Disney Film and Universe Blog

Gonna talk 'bout movies and such.

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High? Bored? Me too, This blog will be me getting high and watching Theatrically released Disney films as a way of coping with the world changing. Feel free to sound off.

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Royal news! Princess Elena of Avalor will make her Walt Disney World debut this summer.

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My favorite Prince (artist formerly known as) moment

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Waiting for this blogger to return

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Muppets Most Wanted

I just recently purchased Muppets Most Wanted with admittedly low expectations. Don't get me wrong, I love the Muppets. One of my favorite movies of all time is the Muppet Christmas Carol. It's just that sometimes the muppet films can be a miss. 

Let me start with Ty Burril. I don't think this guy is a box office star by any sense of the word. I don't think anyone would go see a movie to see Phil from Modern Family do funny physical gags. I feel that his role could've gone to ANYONE and nothing would be different. 

That being sad however the movie is hilarious. Muppets Most Wanted knows it's a sequel and meets expectations, almost flat out saying they've met them in fact, and then some.

The plot takes our Muppets on a world tour of the Muppet Show which serves as an international distraction for a thief trying to steal some interestingly famous jewels. Kermit finds himself as foil for the villains and spends most of his time in Siberia...Russia. That alone makes me laugh. 

What this movie lacks in heavy plot it more than makes up for it with cameos. CAMEOS CAMEOS CAMEOS, because of this movie I'm curious to find out if any other movie has more. Be sure not to blink because you may miss an out of place celebrity. 

This will be one of the few movies i talk about without having seen it at least once before, but I'm overjoyed to own this movie now so I'll be able to watch again. The Muppets comedy which can be pretty bizarre seems to have gone full circle in finding audiences as I honestly feel that nothing falls flat.

But seriously, what are you looking for in a Muppet Movie? Funny jokes? Catchy songs? Fun? This flick has all that, plus (if you'll indulge me once more) CAMEOS CAMEOS CAMEOS.  

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Enchanted

Disney sort of had a problem where boys didn’t want to watch their movies. With a lot of Disney films featuring a Princess one can kind of see that. I had put off watching Enchanted for this type of reason. It featured a princess traveling to New York and waiting for Prince charming to show up and in the mean time develops actual feelings for a regular guy. At first glance there’s nothing for me there. James Marsden wasn’t a draw for me, neither was Patrick Dempsy, so I guess at 2nd glance there wasn’t anything for me. But at an unexpected 3rd glance Amy Adams had me.

Her character portrayal really takes you into the film and insists that you care for her predicament. She dances, she sings, she gets animals to clean an apartment and you don’t even question it because of how much you BELIEVE her. Some people might think she was a little over the top, but I disagree. In order to be a convincing fictional character in the “real world” you can’t react to things like a normal person would. Her actions and dialogue seems cartoony? That’s because she’s literally from some sort of animated world!

That actually reminds me of one my favorite things about this movie. Usually at the beginning of a Disney movie the camera pans back revealing the train, pirate ship, and of course the castle; just before fading into black. Enchanted actually zooms into the castle, through a window, revealing the book or story of Enchanted. Now I can’t quite verbalize why I like this so much. Let me give it a shot; being that this book lies in the castle, could this be a story Disney characters tell each other? Is the book some sort of key between our world and Disney World? Am I thinking too much about this? Absolutely. But I mean the filmmaker decided to start the movie differently for a reason; I just think its fun to imagine.

Enchanted stands out for another reason, one that I hadn’t even realized before watching it. It was the first Disney hybrid (live action and animated) film since Who Framed Roger Rabbit! However the characters from this movie aren’t as recognizable as Mickey and Bugs.

Disney pokes fun at itself throughout the movie while at the same time paying homage to itself. Cameos from other princess’, fantastical music numbers will definitely keep the traditional fan entertained while new fans will enjoy its absurdity.

Throughout the jokes however a very real problem is addressed in the movie. How do you know if you love someone? Traditionally our heroines meet their Princes and then it’s Happily Ever After, all within a few days (sometimes less) after meeting. Enchanted both mocks and utilizes this idea throughout its plot. How many people would leave a nice, guaranteed safe relationship with someone with a stable job to pursue someone who is excitedly romantic? I think that’s a more personal question than most people think. Amy Adams looks at both “relationships” with a keen eye before fighting a dragon for the man she loves, and perhaps more importantly; who she wants to be with. Are Prince Charming’s all sizzle, no steak? Are people who have been brutally hurt able to romance? A surprising amount of thought comes from this movie, which I think makes this film a can’t miss.

It’s a silly movie yes, but there is so much more to it. Be sure to watch with a loved one. You’ll regret it if you don’t. 

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wall.E

When I was first going to discuss Wall.E I was going to describe it as kind of a middle of the road Pixar film that while good, isn’t my favorite. While the film played on I caught myself getting entwined in the story, even though I knew full well how it ended. That’s the Disney Magic I suppose. I didn’t want to be all sugar and sprinkles about it but that’s really how that movie made this grown adult man feel.

Every person on this planet knows how it feels to be lonely. That’s just what Wall.E is, except and obviously, he is literally the only being on the planet. For X amount of years he’s woken up, done his job, goes home and goes to bed. So he’s a futuristic robot with lasers, that doesn’t mean he can’t feel.

Hello, Dolly of all things helps Wall.E keep his sanity. Throughout the movie we hear bits and pieces of its soundtrack and we get to see just how important that movie is to him. I say keep his sanity because it’s one of the only things still inexistence that has a link to the world that once was. Imagine if one day everything you knew was gone, and the only thing you had with you was a single video tape. Would you watch it? Or would you cast it aside?

The biggest problem people seem to have about wall.E is that there isn’t much dialogue. Honestly I think that’s what makes this movie better than others. Without anyone telling us we get to experience this world as it actually is: desolate. If no one is on the planet, then who could wall.E interact with? If anything the lack of talking make you closer to our robot friend because you WANT someone to find him and “save him” from this empty home.

Then our heroine appears from the skies. Or rather from space. Eve makes it clear she comes from a very different place than wall.E. Having orders and built like a trashcan version of a terminator she flies all around the lands trying to find “Earth”.

Some people say the romance story seems forced and unnecessary. I like that our robotic counterparts can feel for one another. When the world ends there will still be something that cares, I think that’s a pretty positive message.

We’re now at the point where we meet our cadre of characters. Moll.E (Spelling?) the droid with some form of OCD, or at least that’s how he’s programmed to act. With brief meetings with each character wall.E manages to make each one better than before he met them. How many PEOPLE can say that? We also get a brief glimpse of Burn.E, who Disney produced an animated short for. We do (some say “Finally”) get to meet some human characters and we see what years of uh…comfortable living, have done to our bodies.

Our human characters take an immediate liking to wall.E and go out of their way to help our heroes fulfill their directive.  This is a great movie, some people can’t watch it because it will pull at the ol’ heartstrings but I haven’t heard anybody say they “Just didn’t like it.” I don’t know if this movie can go in “The Vault.” But find it and watch it and be glad it’s in your collection.

I think wall.E has an incredibly positive message all around. When things are at their worst, there are still good things happening. I’d be willing to bet that this movie will find its place in history as a film classic, and not just a Disney/Pixar Classic.  

I have the 3 disc blu ray so the picture is grand. The special features are also abundant so I won’t waste any time listing them, but my copy does include the Burn.E animated short which I do recommend watching after the feature. 

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Heavyweights

Apparently I’ve decided to keep up the Disney live action theme with my film review /discussion, this entry is Heavyweights. This movie is a true classic. Not “classic” in the Shakespearian sense, but more so in the you’ll watch it with your friends and quote it non-stop sense.

Heavyweights is also probably the most un-Disney Disney film out there. Some of the themes, characters, and even the soundtrack at times. The reason could be that it was produced by Judd Apatow or quite simply it could be its subject matter.

One of the things I like most about this movie is the formula. We’ve seen Disney do a half dozen or so kid/teen sports comedies. (The Mighty Ducks, The Big Green) And that was pretty much what I was expecting when I first saw this film. What we get here is a kid with a perceived problem and he is sent to be with people to find a healthy way of dealing with said problem. Sounds like a Disney movie, right?

Right. Our hero Jerry (Captain) accepts that his summer will not be spent just hanging out, but instead will be sent to Camp Hope. Also known as and so eloquently repeated as: Fat Camp.  Now I didn’t go to summer camp, regardless of my girth or lack thereof. But I have to tell you if I could choose to go anywhere it would probably be this camp.

Upon camp arrival we are introduced to some of our campers; there’s Josh (Goldberg from The Mighty Ducks) who seems to be some sort of local camp legend, though it’s never explicitly said how old he is or how long he’s been there. Another is Roy (Kenan Thompson, that’s right THE Kenan Thompson) who immediately puts our Jerry at ease by pointing out that he will be with likeminded individuals no longer having to be afraid of being teased or bullied. We’re shown a few more kids who we now know fall under the banner of being “Chipmunks”. Again having never been to summer camp I have no idea if naming a group of kids after a small mammal that stuffs its cheeks are normal.  At this point I’m expecting a fun summer comedy helping kids build their self-esteem, which I can totally get behind. But what I got was so much better.

Enter Ben Stiller.

 Ben Stiller’s Tony is probably one of the best Disney villains out there, but you’ll never see him on the lists of Villains with Hades or Scar….or Glenn Close. The idea of Stiller’s character is he’s going to “help” these kids lose weight and put out a promotional video about his so called diet. Surrounded by cronies and henchmen such as Kenny and Lars who also “help” our friends. On camera Tony comes off as caring, charming, someone you would definitely trust with your children. Off camera he’s nuts. At first pretty distant and uncaring towards the campers Tony doesn’t see the results he wants. He then takes a more hands on approach by putting our boys through countless embarrassing and cringe filled tasks. A baseball game against a rival camp ends with all of our boys heading to the nurse, a dance with the all girl camp starts with Camp Hope hanging their heads in shame.

Honestly I kind of get lost in the plot as some of the events just seem to happen so naturally. One second Tony is in control of the camp, the next second he isn’t and I really don’t have a problem with the chain events that made it that way.  The kids are great, no doubt about it, the jokes are well played and actually laugh out loud funny, but it really is Stiller that pulls this film together. (The actor playing Lars a close second)Without the insanity of his character I feel this movie just wouldn’t work.

This film really is funny, but if you’re going to watch it try to get a few friends together. I 100% believe you and your friends will enjoy it.

Bonus features- The DVD copy of this movie lacks features but the Blu ray has some good ones including an audio commentary with the director and a lot of the cast, and a making of. Not to mention 30 deleted scenes, one viewing will make it pretty clear why they didn’t qualify for a Disney release.

Favorite line- “Lunch is cancelled due to lack of hustle…deal with it.” 

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Davy Crockett Indian Fighter

DAVY CROCKET INDIAN FIGHTER

The first chapter in the short Davy Crockett series (later complete films) makes it easy to understand the sensation that would be Crocketmania.

If you’re wondering why I decided to review these as originally released (as part of the Disneyland series) TV episodes as opposed to the films because I believe they’re much better this way. Walt Disney’s introduction really adds that extra element of class and context that the movie’s quite frankly miss. With Davy Crockett Indian Fighter we get a glimpse of what the life we wanted to believe existed during the pioneer days; injuns fighting white man, white men fighting bears, soldiers fighting for their beliefs rather than blindly following orders. I wish I had experienced this first hand: my small slice of Americana sitting in front of the TV, waiting anxiously for Walt to tell me about Frontierland. Walt was relying on the popularity of this program to help him launch the Disneyland Park. By goodness was it a success!

Now I can understand why it might be hard for even the biggest Disney fans to sit and watch a movie (TV episode) from the fifties. Camera work, sound, anything really can make it seem outdated and flat out boring.

Fess Parker makes sure this cannot happen. Obviously with no concept about film and DVD releases, Walt was taking a sustainably large chance in casting Fess Parker as the face of what could have been a colossal failure. Turns out he’s charming, talented, and perfect face for an American icon. He fights bears, sings songs, makes peace with the natives; all with a grin. Of course it takes more than once actor to make a series work and Buddy Ebsen (I think before his Beverly Hillbillies Fame) settles in quite nicely. You get the feel these characters have a terrific history and a genuine admiration for each other.

Their chemistry is big part of what makes this half hour speed by. IF you can find them I recommend trying to find the Disney Treasure version of the series. If you can’t the two-film collection is currently available. Davy Crockett (the character) will always have his place in the Disney family, it would be a good idea to make him apart of yours. 

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The Ugly Dachshund

If you had told me a month ago that my first entry in my review blog was going to be The Ugly Dachshund, I wouldn't have believed you. I hadn't even heard of the film yet! Atleast nothing in great detail. 

But in building my Disney film collection I accepted the fact that I would be picking up films I hadn't heard of. Which brings me to picking up the Disney Dogs 4-Movie Collection Vol.1. I was looking for a copy of The Shaggy Dog (the original not the Tim Allen remake) and couldn't really find it for a price I could justify. Considering I might have just had it on a shelf and not actually sit and watch the movie I was looking for the $5 range. 

Low and behold I stumble upon Disney Dogs which has it, the sequel, AND the remake. Along with some other feature I had never heard of, our topic of the day: The Ugly Dachshund. 

So this morning as my left for a daycation I figured why not? Let me pop it in. I'm glad I did.

The movie released in 1966 turned out to be a perfectly pleasant and fun movie to watch. So much so I really should've waited for my wife to come home and watch it with me. The movie stars Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette as the new owners (See: parent) of a pregnant pup. 

They play a believable 1960's couple with Pleshette wanting a litter of puppies to breed as show dogs, and Jones just wanting to work on his art. When the dog gives birth in the vet's office Dean Jones masculinity is joked (light-heartedly) about the choice of animal they have decided to own. Enter Brutus our exceedingly adorable Great Dane. I cannot stress enough how cute this dog is. I'm watching the movie and looking at my dogs with jealousy that my boys are no longer puppies. 

Well once Brutus is home Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette deal with their Dane's identity crisis as it becomes clear that Brutus thinks he's a dachshund. Oh didn't I mention that Pleshette's Dachsund gave birth to a litter of 3, and live to torment their confused little (XXL) brother? It becomes man vs woman, husband vs wife in the game of “what dog gets the blame” for torn carpet, big messes, and all sorts of things pet owners have come home to. 

Brutus wears thin his mother's patience but every so often shows just how critical he is to being in the household. Even saving the life of one of the prized “Pretty” Dachshunds. The movie’s plot moves fast enough and you are never really in danger of being emotionally overwhelmed. Which honestly is just fine with me when watching a movie about dogs. I do intend to review my entire Disney collection but perhaps I’ll just skip over Old Yeller.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was funny, peaceful, and kept me entertained. Not incredibly stellar praise but it is what it is. I hadn’t been looking forward to watching the older Disney “classics” that I was sure wouldn’t hold up, but this one has, most credit going to it’s stars.

Bonus Features: (Disney Dogs edition) The Faces of Mako, Disney’s Dog Stars, Original Theatrical Trailer.

Favorite Line: Will you be quiet and watch your brother.