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Reviews
Oliver & Company (1988)
Excellent Underrated Disney Movie
Just finish re-watching this movie and I must say I don't regret it. Music is wonderful, we see some of Howard Ashman's work (that would be the seal of the next decade of successes for Disney Animated Films), It really brought me back to the Eighties. So does animation, it's incredible to see how easy is to realize when the movie was made by the techniques used.
Characters are very lovely, at the point I swear a few tears in the first scene (I can't help it, I have weakness for homeless animals). Oliver is just too sweet, also liked Georgette a lot, "Perfect isn't easy" is really very funny and Bette did an outstanding job. Jokes and gags aren't too worked or original but they will grab a smile for sure.
We see some first time, but not less quality, CG in this movie, check out the cars; they look like old "3d" computer games... but for the time they were great. Also the structures in the subway sequence.
Story shares a lot in common with the Dickens' book with some differences to adapt story in the roles of the characters.
In my opinion, the Second Golden Era of Disney should start here, because besides this movie was a success itself, the Little Mermaid (Considered the start for the golden era) wouldn't had the success it had if it wasn't for it's immediate predecessor.
A Must for every Disney-liker!!
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998)
A Very Good sequel
Disney is used to send direct-to-video sequels of their successful films just for profit. Well, this isn't the exception, but this time they also cared about the quality. Simba's pride may not be as great as the original movie, but it can stand by itself as a good film. Again we have a storyline based upon a Shakespeare tragedy, some good new characters and songs. Soundtrack is not bad at all, excepting "Upendi" that's quite an annoying song. As the first one, this isn't a "just for kids" film, there are lots of drama moments not suitable for kids, even when the roughest scenes were cut (Search them in youtube).
As negative, Fans found quite disappointing that the films story contradicts the story told in "TLK: Six new adventures" books, or at least, there is a gap left that's never explained. And the movie in the overall isn't as deep and moving as the original.
Watch it with low expectations and you won't feel disappointed.
The Lion King (1994)
Best Animated film I have ever seen
What can I say about this piece of art that hasn't been said yet...? Maybe, why Disney has sold the soul of the animation art to CGI.
This film will remain in history as one of the biggest successes of animation, why? You just have to watch the movie and you'll agree.
As many late 80' and 90' Disney films the Lion King is composed as a theatrical musical. It's full of great music, that fits perfectly with both relaxed and heart-breaking moments in the film; Hanz Zammer, Tim Rice and Elton John did a very good work here.
Voice cast is just wonderful, specially Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons, is just one of the finest performing I have ever heard.
Animation, flawless, beautiful, one of the best of history. A true example of traditional animation.
Story is thought to be suitable for both child and adults. There are tons of cultural references; including associations, movie references, famous quotes, and very complex characters. I have done myself a very large analysis on the Lion King and I was surprised about how many things you can extract from a "Kids movie". Also there are many funny moments kids will enjoy and two memorable gags.
As contras, I've nearly nothing about the film itself. Maybe the Kimba controversy... Disney should have admitted the influence; and the complete absence of important female roles that Disney is so used to. I've also note that the way "bad" characters are colored, some signs, are somewhat offensive as they are very stereotypical.
My advice, this movie is a MUST for anyone. I have watch it over 10 times already and I'm not getting tired of it. You won't regret it!
The Wild (2006)
Excellent animation but not original
I've just finished watching the film; and I've the feeling of a deja vu. The Movie is just too similar to Madagascar in many ways (Note apart: It's said that "The Wild"'s script dates from 1999, but anyway, the public first saw Madagascar in theaters...), I've also found a lot of "Finding Nemo" and of course, "The Lion King"... even some quotes remembered me Big Fish. Story isn't original at all, everything seems to be ripped off from other successful films, mixed up together trying to look like something new. Even the only "original" soundtrack heard is just the same or very close to the one used in The Lion King 1 1/2 (or TLK3 outside US), "Dig a tunnel" with the lyrics changed.
Jokes... well, as always there are for both Child and Adults, but only a few of them will really grab a smile out of you. The character that takes the most hilarious lines is the Koala Bear. Also some scenes are so flat and nonsense that could be cut and the movie reduced to 30 minutes without losing anything important to the storyline.
Characters are somewhat flat and predictable, you may only find some complexity and background story in the 2 lions and their relationship. Again, there aren't important female roles, and complete absence of a mother for both lions, something very common in Disney productions.
The first part of the movie, makes some sense as story moves along. What screws the movie in a significant way is the appearance of the wildebeests. Despite being too dark for a kids movie, their entering in the script destroys the story... and what to say about movies end? It's so sudden and non-sense, a 180º turn without any basis on what we see at screen and again we have a "Live happily forever" ending. I'll leave you with the feeling of "Was that all?". Don't misunderstand me, I wouldn't like the lions being killed; but the wildebeest shouldn't appear in first place; they should used something different for the plot, for example, Ryan being adopted by a pride, then noticing that he wasn't made for the wildness (Here we could introduce other cubs, a pseudo-mother, the Males, etc adding interesting characters); and Samson rescuing him after fighting the dominant male. This 1 minute thought storyboard would work better than the whole wildebeest cult thing and being more suitable to deliver a good message to young kids.
On the other hand, I was thrilled by the CGI Animation quality, It's just outstanding and I guess it's the best argument to see this movie. Each character, background, objects, everything looks very real. However, when watching an animation film, you don't do it because of it's realness. Also, I must say that voice acting is simply awesome.
As an animation fan, my advice is, watch it Once... twice if you are an animation or computing fan and are curious for the progress of the industry, but don't bother to buy it for your kids or for yourself because you will feel swindled.
Janguru taitei (1965)
Kimba IMO
I'm writing because I felt really angry with last comment. Note that I first watched Kimba this Year.
Just for beginning, Kimba was the first Anime in being made in full color, if you watched it for the first time during the XXI Century then you might think animation is quite crappy... but for those times it was outstanding, specially for a Japanese cartoon.
What makes Kimba so different from the other cartoons of time is that each character has depth by itself. Along the different episodes they grow, learn and keep the essential lines about their personalities. The main character, Kimba/Leo, has many doubts about himself and his ability to rule at the beginning of the series, but along them he gain experience and self-esteem enough to don't live behind the shadow of his father's greatness. Also each episode deal with a lesson on morality and justice.
Kimba specially explores the relationship between Humans and animals and delivers a simply message of understanding to everyone.
Is it childish? Well, of course it isn't the same to watch it being a kid than an adult, but you can now certainly understand things that by that time you couldn't. Besides, if you watch any cartoon made for kids, of course that you should spec it to be childish!!
Kimba the White Lion is at all, the perfect merge between Japanese Anime's storytelling and depth, and American cartoon's cuteness, charming characters and sense of humor that make it easy to bare for young children.