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Alana (9 KP) rated Reflection in Books

Jun 26, 2019  
Reflection
Reflection
Elizabeth Lim | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well written and planned out (1 more)
Original concept
Missed a plot point which could have further extended the books narrative (0 more)
A true twist on a classic!
Contains spoilers, click to show
A fantastic original concept created using a classic well loved Disney character Mulan.
Title is clever, referring to character growth throughout Mulans journey and a part of the book where she must face the chamber of mirrors in order to complete her challenge and save Shang from moving on before he is ready.
This original concept fits well with character which is not easy to do when using characters who are household names and often remind us of our childhood watching Disney classics but it is a risk that has played off.
There is little to critique but I do however believe that there should have been a chapter written exploring Mulan returning home to her family after the war, seeing if she was correct in the chamber of mirrors about her father and mothers reactions to her running off to war as this could differ greatly from the classic plot, I personally would have loved to see grandmother Fa's reaction to Mulans trip to the underworld or at the very least mushu's reaction- as this would have extended the plot leaving a more well rounded ending.
  
The Lion King
The Lion King
1997 | Family, Musical
10
9.5 (8 Ratings)
Show Rating
I love Disney. Fact. And one of my favourite non princess movies is the Lion King, closely followed by Lion King 1/2. But the point is, I love the Lion King. The soundtrack is some of the best songs in Disney history! Name a better playlist to clean to! You can't!
I never thought it could get better. Until I saw the Lion King Musical. O.M.G. it was magical. There is no other way to describe it. The only thing that could have made it better, was if we had aisle seats on the floor because the animals walk down them to the stage and you can see y he crazy amazing costumes they have! But hakuna matata! Even from the grand circle it was so beautiful! The songs where 100% when they echoed throughout the building. I felt like I was on stage! And its probably not supposed to be, but I thought it was funnier watching Timon and Pumba being lugged around the stage and still having such hilarious dialogue. I will definitely go and see this one again when I'm in London and I recommend it to everyone! Lion King will never be the same afterwards, and that's a guarantee!
  
Remember the Titans (2000)
Remember the Titans (2000)
2000 | Drama
Heartwarming and moving
I'm rather ashamed to admit that I'd never seen this film until today. Likely because I'm not a fan of American football, but watching this that didn't matter as it's a really great film.

You know you can't really go wrong with a Denzel Washington film, and he puts a stellar performance in here (although I really wish his character wouldn't chew gum so much urgh). The entire cast is great and there are some big names in this in their early years, the most notable being Hayden Panettiere who pretty much steals every scene she's in. The plot itself is very Disney but is a lot more serious than you'd expect and doesn't shy away from focusing on the integration and racial tensions of the time. It's difficult to watch at times yet still heartwarning and moving when you see the development of the characters. There are maybe a few cheesy cliched lines which isn't entirely a surprise considering it's a Disney film, but it did make me cringe once or twice.

However despite this slight criticism, this really is a fantastic film with a moving, serious story and a brilliant cast. Even if you're like me and not a fan of American football, this is still worth a watch.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Final Draw in Books

Mar 26, 2025 (Updated Mar 26, 2025)  
The Final Draw
The Final Draw
Ridley Pearson | 2025 | Children
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Kingdom Kids Face Their Final Battle
Eli Finn and his friends are in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for the fireworks on Friday night. But the fireworks all go off at once. And then the kids make another discovery – all the villains and henchmen have vanished from the various rides in the parks. Can they figure out the riddle they got from Tiana in time to save the magic? Or will it be lost for good?

If this is your introduction to the Kingdom Keepers universe, you will be very lost since it is the wrap up to over a dozen books across several series. But fans of the series will know what to expect here and will enjoy what we get. It’s pretty much par for the course, with lots of great scenes with Disney characters and the parks in spooky circumstances. The characters are thin, but that’s been true all along the way. Having said that, I really loved a couple of scenes with Eli and his parents that break out of some of the usual interactions with parents in middle grade books. If this does turn out to be the last adventure in the Kingdom Keepers universe, fans will be satisfied.
  
Cool Runnings (1993)
Cool Runnings (1993)
1993 | Comedy
9
7.4 (22 Ratings)
Movie Rating
story (0 more)
A great Icy ride
Disney yet again comes through with a portrayal of a true sports story that hits our hearts. The cast is a unique blend of serious and comic actors who come together to tell that tale about the 4 Jamaican sprint runners who want to be be in the Olympics so bad they train to become Olympic Bobsledders. Though being ridiculed and bullied throughout the movie they overcome adversity and make it to Lake Placid to show that everyone deserves to represent their country no matter what they are there to compete for.
  
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Lenard (726 KP) rated Dumbo (2019) in Movies

Apr 1, 2019  
Dumbo (2019)
Dumbo (2019)
2019 | Animation, Family, Fantasy
Alan Arkin saying "Pack-ee-derm" (0 more)
While in some ways a strange marriage, Dumbo has several Tim Burton elements: an evil rich guy, Michael Keaton/Danny DeVito/Eva Green, outsiders, people who don't get a lot of sun even though they live in a traveling circus. The most Tim Burton thing about it is when Dreamland is engulfed in smoke surrounded by dark clouds and Nightmare Island. The rest of the film is mostly live action Disney. Dumbo has Bambi-like doe eyes and except for the evil wannabe tycoon the humans are sentimental and protective of the kids.
  
Shrek (2001)
Shrek (2001)
2001 | Animation, Comedy, Family
Very funny characters (4 more)
Parody of disney icon-er I mean fairy tale characters that make very quoteable lines
A great soundtrack by smash mouth
Cast chemistry
Although this is a kids movie there many innuendos that adults will laugh at
Villain is kinda weak but credit where credits due he is pretty funny (0 more)
Shrek is very funny
This movie is arguably DreamWorks greatest film and most recognizable too.

The cast is great and almost all of the characters are hilarious and the humor is gut hurtingly funny.

One negative is the villain is not that great
  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated The Jungle Book (2016) in Movies

Jun 30, 2019 (Updated Jul 18, 2020)  
The Jungle Book (2016)
The Jungle Book (2016)
2016 | Action, Family
Pseudo Live action remake (or should that be re-telling?) of the 1967 Jazz-tastic Disney original, with a star studded voice cast that includes Bill Murray (as Baloo), Ben Kingsley (Bagheera), Idris Elba (Shere Khan), Scarlett Johansson (Ka) and Christoper Walken (King Louis).

It's rather weird, however, seeing/hearing these voices come out the impressive-CGI'd creatures: for me, a disassociation that the film never really gets over.

But, yes, the "Bear Necessities" and "I want to be like you" both do get a reprise in this movie, but neither version can hold a candle to the original.
  
Aladdin (2019)
Aladdin (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical
In terms of the Disney live-action remakes, Aladdin falls somewhere in the middle. Not nearly as good as The Jungle Book or Christopher Robin, but not nearly as bad as an Alice In Wonderland. An updated story is just enough to not make it a carbon copy, but they did eliminate a lot of the magic from the original in the places that counted most, the music. Its saving grace is Naomi Scott and Will Smith, who jointly bring superb charisma and carry the film to the very last scene.

Full Review: https://jumpcutonline.co.uk/review-aladdin-2019/