Tag: Animation

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Movie Review

Lightyear (2022) Movie Review

Lightyear – Harmless, but Aimless Sequel

lightyear poster

Director: Angus MacLane

Writer: Jason Headley (Screenplay) Angus MacLane, Matthew Aldrich, Jason Headley (Story)

Cast: (Voice Talents)

Plot: While spending years attempting to return home, marooned Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear encounters an army of ruthless robots commanded by Zurg who are attempting to steal his fuel source.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Lightyear starts when Buzz and his partner Alisha land on an unknown planet. Searching for life forms they believe to be there. Disaster strikes as they try to escape, causing the spaceship to crash land on the planet. The crew must work together to rebuild, creating a life on this planet.

When Buzz gets the chance to test out the new fuel source, learning the consequences. Every test will see him lose a part of himself. This is until Zurg arrives, searching for the power source for his own means.

Thoughts on Lightyear

Characters

Buzz Lightyear is the space ranger we know and love from Toy Story. This Buzz is the character that toy is based on, within a movie. Buzz always wants to work alone, not accepting any help. Even though the job could be done better in a team. He must learn about this teamwork, after making a sacrifice of his own. He wants to make up for his mistake, believing he is the only one who can.

Izzy Hawthorne is a junior ranger on the planet, leading other recruits. Joining Buzz to save the planet from the invasion. She does have a connection to Buzz, one that will make her important to help. Living in the shadow of a great leader, Izzy is always out to prove herself, even if she is filled with doubt.

SOX is the therapy cat given to Buzz after the mission changes. Sent to help him with the troubles, it becomes the loyal sidekick on the mission. Using deadpan whenever it is going for something funny.

Zurg is the invader searching for what Buzz has. Taking over the planet, the great enemy of Buzz has a sinister motive.

A lot of talk about this movie came from replacing Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz. This is a major problem in this movie, while I can see the need to have a different voice within the movie. Chris Evans doesn’t bring very much to the voice that Allen added some much more too.

Story

The story here is from a movie within the Toy Story galaxy. Following Buzz, the space ranger who wants to make up for his mistake, after leaving the crew marooned on the planet. He never wants to put anyone in danger, jumping headfirst. Needing to learn to work together to stop a bigger threat to the group.

Lightyear was always going to be a story that was put under the spotlight, because Toy Story is one of the most popular childhood movies. The story is easy enough to watch, it has a simple enough story. Following an unlikely group that must put aside their differences to save the day.

We do get a serious side to the story, one that will leave you thinking you are watching Interstellar. For the level you would have come to expect from Pixar, the story does fall short of the franchise. It could easily have been a new character in this world and not needed to rely on previous lines.

Themes

Lightyear is an animated movie that brings us into the Toy Story universe. Focusing on Buzz Lightyear and his adventure in space for the movie within the universe. The adventure on the planet, feels like it would have been a lot more interesting than the story Buzz goes through. Watching humans adapt to a new world, would have been fascinating. When we talk animation standard, we know we are going to have flawlessness from the team.

Final Thoughts –Lightyear is an easy to watch adventure, not up to the standards of the rest of the franchise.

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Movie Review

Mad God (2021) Movie Review ‘Distrubing’

Mad God – Disturbing

Mad God is a shocking & disturbing stop motion movie that delivers the amazing hard-work Phil Tippett bought us.

Director: Phil Tippett

Writer: Phil Tippett (Screenplay)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Jake Freytag, Tom Gibbons, Arne Hain, David Lauer, Talal Selhami, Alexandre Poncet

Plot: A corroded diving bell descends amidst a ruined city and the Assassin emerges from it to explore a labyrinth of bizarre landscapes inhabited by freakish denizens.

Runtime: 1 Hour 23 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mad God starts as the mysterious masked assassin descents amidst the ruined city. The labyrinth below is filled with freakish denizens. Each location the Assassin travels to bringing a new horror from below.

The further down into the city the Assassin goes, the worst the encounters it makes. With its map starting to fall apart, will it make its way to the destination it is searching for.

Thoughts on Mad God

Mad God is Phil Tippett’s pet project taking us into a nightmare world. Where we discover something more disturbing around every corner out character goes through. The stop motion animation creature creation, the world building we leave you jaw dropped. The attention to detail placed upon Mad God.

When it comes to the journey, it will be the driving side of the story. As we see how the Assassin is only following a path, not getting involved in what is going on around him. As this path will be the one that leads the way for his desire to get into the new world. Mad God will make you want to look away, but will make you not want to miss a thing.

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Movie Review

Rio 2 (2014) Movie Review

Rio 2 is the standard sequel that will do most of the same well without going too wild.

Rio 2 Poster

Director: Carlos Saldanha

Writer: Don Rhymer, Carlos Kotkin, Jenny Bicks, Yoni Brenner (Screenplay) Carlos Saldanha (Story)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Jesse Eisenberg, Andy Garcia, Jemaine Clement, Jake T Austin, Carlinhos Brown, Kristin Chenoweth, Jim Conroy

Plot: It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they’re hurtled from Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel, and meets his father-in-law.


Tagline – It’s on in the Amazon

Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Rio 2 starts as Blu, Jewel and their children head into the Amazon. Searching for a sighting of their species after believing they are the only ones left of their kind. The adventure will take them through the dangers before meeting Eduardo, Jewel’s father with another flock of their kind.

As Blu must learn to adapt to the rainforest, Eduardo looks to make him more manly. Shaking of the city bird he has only every known, while the old foe Nigel looks to get revenge on Blu.

Thoughts on Rio 2

Rio 2 is the sequel to the popular Rio, which will see Blu needing to adapt to a new environment again. This time the rainforest. This will see him need to stand up against his fears once more to try and do the right thing. While also have the stark warning about deforestation. We get the singing and dancing side of the film too. Which will lighten the mood of the darker subject matter we are going through.

When we break down most of the story, it does feel like a safe re-step of the same issues Ice Age brought up in that location. The animation looks beautiful, like you would expect, which is the best part of the film, with the vibrant colour schemes we see throughout the film.

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Movie Review

The Spine of Night (2021) Movie Review

Director: Philip Gelatt, Morgan Galen King

Writer: Philip Gelatt, Morgan Galen King (Screenplay)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Richard E Grant, Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswalt, Betty Gabriel, Joe Manganiello, Patrick Breen

Plot: Ultra-violent, epic fantasy set in a land of magic follows heroes from a different eras and cultures battling against a malevolent force.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Spine of Night starts as the swamp queen Tzod goes to the all-mighty Guardian for help, after her world and the world below has seen the magic fall into the wrong hands. Seeing Lord Pyrantin take Tzod from her land, where her magic is stolen from her by Doa a scholar claiming to be doing the right thing for the kingdoms.

As the power starts taking over people through the kingdoms, the innocent people will be the ones that pay the price for the desire of power, as villages are wiped out with violent actions.

Thoughts on The Spine of Night

Thoughts – The Spine of Night is a violent animated movie that will show that humans can’t handle the power that comes with magic, as they use it to gain power over anyone who stands in their way, with only one person that can stop the destruction caused by man, the different kingdoms must come together to fight back. The story does have a violent artistic style for the animation, which doesn’t hold back on anything. The weakness in the film comes from the constant meeting of new characters, which gives us less time to invest in each one we meet journey or fight. There is plenty going on with the destruction, but not enough time is given to understand each kingdom we enter, which easily have been flushed out more to give everything a more rounded feel.

Final Thoughts – The Spine of Night is a truly violent animation unlike most you will ever see.

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Movie Review

Rabbit Academy (2022) Movie Review ‘Sweet Easter Animation’

Rabbit Academy – Sweet Easter Animation

 

Director: Ute von Munchow-Pohl

Writer: Katja Grubel, Dagmar Rehbinder (Screenplay)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Senta Berger, Friedrich von Thun, Katharina Straber, Jule Bowe, Sebastian Fitzner, Noah Levi

Plot: In the bunny school, the anticipation of Easter and the appointment of the new “master bunnies” by the magical golden egg is happening. After selecting Max, a city bunny as the champion bunny candidate, the golden egg suddenly turns black.

Runtime: 1 Hour 16 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Rabbit Academy starts as Max is named the newest member of the Master Bunnies preparing for the latest Easter Egg selection, where he must learn about his own special skill for this world. The foxes have other plans though, wanting to take the role of Easter Foxes and becomes the main symbol of the holiday, leading to them planning their latest attempt to steal the eggs from the rabbits.

Thoughts on Rabbit Academy

Thoughts – Rabbit Academy is an animated movie using the upcoming holiday of Easter to show how a group of rabbits prepare for Easter by making the Easter eggs, who must come up against the group of foxes that want the spotlight. The story will see both sides trying to solve problems they are facing, despite them often going against each other. The film will give plenty of themes about needing to work together in life and learning to put differences aside, all while keeping the movie fun family friend along the way. The animation is delightful, adding plenty to the film that will leave you with plenty of laughs in an all around enjoyable family friendly movie.

Signature Entertainment presents Rabbit Academy in Cinemas Nationwide 1st April

Final Thoughts – Rabbit Academy is a delightful family friendly film, with laughs, heart and strong message.

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Movie Review

Happy Feet Two (2011) Movie Review

 

Director: George Miller, Gary Eck, David Peers

Writer: George Miller, Gary Eck, Warren Coleman, Paul Livingston (Screenplay)

Starring: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Sofia Vergara, Pink, Carlos Alazraqui, Lombardo Boyar, Jeffrey Garcia, Johnny A Sanchez

Plot: Mumble’s son, Erik, is struggling to realize his talents in the Emperor Penguin world. Meanwhile, Mumble and his family and friends discover a new threat their home — one that will take everyone working together to save them.


Tagline – Every step counts.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Happy Feet Two starts when Mumble finds himself leading the flock, with his own son Erik being the one that doesn’t seem to fit in anymore, going on his own adventure with Ramon.

On this adventure Mumble will help his son find his way, showing himself to be a strong leader, like his father, looking to bring together different animals in the area for the better.

Thoughts on Happy Feet Two

Thoughts – Happy Feet Two will try to bring to life something bigger with the animals needing to work together to try and complete a rescue mission for themselves. This is a sequel that does struggle to make as big of an impact compared to what we got in the first film, with a couple of completely random characters having their own adventure in the krill and the idea that dance could save the day over anything else. This does lack the magic the first one had, with the musical numbers not hitting hard enough to make the impact of the joy being felt. The final 20 minutes are the highlight of the film, which will bring a bigger emotional impact to the movie.

Final Thoughts – Happy Feet Two does become slower than what we might have previously seen, saved for a big ending.

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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominations – H – Happy Feet (2006) Movie Review

Director: George Miller, Warren Coleman, Judy Morris

Writer: George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris, Warren Coleman (Screenplay)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving

Plot: Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!


Tagline – WARNING: May Cause Toe-Tapping.

Runtime: 1 Hour 48 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Happy Feet starts when baby Emperor Penguin Mumble comes into the world with the talent of his father Memphis and the rest of the flock, the ability to sing, but he can dance.

Once he starts coming of age, he finds himself learning about other penguins in the world, ones that know of the dangers the world could bring, as the fish supply starts to dry up. Mumble will look to prove himself to the flock by going in search of answers, along with his new friends Ramon, Nestor, Raul, Rinaldo and Lombardo.

Thoughts on Happy Feet

Thoughts – Happy Feet is an animated musical adventure movie that will follow a young Emperor Penguin that doesn’t fit in his flock, that will look to find himself and solve the problems they have been facing, a risk no other penguin is willing to take. This is a film with plenty of bigger deeper messages, from the typical needing to find yourself one, to the climate change one and the taking food supplies from animals. All of them feel like they are well before their time. This mixture together brings us a truly entertaining animated movie that will help guide people in the right direction, in understand that there is so much more to the world than the small little world we surround ourselves with.

Final Thoughts – Happy Feet is a delightful animated movie with deep message in every scene.

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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – A – Anomalisa (2015) Movie Thoughts

Director: Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman

Writer: Charlie Kaufman (Screenplay)

Starring: (Voice Talents) David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan

Plot: A man crippled by the mundanity of his life experiences something out of the ordinary.


Tagline – Welcome to the Kaufman surreal-neorealism tale in a dull world of sameness.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Anomalisa starts as Michael Stone arrives in town for a one day conference, showing us his lonely life through his time in a hotel, trying to connect with an old flame, before having to settle for meeting someone new in the hotel, Lisa, a shy woman that has read Michael’s book, working in the same field as him, the two strike up an unusual connection that sees them getting closer, where Michael could finally lose the side of him which has held him back for years.

Thoughts on Anomalisa

Final Thoughts – Anomalisa is a strange animated movie that uses the unique look to bring us a human story of trying to fit in, in life, trying to understand and build upon you own errors, with a unique idea of having one actor voice every character outside the lead two, male or female. This isn’t one that I enjoyed, because it ends up being to much of a reflection of life, over bringing us something new in a story, even if there is a bigger picture going on underneath.



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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Catch-Up 2021 – Q – Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) Movie Review ‘Magical Family Adventure’

Raya and the Last Dragon – Magical Family Adventure

 

Raya and the Last Dragon is under Q because of writer Qui Nguyen.

Director: Don Hall, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Paul Briggs, John Ripa

Writer: Qui Nguyen, Adele Lim (Screenplay) Paul Briggs, Don Hall, Adele Lim, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Kiel Murray, Qui Nguyen, John Ripa, Dean Wellins (Story)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, Jona Xiao

Plot: In a realm known as Kumandra, a re-imagined Earth inhabited by an ancient civilization, a warrior named Raya is determined to find the last dragon.

Runtime: 1 Hour 54 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Raya and the Last Dragon starts as Raya tells the story of how Kumandra was split between five kingdoms after an attack which saw the dragons of the world trapped in stone. Years after this, one piece of dragon magic is left, holding back a common enemy the Droon, when the five kingdoms clash, the power is broken, leading the Droon returning and putting the kingdoms in danger.

Raya spends the next six-years searching for a solution, hoping to find Sisu, the last remaining dragon and reunited the gem pieces to bring peace back to the world, one where everyone isn’t fighting against each other to survive.

Thoughts on Raya and the Last Dragon

Thoughts – Raya and the Last Dragon is an animated adventure following a young woman who wants to bring the world back together as one, only to find herself unable to trust the people around her because of years of war between the different kingdoms, needing to let people in to help her succeed in her adventure to save what she might have lost. This is a film that gets everything right with the supporting cast giving us a chance to get a few laughs along the way, each with their own reason for joining Raya on the adventure, with everyone in this world being people that have lost something along the way. The world created with the animation is beautiful, with a mix of different ideas for each kingdom to have, using the different environments to make them standout. This is a film with a deeper message that would be important for everyone to understand, with a fun sense behind the world filled with defeat.

Final Thoughts – Raya and the Last Dragon is a delightful movie, filled with adventure, peril and an important message.