Movie Review: Soul

PLOT:

Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz — and he’s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Jazz, man. Jazz has become a niche genre. That is to say there are only certain circles that dig it, a far cry from the 40-early 60s when it the popular music of the day. These days unless it is used as a commercial jingle, theme song, or some other quick snippet, the interest just isn’t there from the younger generations (excluding those that are in jazz bands…and even they are sketchy with it sometimes). This film bringing us a jazz musician as the main character was great, but using actual jazz in the soundtrack was even better as it introduces this great music to the younger viewers who will watch this. Who knows? Maybe this will inspire the next generation of jazz greats!

Neutral. When it was revealed that a major plot device was the afterlife, this film became very controversial. Pixar knew what they were doing, though. As everyone knows, people are so easily offended these days and using this or that version of the afterlife would have surely ruffled another group’s feathers and ignited a firestorm from the Twitter Nazi’s who seem to rule the world. Other than a comedic moment about the use of the word “hell”, the afterlife presented here is pretty bland, and this is done on purpose, with astounding effect. Throw in the ethereal music that soothes the viewers ears while watching these scenes and it all comes together to make a neutral scene but one that offends no one…and yet, we all know someone is sure to take umbrage with something about all this, right?

Relate. In a former life, I was Joe. No, I’m not a reincarnation of a fictional, animated character, but rather I was a middle school band teacher with aspirations of playing jazz. So, for me, this film is 100% relatable. I know the feeling of having the maternal unit constantly bringing up the need for a job with benefits and the like. I felt the pain of the constant rejection of not being good enough for this gig or that one. I also know the joy of seeing at least one of your students get it. Coincidentally, Connie, the trombone player seen in the trailers, resembles a former student of mine. I just talked to her and sent a screenshot from the film saying, “remember these days”. Now, just because I can relate to this cat, doesn’t mean everyone can, but Pixar did everything they could to make Joe a relatable character, and I think they succeeded.

What didn’t I like?

It continues. When the first trailer was released for this film, there was much joy from the African-American community about this being the first Pixar film with black lead. Within 24 hours, articles were coming out left and right about how everytime there is a black led animated film, with the exception of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, they are turned into some other creature, be it a frog, pigeon, blue blob of a soul, or something else. Like most people, I had never noticed this trope, but it is true with this picture, as Joe falls down a manhole and dies by the 11 minute mark. It isn’t just African-American characters, either. Miguel, from Coco, is a skeleton like character for almost the entire film. Same goes for Manolo in The Book of Life. Now, I’m not going to harp on this too much, but it something that needs to brought to light. Whether it is on purpose or not, is debatable, much like the fact that every redhead character seems to be race swapped with someone of African-American decent. However, Joe doesn’t spend the majority of the film as a soul. We do get him back on Earth. Progress comes in small doses and this epidemic, if you will, has now been brought to light.

For the kids? I question who this is for. Not necessarily in bad way, but the main character is a middle aged man. There are a few comedic scenes, but nothing that is laugh out loud funny. Other than the Jerrys in the Great Before, there really isn’t anything bright and colorful to capture a small child’s imagination. Compare that to something like Toy Story, Monster’s, Inc, Cars, etc. Yes, each film is different and perhaps they wanted to go for a slightly older audience with this one, but I still feel that this was marketed as more of a kids movie, only to hit the audience with all the existential talk.

Science of jazz. It turns out that Joe was originally meant to be a white scientist, rather than an African-American jazz teacher. The change was made because scientists aren’t relatable. As I stated earlier, I love that the decision was made to go the jazz route, but what about the scientist? Maybe in another film we can get that. Scientists aren’t unrelatable. See The Absent-Minded Professor, The Nutty Professor, Evolution, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Ghostbusters, Meet the Robinsons, etc. Maybe, since it is stated Joe is…or was…a part time band teacher, he could have been a science teacher the other half, and then a struggling jazz musician at night? Just a thought.

Final verdict:

So, what did I think of Soul? Critics, audiences, and everyone is gushing about this like crazy. I really liked it, but I didn’t feel like it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. The music is great, the story is great. The detail and care that went into the design of the characters and capturing the different skin tones is also apparent. I think I just went into this expecting something a tad lighter. Nothing against the film, that was just me. I do have to wonder who this rappin Ced person is (you’ll see and hear in the film). The ending of this film is one of the perfect Pixar endings, though I was reading about other endings that were bandied about, but I feel they chose the right one. All things said, this a great film to watch with the family. If you’re a teacher, musician, or both, you’ll really dig the scenes where Joe takes on the mentor role, both on and off Earth. I very highly recommend this!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: Song of the South

PLOT:

Uncle Remus draws upon his tales of Brer Rabbit to help little Johnny deal his confusion over his parents’ separation as well as his new life on the plantation. The tales: The Briar Patch, The Tar Baby and Brer Rabbit’s Laughing place.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Animation. There are times when I feel like I was raised more by Disney animation than by my own parents thanks to the Disney afternoon, videos, etc. I think anyone that has seen any of the classic Disney animation will agree that there was care put into the craft…unlike the cartoons of today. Taking a gander at the animated characters and scenes in this picture and, even though this is a slight mix of animation and live action, the animation is just as gorgeous as if this were a full length animated feature.

Warmth. There is a lot of controversy surrounding Uncle Remus, which I will cover shortly, but one can’t dent that he is just a warm grandfatherly type of character. Is it any wonder little Johnny called him his best friend and immediately warmed up to him? On top of his sunny disposition, he has a rich, warm, baritone voice that puts you at ease and a way of telling stories that is just like the tales that grandpa would tell. Given the era this is set in, or that we believe it is set in, you’d think he would be beaten down, mad at the world, don’t mess with me kind of person. For some reason, I don’t think that would have worked with this film, though.

Like warm apple pie. Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel, of Gone with the Wind fame, appears as a cook of some sort. It is subtly hinted that she has an affinity for Remus, but given the era in which this was made,that obviously didn’t go anywhere, if it was meant to at all. To be honest, she isn’t much of a character, save for one scene where she’s singing and cooking. Now, maybe because I am hungry, or maybe because I can’t remember when the last time I had a good home cooked pie was, but I swear I could smell the food she was cooking! Good on the production team for staging that scene in such a way that one is craving what she’s cooking. In so many other cooking scenes of yesterday and today, the person cooking will just throw some stuff in the stove and that’s it, but with this we see the love and effort she put in.

What didn’t I like.

Music…or lack thereof. If there is one thing this film is known for, it is the ever popular “Zip-a-dee-do-dah”, and for good reason. That is an upbeat, catchy, get your hopes up kind of song. While Uncle Remus sings is, we get the first glimpses of the animated characters that will be mixing in with actual actors, so that helps to make it memorable. I believe this is the first instance of that, predating Mary Poppins and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? but I could be wrong. I have always been told this was a musical, so my expectations were to hear a few songs, some good, some…well, not so much. Other than the afore mention “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah”, the song Hattie McDaniel sings in the kitchen, and a couple of reprises, I can’t recall much about the music, though.

Controversy. So, there is this little issue people have with this film and its portrayal of slaves/servants. I don’t want to get on a soapbox about this, but it is a topic that needs to be covered, and I think it ultimately affected my enjoyment of the picture. It is true, being a slave or servant (the time period in which this takes place isn’t exactly specified, but it is assumed to be post-Civil War) was not a happy time for African Americans (and anyone else that had the unfortunate task of having to provide free labor), but leave us not forget this is a movie aimed at kids. Are we really expecting the depiction of the slaves/servants akin to those in films like Roots, 12 Years a Slave, Amistad, or even Django Unchained? I would hope not. In the same train of thought, it is apparent that there was no thought given into how that experience was to be portrayed. Should it have been done where they were all happy? Meh, you can make the case about it, but there are much worse portrayals out there, from this same era of filmmaking, than this. Much like the crows from Dumbo (how come no one talks about the slaves at the beginning of that film that set up the circus?!?), Speedy Gonzales, Mammy Two Shoes (Tom & Jerry), The Mandarin (Marvel Comics), or other racist characters, having just watched what I was lead to believe was people in blackface, shuckin’ and jivin’, only to find out its just slaves/servants smiling rather than being whipped, I can say this is just an overreaction. If you don’t like it, you can always turn it off!

Mother doesn’t know best. For the most part, this film revolves around Remus, Johnny, and the characters in the stories. When Remus’ stories begin to “affect Johnny’s behaviour”, his mother steps in and puts a stop to this. Some other stuff happens (discovering that she and the grandmother are no longer Johnny’s best friends) and it eventually results in Remus leaving. In an attempt to stop his friend from leaving, Johny runs out across a field but is attacked by a bull (probably not a good idea to run across a field when wearing a red outfit). We’re all familiar with the saying, “Mother knows best”. Well, think about how much better Johnny would have been had she not meddled in things she had no business meddling in. I guess they had to justify paying that actress for more than 2 scenes, though.

FINAL VERDICT:

What did I think of Song of the South? I actually think this is a fairly decent film. Is it as great as some of the other live action films Disney was releasing at the time? No. To be honest, the animation sequences are enjoyable, but because we don’t have as much of a connection with Br’er Rabbit, Fox, Bear, and Frog, they do nothing to raise the film’s impression on the audience. In the end, this is just a film that is mediocre. Couple that with the controversy and that may be the reason it has yet to be released to the US home market in any form. Such a shame, really. Again, I say let the audience decide. If you can find a copy of this and watch, I highly recommend you do so and form your own opinion and not be swayed by today’s critics (you know the one’s that get offended by everything).

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: Aladdin (1992)

PLOT:

Aladdin is a poor street urchin who spends his time stealing food from the marketplace in the city of Agrabah. His adventures begin when he meets a young girl who happens to be Princess Jasmine, who is forced to be married by her wacky yet estranged father. Aladdin’s luck suddenly changes when he retrieves a magical lamp from the Cave of Wonders. What he unwittingly gets is a fun-loving genie who only wishes to have his freedom. Little do they know is that the Sultan’s sinister advisor Jafar has his own plans for both Aladdin and the lamp.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Animation. This week, I found out that The Pokemon Movie: Mewtwo’s Strikes Back is getting a re-release, but they’ve redone all the animation in CGI. I won’t go on a rant about this, but I feel one may be coming, but rather it makes one really appreciate hand drawn animation, especially when it is done as well as it in in the hands of the Disney animators. Of course, it should be noted that this is one of the early uses of CGI in animation. Just about everything that had to do with the cave and of course the animation of the magic carpet flowed seamlessly. The technology wasn’t what it is today, but it is still impressive to see these two forms of animation work together.

Genie. By now, Robin Williams’ performance as the genie is the stuff of legend. Having not watched this film in a few years and seeing the live action version played by Will Smith in the other Aladdin, one comes back to really appreciate how much fun Williams is having as genie, as well as watch in awe as he puts on a masterclass of comedy. I do not think I am the only one that will say this would not be remembered as fondly without his performance.

Tall, dark, and evil. Disney villains are all great, but there are two that just stand head and shoulders above the rest. Maleficent and Jafar. The live action film gave us some back story and made him “sexy”, which is fine and dandy, but I prefer the mysterious sorcerer who is obviously an homage to the Conrad Veidt’s portrayal of…well, he’s not the same character, but at the same time he is, in The Thief of Bagdad. The evil plotting, attempted murder, as well as his proper mannerisms are what cause Jafar to be long remembered, not to mention he appears to be, as Genie says, “a tall, dark, and sinister ugly man” who you would do well not to cross paths with.

What didn’t I like?

Wonder about the cave. Back when I saw this for the first time and the Cave of Wonders appeared, I wondered how its eyes were two halves of a scarab. I still wonder that, but something else has been bothering me. When Abu touches the treasure and, what is Jafar doing outside. It not like the cave just whispered that they were about to die. That was some loud, angry yelling, on top of all the other stuff that was going on (melting treasure, lave flowing, etc).

Where did she go? In our first time meeting Princes Jasmine, she watches birds fly away. The next time we see her, she decides to climb over the palace walls and run away.and we don’t see her again until what seem like the next day in the market. My question is where did she go during that time? I can’t see her sleeping out in the elements overnight and it isn’t like she knows anyone non-royal, at least in this film, that is. I may be nitpicking with this one, but I couldn’t get this out of my head the whole time I was sitting in the theater this afternoon watching.

Sex kitten. On the subject of Princess Jasmine, she is hands down the hottest of the Disney princesses and, as far as heroines go, only Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame can give her a run for her money in the looks department. Having said that, I hate that they made her into a sex slave, or something akin to it by her outfit later in the film. Now, I know that in many of the sword and sandal movies of the 60s, mostly the Sinbad series, the damsel in distress would end up in a similar situation and that is probably what this was a nod to, which I actually have no issue with. I do have a problem with it when you consider this is supposed to be a family film, but perhaps I am just stretching to find fault.

FINAL VERDICT:

What did I think of Aladdin? I have always loved this film. It’s my #2 favorite Disney flick between The Aristocats and Robin Hood. Thanks to a program one of my local theaters is running, certain Disney classics are shown every few months. This is one of those months. As I mentioned earlier, it has been some time since I last saw this version of the film, and even longer since seeing it on the big screen. Everything I have always loved about the film, the music, the story, the characters, etc, hasn’t changed and neither will my opinion of this true Disney classic. Do i recommend it? Yes, very highly!!!

5 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: Frozen II

PLOT:

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land with hopes of finding the origin of Elsa’s powers and saving their kingdom.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Welcome back. In 2013, we were introduced to this world, these characters, and the unforgettable earworm that is “Let it Go” (I bet some of you just got it out of you head and now it’s back, right?) Having grown to love these characters in the original Frozen, as well as followed their conflict and enjoy a true fairytale in the old, traditional Disney style of storytelling, it is good to see them again, much like visiting an old friend you haven’t seen in years. Many things are the same, but you’re really interested in seeing what’s changed, what’s new, etc. The filmmakers knew this is what audiences wanted and gave us exactly that.

Let’s rock! Much like the first film, the music in this film isn’t so much a character in its own right, like in many musicals, but rather it helps drive the story along. We get exposition and character development in these songs that we either would have missed without a musical interlude or it would have been a segment that more than likely would have bored audiences with how long and unnecessarily drawn out it would have been. While there is no “Let it Go” this time around (more on that later), two songs really stuck out to me. “Into the Unknown”, which is sung by Elsa as she is deciding whether or not to leave Arendelle and “Lost in the Woods”. The latter is an obvious love letter to 80s power ballads. The scene in which Kristoff is singing it has some typical music video visuals. Look it up on Youtube or find it on whatever music service you use and enjoy.

Frozone. A big question many of us had following the first film was where did Elsa’s ice powers come from? From what we were able to tell from the quick glimpses we got of the parents, neither of them had powers and neither did Anna. To use a term from the Harry Potter universe, she was muggle born. There have been memes, jokes, etc saying everything from she’s a mutant and belong with the X-Men to her powers are a family curse. Not to spoil what the true nature is, but there is a reason she has control over ice. The explanation may not be as fulfilling or definite as one would have liked, but we do get an answer.

What didn’t I like?

It was let go. As I mentioned earlier, there is no “Let it Go” in this film. For some, that is a good thing, as that song rivaled “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic as one that would never go away. What I don’t dog about not having a song like that this time around, though it isn’t for lack of trying, is that “Let It Go” was pretty much the identity of the franchise. With none of these new songs living up to that legacy, if you will, one has to wonder what is there to bring people in to this film, other than the name?

Kristof, we hardly knew ye. There is a point in this film where Anna, Elsa, and Olaf leave on the quest, while Kristof (and Sven) are off doing something out in the woods. For a good portion of the film, Kristof is not a part of this movie. I get it, this is supposed to be about Anna and Elsa, but leaving Kristof out just didn’t feel right.

Snowball/Hurry home, princess. We’ve all seen movies, tv shows, etc where the funny sidekick is suddenly given more screen time and then becomes annoying. Olaf is on the border with that. They don’t use him too much, actually, but the fact that he is still pretty much the same annoying/funny sidekick from the first film is what I wasn’t digging on. His saving grace was the way he summed up the first film (al C-3PO in Return of the Jedi). As far as the princesses go. The first film was a straight up fairytale. This one, not so much. As with seemingly every other story of its ilk that comes out these days, female protagonists suddenly become action stars. My issue with this is the sudden onset of these skills. If there was proper development, I’d be more on board, perhaps, but as it is, maybe they, or at least Anna, should just stick to being a traditional princess.

Final verdict:

Looking at the box office for sequels in the last couple of years, there is obviously a case of sequelitis hitting audiences, even in the case of those that people are enjoying. I won’t lie to you and say that Frozen II is anywhere near as good as the original, but it does have its moments. Not only are there magical and musical moments that will hit you, but the story is perhaps a bit stronger and the action scenes add a new element that was unexpected. With all that said, while I like the film, I wasn’t in love with it. I didn’t come out of the theater saying I have to see it again or singing any of the songs, nor did I come out of there demanding my money back, so there is that. Do i recommend this? Yes, if you have little girls, they are going to dig this. Disney fans and those that were into the first film are also sure to enjoy. As far as everyone else, you might be better waiting for it to show on Disney+ or the inevitable day that they begin to show it ad nauseum on Disney channel, Freeform, etc.

4 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: Aladdin

PLOT:

A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Always bet on brown. This may seem like a small thing, but I have to give credit to the casting director for casting people that at least seem to look like they are from this area of the world, even if they aren’t. Hollywood has a history of “whitewashing”, so this is a pretty big thing.

She’s so pretty. Naomi Scott is a gorgeous creature. Princess Jasmine has long been one of the prettiest of the Disney princesses, so for me she was perfect casting. However, let me now just focus on her beauty, because she kills it as an actress. She is able to portray the more delicate and vulnerable flower, for lack of a better term, as well as the fierce princess ready to defend her people. Watching her flip the switch is pretty impressive, even there are aspects of her character that I didn’t dig on (which I will touch on shortly).

Culture. Middle Eastern culture is full of vibrant colors, extravange robes, and percussive dances. At least that’s what this film would have us believe and, while this isn’t all the culture has to offer, it is a part of it…one director Guy Ritchie (it can be debated later whether he was the right guy for this film or not) chose to highlight. Say what you will, the designs of the dresses, specifically Princess Jasmine’s are breathtaking.

What didn’t I like?

Some people should not sing. By now, you can read review after review praising Will Smith’s portrayal as the Genie and how he didn’t dare try to repeat what Robin Williams did. When you think about it, no one could really recreate that magic. What is not being talked about is how Smith sings in this film. Will Smith initially rose to popularity as a family-friendly, comedic rapper in the late 80s/early 90s, but he has never been one to belt out a tune, which makes it weird that they chose to have him do so in this film. Granted, a lot of of it is sing talking, but the rest…well, he isn’t horrible, but you aren’t going to go out and download a bunch of files of Smith singing. Couldn’t they have let someone else do the singing for him?

Feminist agenda. This is sure to ruffle some feathers and for that I am sorry, but this is my blog and my opinion. I prefer Jasmine’s character arc from the cartoon. In this adaptation they have made her want to be sultan which makes absolutely no sense. She’s a princess, albeit a strong-willed one, and nothing in her backstory suggests that she would ever want to be sultan. Oh wait…there is this movement where women have to have all the power, be strong, and not need a man. Nothing wrong with that, but when we see it in every….single…thing…it gets tedious, especially when it doesn’t particularly fit the character. Sure, a Jasmine that just sat around pining for a guy would not work, but the reverse doesn’t do anything for me, either. In some ways, this characterization ruined the character for me.

Jafar. We are all familiar with the tall, dark, and menacing Jafar. Not only is this the one that was used in the original animated version, but he is also based on the royal vizier from the silent film The Thief of Baghdad. So, what is wrong with this version? Well, if you were to run into the animated version in a dark alley, there would be a sense of fear and intimidation before he even spoke a word. With this one, other than his anger issues and background as a street thief, one isn’t really intimidated and that really takes away from the character. I mean, this is supposed to be the main antagonist and he doesn’t really cause one to quiver with fear.

Final verdict:

Like other reviewers, I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed Aladdin. This is a film that has received alot of bad press, starting with that horrible picture of Will Smith as the Genie. Rest assured, though, he kills it, as does Naomi Scott as Jasmine. I with the same could be said for Aladdin, but our main character takes a backseat for a good portion of the film. The songs are all given a hip hop edge to them that I could take or leave and Jasmine has a new feminist power song that I sort of like, but not enough to be belting it out like “Let It Go”, from a few years ago. So, with all this said, I have to say that it is best to stick with the original Aladdin. This live action remake is serviceable, but nothing compares to the original

4 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

PLOT:

As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Growth. Over the years this franchise has been going, we have seen the characters grow and mature which, for animation is exceptionally rare. Just look at The Simpsons, they’ve been stuck in basically the same character arcs since the show started back in 1989, with slight tweaks now and then. Watching Hiccup, Toothless, and the rest of this lot come into their own in this final film of the trilogy knowing what a ragtag bunch of misfits they were in the first film is something these filmmakers should pat themselves on the back for accomplishing and, above all, making it believable!

Scenery. When I log on to my computer everyday, there is a different beautiful bit of scenery from around the world. Today, I think it was Jackson Hole, WY. While animation cannot quite capture nature’s beauty, when they go all out and do it well, it can take you breath away, just the same. In the 3rd act of the film, Hiccup and Astrid head down the titular Hidden World and we are treated to a visual feast. Not only are there multiple species of dragons, but the colorful rocks, stalactites and such will have your jaw on the ground!

Specimen. With each film, there have been more and more dragons added. Keeping track of them is a challenge, but I am sure someone has taken the time to catalogue them all. Where they find the time, I have no idea! What I like about the dragons, though, is each one is different. Even those that are of the same species seem to be different. Take for instance Toothless and the light fury. She seems to have more abilities/powers than he does, yet he has more power…of course, he IS the alpha, after all.

What didn’t I like?

Mating ritual. I get it, I get it! The mating ritual between Toothless and the Light Fury was meant to be cute and help solidify their relationship. I just felt it went on way too long….and it happened twice!!! They could have cut some of that out and it wouldn’t have hurt a thing. One can only see Toothless make a fool of himself for this seemingly unlikable female opposite of him so many times before you are ready to move on.

Grim villain. Is it me, or has every villain in these movies been out to capture dragons? Grimmel, voiced by F. Murray Abraham, may be the least threatening. Not because he doesn’t get results, but because he is more reserved about the way he does things. Someone said he is more like a Bond villain…cold and calculating. While there is nothing wrong with that, personally I feel this film needed a flashier villain.

The voice. There is nothing he can do about it, really, but Jay Baruchel’s voice got on my last nerve. Dude is now the chief of this village, shouldn’t he have some bass in his voice and stop talking out of his nose? One of the characters even mentions this to him. Yes, this one of the things that sets him apart from everyone else, but I can imagine at some point watching the entire trilogy and his voice will become like nails on a chalkboard when I get to this one, if not before.

Final verdict: For some reason, I wasn’t feeling this today. That isn’t to say this wasn’t a good film. I enjoyed it, but the love wasn’t there. It was sort of like watching something on YouTube and then doing something else in another window. Also, the audience was much older than what i expected for this film. I think there may have been 2 kids in there, maybe 3. The rest were my age or older. Anyway, this is an enjoyable, well made film that is a fitting end for this trilogy. If you are an emotional person, I highly recommend you bring your tissues, because the end will choke you up. This is definitely worth a shot, especially if you can check it out at the theater in 3D.

4 out of 5 stars