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The Emoji Movie Maker
Entertainment and Utilities
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Presenting The Emoji Movie Maker official app from Sony Pictures Animations's comedy adventure, The...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Lion King (2019) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
It seems recently that the Disney vault has exploded with the release of several of their classic animated films being remade. Unfortunately, the classics that have inspired these remakes have been redone with mixed results. The original The Lion King was released back in 1994 and it’s hard to believe that I was a junior in college when I saw it. Since that time, we’ve seen various iterations of the classic story, a few direct to VCR sequels and the awe-inspiring Broadway stage production (which if you are a serious fan of the movie I encourage you to see). It seems odd to discuss the plot of a movie that I’m certain everyone reading this has seen at least once (or a dozen times over). To the uninformed however, The Lion King is about a young cub named Simba (JD McCrary as the young voice and Donald Glover as the adult) who suffers the tragic loss of his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones) at the paws of his evil uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Scar convinces Simba that he is responsible for his father’s death and that he must leave the pride and never return. With the help of his faithful friends Timon (Billy Eichner), the lovable warthog Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), the ever wise Zazu (John Oliver) and his budding queen Nala (Beyoncé’) he learns that true courage comes from within and realizes he must face Scar if he is ever to bring peace back to the Pride Lands.
Given the recent track record, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a retelling of the story as I remembered it, or a re-imagining of the story as a whole (and yes there is a difference). Thankfully, I can say that The Lion King draws practically all of its inspiration directly from the animated classic. Director Jon Favreau (who had already wowed audiences when he directed The Jungle Book) brings the same heart-warming, tear jerk moments that we all know and love. While he certainly didn’t take any risks with The Lion King, that’s exactly what made it such a pleasure to behold. He understood that there was no need to change the story into something new or try to make it something it shouldn’t be. True, for those who have seen the animated film it will feel incredibly familiar, but I think that’s exactly what fans are looking for. Changes and risks don’t always make a movie better, and The Lion King is a prime example of not breaking something that works.
The real star of the show however isn’t the actors, nor it’s incredible director, but the technology that went behind bringing our favorite felines to life. Disney refers to this as a “photo real movie”. The technology behind it merges both new and old together to bring the animals to life, indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. Utilizing VR, animation and mixed with live action film-making it is practically impossible to distinguish what is live and what is animated. The character models have come a far way from the original Jumanji, which was heralded back in 1995 for it’s use of computer animated animals that supposedly looked and felt like the real thing. While Disney has always made great strides to make their computer-generated animals look and feel real (much like the absolutely stunning Jungle Book) The Lion King takes this to an entirely different level altogether.
Disney has done what has seemed practically impossible lately, bringing a classic back to the screen without changing what made the original such a classic. Unlike some of their more recent attempts, The Lion King holds true to the source material which has delighted fans for over 25 years. While the story doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, the photo realistic lions and their supporting cast feel as fresh as they ever have. If you aren’t a fan of the classic animated movie, The Lion King won’t necessarily change that, however the imagery alone may be reason enough to see it. I hope Disney takes note of this movie in particular, that fans don’t need a re-imagining of the stories that captivated our youths to bring the magic back. The Lion King is a testament to how the Disney classic still holds up today, and how to make something old feel new again.
http://sknr.net/2019/07/11/the-lion-king/
Given the recent track record, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a retelling of the story as I remembered it, or a re-imagining of the story as a whole (and yes there is a difference). Thankfully, I can say that The Lion King draws practically all of its inspiration directly from the animated classic. Director Jon Favreau (who had already wowed audiences when he directed The Jungle Book) brings the same heart-warming, tear jerk moments that we all know and love. While he certainly didn’t take any risks with The Lion King, that’s exactly what made it such a pleasure to behold. He understood that there was no need to change the story into something new or try to make it something it shouldn’t be. True, for those who have seen the animated film it will feel incredibly familiar, but I think that’s exactly what fans are looking for. Changes and risks don’t always make a movie better, and The Lion King is a prime example of not breaking something that works.
The real star of the show however isn’t the actors, nor it’s incredible director, but the technology that went behind bringing our favorite felines to life. Disney refers to this as a “photo real movie”. The technology behind it merges both new and old together to bring the animals to life, indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. Utilizing VR, animation and mixed with live action film-making it is practically impossible to distinguish what is live and what is animated. The character models have come a far way from the original Jumanji, which was heralded back in 1995 for it’s use of computer animated animals that supposedly looked and felt like the real thing. While Disney has always made great strides to make their computer-generated animals look and feel real (much like the absolutely stunning Jungle Book) The Lion King takes this to an entirely different level altogether.
Disney has done what has seemed practically impossible lately, bringing a classic back to the screen without changing what made the original such a classic. Unlike some of their more recent attempts, The Lion King holds true to the source material which has delighted fans for over 25 years. While the story doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, the photo realistic lions and their supporting cast feel as fresh as they ever have. If you aren’t a fan of the classic animated movie, The Lion King won’t necessarily change that, however the imagery alone may be reason enough to see it. I hope Disney takes note of this movie in particular, that fans don’t need a re-imagining of the stories that captivated our youths to bring the magic back. The Lion King is a testament to how the Disney classic still holds up today, and how to make something old feel new again.
http://sknr.net/2019/07/11/the-lion-king/
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Aladdin (1992) in Movies
Sep 15, 2017
Robin Williams is fantastic in Aladdin during the 1990's Disney Renaissance
This film just makes me melancholic now watching the sheer genius Robin Williams as the Genie. To improvise the character to such an extent just goes to show Williams' incredible talent.
The animation itself is the first time to feature a non-white Disney princess, hence it is important to show the significance of characters from BAME backgrounds. It's disappointing to hear that the movie version is going to be whitewashed.
It is funny, clever, and is part of the 'Disney Renaissance' - a hip new sensibility to animated features and which still stands up in the age of Pixar and DreamWorks thanks largely to RW.
The animation itself is the first time to feature a non-white Disney princess, hence it is important to show the significance of characters from BAME backgrounds. It's disappointing to hear that the movie version is going to be whitewashed.
It is funny, clever, and is part of the 'Disney Renaissance' - a hip new sensibility to animated features and which still stands up in the age of Pixar and DreamWorks thanks largely to RW.
Fred (860 KP) rated Alita: Battle Angel (2019) in Movies
May 10, 2019
Love it
Based on the manga "Gunnm", Alita: Battle Angel tells the story of a female cyborg. It takes place against a beautiful cyberpunk world called Iron City. It truly is a sight to see. But the true sight is Alita herself. She's beautifully animated & played excellently by Rosa Salazar. Chirstoph Walz was Christoph Walz. Actually, everyone was pretty good. The effects are phenomenal. The story is good as well, although there was no need for the love-story at all. It didn't move the story at all. I do hope there is a sequel made. Seeing this also makes me hopeful for a live-action version of Bubblegum Crisis in the future.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Three shorts taped together
When an animated film does well, there is usually a follow-on of some short films, or a TV series. I mean like the Shrek Halloween shorts, or the Boss Baby series on Netflix.
I think this is what was planned here - three short films for distribution some how, but they weren't sure what to do with them. So they seem to have decided to stitch them together and pad them out into a film.
The film as a whole is enjoyable but jumps around all over the place. Each of the stories in isolation are very enjoyable, with enough humour and charm to keep the audience entertained.
I think this is what was planned here - three short films for distribution some how, but they weren't sure what to do with them. So they seem to have decided to stitch them together and pad them out into a film.
The film as a whole is enjoyable but jumps around all over the place. Each of the stories in isolation are very enjoyable, with enough humour and charm to keep the audience entertained.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated TMNT (2007) in Movies
Jun 13, 2019
Cowabunga
In this animated 4th instalment of the original franchise, the Turltles are semi retired, with Leonardo training in the deep Jungles, Michelangelo ironically dressing as a turtle for kids party's, donatello working as I.T support, Raphael having a secret Night life and April o'neil now working for a mysteriously rich relic collector, the four brothers aren't as close as they once were. until one night OG badass Casey Jones teams up with the mysterious vigilante nightwatcher, they discover ancient monsters terrorizing the city and the return of the foot clan.
This movie has a great coming of age story, wonderful cgi animation and a well balanced tone. This is one for all old school Half Shell fans.
This movie has a great coming of age story, wonderful cgi animation and a well balanced tone. This is one for all old school Half Shell fans.
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