Brother Bear 2 A Simple, Fun Story

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Disney’s Brother Bear 2 is one of the better of the crop of sequels released by Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.  Unlike sequels such as Mulan II and The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, Brother Bear 2 lives up to the reputation and label of a sequel.  This roughly hour and five minute long movie picks up not long after the events of its predecessor.  Kenai and Koda are enjoying life as bear brothers out in the wilderness.  Enter Kenai’s old childhood friend Nita (Mandy Moore), and just as with other Disney romances, it leads to a very difficult choice to be made by the protagonist (I.E. Kenai).  Kenai is forced to choose between life as a bear or returning to human form so that he and Nita can marry.  Sure, it’s a predictable story.  But the messages of love and sacrifice make up for that predictability.  Add in a relatively short run time, the return of both Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis as everybody’s favorite pair of moose, musical backing from none other than Melissa Etheridge (who can easily be mistaken for Sean Lennon), and animation that is just as solid as the previous movie in this franchise, and viewers get a movie that actually stands out as one of the better sequels in Disney’s modern era.

The central plot of Brother Bear 2 has already been explained.  Just as the story is simple enough for viewers of all ages to understand, so are the messages tied into the story.  The most obvious message of Brother Bear 2 is the same as any romance movie.  That message is that true love conquers all.  Tied directly into this is that true love means true sacrifice.  And a sacrifice (albeit a predictable one) is made.  What that sacrifice is will be left for viewers to find out for themselves.  It’s one from which parents will take more value than their children.  Though, as heartwarming as the story is, the sacrifice in question will mean more to children when they get older as this movie is worth more than just a passing glance once or twice.

The messages contained in Brother Bear 2 are ones that both children and adults will value and appreciate with each viewing.  Appreciation of the messages will also lead to appreciation of the movie’s central story.  It’s a relatively easy story to follow.  This applies to both children and their parents.  And unlike Brother Bear, the story it’s just over an hour long. The run time on the new triple disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack lists this animated feature at seventy three minutes.  The actual feature itself runs just over an hour.  This is a good fit for younger viewers, especially considering the general attention span of the movie’s intended audience.

The story and run time of Brother Bear 2 are the most notable of this movie’s positives.  Though there is more that can be said of it.  Another of its positives is the musical backing of another famous musician.  Melissa Etheridge explains in the movie’s behind the music feature, explaining how she came to be part of the movie and what writing and performing its songs meant to her.  Her discussion of the song played in the movie’s closing minutes (that moment won’t be given away as it would be a spoiler) helps audiences to better understand the importance not just of the music, but of the moment in question.  Understanding this, one can’t help but go back and watch the moment in question again, as well as other important moments throughout the movie.  Watching them again (as Rutt and Tuke note in the bonus commentary from Brother Bear) gives them whole new meaning.  The same applies in watching the movie for its animation.

The animation of Brother Bear 2 is just as impressive as in Brother Bear.  That can especially be noted of the sequences involving the Northern Lights.  One can’t tell if they were digitally created or crafted cell by cell, frame by frame.  And what is believed once more to be the Northern Canadian wilderness is just as impressive as a background to the story.  The detail in the snowcapped mountains and the waterfalls is beautiful.  It shows yet again that digital and hand drawn animation can co-exist and really should rather than letting digital animation take over as much as it has.  It would be wonderful to see not just Disney but every company that sets out to make an animated feature do what this movie and Brother Bear 2 have done.  Brother Bear 2 is available now alongside Brother Bear in a brand new triple-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.  It’s available in stores and online.  It can’ be ordered online via the Disney Store at http://www.disneystore.com/brother-bear-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1331569/1000316/ and via the Walt Disney Home Entertainment store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/brother-bear-two-movie.html.

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Brother Bear A “Beary” Fun Family Flick From Disney

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Brother Bear is one of the better animated features from Walt Disney Studios in the company’s modern era.  This unsuspectingly enjoyable feature came at a time when the company was churning out a pretty big number of pieces that were largely being panned by the press and audiences alone.  Considering this, Brother Bear could not have come along at a better time.  Its largely animal cast, simple story, impressive mix of hand drawn and digital animation, general lack of song cues (though there are songs peppered in), and comedy make it a wonderfully piece for the whole family.  Though, it should be noted that some scenes early in the story that might be a little bit scary for much younger viewers.  Despite that and what so many critics had to say of this movie, it’s a welcome return to form of sorts for Disney.

The story behind Brother Bear is simple enough for viewers of all ages to follow.  It sends an obviously environmentally themed message through its story.  Audiences are introduced in this story to young Native warrior Kenai (pronounced keen-eye).  Kenai lives in what appears to be an unnamed corner of prehistoric era Canada.  This seems to be the case being that included among the mostly animal cast are mastodons and a pair of moose (played wonderfully by veteran actor Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas).  Audiences will love the comic relief provided by Moranis and Thomas.  They expertly serve to alleviate the story’s more emotional moments and bring viewers back from said moments.  Young Koda (Jeremy Suarez) offers his own share of funny moments, too.  The story though, centers on Kenai (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix).  Kenai learns a very valuable lesson about respecting Mother Nature and all of her creatures after he kills a bear that killed his brother.  He killed the bear because he did not understand or know that the bear in question was only defending her child, who turns out to be Koda.  Upon killing the mother bear, Kenai is then forced to live as a bear and see life from a different vantage point.  It’s sort of the message of “walk a mile in my shoes.”  This adds an extra element to the otherwise environmentalist plot line, and thus adds more depth to the overall presentation.

The cast and the story are both positive elements in the overall presentation of Brother Bear with their mix of emotional depth and comic relief.  They together make for their own share of enjoyment in this movie.  The mix of traditional hand drawn and digital animation add even more depth to the presentation.  The colors are so deep and rich throughout each scene.  And even the digital animation used in correlation with the more traditional hand drawn art is just as incredible when viewed on an HDTV in “cinema” setting.  The difference between the hand drawn and digital animation is noticeable.  However, one doesn’t overpower the other thus making each scene more fluid.

As one can already tell, there is a lot to like about Brother Bear.  It impresses with its animation and with its balance of comedy and drama through a well stocked voice cast.  And the story is simple enough to keep audiences engaged throughout its near ninety minute run time. There is at least one more aspect of this underappreciated movie that makes it enjoyable for audiences.  That aspect is that it doesn’t follow the standard formula for so many of Disney’s musicals.  There are musical numbers.  But unlike so many of Disney’s musicals, this movie boasts music from the likes of Phil Collins to aid in setting the emotional tone of given scenes.  That aspect mixes with the positive message of family and its other positive aspects to make Brother Bear one more movie that stands out as one of the better releases of Disney’s modern era.  It is available now alongside Brother Bear 2 in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack in stores and online.  It can be ordered direct online via the Disney store at http://www.disneystore.com/brother-bear-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1331569/1000316/ and at the Disney DVD Home Entertainment Store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/brother-bear-two-movie.html. 

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The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II One More Enjoyable Stand-Alone Sequel

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

The sequel to Disney’s modern classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame has hardly been one of the most accepted of sequels from Disney’s canon.  While it has been largely rejected by fans and critics alike, perhaps the reason for this is that much like Mulan II, it has been improperly marketed.  The Hunchback of Notre Dame II is, much like Mulan II, less a sequel than a stand-alone story.  Hunchback of Notre Dame II picks up years after the events of the first movie.  Esmerelda and Phoebus have a young son who it would seem is at least six or seven years old.  And having originally brought the pair together, Quasimodo is now looking for his own special woman.  It just so happens that said woman enters his life when a circus comes to town.  The circus is led by a less than honorable man, thus audiences get the story’s central conflict, thus pushing Quasimodo’s romance plot to a secondary role.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame II—as noted–has almost no link to its predecessor.  Its only link to the previous film in this franchise is the inclusion once again of Quasimodo’s gargoyle friends, as well as Esmerelda and Phoebus (both voiced once again by Demi Moore and Kevin Kline).  Jason Alexander also returns as the gargoyle, Hugo.  Other than the return of these characters and a couple other returning cast members, this sequel really is not a sequel at all.  But because it was titled as a sequel, expectations by audiences and critics alike were high to say the least, and thus dashed when it turned out that it was not so much a sequel, but more a stand-alone story.  Here’s where things get interesting.  Should The Hunchback of Notre Dame II been marketed directly as a sequel?  Probably not.  However, that doesn’t mean exactly that it’s a bad story.  When viewed as the stand-alone story that it is, it actually has its merits.  The first of those merits would have to be its animation.  One must absolutely remove this movie from its predecessor in order to fully appreciate this.  Audiences must also keep in mind in watching this movie that a certain amount of time has passed.  So there should be no expectation of this movie having direct relationship to the first of the franchise’s films.  Doing so will make suspension of disbelief easier and thus will make the movie more enjoyable.

One of the biggest qualms that audiences and critics have had with The Hunchback of Notre Dame II is the movie’s animation.  This is a full on hand drawn movie.  Most audiences might compare it to Disney’s most recent anime brand of movies.  However, older audiences will appreciate the animation as it throws back to the hand drawn animation of certain 80s TV shows.  One of the most notable of those shows would be a little animated cartoon called The Littles.  Just knowing this reference and comparing the cartoon in question to this movie will surely generate a certain sense of nostalgia among older audiences.  And it serves as a reminder that cartoons made in the twenty-first century still can be made in the “old school” style.  For that matter, it proves that audiences still need the style of animation in question, considering that so many movie studios and TV companies rely so heavily on digital animation today.  So while many audiences have panned this movie for having used classic hand drawn animation, odds are those people that did so are those who have grown up knowing only digital animation rather than the joy and identity that comes with hand drawn animation.  It proves too, that Disney can and should at least try more often to use hand drawn animation versus digital for its big theatrical animated features.

It was nice to see Disney return to actual animation with The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  Being able to enjoy the animation allows one to focus on the story itself.  The story behind this “sequel” is only slightly tied to that of the original movie at best.  It takes place years after the original.  The ability of audiences to keep this in mind helps to separate this movie from the original, in Disney’s defense.  On the other hand, had this movie been given a different title, instead of being simply titled, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, it might have been better received by viewers.  That aside, the story itself is simple enough for any viewer to follow.  Quasimodo is forced to make a very important choice when the woman for whom he falls turns out to not be entirely everything that she seems.  In the end, audiences get a happy ending that proves love truly does conquer all.  It will leave viewers whose minds are open enough with enough of a warm feeling that they will hopefully be able to overlook their past view of the movie and see it for its value as another enjoyable stand-alone story from Disney.  It’s available now on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack alongside The Hunchback of Notre Dame in stores and online.  The new combo pack is available in stores and online.  It can be ordered online in the Disney Store at http://www.disneystore.com/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1331583/1000316/ and at the Disney DVD store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-two-movie-collection.html. 

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame Is One Of Disney’s Modern Classics

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Walt Disney Studios has largely made its fame on taking classic literary stories and adapting them for the big screen.  For the most part, doing so has led to great success for Disney.  So it goes without saying that when Disney’s heads decided to bring Victor Hugo’s literary classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame to audiences in animated form doing so was a pretty big risk.  That is because this is hardly the happiest of stories.  Somehow though, Disney managed to pull off the job and craft what should be considered to be one of the company’s modern classics.  Whereas its renditions of The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Cinderella and others are considered the company’s original classics, its take on Hugo’s literary masterpiece fits nicely into the category of modern classics.  This is the case for a variety of reasons. In watching this rendition, one can’t help but be taken back to Disney’s golden era.  From the subtlety of the mix of hand drawn and digital animation, to the big song cues to the animation, one actually feels as if one is actually watching a stage presentation made into an animated film.  And while it may be a little bit scary for younger audiences with its darker elements, it still stands as one of the better works in Disney’s modern era.

Viewers that closely watch the newly re-issued Hunchback of Notre Dame I/II combo pack will catch a subtlety that others might not that harkens back to Disney’s golden era.  That subtlety is a mix of animation styles.  There are a handful of scenes throughout this movie that show on one side, the rougher, less “streamlined” animation style sitting side by side.  This is explained briefly in the original “Making of featurette” that was included in the movie’s previous release.  Actor Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) explains the reality behind the misconception that all animation done for Disney movies—at the time—was done by computer.  The difference between the hand drawn animation and digital animation is pretty clear.  And the very fact that animators tried to duplicate the animation of Disney’s famed “Nine Old Men” even in the slightest in this feature makes it worthy of at least a little bit of respect.

If the attempt by animators to replicate the animation of Disney’s most famed animators isn’t enough for viewers, then perhaps the story’s musical numbers will help win over audiences.  Composer Alan Menken returned for this movie after having massive success nearly a decade prior on another of Disney’s biggest modern classics in The Little Mermaid.  The animation works in tandem with the big musical numbers to really leave viewers feeling like they are watching a stage presentation in animated form.  That’s even more the case now that the movie has been re-issued on Blu-ray.  There is just a certain quality on which one can’t put one’s finger that pulls audiences in and makes the story believable.  That’s the sign of a quality work.

If the song cues and the animation aren’t enough, then the movie’s more comical moments will entertain audiences.  Even in some of the movie’s darker moments, the story’s writers come up with some pretty funny moments to help lighten the mood.  A prime example of this comes late in the movie, in the final showdown sequence.  As Quasimodo and Frollo face off in the cathedral’s tower, soldiers are below, trying to break in.  Laverne (voiced by the late Mary Wickers) helps in the fight by calling on a large group of birds.  This moment is a tribute not just to the classic Warner Brothers movie, The Wizard of Oz, but also to Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic, The Birds.  While the latter tribute may have been unintentional, it is there.  It’s just one of so many moments that will have viewers laughing.  Add in Jason Alexander’s comedic timing and viewers get more than enough laughs to offset the movie’s darker moments.  Those darker moments being offset and the movie’s enjoyable musical numbers and hybrid animation together make The Hunchback of Notre Dame one of the better movies from Disney’s modern era.  One might even go so far as to call it one of Disney’s modern classics.  It is available now on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack in stores and online.  It can be ordered direct from the Disney store at http://www.disneystore.com/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1331583/1000316/ and at the Disney DVD store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-two-movie-collection.html. 

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Mulan II A Good Stand-Alone Story

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Disney’s Mulan II is a far cry from the 1998 movie that wowed so many people.  Audiences and critics alike largely panned the movie upon its release nearly a decade after the original movie’s release.  A big part of the reason that the movie was panned was because in the time that had passed between movies, those involved in the creation of Mulan II had more than enough time to make a sequel that was just as impressive as the original.  But allegedly, only three years passed before this direct-to-DVD was released versus the roughly five to seven years that passed before Mulan was released to theaters.  Mulan had a lot going for it.  There’s no denying this.  But its sequel has its own merits, too.  Audiences need just see the merits in the movie as a stand-alone feature, rather than a sequel.

It has already been noted that one reason Mulan II passed was the ratio of time spent making the movie to the number of years spanning the release of Mulan and Mulan II.  That ratio is indirectly tied in to another potential reason for audiences’ reaction to the movie.  That secondary reason is that the movie was perhaps improperly marketed.  It was marketed as a sequel although it sits more as a stand-alone feature by comparison.  Audiences get in Mulan II the next chapter of sorts between Mulan and her love interest from Mulan, Captain Shang (voiced by B.D. Wong–Law & Order SVU).  Shang has, in the time between movies, become a General.  Audiences are left to believe that the threat from the previous story has been dealt with, as there’s even note late in the movie referencing the previous story.  Having dealt with that, Mulan and Shang must now learn about the ups and downs in the potential of life together.  So again, while this is a continuation of Mulan, it is also an entirely different story.  Had this story simply been given the Mulan title with an entirely separate subtitle, it might have been better received by audiences and critics considering its primary plot.  That’s not to say that this is a bad story.  Quite the opposite, actually.  This is an especially good watch each year during wedding season.  It serves as a reminder even to adult viewers about the power of love to overcome the differences that may come up between a couple whether in the earliest or late stages of life together.

The primary romantic plot element in Mulan II is a good juxtaposition to the storyline of Mulan.  Hua Mulan is still the strong, independent individual presented to audiences in Mulan.  This time around though, this story’s writers offer audiences her softer, more emotional side.  The story manages quite well, to balance the two sides, thus making her somewhat more believable as a character.  Being that Mulan was aimed largely at female audiences, it was only natural that a story about the relationship between Shang and Mulan followed.  If audiences take this into account, it might help to see past the primary issues of the movie being improperly marketed, especially after so much time had passed between each movie’s release. 

Having overcome the hurdle of Mulan II’s primary plot and marketing issues, audiences will find one more positive to Mulan II.  That second positive is the movie’s secondary plot.  The secondary plot, centered on Mulan’s sidekick, Mushu, presents the theme of friendship.  Not to reveal too much, but Mushu is the cause of everything that happens between Mulan and Shang.  In simple, viewers learn the lesson that being a true friend sometimes means making sacrifices that one might not want to make.  It’s a valuable lesson from which both kids and adults can learn.  The lesson taught in this secondary story makes Mulan II more enjoyable.  Making it even more valuable—even if it was unintentional—was a reference to Aladdin in Mushu’s reaction to a very positive discovery late in the story.  That discovery won’t be revealed here for the sake of those who haven’t seen it.  But anyone who has seen Aladdin will hopefully get the reference.  There is at least one other reference that audiences will get.  But that discovery will be left for those that have yet to see this not-so-sequel sequel.  It’s one more factor that makes Mulan II worth at least one watch.  It’s available in stores and online now as part of the new Mulan/Mulan II BD/DVD combo pack.  The new multi-disc combo pack can be ordered online direct from the Disney store at http://www.disneystore.com/mulan-15th-annniversary-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1331589/1000316/ and at the Disney DVD store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/mulan-two-movie.html. 

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Mulan Worth A Second Watch In New Multi-Disc Re-Issue

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

The history of Walt Disney Studios is rich with beloved adaptations of some of the most well known stories ever written and passed down from one generation to the next.  Among some of Disney’s most beloved tales are fairy tales the likes of: Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast.  These movies have become perhaps some of Disney’s most iconic big screen adaptations of classic literary tales.  They have become the cornerstone of Disney’s “Princess” genre over the course of the studio’s history.  As famed and beloved as Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle are to this day, audiences saw Disney take a chance on a new brand of Princess in 1992 with the release of Aladdin.  Princess Jasmine was much more independent and strong willed than Disney’s other princesses that audiences had come to know.  She would be the first of her brand for female audiences to look up to.  But it wouldn’t be another six years that audiences would see an equally strong and independent figure in Mulan.

The character presented in Disney’s Mulan is based on the ancient Chinese legend of Hua Mulan.  The story stays the same in its translation in that this Mulan also takes the place of her father in the Chinese army.  That’s where the similarities end.  But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  In comparison to the previously mentioned movies, what audiences get in Mulan is a female lead that is both independent and emotionally and physically strong.  She is a positive role model for young female audiences today, just as Merida is in the more recent Disney feature film, Brave.  Mulan, as a figure, proves that whether in China’s past or in the twenty-first century, women can do anything that men can do.  Sometimes they can do what men do even better.  What’s more even when her secret is revealed late in the movie, she doesn’t get pushy.  She simply remains a strong leader, instead of forcing her inner strength down the throats of her male counterparts.  This too is something from which young women can take away from Mulan.  It is good to be a strong person.  But being as good as the boys and men doesn’t mean pushing it in their faces and down their throats.

That Mulan serves as a positive role model is just one part of the success of the movie centered on her.  It is her strength and her dedication to her family that leads her to do what she does.  This seems somewhat inconsequential at first glance.  But in the bigger picture, her dedication to her family (and especially to her father) continues Disney’s long-running tradition of offering the theme of family first.  Mulan did what she did for her family.  And in the end, it was her own family that shoed its love and respect for her for having saved not just her father, but her entire nation.  This in itself serves a secondary theme.  That secondary theme is of strength in personal belief.  One person—male or female—can make huge difference whether it is on one person or a whole nation. It just takes belief in one’s own self.

The themes of family and self belief are wonderful for viewers of all ages.  The same can be said of Mulan serving as a positive role model for young female viewers.  Already, one can see how underrated this movie is in comparison to Disney’s other “princess” movies.  Audiences will also appreciate the movie’s writing.  There is more than enough physical comedy to make both male and female audiences laugh.  A prime example of this comes when Mulan first comes into the warriors’ camp and sees how they interact.  Her attempt to pass as one of them will leave any viewer laughing.  And early on when Mulan is learning how to be a “proper wife”, her lesson leads to a moment of great physical comedy that again the whole family will love.  They are just a tiny portion of the whole movie’s impressive writing.  Viewers that take the time to watch the entire movie will find many more funny moments for themselves. 

Just as important to the movie as its writing, and positive themes is the bonus features in the new Blu-ray/DVD multi-disc re-issue of Mulan/Mulan II.  Viewers that pick up the new Mulan/Mulan II multi-disc set from Disney will gain even more appreciation for both movies after watching the roughly fifteen bonus features spread across both movies.  Audiences learn in large part via the movies’ bonus features is the balance attained in partnering both hand drawn animation and digital (computer generated) “animation.”  The balance is so even that it’s nearly impossible to tell what is hand drawn and what is created digitally.  So what importance does this have, one might ask?  The answer is simple.  This is important in that it shows digital animation is not the do all, end all.  It is a tool, and should be used as such, rather than a replacement for hand drawn animation.  This is a discussion that has been raised in the bonus features of previous Disney re-issues.  In a time when so many studios are relying increasingly on digital animation, the discussion of how digital and hand drawn animation were merged to make this final product shows that it is possible to make a movement back toward hand drawn animation.  One can only hope that studios will take heed to this message.  Until or unless they do, audiences at least have Mulan as proof that the past and future of animation can be crossed.  That bridge, combined with everything else offered by this new re-issue, makes Mulan a work that while it may not be one of Disney’s most well known features is one that offers more than just what’s on the surface.  It’s a movie that’s worth more than just one watch.  And it’s available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered online via the Disney store at http://www.disneystore.com/mulan-15th-annniversary-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1331589/1000316/ and via the Disney DVD store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/mulan-two-movie.html. 

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Peter Pan Diamond Edition Another Welcome Re-Issue From The Disney Vaults

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Peter Pan is one of the greatest of Walt Disney’s original classic animated features.  This animated take on Sir James M. Barrie’s classic literary work may not stay entirely true to the original.  But what movie ever adapted from a book ever does or has?  Considering that, one is left wondering what exactly it is that makes this adaptation of Barrie’s classic story so timeless on screen.  The very first aspect of the movie’s success is a simple one that is echoed in the 2004 movie, Finding Neverland.  Johnny Depp plays Barrie in the movie.  At one point in the movie, he notes that once a person loses their childhood, their innocence, it’s gone.  Peter Pan really shows that Walt Disney was perhaps himself just a big kid in an adult’s body.  Thus audiences got the final product of fourteen years’ work that so many still love today.  Wendy’s father states before she goes off to Neverland that everybody has to grow up.  Sure, everybody has to grow up.  But that doesn’t mean that in growing up, everybody has to lose at least some sense of their childhood.  It’s that element of childhood after all, that helps establish the suspension of disbelief that makes this story timeless.

Peter Pan is the embodiment of the belief that while we all have to grow up, we should never completely lose our childhood.  That is the most important aspect of Peter Pan’s success.  It’s an excellent reminder both for kids and their parents across generations.  That aspect is but one part of what makes it timeless.  Another aspect that makes this adaptation such a success is its animation.  As is the case with Disney’s other early animated features, this feature stands out because of its entirely original hand drawn animation.  The colors used throughout the feature are so rich and vibrant.  They make the story feel “alive.”  By comparison, so many of today’s “animated” features are crafted through computers.  In turn, they all feel sterile and look alike.  Animation through this venue takes away any identity from said features.  But true hand drawn animation gives classics such as this one its own identity and life.  It’s a stamp of originality so to speak.  And it’s something that once again is examined in the bonus features included in the brand new triple disc Diamond Edition of Peter Pan.

The new triple-disc Diamond Edition of Peter Pan offers a whole new generation the same joy that was offered to their parents and grandparents.  The inclusion of the bonus features will also offer a whole new appreciation to parents who originally watched it as kids themselves.  It discusses the importance of the hand drawn animation through the new feature, “Growing Up With Nine Old Men.”  This feature is a culmination of sorts from bonus features on previous Disney re-issues.  It offers a glimpse at the lives of Disney’s famed “Nine Old Men” from the vantage point of those who were closest to them; their own children.  Their children discuss the hard work and long hours put into making Disney’s classic films, Peter Pan included.  Audiences will appreciate learning that one of the “Nine Old Men” was not just an illustrator, but a true artist.  He was a painter outside of his job.  His daughter explains his attention to detail in his paintings just as he did with his art for Disney’s films.  It’s just one of the bonus features that audiences will appreciate with this latest re-issue.

If the discussion on Disney’s “Nine Old Men” wasn’t enough to earn new appreciation for Peter Pan, perhaps the short feature on Tinkerbell, “Tinkerbell: A Fairy’s Tale” will do the trick.  Audiences get a glimpse into the woman who was the original inspiration for Tinkerbell as well as Tinkerbell herself being an example of a progressive woman.  As is noted, she represented a very independent, strong and strong willed woman who would eventually become the basis for so many of Disney’s modern princesses.  As short as this feature is, had a person not watched it before, then watching it now with the movie’s new re-issue will show just how far ahead of everything this movie is simply through this factor.  And hopefully it will develop a new appreciation among audiences who had otherwise never considered Tinkerbell’s overall importance before.  It’s just one more of so many features included in the new re-issue that exemplify why Peter Pan always has been and always will be a timeless family film both in the world of Disney and in the movie industry as a whole.

The brand new triple-disc diamond edition of Peter Pan will be available next Tuesday, February 5^th.  It will be available in stores and online.  It can be ordered direct via Disney’s online store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always get the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Top 10 Major Motion Pictures Of 2012

Top 10 Movies of 2012

 

Courtesy: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

1.  The Artist:  While it originally made its debut overseas in 2011, it wasn’t until January 20^th of this year that The Artist actually made its nationwide debut in theaters across the U.S.  Before then, only the lucky few at the big festivals got to see it.  That being the case, it should be considered a 2012 release.  So what makes it 2012’s best?  So much could be said.  At a time when so much of what Hollywood churns out is prequels, sequels, and remakes, this story—distributed by Sony Pictures—went the total opposite.  How simple and ingenious is it to make a silent film in a movie of major flash-bang-boom films?  Because the movie’s only sound is its music, viewers are forced to watch.  And the cast was force to really put on its best possible performance, rather than rely on everything else that most movies use to distract audiences from poor performances.  The music is quite enjoyable, too.  And of course, the general cinematography is just as impressive.  It all combines to make for a movie that any movie lover should see at least once.

2.  Mirror, Mirror:  Some of you might shake your heads at this pick.  But the reality is that this is really a fun and family friendly movie.  Both boys and girls will enjoy it as will parents.  While young Lily Collins (the daughter of superstar Phil Collins) is billed as the lead star here, it’s the dwarves who are really the story’s stars.  Their antics make for more than their share of laughs.  Though watching Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer—The Lone Ranger) put under the evil queen’s puppy love spell is pretty funny, too.  It’s obvious that this spoof of the classic fairy tale was aimed both at boys and girls.  With its mix of wit and charm, it will always be one of the best takes on the old Snow White story.

Courtesy: Disney Studios

3.  The Odd Life of Timothy Green:  This is another truly enjoyable family movie.  The general story is one to which any parent can relate and will enjoy because of that.  Though the concept of what happens with Timothy might be a little bit tough to discuss with younger viewers.  The beautiful backdrop adds even more warmth to the story.  And the cast’s acting makes suspension of disbelief so easy.  Sure it’s sappy, emotional, and all that jazz.  But that can be forgiven as it’s such an original and heartwarming story.       

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

4.  Skyfall:  This is where things begin to get a little bit touchy.  Skyfall is by far the best Bond flick to come along in a very long time.  That’s not to say that the previous two were bad.  But this one brought back memories of the old school James Bond that everybody knows.  It’s got the gadgets and the humor and none of the melodrama that weighed down the previous two Bond flicks.  The only downside to the movie is that it tends to drag in the final act.  Other than that, it is a nice return to form for the Bond franchise and gives hope for any future Bond films….that is at least if Christopher Nolan doesn’t get his hands on the franchise.

Courtesy: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Video

5.  The Avengers:  The Avengers was a very nice way to cap off the build-up created by Marvel Studios with the recent bevy of comic book based movies.  It had great special effects.  Its story was simple and solid.  And the shooting was equally impressive.  Considering all the action going on, audiences weren’t left feeling dizzy to the point of wanting to walk out (or in the case of home release, just turn it off).  But like so many ensemble cast movies, it suffered from a common problem.  That problem was the movie’s run time.  Most of the characters in The Avengers had already been introduced through their own separate movies.  So there was no reason to re-introduce them all over again this time.  A lot of that extra time could have been spared.  Hopefully those involved have learned from that and will present viewers with a shorter movie in the second of the Avengers movies.

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Home Video

6.  The Dark Knight Rises:  I am just as much a comic book fan as anyone else out there.  So it goes without saying that I was excited to see this movie.  It did a good job of wrapping up the trilogy.  The problem is that it did too much of a good job, as David Goyer and the Nolans tried too hard to cram everything into one movie.  Word is that this latest installment of the Batman franchise left many people checking their watches when it was in theaters.  It might have been better served to have been split up into at least one more movie because of everything added into the mix.  And having what seems to be a lack of commentary on the new home release, fans can only guess what the logic was in cramming so much into one story.  Much like The Avengers, the shooting and the special effects were great.  So it has that going for it.  But the writing was the story’s big problem.  Here’s to hoping that whoever takes over the Batman franchise next (whenever it’s re-launched) won’t make the same mistake as Christopher Nolan and company.

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

7.  Prometheus:  This semi-prequel to Ridley Scott’s hit Alien franchise was met with mixed reviews.  There seemed to be no gray area here.  Audiences either loved it or hated it.  Truth be told, it worked quite well as both a prequel and as its very own stand-alone movie.  Sure the special effects are different from those used in the original movies.  But times are different.  So viewers should take that into account.  And the shooting was just as impressive.  While it may not be as memorable as Scott’s previous works, at least audiences can agree that it’s better than the movies in the AvP franchise.

Courtesy: Universal Pictures

8.  Les Miserables:  This latest reboot of Victor Hugo’s classic story of love and redemption in one of history’s darkest eras is not bad.  But it’s not great, either.  Audiences who know the stage play will thrill at how director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) and his staff of writers paid tribute to the stage play both in its writing and its shooting.  At the same time, Hooper tried so hard to pay tribute with his shooting style and the transitions that the whole movie felt dizzying to say the least.  The shooting and transitions felt like nothing more than a bunch of cuts from one shot to the next.  There was never a total sense of fluidity anywhere in the story.  It was almost as if despite staying true to the stage play, the script for this latest big screen adaptation was written by someone with ADHD.  Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway did a superior job with their performances.  But despite that, odds are that the movie will sadly be remembered more for its flawed shooting and transitions than for its award-worthy performances.  Nonetheless, it’s still a good movie for any fan of Les Miserables or for fans of musicals in general to see at least once.

Courtesy: CBS Films/CBS Home Entertainment/UK Film Council/BBC Films/Lionsgate/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

9.  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen:  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is without a doubt an original story.  It’s next to impossible to find anything like it out there or present.  But it suffers greatly from an identity crisis.  It doesn’t know whether it wants to be a drama, a romance, or a little bit of both.  It’s nice to see the simple message of something as simple as fishing being able to bring the world’s people together peacefully.  But it really seemed to let the romance factor get too much involved.  As a result, it got bogged down in itself.  Had it not had the romance subplot, it might have been better.

Courtesy: Lionsgate

10. Arbitrage:  It was once noted that three factors more than any other are the causes of crime.  Those factors are:  money, power, and sex.  Arbitrage has all three of these.  It’s an interesting movie.  And it definitely wastes no time noting the latter of the trio of factors, as it lets audiences know that Robert Miller (Richard Gere) is having an affair with another woman.  And also, Miller’s boss has a very firm talk with him early on letting him know that he knows about the financial inaccuracies that he’s causing.  It doesn’t take long to know where this story goes.  It’s something of a tried and true story.  Add in this critic’s pet peeve of movies, the “whisper scenes” and it makes for a movie that as good as it is it could have been better.  For those wondering, the “whisper scene” is exactly as it sounds (bad pun there).  The “whisper scene” is one in which actors essentially whisper throughout the scene against overpowering music to make the scene more emotional and powerful.  But put against the sudden transition to normal volume scenes (and above normal volume scenes), it becomes rather annoying as one has to constantly change the volume on one’s TV as a result of that.  It’ll be interesting to see if it gets the Golden Globe for which it was nominated.

There you have it folks.  That is my personalist of the year’s ten best major motion pictures.  You are more than welcome to share whether you agree or disagree and what your top 10 list would look like.  2013′s already shaping up to be an interesting year.  As the movies start to come out, I’ll have reviews of them, too.  To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Santa Paws 2 More Furry, Family Friendly Holiday Fun For the Whole Family

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

“You’re never too old to believe in Christmas.”  Such were the words of Mrs. Clause in the holiday movie from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups.  This is the message taught when a young boy’s wish causes an entire town to lose its Christmas spirit.  This new sequel to the original Santa Paws teaches not just that lesson, but also that it’s okay to make mistakes.  They key about making a mistake is learning from them.  The new feature’s focus on family and its musical numbers help add to the long running legacy of Disney movies.  They all combine for a movie that parents and kids will enjoy this holiday season.

The central plot of Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups is of the wish made by young Pineville boy Carter Reynolds (played by Josh Feldman).  Carter is sad this holiday season because he is spending it without his mother.  Sadly, Carter’s mother, who ran the town radio station, had died.  So the holidays just don’t mean as much to Carter.  In his emotional state, he wishes that all the Christmas spirit in Pineville would just disappear.  That wish is then unwittingly granted by young pup, Charity who along with her fellow pups, had stowed away on Santa’s sled.  The pups had stowed away in an effort to prove they were ready to handle the power of the wishing crystals.  Obviously, it turns out that maybe they weren’t so ready after all.

The result of young Carter’s wish is that everyone in town indeed loses their Christmas Spirit.  The pups end up being taken to the pound by the town dog catcher, and Mrs. Clause/Mrs. Cane as she calls herself in town is even arrested for showing Christmas spirit.  And the reindeer are nearly sold by one of the locals when he discovers them in his barn.  So it’s up to a pair of Santa’s helpers to come down to Pineville to fix the problems caused by the pups.  As bad as things seem for everyone, it all comes out with a happy ending that will leave every viewer with their very own Christmas spirit after watching this holiday feature.  As viewers will note, both the pups and Carter make mistakes.  But despite having made them, but Carter and the Santa Pups learn from their mistakes.  Usually when a movie has more than one person working the story’s script, it leads to some problems.  But that’s not the case with this story.  Both the pups and Carter makes mistakes because they are young and inexperienced in life.  The story’s writers do a good job showing how both sides makes their own mistakes, but both also learn from their mistakes without letting the story get bogged down in itself.

That the story doesn’t get bogged down in itself is just one of the positives to this new holiday feature.  Another positive to the story is the continued emphasis on family and musical numbers.  Sure it’s a live action story with a touch of CG added in to make the pups and the reindeer talk.  But it’s nice to see Disney Studios continue the emphasis on family that was established from the company’s golden era.  The same applies to the story’s musical numbers.  Yes, there are a lot of musical numbers.  But it’s those musical numbers, along with the absolutely adorable puppies that will keep the attention of the movie’s younger viewers.  Even parents might find themselves tapping their toes and singing along to the holiday themed songs throughout the movie.

The writing and the enjoyable musical numbers do their own part to make Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups enjoyable for the whole family.  What home release would be complete without some equally enjoyable bonus features?  Kids will love the “Santa Pups Music Mash-up” music video.  Both parents and kids alike will enjoy the “Blooper Scooper” blooper reel.  Just as with the musical numbers and the emphasis on family, Disney studios has carried on another tradition with the blooper reels.  The bloopers aren’t just actors flubbing their lines and what not.  But they’re like little mini bits in themselves for lack of better wording.  Even Santa’s reindeer get in on the act.  Their jokes alone will have younger audiences rolling on the floor with laughter.  Combined with the story’s musical numbers and the story itself, these bonus features help to make Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups one more furry, family friendly movie for the holiday season.  It is available in stores and online now.  It can be ordered online direct via the Disney store at http://www.disneystore.com/santa-paws-2-the-santa-pups-dvd/mp/1324149/1013403/ and at the official Disney DVD store at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/home.html.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Prep & Landing Double Feature Holiday Fun For The Whole Family

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Disney’s new Pre & Landing Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is a great holiday set for the whole family.  It includes not just the original adventure of Lanny and Wayne in Pre & Landing but also its half-hour follow-up, Pre & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice. 

Most audiences have likely already seen both of these enjoyable holiday shorts. But for those who have yet to see them, they’re both entertaining and heartwarming.  They both teach very valuable life lessons.  One even carries on Disney’s long-running tradition of emphasizing the importance of family.  In the original Prep & Landing, audiences first meet Lanny and Wayne when Wayne is teamed up with Lanny after being turned down for a long coveted promotion.  Wayne isn’t too jolly after finding out that he had lost his promotion to another elf.  So when he’s teamed up with the young, inexperienced Lanny, he’s anything but enthused.  But through a series of misadventures, Wayne learns a very valuable lesson about appreciating what one already has and where one is in life, regardless of which stage of life.  It’s a lesson that both parents and kids can learn together.

Equally valuable to the lesson taught in Prep & Landing is the lesson about valuing family taught in that feature’s sequel, Pre & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice. The follow-up to Prep & Landing re-introduces Wayne and Lanny to audiences.  This time the pair has to trace down a conduct calculator lost by another elf a year before at the house of a naughty child.  The child in question wants to use the calculator to break into the elves’ database of naughty kids so as to make a slight alteration.  In the process, audiences are also introduced to Wayne’s brother, Noel, as he joins Wayne and Lanny in their mission.  The long held issues between Wayne and his brother alone makes for a very important lesson about letting go of the past and forgiving.  Those same messages are taught when audiences discover who exactly the naughty child is that the elves have to face off against.  Audiences will have to discover for themselves the secret of the naughty child.  The revelation of the child makes the lesson of family that much more important, relatable, and heartwarming.

The main features presented in this new Blu-ray/DVD combo pack make for a great viewing experience for the whole family.  They’re just part of what parents and kids will enjoy in this set.  Families also get a bonus short in the Emmy award winning short, “Operation: Secret Santa.”  The elves have to help Mrs. Clause get something special from Santa’s office for her.  Why?  Again, audiences will have to find out for themselves if they haven’t already had the pleasure of seeing it.  Even Tiny gets his own little short that will have the whole family laughing.  And the retro style newsreels that teach the elves all about their duties are just as entertaining as bonus features here.  They, along with the pair of bonus shorts included in this new set, are the icing on the cake that is the Prep & Landing double feature BD/DVD combo pack.  Families can pick up the set in stores and online now.  It can be ordered online direct via the Disney store at http://www.disneystore.com/prep-landing-naughty-vs-nice-blu-ray-and-dvd-combo-pack/mp/1323107/1000316/ or at the official Disney DVD website at http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/home.html. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages.Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.