“Onward” Movie Review

    Traditionally, a joint effort from Disney and Pixar means big bucks for ‘the house of mouse’ at the box office.  2020 has been anything but traditional for Hollywood unfortunately and due to the deadly outbreak of the Coronavirus, the latest Disney and Pixar film “Onward” ended up doing rather poorly at the box office before the theaters ultimately closed down.  “Onward” seemed like a film doomed to fail due to circumstances beyond it’s control but it is fortunately found life again on Disney+.

    The film tells the story of two brothers, Ian and Barley, who are very different from each other.  The brothers live in a world that was once filled with magic and mythical creatures but that world, like our own, has been lost due to modern innovation.  The only thing seemingly connecting the brothers is the fact that they both miss their father deeply.  Upon Ian’s sixteenth birthday, the brothers are presented a magical staff that their father wanted them to have when they were old enough.  In addition to the staff, their father also left them a powerful gem and a spell to bring him back for twenty-four hours.  After Barley fails to be able to summon their father back, Ian is able to successfully make the spell work.  Unfortunately for both of them, the gem powerful enough to bring their father back explodes halfway into the process and they only bring his bottom half back.  After that, the group set off on an adventure to find another gem to finish the process before their twenty-four hour goes away forever.

    It’s really a shame this film fell victim to the forced shutdown of theaters due to the Coronavirus.  “Onward” just happened to be one of the last major studio films released before the theater chains were forced to shut down and studios scrambled to find new release dates for future releases.  Fortunately, Disney was wise enough to offer the film for digital rental shortly after the pandemic and put the film on their Disney+ streaming service roughly a month after it was released in theaters.  This has turned out to be a rather smart move for the company because their streaming service keeps getting more and more subscribers and “Onward” has been trending on social media since it’s digital release.

    “Onward” is the kind of film that I feel really would have had legs at the box office.  It’s unique and has the perfect amount of sentimentality to really get people spreading good word of mouth.  It is also a film that is relatable to many people on very personal levels.  Anyone who has had a sibling who turned out to be more of a parental figure to them or anyone who has lost a parent are going to have a hard time fighting back tears at certain parts of this film.  As someone who has lost both their parents, I would do anything to see them once more.

    A large part of the charm of this film comes from the vocal talent of the two main stars, Tom Holland and Chris Pratt.  Both actors are veterans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and automatically have a natural chemistry with each other.  Holland and Pratt are able to give very funny performances but also pull on the heart strings when an emotional scene comes up.

    I love the feel of this film and the nods to other fantasy movies as well.   “Onward” is basically what the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth would look like now with modern technology and it was incredibly entertaining!  Can you imagine if games like ‘Magic the Gathering’ or ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ were based on historical events?  Imagination like that is what gives Pixar movies their charm.

    I was very impressed by “Onward” and it was nice to see a new movie with some passion put into it from home.  During these troubled times, a sweet fantasy movie is just what we need.

Grade: B+

“Spies in Disguise” Movie Review

    Now that awards season is upon us, I wanted to check out the Oscar nominated war film “1917” since it is now in wide release.  As much as I enjoy films with heavy subject matters, sometimes a more simplistic is just what the doctor ordered however.  So, “1917” will have to wait because “Spies in Disguise” looked like just the humorous pick me up I was looking for after a hard week at work.

    The film follows Lance Sterling, the most daring spy on the planet, on a mission to recover an attack drone from being sold to known terrorist Killian.  Upon arriving back from what he thinks was a successful mission, Lance fires Walter Beckett for supplying him with unwanted safe technology.  During his debriefing, it is revealed that Lance’s mission wasn’t the success he thought it was and he is now on the run.  With no one in the agency he can turn to, Lance tracks down Walter for help to clear his name.  Unfortunately for Lance, it will require him to go undercover...as a pigeon.

    Now this movie definitely isn’t going to be considered a masterpiece by any means but I did think it was really cute and humorous.  Animation studio Blu Sky is rather hit or miss in my book but this was one of their better films in my opinion.  There were more than a few instances where I literally laughed out loud.  Most comedy films recently have not had that effect on me.

     The voice cast is top notch and really brings to life their respective characters.  Will Smith is charming as ever as Lance Sterling.  Tom Holland brings some of his Spider-Man charisma (and an American accent once again) to the voice of Walter Beckett.  The rest of the voice cast is made up of very recognizable voices including Ben Mendelsohn, Rashida Jones, DJ Khaled, and Reba McEntire.

    This is the first Blue Sky Studios production released by Disney after they took over 20th Century Fox and it is pretty clear Disney does not prioritize the animated studio.  I wonder if Blue Sky Studios will remain a production company or if it will be viewed as Disney competing with itself and slowly phased out.

    “Spies in Disguise” is a humorous kid’s movie with plenty of humor for adults as well.  It’s a shame the movie hasn’t performed better in the box office because I would actually be interested in seeing this property turned into a franchise.  As it stands, the movie is an overall winner in my book.

Grade: B

“Frozen II” Movie Review

    It’s a new year and a new slew of movies will soon be hitting theaters but I am still trying to catch up on the few films that slipped between the cracks in late 2019.  One of those films was the monster Disney hit “Frozen II”.  I had been waiting to see this film with my girlfriend and her brother (and my movie buddy) who were both eagerly anticipating this movie.  We finally got a chance to see it on New Year’s Eve and I can finally share my thoughts on the film.

    The film takes place three years after the first film and sees Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven living happily in Arendelle before a voice calls to Elsa and the group set off on an adventure to discover the elemental spirits of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air.  The group seeks the spirits in the hopes of finding out why a mist separates the Enchanted Forest from the surrounding kingdom.  While discovering the elemental spirits, the group learns the truth about their grandfather and the real reason the Enchanted Forest became separated from the rest of the kingdom.

    So, in the interested of full disclosure, I was not feeling the best when I went to see “Frozen II”.  In fact, I was still pretty sick when I attended a screening for this film and as a result, had a harder time focusing on the movie than I normally would have.  All that being said, I actually thought this sequel was very convoluted and hard to follow.  I enjoyed the first film a great deal and thought it was a rather straightforward story, this sequel could have benefited from a more simplistic story in the first film’s vain.  When it’s difficult for a grown up to follow, it’s probably going to be hard for a kid to understand what is going on as well.

    One direction I thought the film was going to go but didn’t was to give Anna powers as well.  It would make some sense for Elsa’s own sister to have powers similar to hers but no, Anna is just a normal person (and treated like a lesser person throughout most of the film for being normal).  I get that the message of the film was that powers don’t make someone special, but I think giving Anna’s powers could have been an interesting route for the story to go.

    The original “Frozen” placed a huge importance on family and sisterhood which made it feel a bit special and different.  How many Disney movies focus on a pair of sisters?  That element of family was something I wished the writers had explored more in the sequel instead of the mythology of Elsa’s powers.  Elsa and Anna spend most of the film separated (again) and I would have preferred seeing their dynamic as a pair in the film.

    I did enjoy the movie and there were some humorous elements like in the first film.  How can anyone not love Olaf and Sven?  The visuals were also stunning and it’s hard not to feel a sense of wonder after watching any Disney film.  I also enjoyed the music in the movie, especially Panic! At the Disco’s version of “Into the Unknown” (although now of the music was as catchy as “Let It Go”).

    I feel like “Frozen II” was an overly ambitious attempt to build on the mythology of the “Frozen” universe that wasn’t really needed.  People loved the characters and charm of the movie, not the fact that Elsa has powers.  Still, it is nice to see the writers attempt to world build instead of just making a carbon copy sequel.  “Frozen II” has it’s flaws but it isn’t lazy filmmakers, which is nice for a change.

Grade: C+

“Togo” Movie Review

    Sled dogs have a very special place in my heart and always will.  This year, I unfortunately lost both of my Siberian Huskies within months of each other.  Though they were both older and I knew their time was near, the pain from losing two of my best friends was devastating.  While I was very much looking forward to this film, I knew that it would be an emotional experience regardless of how the film turned out.  That being said, I also felt like my dogs would have wanted me to watch this film in their honor.

    The film tells the story Leonhard Seppala and his team of sled dogs led by Togo as they brave death to deliver antitoxin to Nome, Alaska during the diphtheria epidemic of 1925.  During their run, the film uses flashbacks to depict the relationship between Leonhard and his lead dog Togo.  During these flashbacks, we learn a great deal about the complicated relationship between Leonhard and Togo.

    I thought this movie was extremely well done and I am a little surprised this was released on Disney+ instead of given a theatrical release.  I feel like this movie would have been profitable enough given Disney’s past success with dog centric films.  I also honestly feel like “Togo” would have been more likely to be an awards contender if it was released in the multiplex (I still think there is a chance it could garner some awards if it is given enough of a push).

    While most people associate the serum run of 1925 with Balto due to the children’s animated movies made featuring him (and the statue of Balto in New York), many mushers and dogs were responsible for saving countless lives during the epidemic.  Leonhard and Togo were responsible for covering far more miles than any other musher on the relay however.  The film does a terrific job showing the possible cost of life the epidemic might have cost without the sacrifices Leonhard and Togo risked to save the town of Nome.

    Perhaps what the movie showcases best is the character development Leonhard goes through in the film.  Leonhard starts the film as a harsh and even sometimes cruel musher due to the unforgiving nature of Alaska.  Leonhard doesn’t like Togo at first, seeing him as an unhealthy runt not fit to survive and then a trouble making Hell hound as he grows older.  After unsuccessfully trying to give Togo away, Leonhard begins to realize Togo has the heart of a survivor and is lead dog material.  As time passes and Togo gives more and more of himself to Leonhard and to the serum run, Leonhard begins to regret how he had treated Togo and grows as a person to be more loving and less harsh.

    The film has a lot going for it aside from a great story.  The music is haunting and the cinematography is marvelous.  The only complaint I would have is that the computer animation is less than stellar and the film relies on the subpar computer animation a bit too often in key scenes.

    The cast is led by Willem Dafoe as Leonhard Seppala and he does a magnificent job.  Dafoe has a way of conveying normal dialogue in an almost Shakespearean manner that shouldn’t work but Dafoe somehow pulls it off.  Julianne Nicholson also delivers a strong performance as Leonhard’s wife.

    Disney has a streaming hit on their hands with “Togo” in my opinion and I am glad I got to see it.  If “Togo” is any indication of the quality Disney+ movies are going to have, perhaps Netflix should be very worried.

Grade: B+

“Lady and the Tramp” (2019) Movie Review

    With “The Mandalorian” seemingly taking the world by storm, it is easy to forget that the streaming service Disney+ also launched with two original movies, a live action remake of the Disney classic “Lady and the Tramp” and the Christmas themed “Noelle”.  Being a huge dog person, I had to check out “Lady and the Tramp” for myself.

    The film opens with a dog named Lady as she quickly warms her way into her owner’s hearts (and bed).  Lady is part of the family and enjoys being an indoor dog with all the comforts that come with it.  By contrast, we are introduced to a canine simply known as the Tramp who seemingly enjoys the freedom he has being a street dog.  Lady and the Tramp soon cross paths when Lady helps the Tramp escape a dog catcher who has it out for him.  Soon after their encounter together, Lady finds her place in the home threatened when a new baby is born and takes all of her owner’s attention.  When Lady ends up getting loose one day, the Tramp ends up helping her find her way back home as she worries if she even has a home to return to.

    The film is more or less a more politically correct live action update of the classic cartoon.  The new film removes the controversial ‘Siamese Cat’ song with an updated new song.  While I certainly understand and even support some of the changes in the film, it still leaves the film feeling as if they played everything a little too safe.  I am not saying Disney films need or should be edgy, but a little cultural subtext like Disney cartoons used to have wouldn’t be the worst thing either.  Maybe that is just the cynical adult of me talking though.

    The dog actors used in the film did an incredible job (with some help from the cgi department).  I loved the fact that Disney actually used real life shelter dogs for this film and the studio was smart enough to spin that into headlines.  Good publicity can go a long way.

    The remake has currently been hit with mixed reviews stating it lacked the heart of the original cartoon classic, much like the criticism of the latest “The Lion King” remake had.  While I fully admit that I think the cartoon is overall superior to this live action remake, I still found this film to be quite entertaining and I think it had the same amount of “heart” as the original did.

    This remake was enjoyable overall and a fine attention to Disney+.  While I do wish the new streaming service had more original content out of the gate, I do prefer quality to quantity.  “Lady and the Tramp” won’t change your life or make you think but it will provide you (and especially your young ones if you have them) a cute movie to enjoy for a few hours.

Grade: B-

“The Lion King” (2019) Movie Review

    One of my favorite Disney movies growing up was “The Lion King”.  It had great music and was just an entertaining animated feature.  The film also came out when I was around nine years old so it was a newer Disney film compared to movies like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” or “Cinderella”.  When I heard they were doing a live action remake, I was intrigued, especially since it was going to be directed by Jon Favreau.

    For the few people who haven’t seen the original Disney film, “The Lion King” tells the story of Simba, the young son of King Mufasa, as he learns about the circle of life from his father.  Unfortunately, Mufasa’s brother Scar wants to rule and he will do anything to be the new king, even if it means killing his brother and nephew.  Simba manages to escape Scar’s wrath and is raised by Pumbaa and Timon.  After growing up, Simba’s old friend (and new love interest) Nala runs into him and persuades Simba to return and reclaim his rightful place as king.

    For the most part, this is a pretty faithful remake and plays out pretty much beat for beat.  I really enjoyed the film and thought it was pretty well done.  Most critics have trashed the movie and the general consensus among them seems to be the film ‘lacked heart’.  I, for one, felt the movie had plenty of heart and while the movie looks more realistic, I don’t feel like that takes anything away from the film as a whole.  I am not the biggest Disney fan ever but I really enjoyed this film.

    Now, one thing I do want to discuss really quickly is the fact that this is being labeled a live action remake.  The phrase ‘live action’ is being used very liberally here since the film is mostly computed animated.  Yes, it is meant to feel real and the characters are modeled after real animals, but that doesn’t change the fact that the label of ‘live action’ is a bit false.

    While the film is largely computer animated, it does feel awfully real most of the time.  There are a lot of shots that feel straight out of a National Geographic or Disneynature documentary.  It’s these moments with small details that really help sell the movie and set it apart from the original animated version.

    The voice cast all did a great job.  Casting Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, as Simba was an inspired choice.  I was a bit surprised how small Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s part was but she did well with what she was given.  I loved that James Earl Jones returned as the voice of Mufasa.  James Earl Jones has such an iconic voice that it would have been nearly impossible to replace him.  Lastly, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner knocked it out of the park as Pumbaa and Timon.  Timon and Pumbaa were easily my favorite characters in the movie.

    Ultimately, “The Lion King” doesn’t have much new to offer besides it’s new realistic look and feel but would anyone really want them to change the classic film too much anyway?  Just sit back, repeat to yourself ‘hakuna matata’, and just enjoy the film.

Grade: B+

“Toy Story 4” Movie Review

    The original “Toy Story” movie remains one of my favorite animated movies of all time.  It was a cute and simple story which dealt with the building of an unlikely friendship.  The franchise continued to grow with two strong followup films and it appeared as if “Toy Story 3” was the end of line for Woody, Buzz, and company.  Needless to say, the franchise couldn’t stay in the toy chest for long and “Toy Story 4” graced the silver screen this summer.

    This possibly final chapter in the “Toy Story” franchise starts with Bonnie (the girl whom Andy gave the toys to) trying to adjust to life in kindergarten.  With the help of Woody, Bonnie creates a new toy at school made from a plastic spork named Forky.  Forky quickly becomes her favorite toy but Forky is a bit of a handful to the other toys since he has only recently become alive and still believes he is a spork.  Woody takes it upon himself to watch Forky in an attempt to find some meaning in his existence since Bonnie hardly plays with him anymore.  Forky manages to get lost during a road trip and Woody decides to find him for Bonnie’s sake.  Once he finds Forky and the pair head back, he crosses paths with his old flame Bo Peep and the pair end up on an unlikely adventure to rescue Forky from Gabby Gabby. Gabby Gabby is holding Forky hostage in exchange for Woody’s voice box.

    I really enjoyed the movie overall although the ending was a little problematic for some people, including myself (I will get into that in a bit so just be warned there will be spoilers beyond this point).  That being said, the film is still yet another winner for the long running “Toy Story” franchise and provides an appropriate swan song for Woody.

    The voice cast was amazing and it was nice to hear Randy Newman’s score in the film since he provided the music for the other film’s in the series.  The new characters in the film were also compelling and added a breath of fresh air to the film.  Forky and Duke Caboom were among the highlights of new characters in the film.  The humor of the film was accessible to all audience members and everything you would expect from Disney and Pixar.

    Now, let’s talk about the ending of the film...you’ve been warned!!!  So, the film ends with Woody leaving his friends and Bonnie to be with Bo Peep.  Now, as far as Woody finding love again, that part I loved.  Woody had spent so much time in this film series bringing happiness to others, it was nice to see him finally find happiness of his own.  What the ending messed up a little on, in my view, was successfully closing the book on Woody’s friendship with the other toys, especially Buzz.  I understand the moral of the ending was supposed to be that friendship sometimes means having to let someone go for their happiness, but it needed more of an emotional punch to it.  Woody and Buzz deserved it in the film, and we deserved it as an audience.  Since the film focuses so much on Woody and Bo Peep, the other toys felt very slighted as a result.

    Now, while the ending may not have had the emotional wallop I felt the film deserved, the movie was still very good and surprisingly fresh.  It managed to tell a relatable story of how moving on is difficult when you are trying to find your place in the world after you have lost everything (which is definitely a message most older audience members can relate to).  This film has a lot of heart and while it isn’t perfect, it is still pretty amazing.

Grade: A-

“Dark Phoenix” Movie Review

    The final Twentieth Century Fox owned and controlled “X-Men” movie was released a few weeks ago to little fanfare and a terrible marketing campaign.  “Dark Phoenix” unwisely dropped X-Men from the title which I am sure led to some audience members being unaware that this was meant to be a continuous of the X-Men saga.  As many of you know, Disney bought Twentieth Century Fox and has gained the rights to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.  The next X-Men movie besides from the already filmed “New Mutants” will likely be a complete reboot set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    The film starts out showing how Professor X and Jean Grey met.  The film then jumps to show the X-Men on a rescue mission to save the astronauts of a destroyed space shuttle.  While on the mission, Jean Grey absorbs what turns out to be the Phoenix force.  As Jean Grey starts to lose control, the mental barriers Charles Xavier put in her head start collapsing and Jean realizes her father is still alive so she takes off to find him.  Professor Xavier and the rest of the X-Men try to bring her back to the school but they end up fighting and Mystique is killed in the battle.  Seeking sanctuary, Jean Grey seeks out Magneto Buy is turned away by him before he found out what she had done.  Hank McCoy/Beast decides to leave the X-Men over the grief of losing Mystique and ends up seeking out Magneto as well.  Beast informs Magneto that Jean had killed Mystique, the woman both men had loved, and the two decide to set off to kill Jean Grey as a result.  The X-Men are forced to square off with them before an alien threat forces all parties to work together for the sake of the entire planet.

    So, there is a lot of story going on with this film, both in front of and behind the cameras.  Currently “Dark Phoenix” is the worst reviewed X-Men film to date and probably will remain so for a long while (unless “New Mutants” ends up taking that honor).  The critical bashing the film took certainly didn’t help the film at the box office, as the film opened to disappointing financial results.  I had to check out the movie for myself however, not only as a film reviewer, but as someone who has seen every other film X-Men related (including the made for TV movie “Generation X”).  Without further suspense, I will say I found the film to be okay.  It wasn’t a masterpiece nor as bad as some of the reviews made it out to be either.  The worst thing I could say about the movie is that I expected a little more from it.

    The film focuses on the popular Phoenix saga from the X-Men comics.  This story arc was already used in the clustered “X-Men: The Last Stand” so this was essentially a reboot of that sequel.  Unfortunately, this film proved to be just as clustered but instead of focusing on action, this film was clustered with melodrama.  Personally, I prefer a messy action film over a messy melodrama.  I won’t say “X-Men: The Last Stand” was a better film, but it was no worse either, and to spend time rehashing this particular storyline, you want the film to top the film it’s rebooting.

    One very distracting aspect of all the X-Men films is their lack of solid continuity throughout the franchise.  These films span decades but the filmmakers use the same actors without any age prosthetics.  You would think I multimillion dollar film could invest a little money into age makeup or cgi touchups on the actors.  Another solution might have been to set all the films in the 60s-70s but that didn’t seem like a sensible solution to the studio.

    The film primarily starred “Game of Thrones” breakout Sophie Turner as Jean Grey/Phoenix.  Turner does a fine job as Grey but can only do so much with the material she was given.  Jennifer Lawrence was quickly killed off on the film and sort of phones in her performance.  You could tell she was done with the franchise and just wanted out.  James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender continue to prove to be the backbone of the films and deliver stellar performances as the head figures of two drastically different ideologies.

    Say what you want about filmmaker Bryan Singer (and he may very well deserve it) but the X-Men movies have always been their best with his direction.  His ability to relate to the source material and use his struggles with his homosexuality as an allegory for the mutant struggles.  Singer has also proven to be the only filmmaker to successfully showcase the character of Quicksilver (Joss Whedon included).

    It should be noted that the ending had to be changed due to it’s similarity to the ending of “Captain Marvel” which was released a few months before “Dark Phoenix”.  It is believed the original ending featured the Skrulls (which makes sense since the aliens depicted in the film were shapeshifters) and a battle fought in space.  It’s ironic that the filmmakers changed the ending for it’s similarity to the ending of “Captain Marvel” yet decided to leave the opening of the film untouched considering it was almost identical to the opening sequence of “Shazam!” (which is based on a different Captain Marvel ironically).

    While we talk about the film’s final act, why on Earth did someone think turning the final battle into a literal train wreck was a good idea?  I can just imagine the meeting to change the ending going like this...

Fox Executive:

I can’t believe this!  Disney is making a Marvel movie with almost the same ending that is hitting theaters before us!  This is a nightmare!

Script Writer:

This is terrible!  What are we supposed to do?

Fox Executive:

I was hoping you might have some ideas.  The last thing we want is for this to turn into another train wreck like “X-Men: The Last Stand”.

Script Writer:

Did you say something about a train wreck?

Fox Executive:

F*** yeah I did!

Script Writer:

Interesting...  Also, I like that you threw in a random F bomb.  Being a PG-13 movie, I feel it is my moral obligation to throw in one random F bomb (randomly turns to a page and places his finger somewhere) HERE!

Fox Executive:

Are you drunk?

Script Writer:

Nooooo....now hold my beer!

    So in a nutshell, I found the movie to be okay with some enjoyable action set pieces but nothing about the movie will wow you either.  Still, there are far worse movies that have hit theaters this year alone.

Grade: B-

“Aladdin” (2019) Movie Review

   Since it was announced, I have been a bit on the fence about my desire to see the live action version of “Aladdin”.  On one hand, I don’t necessarily see the necessity to remake all the Disney animated classics into live action movies.  On the other hand, I really liked “Aladdin” and Will Smith is one of my favorite actors.  Ultimately, I ended up seeing the movie in theaters...because of course I did.

    Like the animated movie, the movie is based on the Middle Eastern folk tale ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ (aka ‘Arabian Nights’).  The story follows a poor street urchin named Aladdin who ends up meeting his kingdom’s Princess, Jasmine, and falls in love with her.  Aladdin flirts and charms the Princess until he is caught and forced to retrieve a magical lamp for the Sultan’s aid Jafar.  Aladdin ends up keeping the lamp which contains a magical Genie who is able to grant him three wishes.  Aladdin decides his first wish should be to become a Prince so he can court and marry Princess Jasmine.  Aladdin and Jafar square off shortly afterwards and battle for the fate of the kingdom itself.

    This live action version of “Aladdin” received mixed reviews from critics but how did I think it faired?  Well, I really enjoyed it although the film wasn’t without some flaws.  The biggest problem with the film was that the first act of the movie was a bit clunky.  Part of this was due to director Guy Ritchie awkwardly shooting a few of the opening musical numbers.  The actors seemed nervous and a bit out of their element in the first act and it just didn’t quite click until Will Smith entered the film and then a sense of comfort came over the film and the film improved drastically.

    On the subject of Will Smith and the cast.  I guess it is impossible not to compare Will Smith’s Genie with the legendary Robin Williams’ take on the Genie.  Well, all I can say is Will Smith did a great job of making the character his own and if you can’t see anyone but Robin Williams as the Genie (which I understand), this movie is never going to work for you.  My advice would be to have an open mind and give Will Smith a chance.  As already stated above, Mena Massoud as Aladdin was a bit awkward at the beginning but when paired with Will Smith, he became very charismatic and really started to own the role.  Naomi Scott from “Power Rangers” and “Terra Nova” plays Princess Jasmine very well.  The only real let down was Marwan Kenzari as Jafar (although it was more of a script issue as opposed to an acting issue).  Kenzari wasn’t terrible but I wish Jafar was more menacing in the script.

    While I didn’t love some of Guy Ritchie’s direction in the first act, there were several touches he added to the film that I enjoyed.  I thought he did a really good job allowing his cast to play the roles to their strengths instead of trying to carbon copy the animated film.  Ritchie also gave the film a bit of a Bollywood flair to it that I very much enjoyed.

    After all is said and done, this “Aladdin” film serves as a fine live action companion to the animated film.  While I am not sure why Disney feels it is necessary to turn all their animated classics into big budget live action fairs, the results have been fairly well so far.  You can’t top the Disney music either!  The magic is still alive with this adaptation and I think the film is definitely worth a watch!

Grade: B

“Dumbo” (2019) Movie Review

    Disney Pictures has been starting to turn it’s classic animated film library into live action movies for a few years now.  “Alice in Wonderland” was the first of the trend in 2014 and has been followed with the likes of “The Jungle Book”, “Maleficent”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Cinderella”, “Christopher Robin”, and “Alice Through the Looking Glass”.  The latest remake Disney has unveiled is “Dumbo” which is the classic tale of a young elephant trying to find his place in the world.  My girlfriend and I had wanted to see this movie for a few weeks now but we finally got to see it this week.

    The film follows a WW1 veteran and his children as they work in a traveling circus.  Holt, the father who lost his arm in the war, was once a trick rider for the circus but is now tasked with taking care of the newly purchased elephants Mrs. Jumbo and her new baby.  The baby elephant was born with giant ears and the owner of the circus considers the baby to be a freak of nature.  Holt is assigned with hiding the newborn elephant’s ears during his first performance but his ears end up becoming exposed anyway leading the audience to turn hostile on the poor baby elephant.  Mrs. Jumbo goes into a rage in defense of her son and ends up being sold off because she is deemed dangerous.  The baby elephant is given the name Dumbo shortly after he is separated from his mother.  Dumbo isn’t like other elephants though as Holt’s children later find out.  Dumbo’s large ears allow him to fly!  Following this revelation, Holt’s children hatch a plan to reunite Dumbo with his mother.

    The film received decidedly mixed reviews from critics who seemed to mainly complain that the film “lacked heart” compared to the original Disney classic.  Now, everyone is entitled to their opinion but I have to respectfully disagree with those critics.  I thought the film showed a lot of heart and in some ways is a better kid’s movie than the original.  The moral of “Dumbo” remains in tact in both incarnations of the film but the live action remake also dumps the racist subtexts the original had.

    The film succeeds largely due to it’s cast.  Colin Farrell gives a solid performance as Holt.  Michael Keaton plays against type as the antagonist of the story.  Danny DeVito shines as the owner of the traveling circus.  It was fun seeing Keaton and DeVito together again in a mini “Batman Returns” reunion.  Speaking of “Batman Returns”, “Dumbo” was also directed by Tim Burton.  Burton’s visual flair and his love for Art Deco style actually plays into “Dumbo” very well.

    At it’s core, “Dumbo” is a sometimes cute and sometimes heartbreaking movie that pulls all the right heartstrings.  The movie teaches us the value of being different.  I really enjoyed the movie and cgi used to create Dumbo was top notch.  This is a movie you can take the kids to see and not have to worry what you are exposing your children to.  It is also a movie you can see as an adult and feel like a kid again and I personally feel like that is important sometimes as well.

Grade: B

"Benji" (1974) Movie Review

    I have seen countless movies and television shows that feature dogs.  I am a sucker for anything featuring a dog I guess.  Now, that doesn't mean I would professionally say all of those films and tv shows were quality, but I still manage to find some enjoyment on a personal level in just about anything featuring man's best friend.  Now, up until recently, I had not seen the original "Benji" film from 1974 but I was very aware of the Benji franchise.  Benji is one of those dogs who became so iconic that you likely knew the name even if you hadn't seen anything in the Benji franchise.

    I had owned various Benji films on DVD over the years but I never bought the original "Benji" for some reason.  It has always been a film I was curious about exploring and thankfully the kind folks at Mill Creek Entertainment were nice enough to provide me a review copy of their new Benji three film blu-ray release.  I was extremely excited and surprised to get the film(s) in the mail earlier this week.  As soon as I had time (which isn't something I have a lot of working at a grocery store close to full time as well as running my own e-bay store), I was super pumped to see "Benji" in this blu-ray release!

    A large reason "Benji" has remained so relevant over the years has been due to the enormous popularity of the first film forty-five years ago.  The film was a hit with audiences leading to sequels as well as a Benji film made by Disney.  "Benji" was also nominated for an Oscar for "I Feel Love" in the ‘Best Song’ category.

    "Benji" tells the story of an adorable mutt who the people around the town take care of by feeding and paying attention to.  Two young children take an extreme liking to Benji and want to take him in but their father is unwilling to welcome a dog into their house.  The two children get kidnapped and the key to finding them just so happens to be Benji.

    The thing I love about certain films of the 70s is that while it has become dated due to fashion and certain filming techniques, those same things also give it a certain charm that is almost impossible to replicate.  Though a family film, it has the same feel as the drive in theater hits of the era like “Walking Tall” and “The Legend of Boggy Creek”.  The music also has a very 70s vibe which I loved.  Seeing Tom Lester from “Green Acres” was also pretty fun.

    Joe Camp produced, wrote, and directed “Benji” and he had every right to be proud of his accomplishment.  There is an old adage from W.C. Fields to “never work with children or animals” but Camp seemed to take the statement as a challenge while making “Benji”.

    Benji serves as an adorable film lead.  From his floppy ears to his cute underbite, it’s easy to see why audiences fell in love with the cute mutt.  During the Hollywood Renaissance, a family friendly film like “Benji” must have seemed like a welcomed change to some.  It also served as a precursor to modern films like “A Dog’s Way Home”, “A Dog’s Purpose”, and the Netflix reboot of this very film.

    For film buffs and dog lovers, “Benji” remains a must see movie.  While some aspects of the film may have aged poorly, the relationship Benji shares with the people in town and his animal pals remains timeless.  It melts your heart seeing Benji share a montage with his girlfriend Tiffany and the scene helps showcase the talent of the four legged cast.

Grade: B+

Buy the "Benji" Three Movie Collection DVD and Blu-ray Set Here!!!

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” Movie Review

    “Wreck-It Ralph” was one of the more enjoyable non Pixar Disney releases over the last decade.  The film introduced the lovable protagonist Ralph who happened to be the antagonist in his own game.  The film dealt with self worth and the importance of non glamorous jobs.  It was a film both adults and children could connect with.  Unfortunately, the same can’t be completely said about it’s sequel, “Ralph Breaks the Internet”.
    Now, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” isn’t a bad film.  The story of the film is actually pretty original and enjoyable.  I liked that they went a different direction with the story.  A lot of sequels try to make a carbon copy of the first film and this film did not.  It tried to tell a different story of morality but that was also part of the problem I had with the film.  The film, at it’s core, deals with having to let go of someone you love if it’s better for them.  While this is something we all have to deal with, it makes the film feel somewhat depressing.  So the film’s theme ultimately feels too adult for most children yet the animation might be too childish for some adults.  I did like that the film was ambitious enough to try a different tone.
    Unlike the first film, the jokes in this film didn’t always land.  Maybe it was because most of the jokes tied into product placements which this movie was filled with.  I am talking obvious product placement as well which is something that shouldn’t be so in your face in a kid’s movie.  I was well aware of eBay before this movie but if I wasn’t, I would sure be now.  “Ralph Breaks the Internet” feels more like a commercial half the time over a real film.
    Luckily for this film, the characters were extremely lovable and this film, despite it’s faults, didn’t hurt that.  Just catching up with the characters was refreshing and worth the price of admission.  The voice cast once again helps add to the character’s charm.  John C Reilly and Sarah Silverman have great chemistry and sound as if they were friends for years.
   “Ralph Breaks the Internet” doesn’t live up to the first movie but is worth a watch.  Just be aware that this movie deals with serious themes that children might not have much interest in.  The film also has kind of a bummer ending for an animated film.  Ultimately, I feel like this movie was worth the admission but perhaps not all the praise it received.

Grade: C+

“Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” Movie Review

    After the release of “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”, we Star Wars fans just accepted the fact that the franchise had officially ended.  We knew that there would always be cartoons, books, video games,  and comics but we accepted that live action Star Wars movies were now a thing of the past.  There would be no more chapters to add to the Skywalker saga and perhaps it was better that way.  No one wanted another prequel situation, where Lucas promised for more than a decade he would make more films but didn’t.  The Star Wars saga was now one with the force.

     Unbeknownst to almost everyone, George Lucas was working on a sequel trilogy and had even started to get his cast in line.  One key cast member was Mark Hamill who would once again play Luke Skywalker but would take on a more Obi-Wan Kenobi role training a young Jedi Padawan named Kira.  This obviously changed by the time the movie started filming for a number of reasons but Lucas supposedly even had a finished script.  Then Disney came along throwing around crazy money.  George Lucas had been considering retiring and when Disney got wind of this, the mouse house offered Lucas a little over four billion dollars for Lucasfilms.  George Lucas accepted the offer and the transition began with Lucas and Disney agreeing to apoint Kathleen Kennedy as the new head of Lucasfilms.  Disney also received George Lucas’ script for Episode VII in the deal which they wasted no time in throwing away.

    Disney didn’t trust George Lucas after the prequels received generally negative feedback.  They wanted to make a film for the fans.  They wanted to sell nostalgia.  In a nut shell, they wanted to remake “A New Hope” but wrap it up like a sequel and hope no one noticed.  Well, plenty of people did and it wasn’t exactly like it was a fact they were hiding.  They even hired lifetime Star Wars nerd J.J. Abrams to direct the movie.  No one really knew what a Disney Star Wars movie would be like.  We were all a little scared but also incredibly excited to see what Force Awakens had in store for us.

    The movie is set thirty years after “Return of the Jedi” and sees the galaxy has once again fell into turmoil.  The Empire was destroyed but in it’s ashes, the First Order arose.  The First Order is basically just the Empire with a different name, they even have the same stormtroopers and tie fighters and guns and so on (not much has changed).  They are led by Kylo Ren who is a Darth Vader fan boy with a secret of his own.  Kylo Ren is definitely one of the highlights of the film.  His unhinged emo and spoiled brat personality seems very different from Darth Vader’s calm and reserved demeanor.

    “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” largely ignores the legacy material which came before it.  So any event that happened in a book or comic became non-canon.  This was a wise decision in my book because so much has happened in the books that would be hard to go over in a single movie.  They did borrow fairly heavily from the legends though.

    The film stars Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and a non speaking cameo from Mark Hamill.  I like the new characters and Ridley, Boyega, and Driver are among the three best standouts.  Harrison Ford is a delight as Han Solo, one of his greatest characters.

    The film sets up a lot of interesting questions, or as Abrams describes them, mystery boxes.  The only problem with these mystery boxes is that it passes the buck onto the next filmmaker so the success of that movie is tied into the success of this movie.  John Williams once again scores this Star Wars film but it isn’t the best in the saga.

    The new characters act as stand ins for the original characters.  Rey is essentially the Luke for this trilogy.  Han is the new Obi-Wan,  Maz is the new Yoda, Poe is the new Han, Finn is the Leia of this franchise, BB-8 is the new C-3PO and R2-D2, and Ren is the new Vader.

    The film rehashes a lot of aspects from the original Star Wars but if you are going to steal and sell it as nostalgia, you can’t beat Star Wars.  The force really did awaken with this film.

Grade: A-