#why it worked

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: Sonic The Hedgehog 3

SPOILER WARNING: If you haven't seen this film, you might want to before reading this post. You've been warned.

Introduction: Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is an action adventure comedy film based on the video game franchise, specifically Sonic Adventure 2. Directed by Jeff Fowler, the film stars Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaunghnessy, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Kristen Ritter, Lee Majdoub, and Alyla Browne as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Dr. Eggman, Gerald Robotnik, Tom and Maddie Wachowski, Director Rockwell, Agent Stone, and Maria Robotnik respectively. Distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by Original Films, Marza Animation Planet, and Blur Studios, the film premired at Empire Leicester Square on December 10, 2024 before making its world premier on December 20, 2024. The film received positive reviews from critics, even more so than it's predecessors. Out of the 152 reviews aggregated on Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of them were positive with an average rating of 6.7/10. The film was also a box office success, grossing $492.2M on a budget of $122M, becoming the highest grossing film in the series as well as the 2nd highest grossing video game adaptation (after The Super Mario Bros Movie). I saw this movie in theaters with a friend and I had an absolute blast with the film. With this film, I consider the first 3 Sonic films to be a fantastic trilogy. I'm more than thrilled to talk about this film and why it resonated so much with me as a Sonic fan and a storyteller.

The Plot: Picking up some time after the events of the 2nd film, Team Sonic is recruited by G.U.N. to stop Shadow, who is on a revenge filled quest after being awaken from a 50 year long hibernation. After being ambushed by drones, our heroes reluctantly form an alliance with the very much alive Dr. Eggman to find out who was behind Shadow's awakening. We find out the mastermind behind it is none other than Professor Gerald Robotnik, who not only feeds into Shadow's lust for revenge, but also bonds with his grandson, Eggman, so that the latter may assist him in completing his mastermind plan: using the Eclipse Canon to destroy all of humanity. Naturally, it's up to Sonic and co. to stop the nefarious mad scientists and save the world. Right off the bat, this film jumps the audience into the action with Shadow taking out G.U.N. soldiers left and right before Sonic and crew drop into Tokyo to face off against him. It may seem rushed, but I think cutting to the chase after a scene or 2 of brevity with our heroes is a good way to keep the story from dragging. This film over all has really good pacing, allowing the quieter moments to breath in between the intense action scenes. The film also made the excellent decision to have an extended flashback of Shadow having fun with Maria, giving the audience a clear glimpse into what she meant to him. The main them of the film is a tried and true message that everyone, especially kids, can get behind: there are no winners with revenge and you the love you have for your friends and family is far more powerful than the pain you have for losing someone. I gotta give major shout outs to the visual effects and animation studios that brought these characters to life. Rising Sun Pictures, Rodeo FX, ILM, Fin, Marza Animation Planet, as well as the in-house team at Paramount did fantastic work on the visuals from the textures, the effects, the character acting, and the lighting. The score was also fantastic with memorable character themes and cleaver song choices. I especially loved that they played the iconic Crush 40 song, Live and Learn, during the climax. It was such a well deserved treat for fans of the franchise and, like it did with Sonic Adventure 2, very much fits the theme of the movie. Lastly, this movie is absolutely hilarious with so many of the jokes leaving me in stitches. From Knuckles being scared of ghosts (especially Casper of all people), Maria drawing a funny face on the glass holding Shadow, to the hilarious dance sequence of the 2 Robotniks infiltrating G.U.N. HQ. Needless to say, when it comes to adapting a video game's story, this film more than succeeded.

Cast and Characters: The cast did such a wonderful job portraying these characters, both in terms of returning cast members to new additions. Ben Schwartz once again nails the cocky, funny, impatient, but will meaning Blue Blur that we all know and love. Colleen O'Shaunghnessy sounds absolutely brilliant as Tails, who retains his technical prowess and child like wonder. Idris Elba amps up Knuckles' naivety but still makes him a caring and honest to a fault older brother figure to the team. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter have excellent chemistry together and provide some genuinely funny moments in the film. And of course, Jim Carrey returns to not just ham it up as Eggman, but also play his more sadistic grandfather, Gerald. These 2 characters bounce off each other so well and Carrey gives among his best performances in this dual role. For the newbies, Keanu Reeves absolutely nailed Shadow's character. From his stone cold demeanor, to his dry wit, to his honesty, Keanu just proved Sonic's comment about him in the first film correct: he really is a national treasure. To me, though, the most important character in the entire film is Maria Robotnik. Alyla Browne did such a great job making her a genuine friend to Shadow and we really get to see who she was as a person. She was funny, she was mischievous, she was clever, and she saw Shadow as a friend as opposed to an alien freak. They did such a good job making the audience care about Maria that it's all the more heartbreaking when she does die and we completely understand why Shadow is full of anger and hatred. In addition the excellent main cast, we also got some really good supporting characters. Commander Walters was a good ally to both Team Sonic and even Maria when he was younger, Director Rockwell's icy cold attitude contrasts brilliantly with the rest of the cast's comedic antics, Agent Stone also gets plenty of laughs and continues to show his loyalty to Eggman, and it was really clever of the filmmakers to have Tom and Maddie disguise themselves as Rachael and Randall to infiltrate G.U.N. HQ. These characters are all so well rounded and brilliantly acted, they really do make the film feel alive.

Where It Falters: My only critique with the film is the use of the death fake out trope. I understand the filmmakers not wanting to kill Tom, though I don't necessarily agree. I think if Tom had died, it would've been a clearer reflection of Sonic and Shadow's circumstances. Having Tom be hurt but still alive just doesn't hit the same as him being dead. Again, I like Tom same as the filmmakers, but I think killing him would've been the more effective option to raise the stakes.

Conclusion: Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is now neck amd neck with The Super Mario Bros Movie as one of my all time favorite movies based on a video game. The writing was fantastic, the cast was excellent, the characters were a ton of fun, the visuals were incredible, and the score was amazing. I'm more than happy with Sonic getting his own film trilogy yet I'm all the more excited for Sonic 4 coming soon. Thank y'all so much for reading and I'll see you next time ;)

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: Pacific Rim

Introduction: Pacific Rim is a 2013 science fiction monster action film directed by acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro. The film stars Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Ron Perrlman, Robert Kazinsky, and Max Martini as Raleigh Becket, Marshall Stacker Pentecost, Mako Mori, Dr. Newton "Newt" Geiszler, Hannibal Chau, Chuck Hansen, and Hercules "Herc" Hansen respectfully. Distributed by Warner Bros. And produced by Legendary Pictures and Double Dare You Productions, the film premired on July 1, 2013, in Mexico City before being released worldwide on July 12 that same year. The film received positive reviews, with 72% of 294 reviews aggregated by Rotten Tomatoes being positive with an average rating of 6.6/10. The film was a modest box office success, grossing $411 million on a budget of $180-200 million. That said, it gained a cult following in the years since it's released and it even spawned a sequel, Pacific Rim: Uprising, in 2018 and an animated series, Pacific Rim: The Black, in 2021. I only recently got around to finally watching this film, and I wholeheartedly agree that this was a brilliantly made action film. For this post, we'll be looking into what made this film such a cult hit that continues to resonate with people to this day.

The Plot: Set in a world where kaiju attacks become as common as natural disasters, the world nations came together to build giant robots (called Jaegers) maned by 2 pilots to comebat these behemoths in epic battles. During one of these battles, Raleigh lost his brother, and the grief and trauma caused him to quit. But when Marshall Pentecost recruits him for one last mission to end the kaiju apocalypse, he must overcome his trauma to help save the world, while along the way help his co-pilot, Mako, overcome her own trauma. The story does a really good job getting us invested in this world with the cold opening of a kaiju attack on the Golden Gate Bridge and the subsequent attacks and fallout. The Jaegers become so successful at beating these monsters that the pilots become celebrities. The world building is handled very well with natural dialogue, genuine responses from the humans, and newsreels of the kaiju battles that unfold. This film also does a good job handling the themes of grief and PTSD and how they never really leave you, but there's always a light of hope. There's also a good amount of comedy thrown in to not make it all doom and gloom such as Newt's frantic nature and Chuck getting his but whooped by Raleigh for insulting Mako. Of course, the true highlight and main selling point of the film are the monster battles, and they more than delivered. The cinematography excellently captures the scale and intensity of these giants duking it out, the visual effects are very well crafted, and the score by Ramin Djawadi amplifies these scenes to a whole new level. The film could've just been robots versus monsters for 2 hours, but I'm happy to say there is, indeed, substance to the style.

Cast and Characters: This was a very well put together and well directed cast of characters. Everyone gives such honesty and urgency in their performance and sell every line of dialogue. Charlie Hunnam did a great job portraying Raleigh as a socially distant pilot who's still brave, smart, and clever. His co-pilot, Mako, is a very smart, cautious, and headstrong woman who has natural chemistry with Raleigh and is played brilliantly by Rinko Kikuchi. Idris Elba's Marshall Pentecost has got to be my favorite performance in the film. He has such a commanding presence and is the one who cares the most about saving the world. The more he appears, the more we sympathize with him as a character, and Idris Elba really captures that humanity really well. Charlie Day provides a good amount of funny comedy with his frantic nature as Newt with Burn Gorman's Herman Gottlieb being such a snarky foil to him. Ron Perrlman was such a delight to see Hannibal Chau, making him so charismatic and fearless. Robert Kazinsky makes for an enjoyable jerk character with Chuck that gets his comeuppance in a very funny way. Max Martini did a really good job portraying the seasoned and resourceful Herc. The cast did such a good job bringing these characters to life and kept me engaged, even in between the giant robot on monster battles.

Where It Falters: As good as the opening was, I thought it was a bit rushed. By that, I'm mean Raleigh's brother, Yancy, was killed almost as soon as he was introduced, which felt a bit too quick, in my opinion. I think showing more scenes with Raleigh and Yancy together would've helped add to the former's character development. If not a few more minutes in the beginning, then maybe in a flashback or 2. I just would like to know what Yancy was like before he inevitably bit the dust.

Conclusion: Pacific Rim certainly lives up to the hype surrounding it. With a very well told story, a great cast of memorable characters, excellent cinematography, incredible visuals, and a superb score, this film more than delivers on what it promised. My only regret was not seeing it sooner. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend giving it a watch. This is especially true for die-hard kaiju and anime fans as this is basically the closest y'all will get to a live action Gundam movie. Thank you so much for reading, and I'll see you soon ;)

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: Inside Out

Introduction: Inside Out is an animated coming-of-age film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed and co-written by Pete Docter, with the screenplay being co written by Meg LaFauve and Josh Cooley, the film stars Amy Poehler, Phyliss Smith, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan and Richard Kind as Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Fear, Riley, her parents Bill and Jill, and Bing Bong respectively. Released on June 19, 2015, the film was a major box office success grossing $858.8 million on a budget of $175 million. It also received critical acclaim from critics and audiences alike. According to Rotten Tomatoes, out of the 384 reviews aggregated, 98% gave a positive review with an average rating of 8.9/10. It also received numerous awards, including an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, several Outstanding Achievement Awards at the Annies, a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, and a Critic's Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature. It is often seen as a culturally significant film for mental health and the importance of expressing one's emotions. I saw this film for my birthday back in 2015, and I loved it right out of the gate. After multiple rewatches over the years, I stand by my personal opinion that this is a masterpiece of animation and visual storytelling. I'm overjoyed to talk about this film now that it finally has a sequel out.

The Plot: This film has 2 stories that are interconnected to one another, taking place in the mind of an 11 year old girl. On the outside, it's about a kid moving to a new city and being overwhelmed by the sudden changes happening all at once. On the inside, it's about Joy and Sadness trekking through Riley's mind, while along the way understanding each other's importance. Together, they create a very unique and engaging plot about growing up and learning to express yourself. The film brilliantly cuts between Riley, Joy, and Sadness' journey and what's happening at HQ to organically show what Riley's feeling and how her actions have psychological consequences. In addition to having powerful gut punching drama, it's also a very funny film with plenty of slapstick, goofy gags, and impressive word play that always gets me to belly laugh. Michael Giacchino also provides an enchanting, dreamlike score with great use of the piano and brass sections. The true highlight of the story is, of course, Pixar's masterfully crafted and innovative animation. The film makes Riley's mind so vibrant and expansive with Dream Productions and Imagination Land being major highlights. The outside world also looks very well done with the people looking very appealing, San Francisco looking grimy yet lived in, and Riley's old home in Minnesota looking very welcoming and colorful. Speaking of color, the use of colors in this film is nothing short of excellent from the radiant colors of Riley's memories to Riley's clothes reflecting her current state of mind throughout the film. I also love how they use black and gray to represent faded memories and lack of emotion. If there's one word to describe Inside Out's story and animation, it's colorful.

Cast and Characters: This is an outstanding cast they brought on board for this film. Shout outs to the film's casting directors Natalie Lyon and Kevin Reher for picking out some excellent actors. Amy Poehler was phenomenal as Joy, perfectly capturing her bubbly and eccentric personality while also naturally showing her vulnerability and frustrations. Phyliss Smith sound perfectly dower and soft spoken as Sadness, yet at the same time making her sound so innocent and relatable. Lewis Black was the best match for Anger, making him sound crusty, cynical, and having a short fuse. Mindy Kaling brought in the right amount of sass and pettiness as Disgust and her comradery with the other emotions was brilliant. Bill Hader did a great job making Fear funny and relatable as a character. Kaitlyn Dias also deserve major props for her vocal performance as Riley, making her sound like a soft spoken but fun kid who goes through a great character arc in the film. Lastly, Richard Kind was the absolute surprise standout of the cast as Bing Bong as not only did he do a great job making him funny, but also made him relatable, selfless, a bit of an airhead, but also really resourceful. The cast did such a great job bringing these characters to life, with all of them being iconic and memorable in their own way.

Where It Falters: Outside of maybe adding another scene or 2 with Riley's life in Minnesota, I wouldn't change a thing with this film. It's one of those films where the only nitpick I have is I wanted more. Fortunately, that's remedied with the existence of the 2024 sequel. Coming out a couple years sooner wouldn't have been so bad either, but like I always say, quality>quantity.

Conclusion: There are a select few movies I consider to be a masterpiece. Inside Out is most certainly one of those movies. With outstanding writing, iconic characters, wonderful voice acting, masterfully crafted animation, and an enchanting score, it has more than earned its cultural significance. I cannot recommend this film enough, especially for those who struggle with expressing themselves, such as yours truly. I promise this film will speak to you as it has for me after all these years. Thanks so much for reading, and I'll see you soon ;)

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: The Bad Guys

SPOILER WARNING: This post contains majors spoilers for The Bad Guys. If You haven't seen this film, you might want to before reading further. You've been warned.

Introduction: The Bad Guys is an animated action, comedy, heist film based on the children's book series by Adam Blabey. Directed by Pierre Perifel, the film stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Marron, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Craig Robinson, Zazi Beets, Alex Borstein, Richard Ayode, and Lilly Singh as Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, Diane Foxington, Police Chief Misty Luggins, Prof. Marmalade, and Tiffany Fluffit. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film was released on April 22, 2022. Critics were very receptive to it as 88% of 172 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes gave an average rating of 6.9/10. The film was also a massive success, even by pre-pandemic standards, as it made $250 million on a budget of $69-80 million. When I first saw the trailer, I thought it looked super dope and upon watching it on Blu-ray I was absolutely blown away. This film excelled at all the aspects of it's filmmaking and I'm more than happy to talk about it on Why It Worked.

The Plot: Set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist, a group of convicted felons plot to pose as good samaritans to pull off the biggest heist of all time. Things start to go awry when Wolf, the leader of the group, starts to find that being good actually feels really good. This puts his friendship with the guys, particularly Snake, to the test and uncovers a conspiracy that puts all of LA in great danger. Right out of the gate, this film hooks you with an amazing opening chase sequence that brilliantly introduces the characters, the world they inhabit, and the main conflict at hand. In addition to witty dialogue and hilarious jokes, the opening showcases what the tone of the film is and why we sympathize with these characters. The best part? The film keeps the momentum of the first 7 minutes going for the rest of the picture! This film has exquisite pacing with each scene showcasing wonderful use of show, dont tell, clever jokes, and excellent camaraderie between the characters. The greatest highlight of the film's story is its happy marriage of 2D and 3D animation, clearly taking a page from Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film brings these characters to life with remarkable cel-shading, unique body types based on their personalities, and very expressive facial features. LA also looks gorgeous with vibrant warm colors in the daytime, contrasting with soothing cool colors at night. The city also feels lived in with an abundance of people populating the backgrounds and the city feeling like a huge playground for the Bad Guys. The biggest highlights of the animation are the action scenes, which best showcase the speed, veracity, and vibrant colors the film offers. This film's story was already funny and unique, but the filmmakers went above and beyond in making this a masterclass of visual storytelling.

Cast and Characters: This has got to be among DreamWorks' best casted films! Everybody brings their A game to their roles, and they all have such great chemistry with one another. Our leading pickpocket and chief, Wolf, is such a swave, charismatic and funny leader who at first enjoys the life of crime he's chosen, but grows so fond of doing good he starts to drift from his original beliefs and becomes a really complex character. Major props to Sam Rockwell for delivering such an authentic and funny performance. His best friend, Snake, is a crusty, deadpan python who relishes his crime life more than Wolf, and they become at odds as the film progresses, and Wolf gradually becomes a different person. Marc Marron gave a very nuanced performance, making him sound crusty but also funny and fleshed out. Shark is a big, lovable master of disguise who adds extra comedy to the film thanks in large part to Craig Robinson's performance. Tarantula is the sassy, tech-savvy arachnid that serves as the group's hacker and is played brilliantly by Awkwafina. Piranha is a psychotic fish that acts first and thinks never and has some really good singing chops thanks to Anthony Ramos. Governor Diane Foxington is a sly, sassy, and clever public official who makes for a great foil for Wolf and is played wonderfully by Zazie Beets. Family Guy alum, Alex Borstein, absolutely kills it as Police Chief Misty Luggins, making her sound boisterous and manic in her pursuit of the Bad Guys. Lilly Singh did a really good job as Tiffany Fluffit, making her sound like an eccentric and bubbly news reporter. Then there's the film's surprise villain, Professor Marmalade. I honestly never saw the twist coming because, at first, he seemed like a genuinely good person who believes the Bad Guys can change, and everyone deserves a second chance. Once his true colors are revealed, that's when it all clicked. All this time, Marmalade was using the Bad Guys as a ruse to keep everyone's eyes off him so he could take the meteorite and harness its power to pull the biggest heist the world has ever known: using mind controlled guinea pigs to steal $1 billion dollars that was going to charity! Wow, now THAT'S evil! Richard Ayode provided such a brilliant performance, perfectly playing the kind, optimistic, good-hearted Marmalade while also devouring the scenery when his true colors are revealed. This is such a wonderful cast of characters, and everyone deserves a round of applause for their voice work.

Where It Falters: 👏I👏want👏more! No seriously, this film is a 10/10 and the only gripe I have is I want more. The film is 100 minutes long and it very much feels like this is the beginning of DreamWorks' next big franchise. So I definitely expect a sequel to be made at some point. Yes, I know there's a holiday prequel on Netflix, but I saw the trailer for it and it looked like a very pale imitation of this film. Might as well just watch The Bad Guys again, which I did.

Conclusion: The Bad Guys is now among my all time favorite DreamWorks Animation movies, right next to Kung Fu Panda 2 and The Prince Of Egypt! With a fast paced and hilarious story, well developed characters, excellent vocal performances, amazing animation, and a killer sound track, this film didn't meet my expectations: it EXCEEDED them! I can't recommend this film enough, especially if you're a fan of heist movies. This film should also be studied for aspiring storytellers on how to brilliantly showcase visual storytelling and how to write clever and witty dialogue. Thank you all so much for reading and I'll see you soon 😉

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron

Introduction: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an animated western film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by DreamWorks Pictures. Directed by the late-great Kelly Asbury with Lorna Cook serving as co-director, the film stars the voice talents of Matt Damon, Daniel Studi, James Cromwell, Chopper Bernet, Jeff LeBeau and Frank Welker; with musice provided by Hans Zimmer and Bryan Adams. The film was released on May 24, 2002 and while it didn’t do great at the box office (only making $122.6 million worldwide on a budget of $80 million), it recieved fairly positive reviews with 69% out of 127 reviews aggregated by Rotten Tomatoes giving an average rating of 6.4/10. In the 20 years since its release, it has gain a cult following as well as a spin-off show on Netflix called Spirit Riding Free. The show became so popular that is spawning a standalone sequel to the film called Spirit Untamed, released on June 4, 2021. I’ve always really liked this film and it stands as one of my favorite films by DreamWorks Animation. I’m so glad to talk about why I adore this film and what makes it stand out from animated films before or since its release.

The Plot: Set in the American old West, this film follows the journey of a yellow mustang who’s taken from his herd and must find his way back home. Along the way he meets a young Lakota man called Little Creek, an American Paint Horse called Rain, and a calm yet authoritaritve Colonel. Right away the film hooks the audience with an amazing 3 minute shot of an eagle flying threw a canyon with Hans Zimmer’s score beautifully caputring the majesty of the West. This is just the tip of the iceberge as this film as it maintains that majestic tone throughout the film. Even though the film is 84 minutes long, it makes every second count by having scenes devoid of any dialogue and just let the moment speak for itself. Scenes like Spirit and Rain getting to know each other and Spirit and Little Creek making a mighty jump across a canyon are all the more powerful due to the lack of dialogue. In addition to that there are a good number of funny moments, which feel natural and also really funny. Spirit messing with Murph, the blacksmith, and Little Creek getting doused in face paint are amoung the funniest moments in the film due to how well timed and executed they are. The animation plays a crucial role in making the story so grand. The horses are designed wonderfully with strong builds, accurate anatomy (without drawing any of the undercarriages due to this being for kids) and very expressive faces. The humans all have natural yet appealing and distinctive designs, with the military having strong blue uniforms that makes them distinct from the native Lakota tribe. The characters have natural movements to them with excellent running and trotting animation on the horses and more subtle movements from the humans. I also really like the backgrounds as they make the film look like a painting. The colors are bright and vibrant, the textures are well detailed and the 2D and 3D elements complent each other beautifully. The story of this film can best be described as awe inspiring because of how well they made this world feel timeless.

Cast and Characters: There’s really only 4 characters that play key roles in the film, but their lack in numbers does not negate their importance. Starting with our titular hero, Spirit is a curious, brave and determined horse who want to get back to his herd after he’s captured. While on his journey, he shows that he’s unselfish and caring by freeing military horse whenever he gets the chance. Little Creek is a young, clever and determined Lakota man who Spirit meets at the military camp. They don’t get along at first, but Little Creek’s determination impresses Spirit and they eventually grow to respect each other. Rain is a smart, stubborn and well mannered mare who has a good relationship with Little Creek. Her and Spirit start off at odds, but the more time he spends with her, the more they fine that they were mean to be. Then there’s the Colonel, the main antagonist of the film and the antithosis to Spirit’s ideals. While Spirit values the beauty of freedom, the Colonel is all about order and control. The Colonel is calm and collected, yet he’s full of authority and his men obey his whim without question. The supporting cast is even fewer than the main cast, but they still have their importance in the story such as Spirit’s Mom, Esperana, taking care of the herd while Spirit is away, the eagle that Spirit races with, and Murph who Spirit messes with much to the audience’s amusement. The characters are brought to life by the stellar acting and sound design on display. While Spirit himself doesn’t speak, his narration is provide by Matt Damon, who give his voice a brash yet wise and honest tone. Daniel Studi did a great job voicing Little Creek, making him sound so confident and clever. James Cromwell did an excellent job voicing the Colonel, making him sound calm yet fully of authority. They did a great job implimenting real horse noises into the film as they give Spirit and they other horses such a wide range of emotions. Jeff LeBeau, Chopper Bernet and Frank Welker also did really good jobs as Murph, the Sargent and the eagle respectively. I’d be remissing myself if I didn’t give credit to young Meredith Wells (daughter of Prince of Egypt co-director Simon Wells) for her adorable delivery of “Bye Bye horsey!” as the little Lakota baby. That was so adorable that it was used in trailers to promote the film. The cast may be small, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in great importance.

Songs and Music: Hans Zimmer and Bryan Adams made an absolutely killer soundtrack with this film. Hans’ score incorperates some great piano cues and heavy uses of brass instruments and a string orcastra, Bryan Adams sings 6 songs in the film that act as a secondary voice for Spirit. Here I Am perfectly introduces Spirit as a curious young colt who’s so amazed by the world around him. You Can’t Take Me captures his worry as he’s captured and his longing to go home. Get Off of My Back is a banging rock song that capture’s Spirit’s cocky attitude towards the soliders trying (and hilariously failing) to break him. Sound The Bugle is a somber track that describes Spirit’s defeated state when he’s captured again. Then there’s I Will Always Return, which serves as a celebratory ballad of Spirit returning home with a newfound appreciation for his freedom. The final song that plays during the credits is a beautiful duet with the late Sarah MacCallan called Don’t Let Go, which is a love ballad describing hanging on to this tender moment between lovers. The soundtrack really makes this film standout and it would feel empty without it.

Where It Falters: 👆 Yeah this one comment is this only critque I have with the film. Casual sexism is not okay and we shouldn't excuse comments like this. This is yet another example of what NOT to say to/about a woman. Scoffing at a woman for being protective and impling all women are like this is definitely sexist and should not be tolerated. I'm glad we're smarter now and are putting in more effort to respect women.

Conclusion: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an absolutely fantastic film that holds up really well after 20 years. With an epic story, fantastic soundtrack, wonderful animation and a really strong cast of characters, this film remains one of the highlights of DreamWorks Animation's history. If you haven't seen it yet, definitely check it out. And if you're a fan of Spirit Riding Free or Spirit Untamed, then you should definitely check this out. Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you soon ;)

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: Kid Cosmic

Kid Cosmic is an animated action superhero comedy show created by Craig McCracken. Released on Netflix on February 2, 2021, the show follows the adventures of a young boy who tries to live his dream of being a superhero when he comes into possession of 5 stones of power. The show features the voice talents of Jack Fisher, Amanda C. Miller, Lily Rose Silver, Fred Tatasciore, Tom Kenny and Keith Ferguson. The show recieved critical praise, boasting an 8/10 average rating on IMDB and was dubbed one of the 13 best TV shows of 2021 by LA Times. When I first watched the show, I was absolutely blown away by the first season. Having recently finished watching the show's final season, I can confidently say this is among my favorite cartoons of the 2020s thus far. I'd be more than happy to talk about why in this latest addition of Why It Worked.

Premise and Execution: The show has a simple yet very interesting set up: a kid who loves superhero comics tries to live his dream once he comes into possession of 5 cosmic stones of power. He's joined by his waitress friend Jo, his 4 year old neighbor Rosa, his grandfather Papa G and his cat Tuna Sandwich. The main struggle Kid has to overcome first and foremost is that things don't play out like they did in his comics. This is where the show truly shines as it subverts many conventional and classic superhero tropes in clever and unique ways. From Kid learning to accept that his team isn't what he had in mind to not every alien being a major threat, this show takes advantage of the fact that this is not a power fantasy while at the same time delivering some really good messages about helping people, working together and making sacrifices. This show also has really funny moments such as Kid not being able to control his flight ability to Rosa unknowingly killing a bunch of aliens to one of Papa G's clones being traumatized, this show provides lots of laughs throughout its 24 episode run. This show also has a bopping soundtrack by Adam Bean with heavy garage punk songs that are upbeat and catchy. Lastly the show has some really good animation. It may look like a fully colored animatic, but that's what makes it so unique and amazing. The characters have differing body times, expressive faces and complimentary clothes. They're also designed in a similar style to comics like Dennis The Menace such as having black dots for eyes and darker outlines. The character animation feels natural and the action scenes really pop with sharp speed and excellent cinematography. Backgrounds are also well detailed with the diner feeling like it has a long history, Papa G's junkyard being full of supplies and the desert looking like, well, a desert. The show's premise was good in its own right, but the execution makes the show stand out for the better.

Cast and Characters: Kid Cosmic had a relatively small cast of characters but that's not a detriment because they're all well written and interesting in their own write. Starting with our titular hero, Kid is a happy-go-lucky boy who's a huge comic book fan that gets frustrated when things don't work out the way he plans. He can be in over his head at times, but his heart is most certainly in the right place. Jo, the waitress at the local diner, is cares about Kid's safty and tries to make sure he doesn't get killed or worse her Mom find out about their antics. Rosa is a playful little 4 year old who wants to have fun with Kid, much to his detriment. Thankfully they grow to respect each other and she becomes a really helpful ally. Papa G is such a chill and caring grandfather to Kid and is more than willing to help him, no questions asked. He also teaches Kid some very sage advice such as his famous mantra "Freaking out, breathe it out." Tuna Sandwich is a good cat that tries to make sure Kid is saved from certain doom. Then there's Chuck, an alien invader who starts out as a villain in the first couple episodes before begrudgingly becoming an assest to the team. He's a snarky and cynical alien who wants the stones of power for his own personal gain, but mellows out later on in the first season. Other characters that make notable impacts, particularly in the later seasons, include Flo (Jo's Mom who runs the diner), Rosa's parents Ramona and Carlos, Carla an old biker, the mysterious biker in black, and Fantos, the main antagonist of seasons 2 and 3 who an immature fanboy of the planet killer Erodius. These characters are brought to life wonderfully by the voice cast directed by Sam Riegel. Jack Fisher does an amazing job voicing Kid as he makes him sound like such an excitable kid who wants to live out his dream. Amanda C. Miller did such a good job voicing Jo, making her sound like a caring older sister to Kid. Lily Rose Silver was stupendous as Rosa, making her sound and act just like a 4 year old. Veteran voice actors Tom Kenny, Keith Ferguson, Fred Tatasciore, Grey Griffin and Cree Summer bring their A game and bring their respected characters to life. Papa G sounds perfectly chill and wise, Chuck sounds exactly like a cynical alien villain who failed, Carla and Ramona sound very distinct from one another, Tuna Sandwich sounds like an old cowboy and Queen Xhan sounds very calm but full of authority and wisdom. Also gotta give credit to Bobby Moynihan as Fantos because he made him sound like such a manchild while also still msking him an imposing threat to our heroes. All the characters are so well written and full of life and the actors who played them did excellent jobs.

Where It Falters: While I think the desert look really good, it's still not the most visually interesting place to be for long periods of time. I also wasn't too impressed with Erodius being an actual planet. I suppose it makes sense with what they were going for but it's still rather dull looking.

Conclusion: Kid Cosmic is an absolutely amazing animated show. With an astounding cast of characters, excellent writing, really funny humor a killer soundtrack and great animation, this show truly stands as one of Netflix's best shows. If you haven't seen the show yet, definitely check it out. There's a whole bunch of surprises I didn't mention in this post that I think you're really going to like. Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you soon ;)

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: The Princess and The Frog

Introduction: The Princess and The Frog is an animated musical fantasy romantic comedy film. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the film stars Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Lewis, Jennifer Cody, John Goodman, Oprah Winfrey and Terrence Howard. The film was released on December 11, 2009 and recieved very positive reviews from critics and audiences (85% of 200 reviews agregated by Rotten Tomatoes gave an average rating of 7.4/10). The film grossed $269 million on a budget of $105 million. For the past decade, I've grown to love this movie more and more with each passing year. Having rewatched it recently, I now firmly believe this is one of Disney's best films. In this post, I'd like to go into detail as to why.

The Plot: Based on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Frog Prince, mixed with the material in The Frog Princess by E.D. Maker, this film tells the story of Tiana, a waitress trying to earn enough money to start her own restaurtant. She encounters a talking frog, who's actually Prince Naveen turned into a frog by Dr. Facilier. He agrees to help Tiana get her her restaurant if she helps him turn back into a prince by recreating the classic tale of The Frog Prince. This backfires and now they're both frogs hopping around the buyou with their gator friend, Louis and a cajun firefly named Ray, to find a way to reverse the spell they were put under. The film is really a subversion of classic fairy tale tropes that makes the film feel fresh and new. The goal for our leading lady is not to fall in love with a prince but to make her childhood dream come true. What also makes this film standout is how magical they make New Orleans, paying tributes to jazz music and cajun cuisine. I also found the humor to be very funny, with many of the jokes getting a great laugh out of me. One of the funniest scenes in the film is when Tiana and Naveen outwit a trio of frog hunters. The slapstick and perfect timing had me in stitches. What really makes the story so engaging is the animation. It's too bad Disney hasn't used 2D animation in their recent films (not to say they don't look amazing in 3D) because the animation in the Princess and The Frog is amazing. The character movements feel so smooth and fluid and they're designs are unique and well defined. It should also be noted that some 3D was used for background elements yet are coated with a 2D paint so well you never would've noticed.

Cast and Characters: The cast of this movie did outstanding jobs voicing these characters, who are all well developed and very likable. Starting with our leading lady, Tiana is a smart hardworking woman that's determined to start up her restaurant. She's also sassy, funny and a great cook. Anika Noni Rose was perfect as Tiana as gives the character a very determined and no-nonsense tone in her voice. Prince Naveen starts off as an arrogant playboy that only wants to live a carefree life. However, the more time he spends with Tiana, the more he realizes that not everything is just going to be handed to him. This is especially true during the scene when he and Tiana are making gumbo and he comes to realize he's so used to having everything be done for him that he doesn't even know how to take care of himself. Bruno Campos gave a very stellar performance as Naveen, giving him such charm and funny lines while also selling the more personal aspects of his character. Louis the gator is such a fun comic relief that plays a mean trumpet. He easily brings out some of the best laughs and Michael-Leon Wooley gave a very memorable performance as the character. Ray the cajun firefly just might be one of Jim Cummings' best vocal performances, up there with Darkwing Duck, Pete, and (of course) Winnie The Pooh and Tigger. Ray might appear to have a screw or too loose, but he's actually a really smart, brave and reliable ally who's more than willing to help his friends. His love for Evangeline (which is actually the North Star) feels very genuine even if it might come across as odd at first. Then there's the film's made baddie, Dr. Facilier (often referred to as The Shadow Man). Dr. Facilier is every bit as charming as he is sinister. He's manipulative, he's smart, he's charsmatic and he loves what he does. Keith David was excellent in the role, giving him a deep yet unsettling tone in his voice.

Super Supporting Players: This film has one of the strongest supporting cast I have ever seen. Each of the supporting and even minor characters leave a lasting impression and make the film feel lived in. Lawrence, Naveen's butler, acts as the secondary antagonist of the film, being the catalyst of Naveen's desire for a carefree lifestyle. He sides with the Shadow Man and poses as Naveen while the prince is a frog in order to marry Charlotte La Bouff. Speaking of Charlotte, is very much nothing like the standard spoiled brat. Rather than be snobbish, selfish and rude, Lottie is a true friend to Tiana and is willing to help her get her restaurant. Believe me folks, after having to deal with the likes of Gem Stone, Princess Morbucks, Sincerity (What About Mimi), and Tricia Holmes (6teen), Charlotte is a breath of fresh air. Her father, Eli (aka Big Daddy) is also a very kind and caring figure who, despite spoiling his daughter, clearly raised her well as she gets her generosity from him. Mama Odie is a wise 197 year old blind lady that not only helps our heroes on their journey, but helps them understand the difference between what they want vs what they need. This is echoed by Eudora (Tiana's Mom) earlier in the film, who even in the limited amount of screen time she had exerts such a motherly personality and has authentic chemistry with her daughter. Then there's James (Tiana's Dad), the main driving force behind Tiana's desire to open her restaurant. Despite succumbing to the frequently used "dead parent" trope, every second he's on screen is imperative to the story. He's a kind hard working man who dreamed of opening his own restaurtant with his daughter Tiana. When she tells her Dad about the wishing star, he gives her great advice: "that little star can only take you part of the way. You got to help it along with some hard work of your own and then you can do anything you set your mind to." What truly makes this supporting cast come alive are the stupendous voice work from the actors who portrayed them. Jennifer Cody was fantastic as Lottie, making her sound so energetic and lively. John Goodman is always a treat to hear and he brings such a humble fatherly presence to Eli. Jennifer Lewis perfectly captures the sass and erratic nature of Mama Odie and is an amazing singer. Peter Bartlett right captured the bumbling mannerisms of Lawrence and when he's disguised as Naveen he exerts more confidence in his voice. Oprah Winfrey, who was also a consultant for the film, played Eudora beautifully as a kind and caring mother and they couldn't have picked a better actor than Terence Howard for the role of James.

Songs and Music: Randy Newman is a musical genius! Every single song in this film is written wonderfully with an awesome beat, wonderful lyrics and the amazing vocal talents of the stars. Starting with the opening track after the lovely melody prologue, Down in New Orleans perfectly introduces the audience to this city and what it's like to live here. The late Dr. John brought such authenticity to the song being a New Orleans native and he had great singing chops. Almost There, Tiana's number, is not so much an I want song, but more like "I'm so close I can almost taste it." Anika Noni Rose has great singing talents and carried that long final note like a champ. The villain song, Friends From The Other Side is (in my opinion) one of the best Disney villain songs. It perfectly captures the charismatic and manipulative nature if Dr. Facilier and Keith David's baritone singing makes this all the more memorable. When We're Human is an upbeat song that showcases the excellent singing talents of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos and Michael-Leon Wooley as they sing about what they'll do when they're human. It also makes great use of the trumpet, the go-to instrument for jazz. Ray is given the distinct honor of singing 2 songs, which are polar opposites yet are both wonderfully well crafted musical numbers. The first is Gonna Take You There, which is a classic cajun song in with Ray sings while he and his firefly family take our heroes to Mama Odie's. It's bounce, it's fun, it's makes great use of the accordion, it's just a great song to listen to. The second is Ma Belle Evangeline, a slow yet beautiful love ballad Ray sings for Evangeline. Even though Ray is singing to a star, it feels very genuine with his mix of French compliments and Louis' slow trumpet playing. Than there's the last musical number before the reprise of the opening track, Dig A Little Deeper. This is my personal favorite song in the film, and that's saying something because they're all great. Dig A Little Deeper incorporates a choir of roseate spoonbills to make it look like a church service on Sunday. It also has a great message behind it about finding what you need versus trying to get what you want. Also, Anika Noni Rose coming in with that extra verse was the perfect cherry on top. In addition to these spectacular musical numbers, Randy Newman also made a very memorable score incorporating strings and strong brass for intense scenes and some soft, subtle tunes for the quiet moments. Where the score truly shines is during Ray's death and funeral. From the sad reprise of Ma Belle Evangeline all the way up to the music slowy but surely picking up as Ray essentially becomes the brightness star in the sky next to Evangeline, this scene best showcases what a great score this film has. The song that plays during the credits, Never Knew I Needed by Ne-Yo, was also the picture bookend to the film, capturing the film's central message in a wonderfully crafted pop ballad with a beautiful piano tune.

Where It Falters: 👆. No, seriously this film is still a 10/10 in my book, but I personally would've amended this response from Lottie to "Travis, when I said later, I really meant not ever." Still shoots the guy down but without making her speak for all women. This concludes my meaningless nitpick.

Conclusion: The Princess and The Frog is without a doubt one of Disney's best films and Tiana is my personal favorite Disney Princess. The animation is spectacular, the characters are great, the songs are all wonderful, the voice acting is superb and it delivers a great message of finding what you need versus trying to get what you want. If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend giving this film a watch on Disney+ if you have it. Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you soon ;)

This addition of Why It Worked is dedicated in memory of my grandmother, Margaret "Peggy" Simpson. I'll see you in Heaven Grandma.