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Reviews
Legend of the Candy Cane (2001)
I wanted to like this movie...
We love the book. I wanted to love the movie. The story was slow and dragging and included a lot of "unnecessary clutter." The plot did not move along. The film was boring and plodding. The message is wonderful, but the packaging was poor.
The concept of the Candy Cane as a way to teach the message of Christmas, is beautiful and resonates well with children. This story was just slow moving and the plot was underdeveloped to do that. It would be simpler and preferred to just tell children about the Candy Cane.
The voice talent is great. The animation is Okay. The characters are not well developed. The book was significantly superior. We love Veggie Tales Christmas Movies and older classics like "Small One." If you're looking for a Christian animated Christmas movies, try these.
WALL·E (2008)
Mixed Feelings
We just watched Wall-E this evening. My husband and I were looking forward to it. I LOVED Ratatouille! I enjoyed other Pixar movies... Cars, Toy Story, Nemo, Monsters Inc.
This one... well... my husband gave it a 3/10 and that's probably about my feeling too.
The animation was fantastic. I can't deny that it was absolutely impressive. It wasn't "fun" though... not bright and colorful like Nemo, or artistic like Ratatouille - rather it was sci-fi which fit perfectly.
The story, however, didn't grab us. I think the major reason is that you didn't know the goal/purpose of the plant, etc., until the near end... so there was "nothing to root for." Also, the characters produced VERY little dialogue and, consequently, VERY little character development. None of them were particularly funny or engaging to me. There was no "sidekick" or "quirky" one like Dory from Nemo, Dopey from Snow White, etc.
I understood the point and statement, but the fat, lazy slobs and disastrous planet weren't "fun" at all. The story had a good lesson, but it wasn't particularly fun or entertaining and that is just what I hope for when I go to a Pixar movie. The whole point of Pixar, to me, is to see something fun, whimsical, unique, more light-hearted.
Artistically, I was impressed. As for the story... it just didn't grab me at all. I don't care to see this one again.
Holiday in Handcuffs (2006)
This one was different... FUN!
I love Christmas movies!
I watch as many as I possibly can throughout December, but let's face it... the plots can be kind of redundant for Christmas movies.
Holiday in Handcuffs presented a NEW story line. While it was a little predictable as plots go, this particular story was new.
It was funny, warm, and light-hearted. The story is a "chick flick" but, even my husband laughed throughout.
Growing up with Saved by the Bell and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.. it was fun to see Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart "all grown up." If you're looking for fun, light-hearted, holiday fare with an original storyline... I recommend this movie.
Enchanted (2007)
A Pure Delight!
I won free tickets to a preview of "Enchanted" last night. If you are looking for a Family Movie... I recommend this one! This movie was pure FUN! The entire audience APPLAUDED when it ended, laughed often and was in pure enjoyment. We were surrounded by families with little girls and they were all smiling/laughing/giggling... this was a Home Run for Disney! "Enchanted" is a Disney movie about a cartoon fairytale princess, Giselle, who is sent to real-life New York City by the evil step-mother/witch of her prince. Giselle was all the Disney Princesses rolled into one. Her encounter with the human world was fun, comical, and wholesome. There were a couple "adult" jokes, so to speak, but they were done so tastefully they'd completely go over a kids' head.
I am VERY picky about movies (I don't allow "Shrek" here because I find the humor too crude and don't want my kids repeating the lines.) If my child repeated lines from this movie, I would be fine with it.
My HUSBAND even LOVED it and left the theater saying, 'That's one we'll be getting when it is on DVD"!!! To Sum it up... purely delightful!
Ratatouille (2007)
One of a kind...
Pixar, once again, does a fantastic job of transporting us into its world... this world? Culinary Paris... from a Rat's perspective.
The animation is terrific, but more than that, the music, setting, scenery, characters and humor all fit together so well into this storyline.
The story would most likely be enjoyed most by adults, simply because haute cuisine, Paris culture, and upperclass culinary arts, are not typical areas of interest for grilled cheese eating toddlers and tykes.
Negative - a lot of slapping, irresponsibility with guns, and wine (although that is accurate for the setting). This didn't offend me, but may bother some with kids.
Positive - it was purely entertaining and well crafted. Also, they did not get into the world of crude/rude jokes (Shrek style), but told a wonderful story about friendship, loyalty, trust, hard work, perseverance, not taking credit for someone else's work, and honesty.
The characters - Collette is a dynamic woman, someone you might now. The friendship between Linguini and Remy is beautiful and touching. Skinner is diabolical. The culinary critic seems to be straight out of the Adam's Family. Nearly all characters are eccentric... but all weave into the story perfectly.
Overall - well done!
Annie Get Your Gun (1950)
Well Done for its time...
I was very impressed with Betty Hutton. She captured the Tom Boy in Annie very well, but also progressed into her attempt to be a lady to capture Frank. She had life and energy. She was extremely funny.
In the outtakes, Garland was devoid of the energy and pizazz needed for the role. She was apparently already feeling ill.
Hutton did a terrific job. I also like Buffalo Bill's character.
They could've done better with Frank Butler and some of the props were showing poorly in scenes.
Overall, it is a great classic musical. Full of energy, very fun, and filled with classic songs, "Anything You Can Do, I can Do Better," "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," "Doin' what comes Naturally," and of course, "There's no Business Like Show Business." The music is terrific.
A fun film!