTWaQPfhL6-7xHb7kC1e2gWALgYa70EqQ9TlCXtk_q8SHK3y9W91Zb2UaH_ZP9bIYRXA/s1600/frozen-ad-5.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduate of the Lindsay Bluth school of dance </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the animation side, it's looking good, but I think could've been better. There's a couple of standout character animation performances, one of which being the charmingly clumsy Anna, whose movements are absolutely beaming with personality. Other characters I kinda wished for more animation to convey more of a personality, such as the lead males, Kristoff and Hans (not bad animation mind you, just a little bland.) Then way on the other hand, there's this random Duke character, who is waaaay over the top and cartoony. It seemed like this character was forced in order to get some comic relief in there with his quick pace and awkwardly spastic movements. I know he was trying to be funny, but this character's cartoony animation didn't really fit in with the other, more realistically, animated human characters. But with that said....the effects! Oh man! The effect animation on this flick is just frickin' amazing. The snow looks amazing, and you can really tell they did tests and research on the stuff to make sure this icy wonderland looked brilliant.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCz_Hb8alXoU-F8fJGI9IffcMPv2hWBCDpmSU3u1IbjbN7h_G1nw8_9nXFFPIeigaJXwjWrRRD33N_nV29MbBezUh5YWsYJO3zFI2tRji9GiH58-85jN4Je5RF6y-rckbXQOXWNwxrP4/s1600/a555af73-cc11-485b-a414-a7f82938178b_frozen_olaf_gs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCz_Hb8alXoU-F8fJGI9IffcMPv2hWBCDpmSU3u1IbjbN7h_G1nw8_9nXFFPIeigaJXwjWrRRD33N_nV29MbBezUh5YWsYJO3zFI2tRji9GiH58-85jN4Je5RF6y-rckbXQOXWNwxrP4/s320/a555af73-cc11-485b-a414-a7f82938178b_frozen_olaf_gs.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn it snowman...you've warmed my icy heart...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now I know what you're thinking: "you're almost finished your review, and you didn't even mention the snowman!" Yes, the snowman. Olaf. That oddly designed, obvious comedic relief that Disney has been forcing down people's throats as the main icon in their ad campaign for this movie. I thought I'd talk about Olaf last because, in many ways, he kind of embodies perfectly how I felt about this film. Going in it felt like he was forced. Really forced. Like Disney said, "you're going to watch this snowman...and you're going to love him...LOVE HIM DAMN IT!!" And I was all set to "stick it to The Man." I was totally going to reject this false snow icon! Here I thought I was gonna hate the snowman, but upon seeing him...damn it. I kinda love him. True, sometimes his antics were a little irritating, but mostly I found him charming, funny, and even a little heartwarming. And that, in and of itself, is how I see <i>Frozen</i> as a whole: charming, funny and even a little heartwarming. I admit that, like the townspeople who judged Elsa harshly because of her powers, so too did I judge this movie before I saw it. So please, ignore how Disney markets this movie. Ignore the fact that they're awkwardly trying to hide Disney's musical roots, or how they're not showing that this is a unique story about two estranged sisters. Just go see it for yourself and be the judge. For me, it was a great example of classic Disney storytelling tackling a new type of fairy tale for a new audience in a new age.<br />
<br />
I guess that'll teach me to judge a snowman before I get to know him.<br />
<br />
4/5<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-37026003036010411812013-06-21T16:28:00.001-07:002013-06-23T22:22:24.870-07:00Monsters University (A Review)<div style="text-align: center;">
Wowie! It's been a while!</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwrtg4OEaNWqaXh9YpJxtj3QNRW8t2IlUARRk9urVn3_lZtd3XlaE-BA1d1_nVarPf_b6suEdvAOaO33qmT9UD6ckVxEja4jwZDJyRgVdUTczUhxH861F_wlWEFDKeI56y0EUlhKnDDA/s1600/monsters_university_2013-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwrtg4OEaNWqaXh9YpJxtj3QNRW8t2IlUARRk9urVn3_lZtd3XlaE-BA1d1_nVarPf_b6suEdvAOaO33qmT9UD6ckVxEja4jwZDJyRgVdUTczUhxH861F_wlWEFDKeI56y0EUlhKnDDA/s320/monsters_university_2013-wide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah. The character design department must've had fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been 12 years since the original <i>Monsters, Inc.</i>, which was the 4th feature produced by Pixar in 2001. It was about the time when Pixar was really hitting their stride as a studio and right before the insane boom Pixar had with <i>Finding Nemo</i>. And even though the characters were charming and the film did well (pretty much becoming instant classic with both kids and adults) there really wasn't any need for a sequel. Not only did they finish all of the main character's story arcs, but it also solved the world's great energy problems in a fun and satisfying way. So the only logical way to bring back Mike and Sully to the big screen would be through a prequel. And so we take our main characters back to their college days, before they were top employees at Monsters, Inc., and when they were unknown students at <i>Monsters University</i>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImeqnSVCURcsM4bdca4rVNAMAUyrIrz-c7WArq9y8xjtgjYW4bVVimOctLPn-3MyXha_4pcr6iccvik6fF5Pbk2vVj0lJhNBy7uuswCcJg-6BQw3Ay98j1ESFq5yLlp6PYtP_tAAdIj0/s1600/Mike_Monsters_University_still_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImeqnSVCURcsM4bdca4rVNAMAUyrIrz-c7WArq9y8xjtgjYW4bVVimOctLPn-3MyXha_4pcr6iccvik6fF5Pbk2vVj0lJhNBy7uuswCcJg-6BQw3Ay98j1ESFq5yLlp6PYtP_tAAdIj0/s320/Mike_Monsters_University_still_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike's wisely at the forefront this time around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For those not in the know, our two main characters are James P. Sullivan (aka Sully) and Mike Wazowski (John Goodman and Billy Crystal) who meet for the first time while attending school to learn how to become scarers. Scarers are monsters who enter children's rooms and scare them because they need those children's screams to power their way of life (wow, it's kinda a weird concept now that I've actually written it all down like that, but whatever. It works.) The tricky part is because this is a prequel, we already know exactly how it's all going to end. That said the film does a commendable job at keeping me guessing on <i>how</i> it's going to get there by having these characters start off in such a different places during <i>Monsters University</i> comparatively to the first movie (personality and relationship wise.) While Sully was definitely the heart and focus of <i>Monsters, Inc.</i>, it's clear <i>Monsters University</i> is all about Mikey. Here Mike is an enthusiastic nerd with big dreams of becoming a scarer despite not being all that scary himself, and Sully is a lazy jock-like jerk who forgoes hard work and coasts through his classes mostly relying on his family's reputation and his natural talents.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3TJt3UaC0IbsBL2eZ0R5divFmbqJKIsxulYME51fWreGa1r_vKMXdaZ18Vj5jn-G9Ps1blOE1otxgR14MTUweJSbWTUErnhoXGjvgMs-Ggmu5bWBJnrxbg2oNmMASHlxyIR14E_sEOk/s1600/$(KGrHqZHJFMFGNWgyyfLBRkl)68UH!~~60_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3TJt3UaC0IbsBL2eZ0R5divFmbqJKIsxulYME51fWreGa1r_vKMXdaZ18Vj5jn-G9Ps1blOE1otxgR14MTUweJSbWTUErnhoXGjvgMs-Ggmu5bWBJnrxbg2oNmMASHlxyIR14E_sEOk/s200/$(KGrHqZHJFMFGNWgyyfLBRkl)68UH!~~60_3.JPG" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh shit...just look at him! Something bad's gonna happen to this guy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The two start off hating each other, so the film is all about how they grow to eventually become the inseparable duo we know from <i>Monsters, Inc.</i> It's great fun to see these two interact with each other in a new and interesting way. Not to spoil too much, but their rivalry is not only the cause of the film's major conflict, but it grows to a point where if they don't at least cooperate together, neither of them will get what they want. And once the movie ends and we get to familiar territory, it all felt like everything tied together nicely, and every piece of the puzzle finally landed in the right place. Even Randel, the villain from <i>Monsters, Inc.</i> voiced by Steve Buscemi, got a quick little backstory, and while they could have found a way for him to be more involved in the overarching story of this film, it was still a joy to see how he got to be so villinous.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjmXjlevjrExv8uPmPGdGAazi50ONxXprDNzSRm6cGfPpcB_D_ldSk0SVR5-fHNNV1dft1R3O-o8tB_FzySq21tSVPixg6dXQcTWK28GLJk2HNk7vgwNp-9DrKs03EEAFOQpfQ_LN36c/s1600/Monsters-University-Oozma-Kappa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjmXjlevjrExv8uPmPGdGAazi50ONxXprDNzSRm6cGfPpcB_D_ldSk0SVR5-fHNNV1dft1R3O-o8tB_FzySq21tSVPixg6dXQcTWK28GLJk2HNk7vgwNp-9DrKs03EEAFOQpfQ_LN36c/s320/Monsters-University-Oozma-Kappa.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brothers of Oozma Kappa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's pretty much impossible not to compare this movie to <i>Monsters, Inc.</i>, so let me get this out there right now: no, this movie isn't as good as <i>Monsters, Inc</i>., but it is really good in it's own right. <i>Monsters, Inc. </i>had a lot of unique things going for it that this movie just can't have because it is a prequel. Things such as the stakes being much higher in the original and the clever themes and parallels to real world energy problems. That and the "adorable factor" brought on by the human child Boo couldn't possibly be featured in this movie (due to her not even being born yet,) so don't expect any of that, which is a shame because she was one of the most memorable parts of the first movie. But you know what <i>Monsters University</i> is? It's fun. Hands down fun. It's a smaller, personal tale, but it's a fun one that has plenty of clever jokes for both adults and kids, and memorable characters and moments. The college setting allows for the writers to work in tons of references to college focused comedies like <i>Animal House</i> and <i>Revenge of the Nerds.</i> And it checks off all the college movie stereotypes in fun and wonderfully designed new monsters, such as the stuffy, no-nonsense dean (played by Hellen Mirren as some millipede/dragon hybrid) and the preppy, jerky frat-boy (played with wonderful ego from Nathan Fillion.) But the best gems are the new characters featured in Sully and Mike's fraternity "Oozma Kappa," which features an abundance of memorable moments from the charming "losers on campus." My favorite being Art, a newage philosophy major monster played by Charlie Day, who doesn't contribute anything of relevance to the plot, but has some great oneliners and his design is so much fun and different compared to the rest of the cast (he's like a fuzzy, purple slinky with a face! Brilliant!) Close second is Joel Murray's character, Don; a mature student whose optimistic attitude would almost put Ned Flanders to shame. Really the characters are why you come to see this movie; they're crazy fun in both their appearance their acting, animation and their writing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Um0AEXnPP8Y?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
So is this Pixar's deepest film? Definitely not. Even with a very poignant 3rd act and a surprisingly dramatic monologue from Billy Crystal's Mike, its themes don't nearly resonate as deeply as something like <i>Wall-E</i>, <i>Up</i>, <i>Ratatouille, the</i> <i>Toy Story</i> franchise, or even <i>Monsters, Inc</i>. But is it one of Pixar's funniest films? Well... actually, probably. It's up there! Director Dan Scanlon doesn't have many productions under his belt, but he really managed to make this a creatively fun feature with some genuinely hilarious visual humour and even some much needed heart to this story. So if you want a fun time, something to just take your mind off and watch some enjoyable animation, this is definitely a good one to see. And while it's not as great as Pixar in it's heyday it's definitely a step up from what they've been producing in recent years.<br />
<br />
And at the very least, hey! At least it's not another Cars sequel!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh0Z0enoFQUV-ElzQYTgfeapBv3RzwY5oPAaUAJ93we2CJ6dURKlW7PZI76MqDuwxFUTcP2cBpGTCsFxZM3ZZVVevdzIgRUllD5OMMuuaqB3570Nwv3lVm7dLBVmLD4nUy-ZaHZYXyfg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh0Z0enoFQUV-ElzQYTgfeapBv3RzwY5oPAaUAJ93we2CJ6dURKlW7PZI76MqDuwxFUTcP2cBpGTCsFxZM3ZZVVevdzIgRUllD5OMMuuaqB3570Nwv3lVm7dLBVmLD4nUy-ZaHZYXyfg/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...ugh...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4/5<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-44364283662566309092012-08-26T13:42:00.000-07:002012-08-26T14:13:21.744-07:00ParaNorman (A Review)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCSYAE01Ll8PoiGn1GFlWQA2hS5BFFuEUWfE2REDMKXJqzB7V2V7TWkaPIlurqxdHCO3NkVT8jvlOUgGB56O6tRXwN5AP1gYRAk2tH_UmZQ8JeQ9DqDf4McAxFR4WsA6VwjhHaKuoi1I/s1600/paranorman2012-poster-wide.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCSYAE01Ll8PoiGn1GFlWQA2hS5BFFuEUWfE2REDMKXJqzB7V2V7TWkaPIlurqxdHCO3NkVT8jvlOUgGB56O6tRXwN5AP1gYRAk2tH_UmZQ8JeQ9DqDf4McAxFR4WsA6VwjhHaKuoi1I/s400/paranorman2012-poster-wide.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An homage to the horror genre, and more!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not sure why, but two things I enjoy seem to be currently in style when talking about animated features. First of all, stop-motion animation is making a huge comeback even in a CG heavy environment, with <i>Pirates! Band of Misfits</i> leading the way earlier this year (by the way, check out <a href="http://moo-cartoon.blogspot.ca/2012/05/pirates-band-of-misfits-review.html" target="_blank">my review for that</a>, it's pretty cool, if I do say so myself.) The second, and perhaps more surprising, is that these animated movies are touching on a genre admittedly not seen all that much in western animation: horror. I'm not surprised horror is so rare in animated movies in this part of the globe. In North America animation is still mostly sold as family flicks. In other words, some mindless entertainment to stick the young ones infront of so that they'll shut up for an hour and a half. Horror is just asking for children crying, screaming and generally the opposite of good times for parents looking for a moment's peace. One can definitely say parents are too sensitive in protecting their children from "scary" entertainment designed for a younger generation, and kids in fact enjoy being scared more then they let on. I would totally agree with that. That said, <i>ParaNorman</i> is not for children. Not the young, young ones anyway. And it's not because of the "scary-jump-out-and-spook-you moments," or for any disturbing visuals, but because of the morbid themes, the mature tone, and some admittedly very dark plot points. And it's in these very points that I think <i>ParaNorman</i> is not only successful as a film, but it is also breaking some new ground for animated movies.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHUDp6D2Hn1AOPGAkaBMRnhP4PgtWhyKl2GonoVOCLwGdoi-P-f4vliJZ5Mm-lyoJqbWOR7NvPCnUKygYpcGTxvNlIVCwfcH2EAxe7kAgrIFSyfHirFDhyO1oGnUrHvR3oF9nli2w2ls/s1600/paranorman-cast.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHUDp6D2Hn1AOPGAkaBMRnhP4PgtWhyKl2GonoVOCLwGdoi-P-f4vliJZ5Mm-lyoJqbWOR7NvPCnUKygYpcGTxvNlIVCwfcH2EAxe7kAgrIFSyfHirFDhyO1oGnUrHvR3oF9nli2w2ls/s320/paranorman-cast.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're like the Scooby-Gang! Except...not at all...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The movie surrounds Norman, a kid who has the power to see and talk to ghosts. Right out of the gate Norman has this power, and it also seems he's been dealing with it for a while judging by how casually he talks to the spirits, how apathetic he is with dealing with living people, and how inpatient his father is when talking about this issue. Norman just so happens to live in a Salem-like town, known for it's touristy portrayal of witch hunts. However, once a real witch's curses comes to pass and brings zombies to life, it's up to Norman and a small rag-tag group (mostly made out of people who made fun of him before) to stop the curse and restore peace to the town...and that's when the twists happen. I wouldn't dare ruin the second and third act of this film, but suffice to say they do a lot with the standard "zombies attack a small town" formula that hasn't been done before and that I genuinely didn't see coming.<br />
<br />
The stop-motion is excellent. This is Laika's second stop-motion children's horror movie (after the wonderfully twisted <i>Coraline</i>) and I gotta say, they're really making a wonderful niche for themselves. And what's even more wonderful is the fact that even though this is another stop-motion film with spooky elements, this film has a distinctive art style all on it's own, really letting the two films stand out from each other. Everything is so detailed in each shot, and with some creative melding of some 2D elements as well as some 3D effects makes this lovingly crafted film a great feast for the eyes. The detail of facial animations alone is astounding and is made possible with the advancements in 3D printing technology, which is just plain cool.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6R__auJawMTF3vrSwVrW_HIQFlP8FbDs3vyMF8ETlgFhkX5dAXn-eogna7tvcwq3YI-7dIWMp5gkvRXoE2PgTPz1yv2nUgZKso1Y7K_pSJHDjC0X8_kvoT6iSKfZget2teaYbC52yrU/s1600/paranorman3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6R__auJawMTF3vrSwVrW_HIQFlP8FbDs3vyMF8ETlgFhkX5dAXn-eogna7tvcwq3YI-7dIWMp5gkvRXoE2PgTPz1yv2nUgZKso1Y7K_pSJHDjC0X8_kvoT6iSKfZget2teaYbC52yrU/s400/paranorman3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. Toilet paper hands. It's much more scarier then you might think.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now here's the thing about this movie: it's not very funny. I mean, there are jokes, and gags, some slap-stick and a couple of tongue in cheek references to old horror shlock, but that's not the highlight of this movie. They were able to get some chuckles out of me, but if you're expecting to roll on the floor with laughter during this film, you best look elsewhere. Comedy is not the main focus of this movie. Instead, the film chooses to better focus its attention on two things: it's tone, and it's themes. Tone wise, it's all rather grim. And when you're dealing with death as one of your major plot points, that's no real surprise. The subject matter is probably why some of these jokes don't quite hit their mark. However, when things change from comedy to drama, that's where the script shines. And I don't just mean all the end of the world drama, but even more personal moments where Norman's parents are full on arguing over what to do about Norman, and how Norman's own father treats him like a freak of nature. That stuff hurts, and it's wonderfully brought to life in this film. And the themes this film bring to the table are all wonderfully brought to life in the drama this piece provides. Themes like hatred, bigotry, mob mentality and acceptance are heavy issues that I feel could have been butchered if not for the pacing of this film and it's allowance to give time to let these themes resonate with the audience.<br />
<br />
I suppose if I was to complain about one thing, it would be the voice acting. Lots of the side characters were decent (McLovin' himself, Christopher Mintz-Plasse was an interesting choice for the school bully character,) but some other characters were a bit lacking in intensity when delivering on some of these dramatic moments. Sadly, Norman's voice actor, (teen actor Kodi Smit-McPhee) is the biggest offender. He delivers appropriately timid reads neer the beginning of the film when his character is a misunderstood loner, but as the film progresses and the drama ramps up, Smit-McPhee (and some of the other other actors) aren't quite able to deliver the intensity needed for those dramatic moments. Close, but not quite.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvj32HDWS5Zfoq3nIp258M5BkAmKA1wDg41yE1VfU-tITFD6ldubDfQKGHL-xHLvI0BFzYI_-bHb3sZQNaQ1apAxeKVyyV2-TzMEg2asQXTvIXtr1-m5W-3udwEMXV-mccN-OKdleL9s/s1600/paranorman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvj32HDWS5Zfoq3nIp258M5BkAmKA1wDg41yE1VfU-tITFD6ldubDfQKGHL-xHLvI0BFzYI_-bHb3sZQNaQ1apAxeKVyyV2-TzMEg2asQXTvIXtr1-m5W-3udwEMXV-mccN-OKdleL9s/s400/paranorman.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmuuugggghhh....MUUUGGGHHHHH!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The film starts out on a gradual burn, but give it time and I think you'll be rewarded with some amazing animation, some dark plot twists and one of the most compelling third acts to grace a film in a long time. It's the kind of animated film I'm glad exists, as it's much more focused on delivering a strong message than anything else. And most importantly for an animated feature dealing with such grim issues, it takes itself seriously. Writer/director Chris Butler seemed to be very passionate on both his love for old horror films and the themes in this film, and it really shows. While we have more animated homages to horror filmes approaching this year, such as Tim Burton's <i>Frankenweenie</i> and Genndy Tartakovsky's <i>Hotel Transylvania</i>, judging by the previews they both seem to be much more lighthearted affairs then <i>ParaNorman</i>. It's a risky move to make and animated "kids" movie with such heavy issues and story points, and in that regard this film should be applauded and encouraged! So do this film a favor and go check it out as soon as you can!<br />
<br />
4/5<br />
<br />
- Moo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-74385294599286214062012-07-18T21:24:00.002-07:002012-07-18T21:25:50.523-07:005 Things I Liked (And Didn't Like) About "The Legend of Korra" Season 1Back in April I gave my first impressions of <i>The Legend of Korra</i>, a sequel series to one of my favorite TV shows, <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i>. And if you recall, I totally <a href="http://moo-cartoon.blogspot.ca/2012/04/legend-of-korra-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">gushed over the first two episodes</a>. And now season 1 has finished, and not only that! At Comicon recently they annouced that next season (or "book," as they call them) will be called Spirits (COOL!!) and that the show has been <a href="http://ca.ign.com/articles/2012/07/14/comic-con-korra-panel-teases-season-2" target="_blank">renewed up to season 4</a>. That's excellent news!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpMqEiwom2zsRu45JFfctLSzh-fNaNnlf3sdMXojMaaNielvZkL1203GsvA70G_0InyB6WA0HhtMDI00ZloeYjpIf1RqHEYrNyrI0fAO3yYT19L4bEuul4BVSXGptKX9J1eiqvjVsWKk/s1600/legend-of-korra-nickelodeon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpMqEiwom2zsRu45JFfctLSzh-fNaNnlf3sdMXojMaaNielvZkL1203GsvA70G_0InyB6WA0HhtMDI00ZloeYjpIf1RqHEYrNyrI0fAO3yYT19L4bEuul4BVSXGptKX9J1eiqvjVsWKk/s320/legend-of-korra-nickelodeon.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to look back on what happened with these guys...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With that said, now would be a good time to look back and see if the show met up with all of my lofty expectations I had for season 1. And did it? Well...kinda... It's odd. <span style="background-color: white;">I'm met with a blend of emotions after the season finale, some good, some bad, and some...just odd. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> So what better, and balanced, way to show my appreciation/disappointment for this wonderful/frustrating show than with 5 things I liked/didn't like about the first season of <i>The Legend of Korra</i> (in no particular order.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">But before we get started, let me say that on the whole <i>The Legend of Korra</i> is an amazing show, probably the best cartoon out right now. However, that doesn't make it imune to geeks like me nit-picking things apart. So with that in mind: haters, think before you leave comments. These are just my personal opinions, feel free to take em or leave em. Also, since I am reviewing the season as a whole there will be <b>SPOILERS</b>. So many <b>SPOILERS</b> that if you don't want <b>SPOILERS</b> then you shouldn't read this <b>SPOILER</b> filled blog full of <b>SPOILERS</b>. I hope I've made myself clear, and you have been warned... <b>(SPOILERS!!) </b>Also warning, this is gonna get really ranty. So grab yourself a drink, cause we're gonna be here a while...</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I liked... the Art Direction and the Animation.</span></b></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z0kJ06MI0c4G9vWOLdUWFSEYNvfcwbRuP8GP6Wh-5svxZQ0m9JfKN8YOmPz2rq1Ks5i3DM6MCpR6rbMtthd43UnmUVyY-S1tJMhE2WzZGL8lRkw2JMjLB1bumFvfZiBDVIxeiFb3fYM/s1600/The.Legend.Of.Korra.S01E08.When.Extremes.Meet.720p.HDTV.h264-OOO.mkv_snapshot_02.19_%5B2012.06.02_18.20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z0kJ06MI0c4G9vWOLdUWFSEYNvfcwbRuP8GP6Wh-5svxZQ0m9JfKN8YOmPz2rq1Ks5i3DM6MCpR6rbMtthd43UnmUVyY-S1tJMhE2WzZGL8lRkw2JMjLB1bumFvfZiBDVIxeiFb3fYM/s320/The.Legend.Of.Korra.S01E08.When.Extremes.Meet.720p.HDTV.h264-OOO.mkv_snapshot_02.19_%5B2012.06.02_18.20.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Meelo knows good art when he sees it! ...I think...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's get the obvious out of the way first. This is one pretty, pretty show. I said it before, but the animation and artistry in this show has been pushed to new levels of awesomeness. Even further than <i>The Last Airbender </i>did, and that was a show that was already praised for it's beauty in animation and backgrounds. And even though we don't get to see as much environmental variety in <i>The Legend of Korra</i>, what we do have is some amazingly crafted sets that go into an astounding amount of detail. There was even a deeper integration of 3D elements, which normally I find jarring in 2D shows, but how it was used here was inspirational. Much like the original series it was used for important vehicles such as blimps and tanks, but here it was also used for other major elements, such as the giant monument to Avatar Aang. I can think of one subtle moment when the 3D background was being panned in the episode "The Revelation." Because of how the 3D background was rotated, it looked like the characters were walking in an arc, rather than straight left to right. Subtle, but very clever! And likewise it goes without saying the animation was top notch. From the wonderfully choreographed fights, to little bits of character acting like Bolin proclaiming "I love you," the animation was skillfully crafted and full of energy.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't like...the Lost Opportunity to be a Vigilantly Badass</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOzOvUES-pA04vOtNiNaulypxxQTzc2HiJd0l6othcxpCVMq7dr2QxEC9zEVnShpDAwnb1CvcB91hopYYIQIppEo6Q_xuOhsJRMQZf5VWWwO_S5u0O1qHFN9KKudVVhWT-RGHduIyXow/s1600/Triple_Threats_bully_Chung.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOzOvUES-pA04vOtNiNaulypxxQTzc2HiJd0l6othcxpCVMq7dr2QxEC9zEVnShpDAwnb1CvcB91hopYYIQIppEo6Q_xuOhsJRMQZf5VWWwO_S5u0O1qHFN9KKudVVhWT-RGHduIyXow/s320/Triple_Threats_bully_Chung.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I thought the first episode, "Welcome to Republic City" was a perfect way to kick off the season. It was a great jumping on point for new comers, it set up our new cast of characters, and probably most importantly, set up our new setting for this whole season, Republic City, and the problems within: homelessness, class warfare, organized crime, corrupt officials, and the anti-bending revolution. Korra only tackled two of these problems in season 1, corruption and the anti-bending movement, the later being the primary focus of the season. And while it is the most interesting conflict to deal with, I saw two problems when jumping right into fighting Amon and his revolution: 1) we hear of all this supposed awful things the bending triads do to non-benders, but we never really got to see any of it aside from some slight bullying in the first episode (weak sauce) and 2) we don't get to see Korra take on this universe's equivalent of the mob, which would have been awesome.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgkYYvi_n64zyg2Os6BrpdBGJemJJONxLNoKUmO6zW5SQnLUbmIWDDuNKIOxBNuYLKIEUfHNNCEhBHSN7BMDKq3lF4DSBT7gYj0LO96iAbxtz_7ZNRMKZibYlThV-Iv2AKj3H1oHxvC4/s1600/Lightning_Bolt_Zolt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgkYYvi_n64zyg2Os6BrpdBGJemJJONxLNoKUmO6zW5SQnLUbmIWDDuNKIOxBNuYLKIEUfHNNCEhBHSN7BMDKq3lF4DSBT7gYj0LO96iAbxtz_7ZNRMKZibYlThV-Iv2AKj3H1oHxvC4/s400/Lightning_Bolt_Zolt.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember Zolt! Yeah! This guy! ...no? Wouldn't blame ya. He had, like, two lines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Both these problems could have been easily solved by two simple words: turf war. They mentioned it briefly in the third episode, "The Revolution," that there were three criminal groups and it was implied they were going to fight it out soon for territory in Republic City...that would have been awesome to see!! Imagine how cool it would be to see Korra (and maybe Mako and Bolin too) take on not one, but THREE criminal factions as they fought each other! Even if Korra was successful, there would undoubtably be major damage to the city, and maybe even injured unsuspecting bystanders. This would give so much more ammunition for Amon and his anti-bending revolution, making his grand rally against Republic City not only more believable, but much more interesting. Hell, remember Lightning Bolt Zolt? The guy who had his bending taken away almost as quickly as he was introduced? Something tells me he could have been a great sub-villain, as an antagonist to both Korra and Amon. But nope. Third episode, and the mob's already out of the picture. But who knows, maybe we'll get some Korra vs organized crime in season 2, but without Amon to profit from the fallout, it almost doesn't seem worth it. In my opinion it was a huge wasted opportunity.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I liked... the Mature Tone of the Show</span></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxzalxPaI7vpUMWXoCgGLIoStke4OD8ton49G0k4_emaZ8SM8QglXuSwuLfRruBzfyE4qvRrRYkZYEgOQRRkbI2uNCg5j6uQYNN7QSLExm_NCcbcaji7sZ-RL8XOFzQEfgp4JRyznVzc/s1600/korra-end-game-img.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxzalxPaI7vpUMWXoCgGLIoStke4OD8ton49G0k4_emaZ8SM8QglXuSwuLfRruBzfyE4qvRrRYkZYEgOQRRkbI2uNCg5j6uQYNN7QSLExm_NCcbcaji7sZ-RL8XOFzQEfgp4JRyznVzc/s320/korra-end-game-img.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the darkest timeline...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whenever there is a sequel of any sort, there is always going to be comparisons to the original. Especially for TV shows. Something tells me Aang vs Korra is going to be as frequently debated as Kirk vs Picard. But at the end of the day, you have to admit, Korra is not like Aang, and Aang is not like Korra. Aang is fun and funny and free spirited and a goofy trickster and yadda yadda yadda. While Korra is strong and independent, and fierce and stubborn and...well...more mature. Not just in age but in personality as well. And while the conflicts that plagued Aang were deep (remember the airbender genocide? Yeah...not a fun topic...) the show always delt with things in a lighter mood through the optimistic eyes of a younger generation. But much like the audience that watched the original, the Avatar has aged. Having the protagonist now a teenager was a brilliant move. It made the decisions, the way the characters acted, and the problems facing the character more mature, and even pretty dark. And yet they still had that bit of oddball humour the franchise is known for, so it still felt like we were watching a show in the same universe. So yes. The darker tone: me likey....however...</span></span><br />
<div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't like...That There Were No Time for Side Missions</span></h2>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT3-l1Ck4aV-O9o5StbB6ZlSTRtWMftWkEIstwLknVNYZKdwT36VwIJE6OXKO3Tf3j-MwVA_x7Zqz_L1MCnGQnlGsD7AEujQ0flCuVY2J1xN6aBJFwnPrPxMUvH5w7YEHQ788xD_ma8c/s1600/36cb3a996e80e90a34aa4623572b135eaddd231f-Bolin-Cry-The-Legend-of-Korra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT3-l1Ck4aV-O9o5StbB6ZlSTRtWMftWkEIstwLknVNYZKdwT36VwIJE6OXKO3Tf3j-MwVA_x7Zqz_L1MCnGQnlGsD7AEujQ0flCuVY2J1xN6aBJFwnPrPxMUvH5w7YEHQ788xD_ma8c/s400/36cb3a996e80e90a34aa4623572b135eaddd231f-Bolin-Cry-The-Legend-of-Korra.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this picture: Bolin finding out he won't get his own story arc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much like my other criticism of the show, this here's another pacing problem. While I did like the drama that came from rushing head first into the conflict of the anti-bending revolution, what we lost were those character-centric episodes that all good ensemble shows need. Episodes that don't further the overarching story in any huge or meaningful way, but take time to develop the characters and let them breathe for a moment. There were many of these scattered throughout <i>The Last Airbender</i>: "The Cave of Two Lovers," "Tales of Ba Sing Se" and "The Beach" come to mind. And those also happen to be some of my favorite episodes! The closest thing we get in <i>The Legend of Korra</i> is "The Spirit of Competition" with the whole Korra/Bolin/Mako/Asami love trapezoid thing happening. But where are episodes built around side characters? Much like "Sokka's Master," where's Bolin's solo episode? How about an episode centered around the airbending children? Or totally centered around Lin? Hell, I think a Mako centered episode might have been the most needed: a chance to dive more into his tragic backstory and show how he and his brother got to where they are. That would have been awesome! <span style="background-color: white;">True, we probably will have more time for that in the coming seasons, but having a greater connection to the characters through these types of episodes would have really helped in upping the drama in Amon's "Endgame."</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">With those extra episodes thrown in we wouldn't have been able to defeat Amon by the end of the first season, but it would definitely have helped flesh out these characters, of which I definitely want to see more of. Hey that's a good segway to...</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I like... These Awesome New Characters</span></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqulsjflcaUZ7mbIeZevstwjYbt_HhxKSUi1xoGIeSHZGU9T6DJJBXMm5OXSNH5JihU1RxU7glPEJin4xOV_W9pMQJ3lAPA-dqfiyvkOcwHC4-rfe56JaDwy-zi3a-npek4vKx4Q-Fwc/s1600/MzkyNDAz.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqulsjflcaUZ7mbIeZevstwjYbt_HhxKSUi1xoGIeSHZGU9T6DJJBXMm5OXSNH5JihU1RxU7glPEJin4xOV_W9pMQJ3lAPA-dqfiyvkOcwHC4-rfe56JaDwy-zi3a-npek4vKx4Q-Fwc/s320/MzkyNDAz.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awk...ward...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you're going to have an entirely new cast of characters for your sequel series, you better be damn sure they're good, interesting characters. And for the most part in <i>The Legend of Korra</i>, they are. Let me put it this way: the characters I liked, I <i>really</i> liked. They did a great job writing Korra as the main protagonist. Her personality was likeable, and yet not overbearing. The problems she faced seemed real and relatable like her frustration in not learning airbending in "A Leaf in the Wind" or her personal fear of Amon in "The Voice in the Night." These are real problems of overcoming fears and struggling to learn a new talent that I'm sure many, many people can relate to. Tenzin might be my favorite supporting character as a stark, serious counter to his father's playful teachings and his exhaustion at building a family of ruckus flying children is incredibly entertaining. And that only gets more interesting when you throw the show's biggest badass, Lin Beifong, into the mix, explaining exactly what her issue is with Tenzin. It makes watching these character's interactions so interesting and amusing. When written properly, there's nothing better...but on the other hand...<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't like... the "Perfect" Characters</span></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUyDPv_3sosq4uTIfM7Xz0TSohw_QezooheNRZMNrjoVdjgKz_dYFNQPakrNsb5-RyQqDc0mNxjigySZ0xaxkTzwMzVOCNaMfBTVRd9BPi8GlOnC2nN5SKsGBdZK5UcnAEgPlCsD6eUA/s1600/tumblr_m3bel1bcQa1qebbg1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUyDPv_3sosq4uTIfM7Xz0TSohw_QezooheNRZMNrjoVdjgKz_dYFNQPakrNsb5-RyQqDc0mNxjigySZ0xaxkTzwMzVOCNaMfBTVRd9BPi8GlOnC2nN5SKsGBdZK5UcnAEgPlCsD6eUA/s320/tumblr_m3bel1bcQa1qebbg1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little known fact: Asami started out as a model for L'Oréal </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ok, this might be my biggest gripe with the show, and I'm referring mostly to Asami Sato. Oh my God, what a poorly written character this is. Some characters got dull overtime, like Mako, and some characters were never really given anything of value to do, like Bolin, but with Asami I was always waiting and wanting for her to be interesting...and she never was. Looking online I can see that a lot of fans aren't big on her because they ruin the oh-so-perfect and juicy relationship opportunities of Korra and Mako, but that's preteen fanfic bullshit that I don't give a rat's ass about. What I <i>do</i> hate Asami for is being "perfect." Seriously folks. She's perfect. Name one negative flaw about her personality. You can't. There is none. And that is more boring then watching paint dry. You need characters with flaws, otherwise your characters seem unrealistic. And no, writers, having bad things happen to your character doesn't make up for their lack of flaws. You can kill off her mother, have her father betray her, take away her family fortune, and have her boyfriend cheat on her all you want. If the character is not interesting, then I have to try really, really hard to care even the tiniest of bits for her. Hell, just make Asami a double agent for The Equalists! If that whole confrontation with her father was staged and it was all a ploy to get to the Avatar, suddenly her character has depth. And what if Asami felt remorse for her actions, and admitted that she really did develop strong feelings for Mako, all of a sudden this character becomes abundantly more interesting because of her flaws. But alas, the Mary-Sue character of Asami isn't the only one at fault here...we also have General Fan Servis...I mean...Iroh...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenycinwzp8tGrSxuCsePopzpPhXBvDR_rQFRuqpxqJhjMX1w0gtRCl6qEpkbzIcRDcvs8zrdKQxVWKCCgjhsoM1RI4hBKOxR3K7j64b_5HibFvurdmfqpo7h6_MO31RhV9tXALHFoxPg/s1600/General+Iroh+OUT+OF+FUCKING+NOWHERE_81e482_3804797.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenycinwzp8tGrSxuCsePopzpPhXBvDR_rQFRuqpxqJhjMX1w0gtRCl6qEpkbzIcRDcvs8zrdKQxVWKCCgjhsoM1RI4hBKOxR3K7j64b_5HibFvurdmfqpo7h6_MO31RhV9tXALHFoxPg/s320/General+Iroh+OUT+OF+FUCKING+NOWHERE_81e482_3804797.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...I mean, Iroh...whatever...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much like Asami, this is a character who is unreasonably perfect and is unquestionably awesome at everything right away, but unlike Asami I can let that slide since he did only appear in a handfull of episodes at the end of the season, and arguably didn't have time to develop his character properly. What I can't forgive is his impressive lack of a personality. I think we're supposed to automatically connect to him because he's named after a fan favorite character (and one of my favorite characters ever written, Uncle Iroh) and he bares a striking resemblance to Zuko (as well as sharing the voice actor Dante Basco.) But he's not supposed to be either of these characters, nor do I want him to be, and yet the writers do nothing to give him a personality of his own other than "he's a good guy." The fact they're serving me this dull half-assed character who is dripping with fan servis and expecting me to love him automatically is almost insulting. The only thing stopping me from writing this guy right off, again, is the slim chance that we might expand upon his character and actually make him interesting in season 2. But first impressions do count for a lot, and my frist impression of this guy is that he's frighteningly boring.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I liked... The Sounds</span></h2>
I mentioned before the return of voice actor Dante Basco to voice the new General Iroh, and aside from his distractingly familiar voice being miscast in this role, I can safely say that all other voice acting within this show is top notch. Even my other hated character, Asami, has a wonderful voice actor in the roll! Janet Varney as Korra, J.K. Simmons as Tenzin: everyone was justly casted! But special mention should go out to Bolin's voice actor, P.J. Byrne. His free flowing ramblings as Bolin added so much personality and like-ability to the character, it's hard to imagine anyone else in the roll. It felt very natural.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9PQIBwxzWy6GMvqdO8azcCwY3mhoFijbUj_-lWcN-z8JXuOrF8nSQKFGTYOW6ZK2tme9d8zuxuIbbvmGDLJr5jhiBG6KFI6e7ZlMA9YmoEFrhFU60emhCQUCNoI7266Y5XcLJT_5iuM/s1600/Korra_and_Bolin_laughing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9PQIBwxzWy6GMvqdO8azcCwY3mhoFijbUj_-lWcN-z8JXuOrF8nSQKFGTYOW6ZK2tme9d8zuxuIbbvmGDLJr5jhiBG6KFI6e7ZlMA9YmoEFrhFU60emhCQUCNoI7266Y5XcLJT_5iuM/s320/Korra_and_Bolin_laughing.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quality voice acting is quality</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And Track Team returned. Oh, how I have so much love for Track Team: the duo who worked on the sound effects and music for the original series. They're back, and have upped the quality of the music this time around, probably with a higher budget I imagine. I wish Nickelodeon would just dump a wheelbarrow of money on Track Team's front lawn and just have them come up with amazing sounds. Not much else to say here, but I love em.<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't like... Plastic Surgery</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaw6u-0T5wpP_fdQV931VTjv0YyrxFEhoTnZSW9TNEfZNCEawUKyT2hdO4tdVUrWSYy5fpl5rx5pK2PGKBlw2gCwQ7ynIGXPj_rqEWv68PivkY6AElUsFeH2cSop1bGkO4bVklZxNngg/s1600/552431-k24.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaw6u-0T5wpP_fdQV931VTjv0YyrxFEhoTnZSW9TNEfZNCEawUKyT2hdO4tdVUrWSYy5fpl5rx5pK2PGKBlw2gCwQ7ynIGXPj_rqEWv68PivkY6AElUsFeH2cSop1bGkO4bVklZxNngg/s320/552431-k24.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Really....really?! Ok, this one is clearly me picking nits here, but plastic surgery? I know technology has progressed in the show, and I like that. I like having the race cars, the radios, the newspapers, the telephones, even the giant robotic suits of armour I'm willing to let slide. But giving the character of Yakone plastic surgery didn't feel right. Yes, I know cosmetic surgery did exist in the 1920s (which this show draws most of it's time periode from,) but I'm more upset with the lazy writing. The big reveal on Amon's identity hinged on the character of Yakone, and this was a lazy way to get him where they needed him to make that big reveal make sense. Hell, if you took this detail completely away, nothing would have been lost. He's moving to the end of the world anyway! Who's going to notice him? Again, this obviously wasn't a deal breaker, but it did strike me as a bit irritating. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I liked... Similar Yet Different</span></span></h2>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPav122_g5ZFjGyS2nnFMxWwd-j3fuTgV0_BW-mPRalbroOYSFkBZUehTc-JYYhc5A1orNrrxSGkCc7l_WRYetVduslpDFggS11yeauL97rOKykCzoR1Mv4qiGR4xvdAFODOq119Qg0o/s1600/korra-fight-scene-firebending.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPav122_g5ZFjGyS2nnFMxWwd-j3fuTgV0_BW-mPRalbroOYSFkBZUehTc-JYYhc5A1orNrrxSGkCc7l_WRYetVduslpDFggS11yeauL97rOKykCzoR1Mv4qiGR4xvdAFODOq119Qg0o/s320/korra-fight-scene-firebending.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I mentioned this in my first impressions of <i>The Legend of Korra</i>, and I stand by it. The best way to write a sequel is to make it similar yet different, and that's exactly what Legend of Korra did. It wasn't a rehash of the plot of the original series, yet a lot of the themes were the same. The show did get darker in tone, but the sense of humour and adventure remained the same. The setting became more modern and technologically advanced, but the awesome ancient art of elemental martial arts remained. You get the picture. It's a natural evolution that a franchise needs to take, and that really helps broaden this universe, making it seem epic and grand. Personally, I can't wait to see more of it...even though...</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I disliked... That Everything Was Resolved</span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />The season finale "Endgame" was indeed epic in scale, but as for resolving all the problems that faced Korra during the course of the season? I wouldn't say it was successfully in it's execution, or very satisfying. Believe me, I was all for Korra to kick some serious ass in the season finale. I gasped with horror as Amon took away Korra's bending. I cheered with glee when she finally unleashed a fury of airbending! And I reveled in the moment when Amon was exposed as a fraud infront of all of his followers! <br /><br />"Sensational!" I said to myself , "I certainly can't wait to see what Amon will do in season 2! He - ...oh...his brother just killed himself and took Amon with him...well, that was shocking! And unexpected! And dark! Bravo show! You have dashed my expectations once again! Now surely season 2 will deal with the fallout of Korra not being able to use her... oh... Aang popped out of nowhere and handed back all your powers? And you can also go into the Avatar state? Like it's no biggy? Oh...well...ok, then season 2 will deal with all the other benders who had their powers taken away! I can't wait to see what Lin would be like without... oh...you magically all of a sudden can restore other people's powers too? ...ok...well, at least there's that unresolved romantic tension between Korra and Mako - AH GODDAMN IT!!"</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbm5HmUqTaiFawcDeWzEJuQxkwBN73nlilPF5PRnd6rTGN9B2yEfOGQIqYYvI7Ry72_nMUgHOYdaWFgv1RCIWYTlBv2KBxSa6n8N4ftoMeU7_9JawlcPBZWY8ZSBv6JSLmv0evLqCE30/s1600/the-legend-of-korra-endgame-makorra-1280x718.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbm5HmUqTaiFawcDeWzEJuQxkwBN73nlilPF5PRnd6rTGN9B2yEfOGQIqYYvI7Ry72_nMUgHOYdaWFgv1RCIWYTlBv2KBxSa6n8N4ftoMeU7_9JawlcPBZWY8ZSBv6JSLmv0evLqCE30/s320/the-legend-of-korra-endgame-makorra-1280x718.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...damn those hormones...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">You see where I'm coming from? Everything turned from hopeless to perfect in 5 minutes. Again: lazy writing. If this was the end of the series, maybe it would be acceptable...maybe. But by this time they already knew they had a second season! Why the rush and give Korra the power to restore bending and resolve everything in such a rushed fashion? A </span><span style="background-color: white;">power she never had to work for or </span><span style="background-color: white;">earn by the way, unlike that satisfying moment where she finally could airbend. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">And if the show ended just a bit sooner, with Aang appearing to Korra, I would have gone ga-ga over the finale. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I never thought I'd be saying this, but they needed a cliff hanger. They're </span><span style="background-color: white;">important!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> They build hype, and give you a promise of things to come. </span><span style="background-color: white;">But as it stands now, my excitement has decreased in watching the second season</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahodttrZQOnmI3OfaQhUqSO2hrq1GzVrjSPs8reNYz9HmSfQeAdsj15W3sRg6Lp7FNFFbKu_TcCl7TGoNMp7Umkxmltq25YadWD-976zaThQ96JvjNbxx0r83lr4KSS-iVMf0LZ7GWJw/s1600/korra-characters.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahodttrZQOnmI3OfaQhUqSO2hrq1GzVrjSPs8reNYz9HmSfQeAdsj15W3sRg6Lp7FNFFbKu_TcCl7TGoNMp7Umkxmltq25YadWD-976zaThQ96JvjNbxx0r83lr4KSS-iVMf0LZ7GWJw/s320/korra-characters.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sup. Avatars here. Here to lazily wrap up season 1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">That's not to say I won't watch the second season! Hell no! I'll be there with bells on! And I'm sure with a </span><span style="background-color: white;">season</span><span style="background-color: white;"> called "Spirits" we're bound to get some awesome, awesome episodes with spirit world </span><span style="background-color: white;">shenanigans. And hopefully it'll be even better then this season, which apart from my rantings, was very awesome. P</span><span style="background-color: white;">ersonally I'm hoping for Ko, the face stealer to make another </span><span style="background-color: white;">appearance...OH! A</span><span style="background-color: white;">nd more Commander Bumi. Make it happen, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and all will be forgiven. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">Here's looking forward to season 2!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">- Moo</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-68982319615217262742012-06-26T00:28:00.002-07:002012-06-26T00:29:21.843-07:00My Life at VFS...coming soon...I'm going to level with you readers: I started this blog for three selfish reasons. 1) I needed an outlet to keep me writing while I wasn't working on a specific script or story, 2) I wanted to properly articular my constant babblings about animation and animated features and 3) I wanted somewhere to post news on my own works as student artist and fledgling animation. As of yet, I've only done 1 and 2...so it's about time my OCD kicked in and started on 3 as well.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFU12_e6eqGn8wAfFAOFr22e-AcRWL-fgoJULAJJmkITD8wRzAgtYIeRXlaTjRUUp1ck5Gw4ogrAqKWa_lLCYt2jloaCGoH1_qtEsuGzmtrgWjzvRmI0McF-DWb6a9Ch2wJVFnlnJ5zQ/s1600/543209_10150791222936170_1570718661_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFU12_e6eqGn8wAfFAOFr22e-AcRWL-fgoJULAJJmkITD8wRzAgtYIeRXlaTjRUUp1ck5Gw4ogrAqKWa_lLCYt2jloaCGoH1_qtEsuGzmtrgWjzvRmI0McF-DWb6a9Ch2wJVFnlnJ5zQ/s320/543209_10150791222936170_1570718661_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random doodles abound!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I am now officially done term 1 of my 6 term classic animation program at Vancouver Film School, and now that term one is complete, I'm in the process of putting together all the random do-dads and projects I did up till now and archiving them away. So I figured this would be the perfect time to give my impressions of the first sixth of my animation schoolin' and document my process towards (hopefully) honing my skills in the art of animation.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So stay tooned friends! My animated adventures have only just begun...<br />
<br />
- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-50424252924868950812012-06-24T19:43:00.002-07:002012-06-24T20:10:08.871-07:00Brave (A Review)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mOpCFXlNpPl_3eq4m7R3n-A4mMXg7GbV1sYUjr10rFlw56nJkIpxYiIA4eraq8K_MaPG9v5YmmEnQCoavn6kZqJ75IXYI8R48SpXhbqjO3Q6jcvCGoavm5fyaO_Ee8ixwJltfrWDLbk/s1600/Brave.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mOpCFXlNpPl_3eq4m7R3n-A4mMXg7GbV1sYUjr10rFlw56nJkIpxYiIA4eraq8K_MaPG9v5YmmEnQCoavn6kZqJ75IXYI8R48SpXhbqjO3Q6jcvCGoavm5fyaO_Ee8ixwJltfrWDLbk/s400/Brave.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If yew had the chance to change yewr fate, woudjya?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">I feel kinda bad for Pixar. It's tough to be on top. With an amazing run of movies, a couple of which have cemented their place in cinema history, the expectations of them are insanely high. I think that's why everyone was a little bit taken aback last summer when <i>Cars 2 </i>rolled out. It was the first Pixar movie most people could look at and say, "y'know, that wasn't very good." Especially when you consider the amazing slew of movies that came just before that (<i>Toy Story 3</i>, <i>U</i>p, and <i>Wall-E</i>.) With that in mind, people want everything from <i>Brave</i>. They want it to be the end all, be all, Pixar film. Back to form. Back on top! And now that it's here I can proudly report to you all that <i>Brave</i> is...good. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Yes, it's good. <i>Brave</i> is a good movie. Is it another instant classic that will once again be some of the best storytelling Hollywood has to offer? No. But it's good. I understand being simply "good" to some people is a disappointment, but read on and you'll see there's plenty to love in this feature, as well as some choices that, in my opinion, don't quite pay off. Not to mention a huge bait and switch by Pixar that may prove to be the film's undoing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">First of all, let's start with the best part of <i>Brave</i>, the visuals. Holy hell, to say this movie is a feast for the eyes is an understatement. It's a 10 course meal and an after dinner mint for your eyes. After this movie your eyes will never go hungry again. Taken place in medieval Scotland, Pixar once again pushes it's rendering techniques to a whole new level, showing some amazing vistas of the Scottish highlands. Graphic nerds will go ga-ga over some of the beautiful details in the textures, as well as the amazing physics on the gorgeously untamed red curls of Merida (our main character.) And the animation is once again top notch. Every character moves in such unique ways. Every little nuance in the movements is perfectly planned out, giving memorable quirks and an abundance of personality to this cast of characters.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5aI46WTpzyFLyJVIkwLxfcDXq9VVjpSLZ7diNtYs-FsX20wea3L7jq-e5uXp5_7tRh92Hjm4pzHjFXjh51Y2C0aTfx0DdHgANo9WIi-8NG62c4rHkh4o2WMws7l7PK6eKkOJyS7z7zI/s1600/brave-pixar-trailer-princess-merida.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5aI46WTpzyFLyJVIkwLxfcDXq9VVjpSLZ7diNtYs-FsX20wea3L7jq-e5uXp5_7tRh92Hjm4pzHjFXjh51Y2C0aTfx0DdHgANo9WIi-8NG62c4rHkh4o2WMws7l7PK6eKkOJyS7z7zI/s400/brave-pixar-trailer-princess-merida.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The royal family: I love em all!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Speaking of the characters, I love them. Every character in the movie, I loved. There was something about their chemistry, and the way they all were presented that just gave every character an enjoyable performance (with only some reservations about a witch character, who at points seems like she was in the wrong movie.) Merida's family took front and center: the loving yet overbearing mother Queen Elinor (played by Emma Thompson,) the rambunctious yet kind hearted father King Fergus (played by Billy Connolly,) and three minuscule, mischief-making, mute triplets who provided a bulk of the movie's visual and slap-slick humour. Speaking of humour special mention should go out to the three feuding clan leaders and their respective hopeful suitor's for the hand of Princess Merida. While not overall that important to the story, the clans of Dingwall, MacGuffin and MacIntosh (I see what you did there Pixar) definitely gave the best laughs of the movie. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">But I've yet to mention specifically about our main character, Merida (played by Kelly MacDonald.) True, she's a pretty big cliche in the respect that she's a princess longing for more, and desires freedom from her royal duties, but Pixar does its best to give her such a twist in her </span><span style="background-color: white;">personality</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to make her more then just a "girls can kick ass too" character. She's a bit of a goof. She loves a good laugh. She can be undignified, yet charming. And all these characteristics are strengthened even more when she interacts with the other characters, such as her father. On the ball, Merida and her family feel and act like real people. It's skillfully acted in both the voices and in the animation, and they're able to get some great emotion from the performances. Something tells me if these characters were inserted into a more interesting plot, this would be a grade A movie. And yet...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhG7nN32qQO0nTuTun7UbWHo1fNXPeBmM-gCiLJ9hyjIu-W_i3Lj5ePH3BLQbg2IwtFsFbMRL1zxDA7jzkBjM3dKFfWwYK5LUSF20YqcHSGkO00c9BdYnnobFVwC6QGhPYJ_g8I_KWHY/s1600/pixar_brave_2012-wide.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhG7nN32qQO0nTuTun7UbWHo1fNXPeBmM-gCiLJ9hyjIu-W_i3Lj5ePH3BLQbg2IwtFsFbMRL1zxDA7jzkBjM3dKFfWwYK5LUSF20YqcHSGkO00c9BdYnnobFVwC6QGhPYJ_g8I_KWHY/s400/pixar_brave_2012-wide.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gorgeous promotional art doesn't accurately portray the plot...but it looks nice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Ok, now we come down to the elephant in the room: the plot. Or rather, the misleading plot. While I won't spoil anything in this review, I will say that the trailers don't showcase an </span><span style="background-color: white;">event that happens at the beginning of the 2nd act of the movie, and this huge event is what brings about</span><span style="background-color: white;"> the rest</span><span style="background-color: white;"> of the movie's plot. Most of the times I like being surprised by not knowing the true nature of a movie's plot, but in this case the plot transformed what I believed was to be an epic adventure on a grand scale to a very small story about the importance of family...and that's kinda lame.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">It's a shame too, because we're already in such an aforementioned beautiful and epic setting that it just screams for a larger scale story. </span><span style="background-color: white;">It's like expecting Lord of the Rings, and instead getting a movie where hobbits never leave The Shire and have breakfast, or something. The potential to do a story on a grander scale is there, it's just never really taken advantage of and that's a shame. I mean, it is possible to have a film about the importance of family and still make it epic. Hell, Pixar already did it. It was called <i>The Incredibles</i>. And it was awesome.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweoovb0Dq-JhXYRBwhmIpZuTwOJGsvbyG6AdIZSTAUj3mZpfoWG5iFfjF5SUDg57LV23YXgG1MaWNvrz2TJpI69roHPeOHi0aaeHJgoKNeiW6FvP81VIf1zTNUxcpMbdLgB9DIeoiwHA/s1600/0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweoovb0Dq-JhXYRBwhmIpZuTwOJGsvbyG6AdIZSTAUj3mZpfoWG5iFfjF5SUDg57LV23YXgG1MaWNvrz2TJpI69roHPeOHi0aaeHJgoKNeiW6FvP81VIf1zTNUxcpMbdLgB9DIeoiwHA/s320/0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly, this picture more accurately portrays the plot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">So for a moment let's ignore that the adventurous character of Merida is not used to her fullest potential. And let's ignore the fact that this is not the sprawling epic that Pixar advertised to us. Removed from our expectations, does this film's plot still hold up as a good movie? The answer is a resounding...kinda. And again, this is hard to explain without exposing the movie's massive twist, but I'll do my best. Long story short, the plot we get feels very safe. Critics have said that this is Pixar's take on a Disney princess story, which isn't 100% true. While Merida does show a lot of the same characteristics and desires as a standard Disney princess has (all be it with a very Pixar-ish way of portraying the character,) this film is not a lot of things Disney princess movies are. It's not a musical, it's not based on a well known fairytale, and most of all it's not a love story (thank God.) It can, however, be perfectly compared to another Disney animated movie that is not a princess tale at all...but again even saying the name of this movie would spoil <i>Brave</i>'s secret plot twist. Sooo...ugh! Damn it Pixar! See how hard it is to talk about your movie?!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1_cYduJWPtlLCgFdh4xzPRGQnyB4-tlSPiTDDbiOWNpwv4ocqMd19Dap9ktmB9aNpoOEeSrZpvNO5jUWAsBWYVqO4p0VmQ7XCR1Wx5mq_s_cDUOa2exMDD9friuNV41rDr0c75yZoa0/s1600/brave5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1_cYduJWPtlLCgFdh4xzPRGQnyB4-tlSPiTDDbiOWNpwv4ocqMd19Dap9ktmB9aNpoOEeSrZpvNO5jUWAsBWYVqO4p0VmQ7XCR1Wx5mq_s_cDUOa2exMDD9friuNV41rDr0c75yZoa0/s1600/brave5.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Ok, fine! Last thing I'll say about the movie's plot, and hopefully you'll get what I'm saying. The movie shares less to do with <i>The Little Mermaid</i> and more to do with <i>Freaky Friday</i>. That's right, the live action teen comedy where the mother and daughter switch bodies and come to better understand each other through this magical happenstance. The focus in <i>Brave</i> is clearly the relationship between daughter and mother. And honestly, that's not a bad idea, and I like having the focus on two female leads for a change, but they just don't make it terribly exciting. Hell, one of the major climaxes of the film is Merida giving a speech while her mother watches on. What doesn't help the matter </span><span style="background-color: white;">is the fact that we don't really have a true villain in this film. Most of the conflict arises from a series of character's misunderstandings, which doesn't do the best job of ramping up the drama. True, there is an antagonistic element in the feared "demon bear" Mordu (who is skillfully designed to be a wonderfully terrifying beast,) but he's much more of a force of nature then a true villain for our mother/daughter duo, and in that respect only poses a physical challenge rather then providing a true conflict for our characters to overcome. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEt_hYMD3UL7rCjWEaoiKI8bi1vgom90IrnyTQb0GcfP5GLlkzsNOZoLFB59UyR9Gjx5dA3gjOgGdibOGBJhn9jfzJSs-WvztB_Au3hbLn6wJ3UiyuTYzhTmtNj-jDHIitB86o2cCxjA/s1600/brave-wallpaper-merida.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEt_hYMD3UL7rCjWEaoiKI8bi1vgom90IrnyTQb0GcfP5GLlkzsNOZoLFB59UyR9Gjx5dA3gjOgGdibOGBJhn9jfzJSs-WvztB_Au3hbLn6wJ3UiyuTYzhTmtNj-jDHIitB86o2cCxjA/s400/brave-wallpaper-merida.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badass archery. It's so in right now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing I said once I got out of the theatre seeing <i>Brave</i> was "that was different," and it really is, but not really in a positive way. There are elements from Disney films, and tropes from Pixar's past, but they both come together to make a film that doesn't feel like either studio's work. It's a weird Frankenstein of a film that doesn't hit the highs it was aiming for, but it's still a commendable effort. And honestly, if it wasn't for the amazing execution that comes with a Pixar movie in terms of acting, animation, and visual fidelity, this could have been easily a straight up bad movie. But lucky for us, it's not. It's just good. And that's alright. Maybe it's time to realize that the folks at Pixar aren't the invincible Gods we make them out to be, sitting on Mount Olympus manufacturing animated films into pure gold. We should face the fact that not every Pixar film will be gold. Some like <i>Brave</i> will be silver, and some will be "<i>Cars 2</i>" bronze (especially with the prequel, <i>Monster University</i>, coming up as their next feature. Honestly, one can only get so excited over the prospect of a prequel.) Maybe then we won't be so disappointed when a just plain ol' good movie like <i>Brave</i> comes out. Either way, Brave, while not what is expected, could have been much worse in less capable hands, and still rightfully deserves paying a trip to visit the highlands and these wonderfully enduring characters.<br />
<br />
3.5/5<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-76988301756377708142012-05-20T14:04:00.000-07:002012-05-20T14:05:52.341-07:00Tron: Uprising (First Impressions)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq06NkTCy_6t6hAikuai9ARFVRJPCE7Zxld3hfrME85EwIcGzeqSbt8_4AH_zrOns7rZKz_Rjdv5KRGlhsoVBIZADURmMVCc2KrMPnB1coDp5k91D4LtOxcqP5T6574xxvISmOnLhTLnw/s1600/tron-uprising-trailer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq06NkTCy_6t6hAikuai9ARFVRJPCE7Zxld3hfrME85EwIcGzeqSbt8_4AH_zrOns7rZKz_Rjdv5KRGlhsoVBIZADURmMVCc2KrMPnB1coDp5k91D4LtOxcqP5T6574xxvISmOnLhTLnw/s1600/tron-uprising-trailer.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome back to The Grid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ahhh, <i>Tron</i>! Is there anything quite as geeky as <i>Tron</i>? Well...ok maybe <i>ReBoot</i>, but apart from that, the 1982 film <i>Tron</i> is perhaps the pinnacle of geeky genre movies. There's lots of reasons for this. It was a great pioneer for computer graphics. It's a complex metaphor set in a personified version of a computer's mainframe. It makes reference to primitive arcade games, yet makes them cyberpunk and badass. But probably the reason most nerds connect with the franchise, and indeed why I seem to enjoy it as well, is because even though it's a property owned by perhaps the most powerful company in the world (no, not Apple, I'm talking about Disney) it still feels very much like the underdog franchise. It was panned by critics and sold bellow what was expected, but we don't care! We still like it, and no one can tell us otherwise. There's this beer from Nova Scotia called Alexander Keith's whose slogan is "those who like it, like it a lot." And that's <i>Tron</i> in a nutshell. It's a cult film in every sense of the word. And yet somehow, someway, one of those cult members worked their way up the ladder at Disney and proclaimed, "hey you guys! Remember <i>Tron</i>? Yeah, <i>Tron</i>! Let's do another one of those!" And boom! In 2010 we finally got a sequel in the form of <i>Tron Legacy</i>...and of course it got panned by critics and sold bellow expected. Whoops! C'est la vie! Ah whatever, I liked that one too. And apparently so did enough people because it must have sold at least enough tickets to spawn an animated series. Yes, the metaphorical light-cycle keeps on cyclin' as we have more <i>Tron</i> goodies from the house of mouse in the form of a 10 part miniseries, <i>Tron: Uprising</i>. Could this franchise finally be getting the love and attention it deserves? Is this a sign of good things to happen on The Grid? ...like hell would I know! I don't work at Disney. But they are throwing us niche <i>Tron</i> fans a bone here, so the least we can do is watch the series and be grateful there's any new <i>Tron</i> at all. So I watched the first episode and hoped for the best.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXCXdt-GCO5jUFDtZSF-Y8appqFRkpqfTi4D2bUUpUbZZkw9LSGtdi8rIMJa2bmwYCrlZg1oYuLyMVWzuCJa6TbfIqYdAr3n32X2DFWBZZFYutZgcqYznpCv2lthlymKecuLbDGxYanA/s1600/TRON-Uprising-Concept-Art-Beck-Attitude-Sheet-550x356.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXCXdt-GCO5jUFDtZSF-Y8appqFRkpqfTi4D2bUUpUbZZkw9LSGtdi8rIMJa2bmwYCrlZg1oYuLyMVWzuCJa6TbfIqYdAr3n32X2DFWBZZFYutZgcqYznpCv2lthlymKecuLbDGxYanA/s320/TRON-Uprising-Concept-Art-Beck-Attitude-Sheet-550x356.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very cool design work here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing I need to point out about <i>Tron: Uprising</i> is how it looks, which is amazing. The world of <i>Tron</i> has always been, and will always be, it's own distinctive style and <i>Uprising</i> continues that tradition. The darkest of darks mixed with the whitest of whites with streaks of blue and red light is a simple, yet striking art style that you simply can't see anywhere else other than in the <i>Tron</i> universe. But aside from the general aesthetics that come with <i>Tron</i>, there's something unique of this series that deserves to be pointed out. Much like how the 1982 and 2010 were unique in it's styles, bringing about another level of graphic fidelity for live action film, I feel that's what <i>Tron: Uprising</i> is doing in the world of televised animation. While the backgrounds (and the soundtrack for that matter) is definitely rooted more in 2010 film, the design of the characters are something you don't see in the standard animated series. Designed by <a href="http://www.robertvalley.com/" target="_blank">Robert Valley</a>, the characters all have a distinct face, most being very tall and slender with sharp shadows. Immediately it stands apart from every other action show on TV. The whole package together is so striking and unique. The closest thing I can compare it to is <i>Aeon Fluxx</i>, and even that isn't totally accurate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoq4G8VVxt_mbawESY5hQamJ-2dJ5t4GhiFIFHc0jhCXfI1f2ARpmTjnSqnExIL5XY7ufkLpm0lEkdfWk3fyiTV5TnasFoT82QaAFj_Xw_-KEL1bqre8efL1EoS2wJtcq_Uwtt9AZe2E/s1600/tron-uprising-sshot2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoq4G8VVxt_mbawESY5hQamJ-2dJ5t4GhiFIFHc0jhCXfI1f2ARpmTjnSqnExIL5XY7ufkLpm0lEkdfWk3fyiTV5TnasFoT82QaAFj_Xw_-KEL1bqre8efL1EoS2wJtcq_Uwtt9AZe2E/s400/tron-uprising-sshot2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick! While it's still, soak up that design folks! Soak it up!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How the show is animated is a bit of a anomaly as well. I read in an interview that this series is a mix of 2D and 3D animation. What was animated with what, I could only make an educated guess (pretty sure the faces are 2D while the bodies and vehicles are 3D) but what's important is, again, it's a style I haven't seen before. Does it work as well as the design? ...eeeh....kinda. In big action scenes, things look amazing. The fights and the chases all look smooth and the style really gets to shine. And also when things are perfectly still you can really soak up the design (I mean, just look at these screen shots!) But where things begin to break down is in the subtel acting. You know, dialog heavy scenes with very little movement. For some reason when the characters have to act in these scenes they seem a bit clunky, or stiff, or they move not quite right. It didn't totally pull me out of the experience, but it is something worth mentioning, and maybe it's something that will improve as the series progresses.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPRjCZIdFR_D-8XYiouJ0rg4YTuuwuaMK-mxrap1QuLdwPeURTG7SNtU_c70KZRxEXSeD_H6mTR3hvugxXK9Izqwsk6tA4tPVOXhLGMadG0ITGkTk1cUvbWxaMtCuCvWw_mh524IqCos/s1600/tron-uprising-image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPRjCZIdFR_D-8XYiouJ0rg4YTuuwuaMK-mxrap1QuLdwPeURTG7SNtU_c70KZRxEXSeD_H6mTR3hvugxXK9Izqwsk6tA4tPVOXhLGMadG0ITGkTk1cUvbWxaMtCuCvWw_mh524IqCos/s400/tron-uprising-image2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah. Dat <i>Tron</i>...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But everyone already knew that <i>Tron</i> looks awesome, that was never the issue. What the critics did bash it for was its focus of flash over substance. In other words, it looks pretty but the plot sucks. While I don't think the films deserved quite the criticism they got (I thought <i>Legacy</i> wasn't a perfect film, but I did enjoy the plot more than most reviewers did) I do somewhat see their point. Does <i>Uprising</i> continue this tradition as well? Well, with only part one out of ten released so far it's hard to say for sure. The miniseries will take place between <i>Tron</i> and <i>Tron Legacy</i>. As shown in the pilot, <i>Beck's Beginning</i>, it will follow a young mechanic program named Beck (played by Elijah Wood) who has taken it upon himself to disguise himself as the fallen hero Tron and start a rebellion against the dictatorial forces of Clu (<i>Tron Legacy</i>'s antagonist) under the command of General Tesler (a new antagonist for the series) as they attempt to control all of The Grid. So far it looks like a basic hero's journey of a young dude fighting back against an evil force, gets trained by an old vet and eventually realizes his potential. Knowing what the status quo will be, since I've seen <i>Tron Legacy</i>, I feel like not much will come as a surprise to me in the forthcoming episodes, but who knows! Maybe there'll be a couple of twists coming up that I won't see coming. All in due time, I suppose. But if you're a <i>Tron</i> fan, you'll have lots to love here. Having the main character be a mechanic is a perfect way to showcase all these wicked light-based vehicles, and even the original actor of Tron, Bruce Boxleitner, makes a return to the character.<br />
<br />
What I love is the seriousness and dryness in which the plot is delivered. It's taking itself very seriously, and while there's nothing unsafe for children to watch, the tone of the show is much more mature then the standard animated action show you'd see on TV today. Which, if you ask me, is a wonderful jump forward in terms of western mainstream animated content. It's one step closer to having animated shows be seen as more then just kid's stuff, which is definitely commendable.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHGTiAO-jGMapiyF3FZxCBL3pJkCBKp7zMzLa7t7A2ZroKgsQ49ZEOpbPSKHZoGwHL3fypNzhMjYf4WXNPDg4WJI0GW3tdGy3j3u5wK3ESjemb6BLWLX-lEHonyL2j-VXIIr20_GRjvI/s1600/127522_035_ful.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHGTiAO-jGMapiyF3FZxCBL3pJkCBKp7zMzLa7t7A2ZroKgsQ49ZEOpbPSKHZoGwHL3fypNzhMjYf4WXNPDg4WJI0GW3tdGy3j3u5wK3ESjemb6BLWLX-lEHonyL2j-VXIIr20_GRjvI/s400/127522_035_ful.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geometric shapes never looked so ominous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So the question remains, should I recommend this series to anyone? Well, I'm once again thinking of that beer slogan, "those who like it, like it a lot." If you liked the tone and the plot from the previous films, then I have a feeling you'll like this too. If you didn't....welll...at least you got a lot of pretty colours to look at, right? And if you've never seen anything to do with <i>Tron</i> before? I think <i>Uprising</i> is a pretty good jumping on point. At the end of the day, it really is something different and, in some ways, new. And when something is trying something new and interesting, the least you could do is keep an eye on it, because who knows! That might be the innovator for years to come. So good luck <i>Tron: Uprising</i>! I look forward to returning to The Grid and seeing where this will all lead.<br />
<br />
Recommended!<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-11295274285728240432012-05-19T19:53:00.000-07:002012-05-19T20:45:24.526-07:00The Pirates! Band of Misfits (A Review)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNTGDLpIyGuVQ01mSDElVYXMrcOewbDFjdqQIDLwbBhkfFM7Pdoz2PqGbZQRYbGv0NdrxPZhXyZiPt8qwX_iJRzpHfopFDsjzeeRDOPctb16PJlvSjfxutFXaagQhk1hyYr-yjwJ0s7c/s1600/the-pirates-band-of-misfits-crew_681_500_80_s.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNTGDLpIyGuVQ01mSDElVYXMrcOewbDFjdqQIDLwbBhkfFM7Pdoz2PqGbZQRYbGv0NdrxPZhXyZiPt8qwX_iJRzpHfopFDsjzeeRDOPctb16PJlvSjfxutFXaagQhk1hyYr-yjwJ0s7c/s400/the-pirates-band-of-misfits-crew_681_500_80_s.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup...they're pirates alright!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aardman Animations: where to begin? When you think of quality stop motion animation, you think of these fine British blokes. Their <i>Wallace & Gromit</i> series is a critical and commercial smash, and their fabulous film <i>Chicken Run</i> might possibly be one of my favorite movies of all time...so in that regard <i>The Pirates! Band of Misfits</i> (aside from also having an irritating exclamation point in the middle of it's title) has a lot to live up to. Does it reach that benchmark set by it's predecessors? Short answer, no. Long answer, no but only cause what came before it was really, really good. Longer answer: well just read the rest of the review, pal.<br />
<br />
The film follows a pirate captain cleverly named....er....The Pirate Captain (played by Hugh Grant) and his titular band of misfit pirates. The Pirate Captain, who's much too cheery to be a cut-through on the high seas, attempts to win the coveted pirate of the year competition after years and years of sucking at being a pirate. The twist here (and it really is a huge plot point that wasn't even hinted at in the trailers, so turn away now if'n ye care not for spoilers) is that they meet up with a young, lovesick Charles Darwin (surprisingly played by David Tennant, who I think should do more voice work in the future.) Darwin wants to use The Pirate Captain's pet dodo bird to win a fancy science competition and woo the pirate hating Queen Victoria (Imedla Staunton.) The plot sounds a little convoluted because...well...it is. But we'll get back to that in a bit.<br />
<br />
Right now let's start with the good: this film looks awesome. It's classic Aardman character design, with their classic insane amount of detail in each scene. The animation is charming and impressive, especially in a chase scene (something Aardman studios seem to excel at from past features) midway in the film that starts at the top of a mansion and ends up on the city streets and mostly takes place in a bathtub. That sequence alone is worth the price of admission if you ask me. It's not only very creative, but masterfully animated.<br />
<br />
However, noticeable modern shortcuts do rear their heads, both in animation and in music. There's a notable amount of added CG elements, mostly with water and other special effects which, as a stop motion purist, I cry foul. But what can you do? Aardman has successfully dipped their toe in the CG waters with fully CG flicks like <i>Flushed Away</i> and <i>Arthur Christmas</i>, so it's not like their CG division is going anywhere. And yes, animating this much spot-motion water would be really, really really, really hard/impossible. But you can't deny that even though it takes an insane amount of work compared to the compter generated route, practical effect will always be more interesting to watch and have more character then digitally added ones. Especially on a stop-motion feature like this where the GC doesn't quite match the clay art-style. But maybe I'm just being a little bit too curmudgeonly old fashioned, so I'll just move along from this issue.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t02gF23IQB4b4aMDFRsH_SsWcTVkWhdP72W4j5zhxEz-atOgjgt4X2LwCoEDqvMUKQEFoKlCaVIEGVUQCLLB4DCkdY1O-EtFRkRh51bgsQ3JJCPZgPUlrZLR-txPTmYYU33G6f8b3vo/s1600/pirates.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t02gF23IQB4b4aMDFRsH_SsWcTVkWhdP72W4j5zhxEz-atOgjgt4X2LwCoEDqvMUKQEFoKlCaVIEGVUQCLLB4DCkdY1O-EtFRkRh51bgsQ3JJCPZgPUlrZLR-txPTmYYU33G6f8b3vo/s400/pirates.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, water's pretty impossible to animate in stop-motion. You win this round movie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What personally irks me a bit more is this film's liberal use of modern music. It's one thing to have present day speech and current jokes in a period setting, but for some reason if there's more then one modern rock song in a movie that takes place in a classical setting it just pulls me out of the experience. And I'm sorry, just sticking in the Flight of the Conchords song "I'm Not Crying" during a sad montage might work if you didn't know the song existed beforehand, but if you do, it just feels a little lazy.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXk7jCqe7B9oQI95yeB0B0r4KG3Xu_9oCaEhN1kojG3GBBmZB1AHnH_8gOEFqagfWGw4tr8UA_l-Goa7qditXhhzT_TzjbhvPAM5L03-DpYlOb7Z9TF-x9-HbZ-cy3kI9Xy52rhTvzJs/s1600/Pirates-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXk7jCqe7B9oQI95yeB0B0r4KG3Xu_9oCaEhN1kojG3GBBmZB1AHnH_8gOEFqagfWGw4tr8UA_l-Goa7qditXhhzT_TzjbhvPAM5L03-DpYlOb7Z9TF-x9-HbZ-cy3kI9Xy52rhTvzJs/s400/Pirates-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Victoria Day Weekend here in Canada! Celebrate by killing a pirate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
None of these points are deal breakers for me though. I'm definitely picking at nits here, so let's dip right into the thick of this movie and talk about the characters. Hugh Grant: he's awesome. He steals the show as The Pirate Captain, bringing a loveable, ridiculous buffoonery to our central protagonist. That's both good and bad. On the good we have this awesome and loveable character fully ready for hilarity and goofy pirate gags, and on the bad he totally outshines any and all other characters in the film. The only other characters that can hope to compete is the over the top madness of Queen Victoria with her inexplicable rage-filled pirate prejudice, and possibly Charles Darwin's monkey butler (who happens to have some of the best gags of the film.) Darwin himself is decent and serves the plot well, so there's really not much to complain about there. What I do have to complain about is every other side character. The other pirates competing for pirate of the year? Bland and forgettable. One gag ponies who serve as obstacles with faces for our main protagonist. The Pirate Captain's crew? Bland and forgettable. While they all have their own visual quirks (a guy with gout, an albino, and my personal favorite, a woman in a fake beard) none of them really have any stand out personality defining character moments except for The Pirate Captain's second in command (played by Martin Freeman) with his bromance with the captain. Other then that, the titular band of misfits didn't really do anything interesting or impacting...at all.<br />
<br />
Speaking of not interesting, let's talk about their pet dodo bird. Sweet Jimmy Crickets, this bird was dull, and that's kind of a big problem. Actually, this unlikely character is the perfect example of this movie's shortcomings. Let's for a moment compare the bird from <i>Pirates! Band of Misfits</i> (named Polly, by the way) to Kevin, the bird from Pixar's <i>Up</i>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt495vNqPYfgGwqeeqkCoh-wiJYmn5A4xhtWJNIh-dDi9KHa4EdphemMeJTSEq_Viz2XocBXwhHyD-0lpVXPW7YK_jEelWNWHpqxomsPXqQoLa9a3V8hnSTwC4322Odk48Mn00f5L-7A/s1600/PiratesBandOfMisfits_jpg_627x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt495vNqPYfgGwqeeqkCoh-wiJYmn5A4xhtWJNIh-dDi9KHa4EdphemMeJTSEq_Viz2XocBXwhHyD-0lpVXPW7YK_jEelWNWHpqxomsPXqQoLa9a3V8hnSTwC4322Odk48Mn00f5L-7A/s400/PiratesBandOfMisfits_jpg_627x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fight of the feathered MacGuffins!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Both are flightless birds who serves as the main MacGuffin that both the bad guys and the good guys want to get their grubby little paws on. The deference is I cared about the outcome of Kevin when I didn't give two shits about Polly. Why? Because the acting with Kevin was so likeable. She was a character with her own personality and we, as an audience, fell in love with Kevin just as the characters did. On the other hand, we're told that Polly is the beloved mascot of the pirate ship and they all adore her. But being told we're supposed to love someone isn't enough to rouse an emotional response. Polly shows no real character, no real motivations, and is really just a dumb clueless bird. Which could be funny if it was played up or if most of the plot didn't revolve around her. But they didn't play it up, and the plot does revolve around her. When Polly is in peril, I really just don't care about her. And there in lies the major problem I have with the plot.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGkDZ2JqVeinO_9X3E_a8_hGWamjALsxPYJo_GloAA0pdzCpVO5x-sLyrkaaRvI8p9wofxmWASt-CrA7HKHyo3trJifaa-DaSxNLFqLPF6Gzke61a82za9kDXe781Eop7JCjULXqkBvo/s1600/Band-of-Misfits-A-jolly-roger-good-time-3G1CHUH2-x-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGkDZ2JqVeinO_9X3E_a8_hGWamjALsxPYJo_GloAA0pdzCpVO5x-sLyrkaaRvI8p9wofxmWASt-CrA7HKHyo3trJifaa-DaSxNLFqLPF6Gzke61a82za9kDXe781Eop7JCjULXqkBvo/s400/Band-of-Misfits-A-jolly-roger-good-time-3G1CHUH2-x-large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A band of misfits they are! But don't get attached, the movie's not about them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the plot goes on, we're rushed from one location to another and the main goals of the characters also change quite frequently from scene to scene. It all gets a little unfocused. Thematically, we're supposed to remember the overarching goal of The Pirate Captain winning the pirate of the year competition is what's driving all this action, but sadly the goal of keeping the Pirate Captain's ego afloat doesn't make much of an intriguing investment for an audience member. So emotionally we're supposed to remember deep down it's the Pirate Captain's connection with his beloved crew that is the important motivation for driving the action, but that also is hard when his crew (including the dull dodo) hasn't really made any connection to us, the audience. As a result, by the time we reach the story's climax there doesn't seem like there's very much as stake, which is the last thing you want to be thinking during the third act of one's movie.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, I hate to harp on this movie. And despite my ramblings, it may surprise you that I did enjoy this film quite a bit. There were so many good jokes (and good clean jokes at that, which is so much harder to write,) the visual humour was spot on, and the gags all hit their targets. I just feel with a little more heart and soul between the characters (especially from the captain's crew, and not just his bland second in command) this movie could have been up there with <i>Wallace & Gromit</i> levels of awesomeness.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchk7DCrWPHYQ65PQ1IMetzFRLLXKnQG5PYLaLJJRBH5ix4jxK5m-Vix2LAltg_HE2YF8r0itijiaNJInmfbVKO4uEMRli-wDcCCojAP4mNXZ2UInLR_p0t-ic9zWNQxxVr9ceJnwfC-8/s1600/the-pirates-band-of-misfits-468.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchk7DCrWPHYQ65PQ1IMetzFRLLXKnQG5PYLaLJJRBH5ix4jxK5m-Vix2LAltg_HE2YF8r0itijiaNJInmfbVKO4uEMRli-wDcCCojAP4mNXZ2UInLR_p0t-ic9zWNQxxVr9ceJnwfC-8/s400/the-pirates-band-of-misfits-468.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh Grant as The Pirate Captain: hopefully we'll see him again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>The Pirates! Band of Misfits</i> is a misleading title, as it deals very little with the titular band of misfits. In fact, in the UK the title is <i>The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists</i>, and while that title is certainly odder (are arguably less marketable) than the US version, it does more accurately convey what we're going to see on the big screen. Actually, in a weird way this movie kind of feels like a sequel to a hypothetical better movie. There's so many characters that they don't spend time developing, other characters the movie assumes we already are invested in, and there's numerous mentions of bigger (possibly better) adventures this crew has been on. Aardman has gone on record staying they would like to continue this series, which would explain the odd placement of punctuation in the film's title. And frankly, I would kind of like a sequel! It would give us an even better chance to get acquainted with these characters who, I felt, didn't quite live up to their potential the first time. I think these characters would benefit even more from the episodical nature of a TV show more, but hay! Stop-motion takes a while, and a TV show would probably work their animators to death (or at least work them until their social lives were ruined.) So I say huzzah to this film! She may not be perfect, or be as memorable as her older stop-motion siblings, but this little misfit is still good enough to see with your family for a round of hardy laughs.<br />
<br />
3/5<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-52441304939966443562012-04-19T15:26:00.001-07:002012-04-20T09:20:48.335-07:00The Legend of Korra (First Impressions)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdBZGFwgAh3ziyV5J12yWQlmSfSz6eShbvm91bfMDE1lZObLSLUU0lHuxP6QNCUKEmIfm3wv3MLrCryuoab5ejR-TeK7jVA_bUApUtSHQweNV0Fe5nHMnXp6yWzeHbOTNlkikzpqzAps/s1600/legend-of-korra-teaser-df32.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdBZGFwgAh3ziyV5J12yWQlmSfSz6eShbvm91bfMDE1lZObLSLUU0lHuxP6QNCUKEmIfm3wv3MLrCryuoab5ejR-TeK7jVA_bUApUtSHQweNV0Fe5nHMnXp6yWzeHbOTNlkikzpqzAps/s320/legend-of-korra-teaser-df32.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The legend continues...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have to admit, once upon a time I totally dismissed <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i> before I even watched a whole episode. But really, can you blame me? An American cartoon borrowing crazy heavily from anime during a point when crappy faux anime was clogging up Saturday mornings may have caused me to already have doubts. Then you tell me it was done by Nickelodeon, a cartoon company best known for jokes involving slime, goo, or some other gross-out humour, and you may get why my expectations were so low for this show. So you can imagine how my expectations were thoroughly dashed once my friend actually forced me to watch the first couple episodes. Quite simply, I fell in love. The adventures of Avatar Aang and his quest to learn all the elements to defeat an evil dictator was epic, fun and skillfully crafted to create many memorable characters and moments. The animation, the voice work, the music, the backgrounds, the humour, the choreography: all of the elements came together (pun intended) to make one of the biggest breaths of fresh air in a long time for action cartoons. And one of the best things about the series? It ended. Unlike many other western cartoons (and western television in general, actually) it didn't continue until it was unprofitable and stale. There was a set beginning, middle and end, and it all was so skillfully planned and paced. But of course since the show got so popular, Nickelodeon couldn't let go of such a hot property. So how in the world do you follow such a great show?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...with a horrible live-action movie by M. Night Shyamalan, of course!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h9g_XO3Em9d6D9RHrqE7OEBuEWArpfOVx_H4LX9sAZU8APW3-DXAS7Kr8FQSIfEMg4dlVpyQg_rS4bcjE4QOeq9lRTaAo9jELIwg5ekisVfp5FEGVwq6WhmjqvhXycVClc6vdaStuw8/s1600/123260_m-night-shyamalan-talks-the-last-airbender.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h9g_XO3Em9d6D9RHrqE7OEBuEWArpfOVx_H4LX9sAZU8APW3-DXAS7Kr8FQSIfEMg4dlVpyQg_rS4bcjE4QOeq9lRTaAo9jELIwg5ekisVfp5FEGVwq6WhmjqvhXycVClc6vdaStuw8/s320/123260_m-night-shyamalan-talks-the-last-airbender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curse you Shyamalamadingdong!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But ignoring that mess (and I believe that's just what <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i> creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko did) it was only a matter of time before we revisited this amazing world. And luckily that's just what we get in this sequel series, <i>The Legend of Korra</i> (now dropping the "<i>Avatar</i>" title. Thanks for nothing, James Cameron.) Taking place 70 years after the original show, <i>The Legend of Korra</i> feels like a wonderful jumping on point for newcomers, but for veteran fans of the show it feels just like like coming home to family. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cpNXGg5tgCyMrl5dW12fexFnNvnzP7FxISXSVr7H3x-pf9-5Rkn2pELBehgxjKM-o31NkB3Q1SZsWVFytwFOUsygYzBlXB5_NjOT113nY457xmcnrMbxhBOjVTmCZEuTNTgFGIpTfks/s1600/legend_of_korra_first_look.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cpNXGg5tgCyMrl5dW12fexFnNvnzP7FxISXSVr7H3x-pf9-5Rkn2pELBehgxjKM-o31NkB3Q1SZsWVFytwFOUsygYzBlXB5_NjOT113nY457xmcnrMbxhBOjVTmCZEuTNTgFGIpTfks/s320/legend_of_korra_first_look.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korra: Badass in training</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thus far I've only seen the first two episodes: Welcome to Republic City and A Leif in the Wind. What I've noticed most about these two episodes is that it does something all good sequels should do; it should seem familiar, yet different. And familiarity shouldn't be limited to characters and setting, but in theme and tone as well. While there are many references to old character and plot points for fans, the series wisely chose to focus on the new characters such as Korra and the airbender Tenzin (Aang's son, who now has a quirky, energetic and ever growing family.) Actually, so far only one character from the original show is even present. And honestly, that's all that's needed because these new characters are so likeable and have so many ties with the old cast of characters (both actually and thematically) that they are instantly a cast I'm invested in.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cCa8jSmkM-LBP0YHwTB60EUsCxDdtofzHrchDszUZatYRjTvG_t_D-UMrkG6hJE1ucuy6Lls9ZXiDX5ejAS5IaSyAVxz7F6Htp4F0jBi7wxa3tY1mmK3PTGFdwTwWW2dtHu_rQPHJEM/s1600/legend-of-korra-launch-pro-bending-clip.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cCa8jSmkM-LBP0YHwTB60EUsCxDdtofzHrchDszUZatYRjTvG_t_D-UMrkG6hJE1ucuy6Lls9ZXiDX5ejAS5IaSyAVxz7F6Htp4F0jBi7wxa3tY1mmK3PTGFdwTwWW2dtHu_rQPHJEM/s320/legend-of-korra-launch-pro-bending-clip.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro bending: another new addition to the world of Avatar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I'm mostly happy to say is that this series still has the same feel of the old series, just slightly older and more mature and also (mostly) taking place in a completely new setting. There's still excellent character moments, wonderfully choreographed fights and even some oddball slapstick humour, but it's not just a rehash of the same plot with different characters. While the original series had Avatar Aang traveling all over the globe, the issues that Korra faces in this new series are much more centralized on one big city. Instead of fighting wars against nations, Korra has to fight crime and corruption. It's something new that the series hasn't tackled, and I can only imagine how things will progress. Even some of the world's style has evolved with the flow of time between shows. Having an apparent industrial revolution talking place in the past 70 years brings about a slew of new stylistic choices to the show such as having technology like radios and cars. Again, familiar because it's in the same world we know and love, but different with the progression of the world's technology.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
The start of this series, in my opinion, couldn't have gone better artistically. Much like the show's tone, the art direction has only grown and matured over time, bringing to this series an even greater amount of detail in the art and animation. Quality voice actors have been thoughtfully brought in and casted (something I can't say for every Nickelodeon production.) And the music is still top notch, even having some sort of "Chinese jazz" being played in some of the city's segments. Very cool stuff indeed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ij0RSEoEkrga1s7RXT1FPCe45GguFwaEvM-7uad085etvatLmUVd1ooOZyYV1_yLzgtouXARufOpgnXcIhPIVmQPWD7YsnRHSreZnFwMxQCuCw6A6MTuHJr-LYgAcim1c-ZdmRK2fEc/s1600/Avatar_Legend_of_Korra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ij0RSEoEkrga1s7RXT1FPCe45GguFwaEvM-7uad085etvatLmUVd1ooOZyYV1_yLzgtouXARufOpgnXcIhPIVmQPWD7YsnRHSreZnFwMxQCuCw6A6MTuHJr-LYgAcim1c-ZdmRK2fEc/s400/Avatar_Legend_of_Korra.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H'oh yeah. This is one good lookin' show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, these two episodes left me wanting more and thinking about what's to come, which is exactly what good episodic storytelling should do. If you're an <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i> fan, I don't need to tell you to watch this. Heck, chances are you already have. But if you're new to the series, or in need of some refreshing and creative action/adventure animation, you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a show better than this one. It's a great jumping on point for new watchers, and hopefully it'll hook them enough to also go back and watch the wonder that is the original series as well. Welcome back <i>Avatar</i>! I greatly look forward to the adventures to come!<br />
<br />
Highly recommended!<br />
<br />
- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-22890298441200483692012-04-03T12:12:00.002-07:002012-04-03T12:33:32.542-07:00The Lorax (A Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhB4i0r4Re-nPMvG663_8wJA086ofb4vyEjWmlCJbaNHz_UdvWBpg3qVS4sI-ZGzir2YtqIlKfEuG7H-18SE9mh3BcCoOSowpmqMozLLiotiqyDM5hm8-gUr-p1lE9dRXjWrNBXSQXIg/s1600/Lorax.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhB4i0r4Re-nPMvG663_8wJA086ofb4vyEjWmlCJbaNHz_UdvWBpg3qVS4sI-ZGzir2YtqIlKfEuG7H-18SE9mh3BcCoOSowpmqMozLLiotiqyDM5hm8-gUr-p1lE9dRXjWrNBXSQXIg/s320/Lorax.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A feature of <i>The Lorax</i>, finally at last!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They're adapting a favorit book from my past!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To say I'm a fan of Seuss would be true,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm a master of fish counting, of both red and blue</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(If you got that reference, you're a Seuss fan too!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I saw the flick, and it was a bad show</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But to my surprise, only I thought so.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I puzzled and puzzled till my puzzler was sore.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This movie, I saw, was a total bore.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They padded the feature, yet shortened the best part!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And compared to the book, there was very little heart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The message was muddled, the songs were a pain.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So much pointless cuteness, it damaged my brain,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To the point where I thought that I turned insane!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yet, the audience liked it. This I cannot explain.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They liked the whole movie. They liked it a lot,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Despite the lame characters, and it's week plot,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They liked the villain, ripped straight from Captain Planet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They even liked the obnoxiously fat bear, goddamn it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Am I the only one who sees this as wrong?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Who's annoyed by the forcibly hip Once-ler song?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And also, The Lorax doesn't speak for the trees,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But trips to your iHop in new SUVs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This movie was bad, but what to do now?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I must stop more tickets from selling...but how?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have some issues with this film, it's true,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So allow me to rant in the following review</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So much like the movie, I'll drop the rhyming scheme,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To better explain and show you what I mean...</span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ41r8fPMhXEwp_dD6vjjnvodZ0IQTh79FCZs7gwoF9DNCiJWQK2ezUoQpGjzP66BwHrnL86tHnD8lX-Ije9nPgqxAsgJquvD_tUCzS8ZD1AirV75jg5Oq937Jk-t-dsBIpby_H0aotb4/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ41r8fPMhXEwp_dD6vjjnvodZ0IQTh79FCZs7gwoF9DNCiJWQK2ezUoQpGjzP66BwHrnL86tHnD8lX-Ije9nPgqxAsgJquvD_tUCzS8ZD1AirV75jg5Oq937Jk-t-dsBIpby_H0aotb4/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaks for the trees, and new SUVs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>First of all, I'm not going to go into great length about the horrifically hypocritical marketing they've tied in with this film. Yes, ads have the Lorax, the spokes creature of all things environmental, advertising disposable diapers and SUVs, but I won't go into detail about that here. Instead, I'm focusing this review on the quality of the movie itself. But let me just say that if this movie does indeed speak for the trees, then they definitely need to hire a new translator.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7MvobpIGENexc5jaz6b8_WBoJpvcXnCU-1zAJnbP5oaT9O1xXrTtvHu9CQQxyidnxc7kaStgBqSHxz5oi7r7PXTW9DLqZdrshHRCHZWZ7HcF26Sd3lQYP2mqzELlmExs7weNc04rowg/s1600/200px-The_Lorax.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7MvobpIGENexc5jaz6b8_WBoJpvcXnCU-1zAJnbP5oaT9O1xXrTtvHu9CQQxyidnxc7kaStgBqSHxz5oi7r7PXTW9DLqZdrshHRCHZWZ7HcF26Sd3lQYP2mqzELlmExs7weNc04rowg/s400/200px-The_Lorax.jpeg" width="290" /></a>Now for those not in the know, The Lorax is one of Dr. Seuss' less popular books, mostly because the book deals with a rather loud pro-environmental message and it does end on a bit of a downer. With those two things combined one would think a movie adaptation of <i>The Lorax</i> would be a bit of a hard sell, but hey! This is Hollywood! They'll adapt anything, and honestly that's not always a bad thing. Hell, when Disney adapted an amusement park ride we ended up with one hell of a nice Pirates movie. But there is a right and a wrong way to adapt things, and sadly Seuss' properties have never really transitioned all that well to feature films, with movies ranging from piss poor (<i>Cat in the Hat</i>) to "meh" (<i>Horton Hears a Who</i>, which was adapted to the big screen by the same guy who wrote <i>The Lorax</i>'s script, Ken Daurio.) <i>The Lorax</i> isn't the worst Dr. Seuss adaptation out there, but sadly it does get a bit more wrong then it does right.<br />
<br />
One of the interesting aspects of the book is the fact that it's narrated by the story's antagonist, The Once-ler, to a blank slate of a young child, representing the reader. But since the movie needs to be lengthened to make it a respectable feature length, the obvious choice was not to expand on The Once-ler's story, but of the kid's side. So the kid is now given the name Ted (played by Zac Efron,) and his own conflicts outside of the original story. I have nothing wrong with this choice, making the actual "Lorax" story more of a story <i>within</i> a story. But as a result, the film creates a lot of really cool ideas with very little overall thought on how that changes the message and theme of the original.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nwfpkUPR1EPnXoQ51bgDKKiHqpu8XYV9k13Pi9fASMIqB_xIrt-X7llcxiLxTAy8dDrgnotsRBnJJUwZWdQoeeMbYWH9CRVE_I5ePBhGVutpB_yQ89geLPSDl2N6fg8SOu2W6l6mzgE/s1600/2011_the_lorax_wallpaper_008.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nwfpkUPR1EPnXoQ51bgDKKiHqpu8XYV9k13Pi9fASMIqB_xIrt-X7llcxiLxTAy8dDrgnotsRBnJJUwZWdQoeeMbYWH9CRVE_I5ePBhGVutpB_yQ89geLPSDl2N6fg8SOu2W6l6mzgE/s320/2011_the_lorax_wallpaper_008.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ted's town is designed well...maybe <i>too</i> well...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So about half of the movie is about young Ted, as he lives in his town of plastic and rubber, completely devoid of any actual plant life. And while it's cool to see the design of the town, and it is indeed a very cool design, I still have to ask "why should anyone care about trees?" Because honestly, this town looks bitchin' without real trees. Everyone seems to not only survive, but thrive without them in this town. The movie shows all the citizens having fun: downhill skiing, barbecuing, enjoying forgettable song and dance numbers (seriously, I'm having trouble remembering anything about the opening number.) The only downside is people in this town need to buy their fresh air "Spaceballs" style from a rich air tycoon named O'Hare (who of course is a villain who is laughably short, has a Napoleon complex, and whose major character trait is an unreasonably unquenchable greed. What? Were you expecting some sort of originality? Too bad!) And really, this air transaction is hardly viewed as a nuisance, and even further from being an actual problem. No one is having issues paying for air. There isn't an air shortage. So again, why should we care that this town has no trees?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh-N6n2fmSZO-JL3EN9ytYO0xpHKQfjI6DbpAJDMz4RBaVNnETuvzcmoqkHfMT0eofvJMxBAtuJkRSqkdRcakfmVyfPVtexORPv_-iwpPwFdY-qbiVhSLLvBFYHRf9F6ZWIl0ulUIoRY/s1600/the-lorax-audrey-taylor-swift.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh-N6n2fmSZO-JL3EN9ytYO0xpHKQfjI6DbpAJDMz4RBaVNnETuvzcmoqkHfMT0eofvJMxBAtuJkRSqkdRcakfmVyfPVtexORPv_-iwpPwFdY-qbiVhSLLvBFYHRf9F6ZWIl0ulUIoRY/s320/the-lorax-audrey-taylor-swift.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey baby! I'd like to plant my roots into you anyday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Because young Ted has the hots for his neighbour, that's why! And his neighbour Audrey (Taylor Swift) seems to have a thing for truffula trees. But not for any environmentally conscious reasons, God no! She just...likes them...cause they look nice...and pretty...and they look good in murals. Again, the reason for needing trees is mighty paper thin. But nevertheless, wanting to score some sort of PG-rated action from this clichéd "girl next door" crush, Ted goes off to look for any news on how to get a truffula tree. Which leads him to the wasteland out of town and the old Once-ler (played with surprisingly enjoyable "shut-in" quirkiness by Ed Helms) who begins to tell him the tragic story of him and the gardian of the trees, The Lorax. Which <b>finally</b> leads us to the events in the book...sort of...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>In the flash back, the Once-ler is somewhat changed as well. First of all giving him a face (guess it was too hard to leave him in the shadows for the whole movie,) then making him a "cool" guitar-slinging teen for the older demographic, then finally adding a one-demential overbaring mother. It mostly felt like filler to me, but then we actually got to the valley where the Once-ler first lays eyes on the tuffula trees and oh man! Speaking of filler, let's talk about the cute animals!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP_Uge8WoPRDbHa5yC4EZS-RqYo6nsGopMzZVihk1TDv-neVRL5ull6zKnO9P4zwFmDE3QgX5eXCyysR8X1oQ_ideHlCm03p6NphCTDYWnrTb3Ju8W2xrhlUhkvUewV_u8kYFkgriugQ/s1600/Lorax02_555px.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP_Uge8WoPRDbHa5yC4EZS-RqYo6nsGopMzZVihk1TDv-neVRL5ull6zKnO9P4zwFmDE3QgX5eXCyysR8X1oQ_ideHlCm03p6NphCTDYWnrTb3Ju8W2xrhlUhkvUewV_u8kYFkgriugQ/s400/Lorax02_555px.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fat bear eats more cuz he's fat! LOLOLOLOLOLO!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cuteness is a powerful tool. It can melt hearts, make you laugh, and create memorable moments. What I noticed most people mention when they say they've enjoyed this movie was "it was cute." And I won't deny the cuteness of the animals; I'm not made of stone. But there was no substance to the cuteness. It was cute for the sake of being cute, and that's it. I don't mind a little of that, but this movie, oh man, it was a cuteness overload to the point of being obnoxious. Every shot in the Once-ler's story had to have some sort of animal gag in it. Weather it be the cute squawking birds, the harmonizing fish, or the fat bear....ohhhh, how I loathed that fat bear. After two <i>Kung-Fu Panda</i> movies I thought animated features would be sick of fat jokes; how wrong I was. But maybe I should've seen this coming. This movie is done by the same folks that did <i>Despicable Me</i>: a movie (and upcoming sequel) whose whole advertising campaign consisted of frickin' adorable high-pitched yellow things being adorable. And did anyone else notice the fishes in <i>The Lorax</i> having the exact same squeaky voices as <i>Despicable Me</i>'s minons? Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
You may have noticed my review of <i>The Lorax</i> so far has been rather sparse on any mention of the actual Lorax (who was fittingly voiced by Danny DeVito.) That's because while the book mostly involved a constant back and forth debate between the eager corporate Once-ler and the nagging, tree-hugging Lorax, the movie mostly involves Lorax just bugging the Once-ler. Bugging, and pestering and trying an oddly cruel scheme to rid the Once-ler from the valley. Yet the Lorax never really gives him a solid reason for not chopping down the trees. He warns that cutting down trees is bad, and he should stop doing it, but doesn't give him reasons. That's what made the book compelling! The book didn't talk down at its kid-centered audience, or try to distract them with lame animal gags; it addressed the issues of deforestation in a straight forward and creative way, letting both sides have a back and forth discourse until the situation got out of hand. Most of the events of the book (the expanding of the Once-ler's shop and the individual goodbyes to all the wildlife) happens within the course of a 3 minute song (called "How Bad Can I Be? ...very subtle movie...) I guess instead of bringing up intelligent points about deforestation and the economy, we needed more forced visual gags with the cute forest critters. The whole result seems oddly paced: padded and stretched at the beginning and end, and then rushed in the middle to get most of the book's events over in 3 minutes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxI3GUd54kBw3SApfmf9XfF4NhgktpgSgg3xuycciLo8Ca2J3qy09FsqSFA5x1boQ1-ThjuZscNZDG6hACAcmwGjrtBON_WeNCV4Dibmb04lvlHJaZo6gVBhVX7MGzKdYhEdNu_Eo0ck/s1600/1330899659_lorax-movie_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxI3GUd54kBw3SApfmf9XfF4NhgktpgSgg3xuycciLo8Ca2J3qy09FsqSFA5x1boQ1-ThjuZscNZDG6hACAcmwGjrtBON_WeNCV4Dibmb04lvlHJaZo6gVBhVX7MGzKdYhEdNu_Eo0ck/s400/1330899659_lorax-movie_1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lorax: photoed here being mildly displeased.<br />
I know that feeling, bro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you think I'm being overly critical of this movie, it's probably because I know that there is a right way to adapt <i>The Lorax</i>. In fact, that version was already made in 1972. It was produced by<i> Looney Tunes </i>veteran Friz Freleng and Dr. Seuss himself, and as a result it just felt more...well..."Seussy." The cartoon kept a lot of elements that the 2012 version seemed to scoff at, such as fun rhyming schemes and Seuss' trademark nonsensical logic. For example, the only time I heard the Lorax call the bears "barbaloots" in the 2012 version was shamefully under his breath, almost as if it was a swear. And while there was some rhyming in the 2012 version, most every time they tried to fit in a rhyming scheme the "hip" characters would shrug it off, as if this juvenile nursery rhyme stuff was beneath them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23tFuDv3uAlLMpR4kr-oRz2nHB_LFPZvnu8lwYj8YCSy-keN0TwsruD9YZeEM5-OjzSm053bQeQX1VVnEACSd7BxEeLfAf1DqlykNKauo9aPoZpEUDeWql-OMSSCQCNPKtbMy3uXhdFk/s1600/5581_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23tFuDv3uAlLMpR4kr-oRz2nHB_LFPZvnu8lwYj8YCSy-keN0TwsruD9YZeEM5-OjzSm053bQeQX1VVnEACSd7BxEeLfAf1DqlykNKauo9aPoZpEUDeWql-OMSSCQCNPKtbMy3uXhdFk/s400/5581_3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1972 version: with 98% more rhymes and 20% more wah-wah guitars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The 1972 cartoon, however, embraced the elements that made Seuss great, and to top it all off it only ran under 30 minutes, and hell, even that felt stretched with songs and such (not stretched nearly to the extent of the 2012 version.) But at least the 1972 version was faithful, keeping all the major plot points that needed to be hit. Again, I have nothing wrong with lengthening the story, giving the Ted character and his plastic town its own arc and even ending the film with a more lighthearted note, but their execution of these ideas were sloppy. Much like the Once-ler getting caught up in expanding his business that he fails to consider the consequences, it felt like the writers were in such a rush to make this movie longer that they didn't stop to think about the pacing or more importantly the impact of the film's message.<br />
<br />
I hate to be such a downer on a movie that is actually trying to get a worthwhile message to children, and from what I'm understanding kids are getting some degree of environmental education from this film. But from where I stand, the message in this film feels neutered and only a fraction of what it could have been. Which is a shame, because when the film finally slows down from it's A.D.D. pacing and takes in a quite moment, the animation takes over for some very powerful scenes. Moments like when Ted first ventures out into the deforested wasteland, or the first and last truffula trees being chopped down. The film is great at wringing out every ounce of emotion in these parts. But those are only fleeting moments in an otherwise mucky film. This movie could have been a truly powerful force of nature, but instead it's just a very week, very soft reminder that trees are good because...well, because the film said so, that's why.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then I thought a thought I didn't think before,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe this movie sucks, because I know more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've seen the original and what it can do</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Making my view on this film all wonky and askew.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This film has made millions, what else can I say?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The people have spoken, they're willing to pay.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm fine with their choices, I'll speak what I please</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">About this week movie that "speaks for the trees."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what if the masses are in love with this flick,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm happy ranting and raving and being a dick.</span></div><br />
2/5<br />
<br />
- MooAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-61965105923705665382012-02-21T11:22:00.000-08:002012-02-21T11:24:15.793-08:00The Simpsons Reach 500!<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzrby3qk5b1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Despite my feelings for the show over the past years, you gotta give props to <em>The Simpsons</em> for making it to 500 episodes. Seriously, that’s an amazing achievement that almost dazzles the mind. How was the episode in question? …meh…but hell, they even had a preemptive message for that…</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzrc33rIGi1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Touchée <em>Simpsons</em>. So instead of the usual critizings I do, let me just say congrats to the yellow family. Like Troy McClure said, “who knows what adventures they’ll have between now and the time the show becomes unprofitable.”</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-46773296300517608632012-02-20T18:01:00.000-08:002012-02-20T18:26:41.904-08:00The Secret World of Arrietty (A Review)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Whimsical...I've really overused that word to describe Studio Ghibli films... but damn it! Seeing as how I've misplaced my thesaurus, I'll just go on and say it. </span><i style="line-height: 15px;">The Secret World of Arrietty</i><span style="line-height: 15px;"> is one frickin' whimsical piece 'o film!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazcy6n7xbUpLP0wGV38v-IG9VyYdjcWkl3rPbuT7scYKvq0nQTaEn5CpIQbfY_Z-ajP7FV7EeGe0wkGDizNW7Hx9pjfp9l7PEEpl39O3hH8vturucmAHXZsmWN-BjP0Lwc8Pg4GOOERs/s1600/The-Secret-World-Of-Arrietty.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazcy6n7xbUpLP0wGV38v-IG9VyYdjcWkl3rPbuT7scYKvq0nQTaEn5CpIQbfY_Z-ajP7FV7EeGe0wkGDizNW7Hx9pjfp9l7PEEpl39O3hH8vturucmAHXZsmWN-BjP0Lwc8Pg4GOOERs/s400/The-Secret-World-Of-Arrietty.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mere fact that I see posters for this movie fills me with joy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">I have so much to thank Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter for. Miyazaki for making such fantastical films, and Lasseter for bringing these gems to western audiences. </span><i style="line-height: 15px;">The Secret World of Arrietty</i><span style="line-height: 15px;"> is the latest film to pop up from Miyazaki and the hard working folks at Studio Ghibli, and it's everything you'd expect from a Studio Ghibli film in terms of quality. And with </span><i style="line-height: 15px;">Arrietty,</i><span style="line-height: 15px;"> Lasseter and Disney are making the biggest push yet for a theatrical release of a Ghibli film outside of Japan (1200 screens in the US alone.) From a producer's standpoint it might be seen as a bit of a gamble, not only because it's a foreign film, but also because it's a 2D animated film in a culture where currently CG toons reign supreme. But Disney has faith this film will do well with western audiences, and after seeing the film myself I would to. Simply put, it's up there with some of Studio Ghibli's best works yet, and that truly is saying something.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">First, just a quick note about dubs. I know this film isn't exactly new, having been released in 2010 in it's original </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Japanese</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">. I also know that some theatres had a choice between the Americanized dub or Japanese with subtitles. Now, normally with anime I'm a "subs b4 dubs" kind of guy, but with a limited release like this I only had the option for the dubbed version where I'm living, so that's the version I'm reviewing. That being said, Ghibli is known to put extra time and effort into quality dubbing, and the voices here (for the most part) weren't distracting and actually fit the characters quite well. Apparently there's also a dub featuring UK voice actors, and I'd be interested to see that version as well as the original Japanese in the future. Now, let's get on with the film!</span><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTf9PGkAenHNObkWOu978Rf_Eb3StQP_zHFqXY8EBE-IhB05qi7O3cCv-dwPQV3C_dBwajm51EIf_dH_5b5KxL41OJRjXh-vi_1AjuXP-E50uAL7uLLu_ccuxAuZMTAATN4tZEXJwJS0/s1600/the-secret-world-of-arrietty-20111028023404934.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTf9PGkAenHNObkWOu978Rf_Eb3StQP_zHFqXY8EBE-IhB05qi7O3cCv-dwPQV3C_dBwajm51EIf_dH_5b5KxL41OJRjXh-vi_1AjuXP-E50uAL7uLLu_ccuxAuZMTAATN4tZEXJwJS0/s400/the-secret-world-of-arrietty-20111028023404934.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture practically oozes whimsy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They really couldn't have picked a better source material to push to western audiences. The story is loosely based on the much loved book by Mary Norton, <i>The Borrowers</i>, about a race of miniature people who live in houses and take small things that human's won't notice missing in order to survive. It's a source material many western audiences would have already known growing up, and as luck would have it, it also happens to fit Ghibli's whimsical (there's that word again) style like a glove. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In just the couple of minutes we're introduced to our titular character, Arrietty, and she is chock full of the type of zest and charm that Ghibli is known for when portraying their heroines. Soon we meet her family: the worry-sick mother and stoic father. And again, I'm reminded of why Ghibli is just a master when is comes to characters, because I instantly love this miniature family. Ghibli knows how to combine a solid script with top notch character animation, making these characters really seem unique, quirky and special. And even though the cast is small (no pun intented) it goes on to give every character a moment to shine, like meddlesome caretaker Hara, her chubby cat, or the wild borrower, Spiller. Shawn, the human boy character was the only character who took me a bit of time to warm up to, but I think that's mainly due to the dubbing, making some of his earlier lines walk a line between charming and creepy. But hey! Without spoiling anything, it's hard not to feel for the guy by the time the end credits roll.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaIaJAiNUWrlIW63ri3r1d81jjAPb38dcDa-EpAd41M7Oy6w-IhKgxtS1va0xuyOmkqzb34N6khAGI47rSqYUVMEZkveaQtjTPxG8pRMah6CyMFEL4IziQGYHsdITh5kqJpkwgqbqkSU/s1600/arrietty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaIaJAiNUWrlIW63ri3r1d81jjAPb38dcDa-EpAd41M7Oy6w-IhKgxtS1va0xuyOmkqzb34N6khAGI47rSqYUVMEZkveaQtjTPxG8pRMah6CyMFEL4IziQGYHsdITh5kqJpkwgqbqkSU/s400/arrietty.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And everybody's jealous of Arrietty's whimsical room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tone of the film is any interesting one. It's not exactly an "action packed adventure" like Ghibli's <i>Spirited Away</i> or <i>Princess Mononoke</i>, nor is it the graceful, daydream-like pace of <i>My Neighbor Totoro</i>: it's somewhere in between the two. It's a good balance that I feel will appeal to a wide range of people, having quiet moments about loneliness and friendship balanced out with a fight for survival in epic miniature proportions. All of this is wrapped up in a beautiful package. The backgrounds look painstakingly beautiful (especially when seeing the grass and plants from the miniature size of a borrower.) The music is warm and lighthearted. It makes it hard not to get sucked into this tiny world.</span><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it's being shown where you are, I highly suggest checking this one out in theatres, not only to promote foreign animation, but to show Disney that there is still in fact a market for quality 2D works. This is a true gem for family films. The story is wonderfully heartwarming, and it's a welcome change of pace from the onslaught of American done animated features both in terms of tone and hand drawn beauty. Every element is a joy, and it all works together to make this a charming and magical little story. (That time the pun was intended.)</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.5/5</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Moo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-29036706683165781572012-02-13T22:28:00.000-08:002012-02-13T22:28:13.279-08:00Valentoons<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Love it or hate it, Valentines Day is here again! And what better thing to do with your loved one then to sit around Feb 14 and watch some heart warming animated goodies. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzcnvt78Yq1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I certainly can’t think of anything better to do. Other than going dancing, going out for a romantic walk, making a special home cooked dinner, or having seeeeee…conds of said delicious homecooked meal. Regardless, I love to love some lovely cartoons about love with my lovely lover. (Love.) So here I present some Cupid-approved cartoons for you and your hunnybun, smoochy-poo or snuggly bear to watch on this V-tines Day. No need to thank me.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>Pepé Le Pew</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzcnw7LYFB1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Here’s the thing. If it wasn’t for his natural stink, I think Pepé would actually be quite a catch. I mean he’s romantic, suave, dramatic, spontaneous, and persistant….well, ok, maybe a little too persistant. Yeah, leave it to Looney Tunes to make even sexual harassment hilarious. But seriously though, if you and your partner love to watch endless flirtations and unrequited love with hilarious results, you can’t go wrong with a dashing french skunk and a cat that has a knack for getting a white line painted on her in numerous creative fashions. And hey! It’s a good lesson for the guys too. Guys, it doesn’t matter how great of a man you are; never underestimate the powers of personal hygiene. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Great Pepé cartoons include <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbGIo01mgo4" target="_blank">A Scent of the Matterhorn</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja66EOPw3-E" target="_blank">Little Beau Pepé</a>.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>Lady and the Tramp</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzdatznMld1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">True, many golden-age Disney stuff has to do with love, or finding love, or being in love, but instead of heading straight to one of the many princess movies Disney has, I’m choosing <em>Lady and the Tramp</em> for the most romantic. That’s right. The one with the dogs and the spagetti. Why? Well, in my opinion, it’s the most complete love story. Many of the classic princess movies have the princess long for Prince Bland (honestly, they’re pretty interchangeable) and eventually they wind up together. But Lady and the Tramp? The whole movie is about their love! You see both sides meet, start off not liking each other, then overtime their love blossoming. It’s probably the most developed romantic relationship that ol’ Walt actually worked on. Plus, who doesn’t want to accidentally kiss their sweetheart while being serenaded by a glorious Italian stereotype? That’s romance, baby!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>Arnold’s Valentine</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzdcuxG4Px1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hey Arnold was one of those shows where the main character wasn’t the reason why you watched the show. I mean, sure, Arnold’s a nice kid, but the real draw was the character of Helga. She was interesting, and also what made the show memorable. Her whole shtick was she was infatuated with Arnold (sometimes to the point of being an obsessive stalker) but didn’t know how to deal with those emotions, so she ended up bullying him. Some of the more memorable episodes dealt with her emotional conundrums, but the first one to take it a bit more seriously was Arnold’s Valentine. In it, Helga got an extreem makeover to disguise herself as Arnold’s french penpal in a hope to express her true feelings for him, while at the same time Arnold has to split his night with the disguised Helga, and a date he set up with his elementary school crush. The result is both classic sit-com hilarity, as well as a strangely mature and poignent statement about love and crushes. Especially for a kid’s show in the 90s. And for Nickelodeon. If you haven’t seen it, or it’s been a while since you’ve seen it, I say check this one out. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>WALL-E</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzdd7n1ITF1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Robots in love. Let me repeat that: ROBOTS IN LOVE! It’s hard to think of a concept for a movie cuter than that. Also happening to be one of my favorite movies of all time for it’s script, sound design, animation, as well as simply having a feature length movie with hardly any dialogue, this film also get the nod for being one of the best animated love stories of all time. It’s still too young of a movie to say, but I really do hope the “define dancing” scene from this movie goes down in history as one of the most iconic scenes in animation. Do I really need to say anymore? If you have a heart, it will be melted by the time the credits roll on this one. See it with your significant other, then get ready for some extreem cuddling. Thank you, Pixar!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Happy V-tines, all!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-59958923449349502182012-01-29T22:05:00.000-08:002012-01-29T22:05:12.459-08:00Top 10 Animated Dragons<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sooo, I’m a little late on this one, but nevertheless: Happy Chinese New Year everyone!! 2012 marks the Year of the Dragon! Probably the coolest of all the Chinese zodiac signs (sorry pig and rat.) So what better way to ring in the new year for all my Chinese reader (you know who you are,) by counted down my list of the top 10 animated dragons!! </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lya6xsl17o1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(Honorary mention goes to Dragonite from <em>Pokémon</em>, photoed here being a total boss.)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>10) Elliot (<em>Pete’s Dragon</em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lya73eBV7s1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Honestly, I always found this movie pretty dull as a kid. It was slow, boring, and pretty sappy. But I watched it anyway. Why? Because there’s a sweet-ass animated dragon that only the main character can see! Plus, Elliot here’s animated by famed animator Don Bluth before his departure from Disney. That’s pretty frickin’ cool. And honestly, what kid wouldn’t want their own personal invisible cartoon dragon? Boring kids. That’s who. The kind whose favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla and who actually enjoy the plot of <em>Pete’s Dragon</em>. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>9) Puff <em>(Puff the Magic Dragon)</em></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lylgjpknDK1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Originally a hippy-dippy sing-along song, later turned into a hippy-dippy animated movie. He’s often confused with our number ten spot, Elliot, but I feel Puff gets the edge over him for two reasons. One: he has a bow tie, and that’s just plain classy. And two: pretty sure he’s high, which is funny. If he’s not, then his parents certainly were when they named him “Puff.” That would also explain why his hair kinda looks like pot. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>8) Mushu <em>(Mulan)</em></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lylh1aX4Bv1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The first actual Chinese dragon to hit this list, Mushu here’s kind of a mixed bag. He’s a dragon, yes, but he’s also puny. He did a pretty good job being the tokin comic relief in Disney’s <em>Mulan</em>. I mean, he’s pretty much just Eddie Murphy as a dragon. That’s pretty cool. But on the other hand…he’s just Eddie Murphy as a dragon…hrmm… Like I said, it’s a mixed bag. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>7) Dragon (<em>Shrek</em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lylhs3dcci1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The dragon creatively named “Dragon” was first used as a big second act set piece in the first <em>Shrek</em> movie, then later as a reoccurring character in a franchise that’s slightly overstaying its welcome. She deserves a spot on this list, not just for being kick-ass, but for also reppin’ lady dragons everywhere. Although the weird thing is Dragon gets “bizz-ay” with Eddie Murphy’s Donkey character, producing three little adorable dragon/donkey abominations. Man! Eddie Murphy must<em>really</em> like dragons…ehhh, it’s probably best not to think about it too much…</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>6) That Dragon From Beowulf (<em>Beowulf</em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lylhhbBKSO1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sometimes just being really, really, really, really badass is enough reason to make it on a list. This dragon acts as the final act in the 2007 mo-capathon film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film kinda falls into that category of looking soooo realistic at the time, but just kinda looks like standard stuff CG now (along with <em>Polar Express</em> and <em>Final Fantasy: Spirits Within</em>.) But what does hold up is this dragon and the epic fight old man Beowulf has with it. When you think about what a classic dragon should be, think of this sucker. He’s classic dragon all the way. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>5) Draco (<em>Dragonheart</em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyljzoe6cE1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Yes he’s old CG in a live action movie. Doesn’t matter. Wanna know why? It’s Sean Connery as a dragon… Let me repeat that again. It’s <em>Sean Connery</em> as a<em>dragon</em>. Nuff said.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>4) Toothless (<em>How to Train Your Dragon</em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyli4zW1v61r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Remember when I was talking about Elliot from <em>Pete’s Dragon</em>? And how cool it would be to have a personal dragon as your best bud? You know what would be cooler than that? A freakin’ kick-ass dragon who’s crazy fast, a powerful fighter, is feared by all, and let’s you ride him. And on top of that, when you feed him he acts like a kitty cat. Sign me up movie! I want to live in your world!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>3) Trogdor the Burninator (<em><a href="http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html" target="_blank">Homestar Runner</a></em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lylieaPCEh1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sometimes, you don’t need to look proportionally accurate to be awesome. Sometimes all you need is a S shaped body, consummate V’s, and a big beefy arm stickin’ out of the back of your neck to strike fear into the hearts of peasants and to have <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9wGImVGL0" target="_blank">kickin’ rock songs</a> about you. Trogdor’s popularity sky rocketed during the mid 2000s as one of the internet’s earlier inside jokes, getting so popular to have his own adventure game, and his song appearing in Guitar Hero II. Way to go, Burninator. Way to go. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>2) Smaug (<em>The Hobbit</em>)</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lylj5r9LgJ1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ohhhh, ho ho! We’re certainly getting in to the heavy hitters now. While we still have to wait until we get a glimpse of Peter Jackson’s version of this Tolkin terror, Smaug has already had his big screen debut in the 1977 Rankin/Bass animated film. True, this isn’t exactly how I pictured this big baddy, what with the Thundercat-like face and the headlight-like eye beams, but still! With his booming voice (by Richard Boone) and all the great hype the film gives to this character, it’s hard to deny how cool he is. This is a dragon you don’t want to mess with. Honestly, there’s only one dragon that I think could give ol’ Smaug a run for his money…</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>1) Shenron (<em>Dragon Ball</em>) </strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyljhuevLY1r1uay8.png" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">With all the fighting, powering up, grunting, yelling, and more powering up that the series is known for, it’s not uncommon to forget about the dragon that the titular balls are named for. Known as Shenron, the summoning of this dragon was the main MacGuffin of the original <em>Dragon Ball</em> series. And even while it was used more as a side element in <em>Dragon Ball Z</em> (really only being used as a means to get dead characters back into the show) you got to admit that even though the cast has summoned this guy time and time again, his presence was always a big deal. I mean, just look at the guy! Apart from being just so impossibly massive, this dragon also has the power to do…well…anything! He’s pretty much dragon God, and deserves to be number one atop this list. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I hope you all enjoyed this list. Happy Year of the Dragon, everyone!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-5049613231795694752012-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:002012-01-24T08:52:15.375-08:00Thoughts on The Oscars: 2012<div style="background-color: white; color: #6e7173; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybalgJsmY1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ok, just a quick thing on the Oscar noms for best animated feature in 2012. The nominations are <em>A Cat in Paris</em>, <em>Chico and Rita</em>, <em>Kung Fu Panda 2</em>, <em>Puss in Boots</em>, and <em>Rango</em>. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Here’s my thoughts. First of all, let’s touch on the movies that didn’t make it. I’m glad <em>Cars 2</em> didn’t slip on by this year, even with their previous Pixar cred. That movie was bad, and maybe it’ll be a nice wakeup call to Pixar. <em>Winnie the Pooh</em>is sadly missing, which is another blow to Disney continuing hard-drawn animation. That’s a bit of a shame; I wish it took the place of one of the Dreamworks movies. <em>Tintin</em> is probably the biggest surprise though, having it already won the Golden Globe for animation. While lots of the animation community is happy it’s not there, stating how motion capture isn’t true animation so it shouldn’t even be considered for the category, I still think it should have been up there (again, instead of one of the Dreamworks movies.) And either way, I think it just wasn’t nominated based on it’s merit as a film, and not because of the use of mo-cap. So anti mo-cap people: you can take this as a victory if you want, but at the end of the day I’m pretty sure Hollywood’s still going to qualify this as animation. So tough cookies.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m glad to see 2 indie flicks on there with <em>A Cat in Paris</em> and <em>Chico and Rita</em>. I’ll need to track those down as soon as I can. But at the end of the day, usually the mainstream still wins, so my money’s on the winner being <em>Rango</em>. It’s not a perfect film, but it was a great blend of something new with something old, and of course it looked amazing. We’ll see if I’m right come February. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(Also…”Man or Muppet” from <em>The Muppets</em> got nominated for best song…there is some good in the world…)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-2611103674132370232012-01-21T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-21T12:15:22.815-08:00Come on, ya Bone-heads…<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://movies.ign.com/articles/121/1216835p1.html" target="_blank">IGN reports</a> that a movie based on Jeff Smith’s cult classic comic series <em>Bone</em> is in the works, and now has someone on board to pen the script, so the project seems to be moving forward.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly5zmr5kQg1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">This isn’t the first time a <em>Bone</em> movie was attempted. Nickelodeon was in talks to do a movie in 2000, but creative differences between them and creator Jeff Smith ended the project before too long. (That and Nickelodeon wanted the characters to be voiced be child actors and feature pop songs of the time…no thank you, late 90s pop.) So now the movie rights have been passed to Warner Brothers, and it looks like things are going to go through this time. So with that said, Warner Brothers…please….PLEASE don’t screw this up.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-16128036611866174972012-01-20T12:45:00.000-08:002012-01-20T12:45:54.006-08:00A Tale As Old As Time…IN THREEE-DEEEEE!!! (A Rant about Beauty and the Beast in 3D)<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">This past week I was able to step inside a time capsule and revisit an old animated gem. And here’s my thoughts on seeing it again for the first time since the 90s, and my thoughts on Disney’s trend of 3D rereleases. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Originally released in 1991, <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> is probably one of Disney’s most prestigious animated films. It’s considered by many to be the crowning gem in Disney’s animation renaissance of the 90s, and for a long time held the honour of being the only animated film to be nominated for the best picture Oscar (until Pixar’s <em>Up</em> in 2010.) And now, after the success of <em>The Lion King</em>’s 3D efforts,<em>Beauty and the Beast</em> returns publicly to theatres after over two decades of its release. And it’s a good thing too, cause I actually haven’t seen the film since I was a kid!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxw9g14SoR1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I still loved watching it, but I was surprised. Perhaps it was the goggles of childhood nostalgia, but many of the reasons I loved the film now changed from the reasons I loved the film as a kid.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">So…what more is there really to say about this movie? It’s the same animated tale that was released years ago, after all. And chances are if you’re reading this you’re already familiar with the source material. So instead of actually “reviewing” said film, I felt like I should just mention some of my passing thoughts while enjoying this particular screening.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I suppose the first thing that came to my mind is “wow…this film feels old.” Not in that the story doesn’t hold up, but rather that you would never, ever see a new flick like this in theatres nowadays. Case in point: our leading lady. Belle, while being perhaps a bit more independent then previous Disney princesses, surprisingly still feels very much the easily frightened damsel of bygone years of Disney’s golden past. That’s something I didn’t remember noticing when I was a kid. Maybe it’s the fact that since Belle we’ve had princesses who are even more self reliant, such as the titular <em>Mulan</em> and Tiana from <em>The Princess and the Frog</em>. But rather than seeing the character as a big step forward for women characters in animation, like it was back then, looking backwards it’s surprising to see just how much she has in common from princesses of Disney’s golden era, like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. It’s not a bad thing, and I kind of like how it pays homage to the fairy tale princess archetype that Disney set before this, only making Belle a more proactive version of the archetype. Again, not bad, but just something that didn’t really cross my mind seeing this as a kid. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly45g6bbN11r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Speaking of things that I liked as a kid, let’s talk about the side characters, specifically Lumiere and Cogsworth. As a kid, I was crazy about these characters and my love for them probably went even so far as to cloud the whole movie with their presence. Their antics are still amusing, but now as an adult I’m able to appreciate other characters for their subtlety. The Beast’s emotional transition was much more interesting to me now. I was able to actually see Gaston’s transformation from a harmless (albeit, ignorant) brute to a full fledged, bloodthirsty villain. And suddenly, these side characters that completely populated the movie as a kid were put…well…to the side. And I guess that just speaks volumes to classic Disney and it’s ability to craft well rounded stories that both kids and adults can enjoy, but now I can see first hand that they don’t have to enjoy it for the same reasons. It’s something that seems like a no brainer now, but experiencing it first hand was noteworthy. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly45giZrug1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ok, enough on looking back. I’m ignoring the big three dimensional elephant in the room and the one thing different about this screening. So, does the 3D really add anything? Well, in <em>The Lion King</em>’s 3D outing, there actually were some moments where the 3D really helped me get sucked into this world, such as the “Circle of Life” opening and the stampede scene. But that was about it. With<em>Beauty and the Beast</em> there’s even less scenes that benefited from the 3D “enhancements.” I already found hand-drawn animation with 3D effects a bit odd, like someone holding a piece of paper infront of another piece of paper, but I’m sure weather or not a film would benefit from 3D didn’t even factor why they chose this film (and others on it’s way, like <em>The Little Mermaid</em>) to get the 3D treatment. So let’s call this rerelease of classic Disney movies with 3D upgrades out for what it really is: a cash grab. Disney is the master of milking old titles to get the maximum amount of profit from them (with George Lucas being a close second.) With 3D, Disney has another excuse to rerelease old movies to new audiences. I see both good and bad things that can come out from that. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Let’s start with the bad: adding 3D to a movie does not automatically make it a better movie. That’s something I wish Hollywood would understand. The best uses of 3D are films that have, since the beginning of their development, decided to be done in 3D. That way, the choices made during the film’s development directly effects the use of 3D and the audience’s viewing experience (great examples are movies like <em>Avatar</em>, <em>Hugo</em> and <em>Coraline</em>.) The problem with adding 3D effects to a completed movie not made with 3D in mind is that you have no idea if the 3D would benefit it at all. In the end three things could happen: scenes could benefit from the 3D, scenes could be worsened by the 3D, or the 3D doesn’t do anything in particularly special. <em>Beauty and the Beast </em>falls into this third category easily, but depending on what movie they’re adding 3D to, it’s still just a crap shoot. I could go on and on about my thoughts on 3D in animation, but I won’t (at least not today.) So I’ll leave the subject for now with this thought: if 3D wants to be seen as more than just a gimmick, we need to start seeing it as less of an add-on and more as its own separate medium.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Now the good part about this 3D rerelease is, and it might seem like not much, but it’s the fact that it gives an excuse to bring this movie back. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the 3D pull, <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> wouldn’t get another worldwide theatrical rerelease like this. And I think that’s very important. There are many kids who probably have never seen a classic Disney musical like this. And even though it’s in “3D” let’s not forget that the animation itself is still 2D, and any excuse to get 2D animation back in theatres is a good excuse in my book. Maybe these types of events by Disney will inspire more traditional animated movies to be made in the future. Only time will tell. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Overall, yeah, <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> is still awesome. Would I have seen a 2D version last week in theatres if I had the choice? Probably. But the 3D wasn’t distracting, and regardless it was well worth revisiting this epic tale, finding new things I enjoyed about it, and reminding myself why Disney is still regarded as on the finest animation companies in the world.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Now, here’s an amusing picture!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly45hu1SsQ1r1uay8.png" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-69451619541263398902012-01-11T20:00:00.000-08:002012-01-11T22:30:58.211-08:00An Open Letter To Brad Bird…<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Mr Bird:</div><div style="font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol</em> was good. In fact, it was frickin’ amazing. You’ve proved your point. Your directing powers know no match. It matters not if it be animated or live action, a unique premisse or a dying franchise that hasn’t seen a good movie in years. Your unique way to inject fun and amazingly well choreographed action is unmatched. Congradulations. You’re awesome.</div><div style="font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Now…where the hell is <em>The Incredibles 2</em>?!</div><div style="font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Love,</div><div style="font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-87433035189726787452012-01-02T16:48:00.000-08:002012-01-02T16:49:30.461-08:00Who’s-It Ralph? Wreck-It What?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">While I did miss this in my look forward at <a href="http://moo-cartoon.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-animation-apocalypse-or.html" target="_blank">2012’s animated movie line-up</a>, I recently just found out about Disney’s 52nd animated feature, <em>Wreck-It Ralph</em>. I’m kicking myself for going this long without knowing about this movie…</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx75qf7aXS1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">It looks to be like a <em>Who Framed Rodger Rabbit</em> type universe which houses a multitude of fictional video game characters, including the titular Donkey Kong inspired character. They even made a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxa_p_tULyE" target="_blank">fictional 80s style arcade </a>cabinet at the last D23 Expo to promote the upcoming film. While this subject matter does seem a little “un-Disney,” as an old school gamer and animation buff, I’m crazy pumped for this.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-72378991023697419592011-12-30T23:15:00.000-08:002011-12-30T23:27:32.391-08:002012: The Animation Apocalypse (Or Anipocalypse?)<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The holiday season is nearing an end. I hope you all got that special gift you wanted, and gained several jolly pounds from absorbent amounts of feasting. It seems there’s only one thing left to do: ring in the new year! But looky what we have here! It’s the year 2012. And if Roland Emmerich films are to be believed, we’re rapidly approaching the end of the world. Crapballs. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1uzggVBf1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Well, if the end of the world is coming Dec 21, 2012, there’s really only one question I have…what’s my final year of animated films looking like? So I’m gonna do a quick look ahead at what animated goodies are on the horizon before the ol’ apocalypse, and quickly give my early opinions of each flick. Let’s see if this final year on earth is a worthwhile one for the animation fan! YEAH!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Beauty and the Beast (3D) - Jan. 13</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1vbkq0Qo1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We start out this doomed year by looking back on a classic love story. It’s arguably one of the most beloved animated movies ever; Disney’s <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> get’s a brand new shiny 3D re-release thanks to the top notch ticket sales of <em>The Lion King’</em>s 3D run. Really, my thoughts on this is the exact same as my thoughts on <em>The Lion King</em> in 3D. I’m not going to theatres because it’s in 3D; I’m going cause this is an amazing film. I always found the choice to use 3D on hand drawn animation odd… It’s almost like holding a beveled piece of paper infront of another piece of paper. Exciting, non? <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> is only one of many previous Disney and Pixar movies slated to get the 3D re-release treatment. It’s a shame we won’t get to <em>Finding Nemo</em>! Damn, pesky apocalypse…</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>The Secret World of Arrietty - Feb 17</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1vusRmpo1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Oh snap! We get a Studio Ghibli film before the apocalypse? Sign me up! Yeah, I know this movie was already released in other parts of the world; this is just the dubbed version. And yeah, typically in anime I’m a “subs b4 dubs” kind of man, but honestly Ghibli’s dubs are probably the best I’ve seen in anime. So yeah. I’m excited about this. Plus it’s based on The Borrowers! That just adds to the cool. Will I watch this in theatres? You bet! Will I watch it in the original japanese once I get ahold of my own copy? Also you bet. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>The Lorax - Mar 2</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1wavsZHl1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Eeeehhhhh…maybe…I don’t know….just maybe…it won’t suck. I’m hopeful…but I also have this deep seeded feeling that this movie is gonna suck hard. Ok listen. I’m a huge Dr. Seuss fan, but film adaptations of his works range from pure crap to “I didn’t hate that.” The latter being <em>Horton Hears a Who</em>, whom the writer of also wrote the script for this film. And a lot of people working on this also worked on <em>Despicable Me</em>. Hey, I didn’t hate that either! And Danny DeVito as The Lorax? Well, that sounds like perfect casting. Keeping my finger’s crossed on this one… Prove me wrong movie! Prove me wrong!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>The Pirates! Band of Misfits - Mar 30</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1wuvk3kV1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">One thing I am grateful of is the amount of stop motion flicks before total global annihilation. Seeing as how long it takes to complete one of these films, it’s nice that these years of blood, sweat and plasticine won’t go to waste. And leading the bunch is the brits with Aardman Animation returning to their stop-motion roots, but without the talents of <em>Wallace & Gromit</em> and <em>Chicken Run</em> director, Nick Park. Park’s absence is a bit off-putting, especially cause the characters are clearly modeled in his style. Regardless, the movie looks like a blast, and Aardman pretty much always delivers the goods. And hey! It’s pirates! They’re still popular, right guys? …guys? …whatever, I’m excited. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Dorothy of Oz - May…??</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1yxamjpl1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">No film on this list is as much a wild card as <em>Dorothy of Oz</em>. Slated to release…May-ish…all we have to go on this one is the knowledge that it’s a sequel to <em>The Wizard of Oz</em> and it’s a musical. No trailer to be seen, but there’s some gorgeous concept art. Let’s just hope May-ish is accurate and this one reaches the 2012 mark. T’would suck to enter the apocalypse without even knowing more about this movie. My curiosity on this one knows no bounds!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Ice Age: Continental Drift - July 23</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1zbm1Wqg1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Really? They’re making more of these? <em>Sigh…</em> well what else to say? I liked the first <em>Ice Age</em>, but this Dreamworks franchise is almost as guilty as <em>The Land Before Time</em> for prehistoric themed unwanted sequels. Almost. Also, isn’t the titular “ice age” already over in this franchise? That title really doesn’t make any sense anymore. Ahh, who am I kidding. Do I really care? No. Will I see this movie? Probably not. Compile a version that only has the Scrat scenes in it, and maybe we’ll talk.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted - June 8</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1zwih0zX1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Speaking of Dreamworks and sequels nobody asked for…TA-DAH!! I don’t know…I’ve never really enjoyed this franchise. It seems to embody everything that people criticize Dreamworks Animation to be: a loud annoying film littered with animals doing things animals don’t normally do while making pop culture references abound. I expect nothing less. Also, like the pre-stated ”age of ice,” why is this franchise still called Madagascar? They haven’t been there since the first film. I know, branding and shit, but seriously Dreamworks! If you plan on having umpteenth animated sequels, you should have more foresight in naming your franchises. Seriously. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Brave - June 22</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx20bhHpRX1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Now this is more like it! After what many people consider Pixar’s first stumble with <em>Cars 2</em>, I think they’re in need of something very special to get them back into the grove of churning unfiltered dreams into animated gold. And <em>Brave</em> looks very special indeed. It’s a lot of firsts for Pixar: their first female lead character, their first time in a fantasy setting, their first…um…family of gingers? Regardless, this looks epic beyond belief. And it’s not a sequel! Or a remake! Just take my money, Pixar! Just take it! (Also, where in the world are they going to hide the <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/ballofh8/pizza-planet-truck-in-pixar-films-22qk" target="_blank">Pizza Planet truck</a> in <em>this</em> movie?!)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>ParaNorman - Aug 17</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx21khlPOw1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Watch out Tim Burton! There’s more than one stop-motion, slightly creepy, animated movie coming out this year! Trying to jump on board with the same vibe as <em>Coraline</em>, <em>ParaNorman</em> follows a boy who can see and talk to ghosts as he’s tasked to save his town from a curse. Sounds fun to me! I don’t know the directors or writers of this one, so it can’t really fall back on credentials. But with so many movies being remakes and sequels, I’m always willing to give something new a shot. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Frankenweenie - Oct 5</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx20pkLKAl1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I have a love/hate relationship with Tim Burton. His early stuff is the stuff of goth kids’ wet dreams (that’s a compliment, by the way.) <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM26SL4nfW8" target="_blank">Vincent</a></em> is still one of my favorit animated shorts, ever. But as time went on, I cared less and less if the Burton name was on a project. It didn’t help that most projects he directed were just remakes or reinterpretations of already existing franchises or stories…just making them more “twisted.” (Which, in Tim Burton land, means adding black and white stripes and spirals.) Luckily, Burton is finally getting back to his roots…by remaking his own shit. Ok, to be fair, even though there’s no trailer yet, this film, based on a live action short Burton directed early in his career, looks pretty damn cool. It’s classic Burton style with a classic Burton love of all things weird, creepy and fun, while still playing homage to classic horror movies. Don’t let me down this time, Tim. Hot Topic needs more t-shirt designs, after all. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Rise of the Guardians - Nov 21</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx220tOGM91r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></strong></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">No trailer on this one either, and I knew nothing about this movie, so I consulted my good friend, IMDB, and it said, “Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman band together to form a united front against the Bogeyman.” …soooo…it’s an holiday animated version of <em>The Expendables</em>? …this is either the greatest, or the worst idea for a movie…ever…there is no middle ground here.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
And that’s all the theatrical animated releases before the ol’ end-o-days. Overall thoughts? …I’m actually pretty pumped! If this was my last year of animated goodness, we have some great variety in styles (hand drawn, CG, and stop-motion are all accounted for.) And on top of that, we also have a surprising balance between new and old (as in re-releases, remakes or just plane sequels.) There’s plenty of animated goodies I’m looking forward to before the apocalypse for sure! So I’m just gonna bringe on these forthcoming animated treats, and enjoy the apocalyptic ride. Bring it on, 2012!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year folks!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-71977381959534865832011-12-25T18:30:00.000-08:002012-01-24T08:54:56.398-08:00What's Under Moo's Tree...?<div class="media" style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zYE42j7NQO6dDhwuaFi_SxmzUXFE0C9HpcabRapx3TqiBN0DA9T3w2kQ3upHe2ruugcZzpPBo4gsnv9AUUveeS-CfBZUuq8ZA_zmKHPTHyPBL-qAJHHHBp-3Fa8cGupTBj1mCfxfVNw/s1600/tumblr_lwshknCerg1r4wc4qo1_500.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zYE42j7NQO6dDhwuaFi_SxmzUXFE0C9HpcabRapx3TqiBN0DA9T3w2kQ3upHe2ruugcZzpPBo4gsnv9AUUveeS-CfBZUuq8ZA_zmKHPTHyPBL-qAJHHHBp-3Fa8cGupTBj1mCfxfVNw/s320/tumblr_lwshknCerg1r4wc4qo1_500.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="copy" style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Got this awesome book for x-mas this year! Written by animation legend, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0325196/">Eric Goldberg</a>, this is such a great resource for young fledgling animations (like yours truly.) Highly recommended! </div><div style="margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-Moo</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-14362203364844329352011-12-22T09:33:00.000-08:002011-12-22T09:33:05.141-08:00The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn (A Review)<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>Tintin</em> is an interesting property indeed. It’s one that, even though people know about it, isn’t all that popular in North America. Or at least, not nearly as popular as it is in Europe. I admit, if I didn’t take French classes as a child, my knowledge of this character would have been almost non existent. And yet, here we are! With a high budget Hollywood adaptation of the property done by, arguably, the poster director for American blockbuster cinema, Steven Spielberg. So how did that happen?</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwm492ZJQh1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Well, let’s go back in time to 1981, when the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released. The adventure flick, inspired by the pulp adventure serials that Spielberg loved as a kid, was receiving excellent reviews, but one in particular compared the film to Tintin. Curious, Spielberg searched for the books, and even though he didn’t understand the language they were in, he became a fan. Likewise, Tintin creator Hergé became a fan of Spielberg’s work. The fit between source material and director seemed almost made for each other, and indeed this film works because you can tell Spielberg’s having fun with it. He’s in his element. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The story isn’t life changing, or deep, or anything like that. But it is a family friendly adventure done right. It’s a basic globe trotting treasure hunt wrapped in a thin mystery with plenty of memorable characters and superbly planned and executed scenes of action, chases and slapstick. In other words: it’s just plain fun! The sets are extravagant and varied, the action is creatively choreographed, and even though the movie is still family friendly it never feels like anything is dumbed down to make things seem “safer.” The enemies are still a threat and very dangerous, and Captain Haddock’s trademark alcoholism is in full effect. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwm5oqFvA51r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Speaking of the characters let’s talk about them, because while the plot is a great excuse for moving from one excellent chase scene to the next, it’s these classic characters that will stick with you after the credits roll. The most forgettable of the bunch actually being our titular character. Tintin (played by Jamie Bell) probably wins the award for being the coolest square that ever lived. He’s an ambitious journalist who has an interesting mix of curiosity and bad luck which leads him into some very dangerous situations. But aside from having frequent full-on conversations with his dog, Snowy, Tintin isn’t a very flawed character. And while it’s nice to see a bright and optimistic action hero for a change, it doesn’t really make him all that interesting. The people Tintin does surround himself with, however, are a blast! Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are a true joy as the bumbling inspectors, Thomson and Thompson, but the true star of this film, and indeed the force that carries the plot along to its conclusion, is Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock. The drunken Captain is the only one who actually goes though a true story arc, trying to do right by his family’s name. Serkis’ amazing physicality brings so much nuances to the character that it only furthers my belief that Serkis was born to live inside of a motion capture suit. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwm6exFkvI1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Which brings us to the elephant in the room, and the most controversial part of this movie: the fact that it’s a mostly motion captured film. As the story goes, Spielberg went to Peter Jackson (who ended up producing the flick) to get his VFX company, Weta Digital, to create the CG for the film, including a CG Snowy. Jackson, being a longtime fan of Tintin, suggested that a fully animated version might be truer to the source material. The two settled on a motion capture performance from the actors, which allowed the film to be animated, but also allowed Spielberg to direct the actors in the same way that he’s used to for his live action films.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">My thoughts on mo-cap animation is truly mixed. Part of me loves how you’re able to translate a performer’s action into a stylized and animated world, but part of me knows that the technology still isn’t fully here yet, resulting is some shots that just falls flat of looking realistic and as a result breaks the illusion completely (otherwise known as the uncanny valley effect.) That being said, while the tech still isn’t perfect yet, Tintin is the best example of a mo-cap animated film to date. The source material is so cartoony and fun, that a live action cast would still need heavy CG (like an animated Snowy) and instead of having CG bits stick out like a sore thumb (which I like to call the <em>Garfield</em> effect,) I’m glad they went this route and did it fully animated. It led to some great comedic moments which I felt would only work in an animated world, as well as an amazing “one shot” chase scene down a mountain, which can only be seen to be believed. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What does bug me a little is the design choice, having the character’s faces still look vaguely realistic. I would have preferred the characters to look a little more stylized like they do in the books, as characters who are more stylized like Haddock and the Thompsons are a lot more fun to look at then the eerily baby-faced Tintin. But that might just be a case of personal taste. And to those who wanted this film perfectly in Hergé’s style, we already had the Tintin TV show like that, so I’m glad they at least tried something new. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwm75eMOIj1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">All in all, Spielberg’s first animated project is a wonderful whirlwind of an adventure which truly harkens back to the olden days of Indiana Jones…but funnier. The set pieces are a joy to behold, and the pacing is so perfect that as soon as you want another dose of action, the film will gladly oblige. If you’re looking for a wholesome adventure that doesn’t skimp on the production value, check it out. And if you’re not familiar with these characters, there’s no better time then now to get acquainted. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4/5</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974887572724356882.post-13840674014735572592011-11-28T10:18:00.000-08:002011-11-28T10:18:43.661-08:00The Muppets (A Review)<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">WARNING: This review is being written by an insanely huge fan of <em>The Muppets</em>, so I’m already kind of biased. That being said, it’s clear that this movie was aimed at crazy Muppet fans like myself, so everything kind of works out. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6e7173; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvdsx5DBRQ1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Yes, <em>The Muppets</em>. That wonderful gang of fur and felt are back after 12 years without a movie. And after much online love in the form of viral videos, trailer parodies, and other goodies, the true next Muppet movie is here. So how is it? Does this movie have a true “Rainbow Connection?” Or should you be “Movin’ Right Along.” (Muppet fans see what I did there? Wocka wocka!)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The plot fits perfectly for how long The Muppets have been out of the limelight. Basically sometime ago the Muppets split up, and now it’s up to Gary (Jason Segel,) Mary (Amy Adams,) and Gary’s brother Walter (a new Muppet/superfan of the Muppets) to work with Kermit to reunite the old gang and raise enough money to save their theatre before the evil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper,) tears down the theatre to drill for oil. The “get the gang back together” story has been done before, but it works so well here because…well….it’s the Muppets! And that comes with what you’d might expect from the Muppets! Tons of forth wall breaking jokes, vaudevillian type slapstick, celebrity cameos up the wazoo, and emotional songs that know exactly how to tug on the heartstrings. It’s hard really to go into too much detail without spoiling some of the jokes, but there were some great moments with some of the new songs, written by one half of Flight of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie, and an extended cameo by Jack Black. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvduaiUc0B1r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">But of course, the true stars are The Muppets themselves, and the plot makes it so they’re in a situation where they flourish. It’s back to the basics: a bunch of crazy weirdos trying their best to put on a show, only this time the steaks are much higher. I felt a unique blend of excitement, nervousness and nostalgia going into the third act that I don’t think I’ve ever felt from a movie before. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">That being said, let’s call this movie out for what it truly is: Muppet fan servis. There are countless references and in jokes from past Muppet works, specifically to the Jim Henson years of The Muppet Show and the first Muppet movie. Hell! Even the choice of Muppets to get screen time was very specific, choosing not to have newer fan favorite characters like Pepe the King Prawn to have much screen time, instead bringing back characters that haven’t had time to shine in years! Characters like Marvin Suggs and Uncle Deadly!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvdtwloK471r1uay8.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Yes! Uncle Deadly! This guy! Obscure, yes. Awesome? Double yes.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The point being this was written by a rabid Muppet fan (good ol’ Jason Segel) for rabid Muppet fans. Hell! Even the new Muppet, Walter, is a rabid Muppet fan himself! So of course we’re going to immediately love him.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">All in all, the bigger fan of the Muppets you are, I feel the more you’ll love this movie. And if you’re not a fan of the Muppets? Well…you’re reading the wrong review then. I’m also really curious to see how kids will react to this movie; kids who have never even seen a Muppet movie before! I hope it manages to capture the same wonder and fun that I experienced as a child. So go see this movie already! It’s pure concentrated Muppety fun!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Welcome back Muppets. It’s about damn time! </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">5/5</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Moo</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06325051389533063898noreply@blogger.com0