Panda! Go, Panda! (1972/3)

Two short films by the Studio Ghibli principles made in 1972/1973 and now released as Panda! Go, Panda! on DVD in US.  My 5 year old loves this film.  It had a good (not flawless) transition and the colors are all very bright and happy.  The two films are shown without break one after the other for a total showing time of about 70 minutes. 

The humor is rich and comes through the English dub well.  There is a gratuitous amount of panty flashing for some Japanese reason.  Although it doesn't take away from the cute an family friendliness of the film.  Its aged only by a brief show of tobacco and the occasional 70's soundtrack.

Overall a very enjoyable film more geared towards youngsters.  I would count this a Studio Ghibli film even though it predates the company by 13 years.  It lacks the high moral message of some of their films but rings true to films it inspired, most obviously Totoro.

3/4 stars  

Got busy with the holidays and didn't keep up with the blog.  I'm more active on Twitter for anyone interested.

Paranorman (2012 - Laika)

***minor spoilers***

Paranorman is the second film from Laika (Coraline, 2009).  It's not clear why stop-motion in the modern era is usually horror: Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, Corpse Bride, Coraline, Frankenweenie.  Regardless, Laika is currently the only full time studio making stop-motion so I want them to be successful.  

Stop motion has been dominated by two players over the past fifteen years, Tim Burton and Henry Selick.  Laika tapped Selick for 2009's Coraline.  But this time around they had to go with newcomer stop-motion directors Chris Butler and Sam Fell.  Chris Butler, who wrote the script, is a long time storyboarder (Corpse Bride, Caroline).  And Sam Fell is an animation director (Flushed Away, The Tale of Despereaux). 

Paranorman is centered around Norman Babcock who is a bullied outcast at school.  Norman can see dead people.  Which doesn't exactly help either at school or at home.  The film is set in a Massachusetts in a town with a history similar to the Salem Witch Trials.  And Norman is forced to save his town from its past.  

Visually the film is impressive.  The backgrounds are incredible.  But I found the character designs a bit too cartoonish for the plot.  Paranorman lacks the subtle horror of Caroline but is still successful in being scary.  Not a film for young children, or even kids under 10 in my opinion. 

At its heart Paranorman is a film about tolerance and is worth being checked out.

3/4 stars               

Three Caballeros (1944 - Disney)

I finally watched Disney's 1944 Three Caballeros (knight or gentleman).  To call it an animated feature is a stretch given all the live action scenes.  The plot is almost non-existent.  It's vaguely an introduction to Latin America using Donald Duck as an occasional tour guide.  But half the movie is Donald chasing tail. Seriously. Wikipedia has the back story here

Despite everything, Three Caballeros is an often fun ride full of music and live action dancing.  The live action scenes are interesting from an anthropological  perspective; we get to see how what was considered pretty has changed over time.

From a modern animation perspective the art varies from brief spots of above average to very dated/subpar.  The best word I can use to describe the art direction is trippy.  In fact it's one of the trippiest films ever made.  If it came to light that the CIA started their LSD trials on Disney animators in the 1940's, I wouldn't be all that surprised.

I have a hard time getting my head around the idea that Disney green lighted this film.  Young children will enjoy the music and their fathers will enjoy the scenery.  1.5 stars

Will we get two new Studio Ghibli films in 2013?  At least, will Japan?  What a year that will be!

Rise of the Guardians a flop?

It would appear that Rise of the Guardians is in the slow process of flopping at the box office.  It won't be an epic fail.  But the film had the company's lowest opening debut since Flushed Away in 2006! Dreamworks' stock is already down.  Some films you just know aren't going to cut it.   

I imagine the director pitch went something like "hey, how about we make this The Guardians of Childhood book series into a movie?  Look, we can have Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, the Sandman and Jack Frost fight off the boogeyman!  It's like Toy Story only with holiday/painful childhood celebrations super heroes!"

Wreck It Ralph (2012 - Disney)

Wreck It Ralph is the best Disney Animated feature since. . . since. Wow. I'm going to go with Beauty and the Beast even though they're really different genres. Wreck It Ralph is unique in the Disney cannon. It isn't a princess movie and strictly speaking, there aren't anthropomorphized animals. But Wreck It Ralph does present itself as a quest film which isn't unique.       

Quest driven characters are forced by circumstance to transform themselves. Recent examples include Tangled, How to Train Your Dragon and Kung-Fu Panda. In contrast, Wreck It Ralph goes on a quest as a direct result of wanting to transform himself. The quest is the result of characterization and not the purpose. 

Most people are probably aware of the basic plot by now. Classic arcade character Wreck It Ralph is tired of being a bad guy and wants to become a good guy.  In doing so we're presented with a menagerie of classic and modern video games and characters. What the previews fail to show is how well written this film is. 

Wreck It Ralph contains action, sentiment and comedy galore. What's amazing is that the viewer is never overwhelmed by the world that is created.  Instead of just being escapist, the viewer feels the genuine danger that the protagonists are in and wants them to win. The big surprise is that all of the film's diverse sub-plots fall into place perfectly.    

Visually, the CG of Wreck It Ralph is more functional then spectacular. The greater emotional CG utilized for Tangled is not on display here. But the various types of CG employed, from basic to complex, help deepen the world and pull the viewer in. Which is a lesson director RIch Moore learned while working on the Simpsons and Futurama - the world itself is a character.  

Wreck It Ralph reminds me most of another John Lasseter inspired film, The Brave Little Toaster. In the early 1980's Lasseter had pitched The Brave Little Toaster to Disney as one of the first CG films. Not getting it, Disney fired him and made the film with traditional hand drawn animation. Fast-forward a couple of decades and Lasseter returns to Disney as head of animation.  

Wreck It Ralph has been on and off the shelves at Disney since the late 80's under various names such as High Score, Joe Jump and Reboot Ralph. But Disney couldn't make Wreck It Ralph before John Lasseter took over. They had the idea but they couldn't execute it. This was always Lasseter's film to make. It was his quest to redeem Disney and he came through for us all.

4/4 stars  

I just received the final two Studio Ghibli films I've never seen: Pom Poko and Ocean Waves.  Pom Poko is supposed to be interesting due to the use of characters with visible gonads.  Ocean Waves was a made for TV flim that has no English dub and is not available in the US - I bought my copy from the UK.

Now all I need is time away from kids and a free TV. . .

And the 2013 Animation Oscar Winner Is. . .

I predict Wreck It Ralph will win for Disney.  Lorax could win with an upset. 

Here's the whole list

Adventures in Zambezia
Brave
Delhi Safari
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Frankenweenie
From Up on Poppy Hill
Hey Krishna
Hotel Transylvania
Ice Age Continental Drift
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
The Mystical Laws
The Painting
ParaNorman
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
The Rabbi's Cat
Rise of the Guardians
Secret of the Wings
Walter & Tandoori's Christmas
Wreck-It Ralph
Zarafa

From Up On Poppy Hill (2011 - Ghibli)

From Up On Poppy Hill is a Studio Ghibli drama set in the 1960's.   Much like Ghibli's other 1960's period drama, Only Yesterday, there is no specific reason for the film to be animated.  The story follows coming of age high school students Umi Matsuzaki and Shun Kazama as they try to save an old club house from redevelopment.

The script was co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and based on a manga of the same name.  The story, without getting into spoilers, is well written and generally moving.  Like all Ghibli films, Poppy Hill is romantic in nature; rejecting both urbanism and modernism.    And like many of Hayao's movies it contains well intended chauvinism and stereotypical gender roles.  Unique for Hayao, Poppy Hill does touch on post-war political issues that are still controversial in Japan.       

Unlike 2010's Arrietty, the art in Poppy is nothing special.  There are few grand vistas for the viewer to get lost in.  Poppy Hill is always grounded in reality and never loses itself to the surreal that Ghibli is so good at.  Director Gorō Miyazaki fails to utilize the format to enhance the plot and never ventures into the post-modernism of older Ghibli films.  There is nothing for the viewer to interpret.  

An English language version will be released in the United States in March, 2013.  And for the first time in over a decade the US theatrical release will not be created by Disney.  Art house animation distributor GKIDS has put together the translation which I have not seen.  3/4 stars

Only Yesterday (1991 - Ghibli)

I just watched Only Yesterday, the 1991 film by Studio Ghibli.  Only Yesterday is the only theatrical release by Ghibli that is still unavailable in the US.  Disney owns the rights to release the film on home video but has no plans to.  So I had to buy a copy from the UK and read the subtitles.  And I can understand why they haven't.  Only Yesterday is not a children's film.  

There is no reason Only Yesterday had to be an animated feature. I would describe it as a drama and more specifically, a chic flick.  The film follows the life of Taeko in both 1982 and her ten year old self in 1966.  The flashbacks take place in Tokyo where the the animation is  minimalistic to impressionistic while the 1982 sections are more realistic and detailed. 

In 1966 we follow Taeko's awkward childhood at school and in her home.  Taeko fails at everything her sisters and friends succeed at.  But more importantly, no one understands her.  In 1982 Taeko has a career in Tokyo that isn't fulfilling.  So she takes her vacations in the countryside to farm.  Taeko is much more at home in the fields then she's felt in Tokyo.

As the plot progresses you watch Taeko develop into a typical hippie.  The movie itself projects a mild rejection of urbanization and technology through the use of cliches.   The pace is slow at times and the art, while pretty, isn't overwhelming.  The characterization is decent and the story moving enough.  A swing and a miss. 2.5/4   

Sarah Silverman/Vanellope Von Schweetz

While watching Wreck it Ralph for the second time it struck me that much of Vanellope Von Schweetz's dialog was probably ad libbed.  And that at no point was Sarah Silverman actually acting.  I imagine she's hard to direct.  You probably have to keep the tape rolling and hope she stays something on target/clean enough.

Using Silverman is more proof that Disney has really changed in who they are willing to be associated with.  Although I'm sure they loved her abortion hoax back in April. 

Pixar's The Good Dinosaur

More info about Pixar's 2014 film The Good Dinosaur. "The Good Dinosaur will be released on May 30, 2014. It will be directed by Bob Peterson and co-directed by Peter Sohn." Bob Peterson is known as writer for Up and Finding Nemo and co-director of Up.  Peter Sohn is a long time animator responsible for co-directing the US version of Ponyo.  My expectations are going up for this film.  It looks like a return to form for Pixar.

US Grave of the Fireflies Bluray

I just watched the stunning and tragic Grave of the Fireflies (1988).  The Bluray transfer is excellent and the new English dub is sublime.  For fans of Studio Ghibli it's great to get both in one package.   If you haven't seen it or you were waiting for a good quality conversion, now's the time to get this classic film.

I understand why Disney never picked up Fireflies for the US.  Outside of licensing issues it's just not a Disney film.  There really is no way to translate the horrors of war into a family theme park.  Those licensing issues are why we're getting it at all in the US.  Disney has had two Ghibli films locked up and unreleased for over a decade.

GKIDS, Ghibli and Disney Irony

GKIDS has positioned itself as the art house indie animation film distributor of foreign films in the US.  And somehow they won over Studio Ghibli.  US license rights are moving to GKIDS for most of Ghibli's back catalog - Arreity and Ponyo not included.

GKIDS also got the right to release Ghibli's newest film From Up on Poppy Hill to theaters in 2013.  Which in some ways is a relief.  Disney usually takes years to release a new Ghibli film.  And some films it owns the rights to have never been released in the US.  I hope GKIDS will correct that.

From what I've read Ghibli produced the English language version of Poppy that will be released in the US.  I hope this is up to snuff with the Disney productions.  But the ironic part?  The home video distribution of From Up on Poppy Hill will be handled by Disney.  There's just no getting away from the Mouse House.  

Pixar Loses to Disney Gains

I find it funny that Pixar released Brave, a princess movie and Disney released Wreck It Ralph, a video game movie this year.  John Lasseter got his companies crossed or something.  For my money Wreck It Ralph is much better then Brave.  And maybe that's why Disney made Wreck It Ralph. 

Pixar is suffering from the 2006 buyout.  Steve Jobs fought against Disney to prevent some of the very actions Lasseter is now taking - letting DisneyToon make a Cars spin off (Planes) and all the Pixar sequels (Cars, Toy Story, Nemo).  Let's be honest, Pixar is turning into Disney's B-group.    

I don't blame Lasseter for enjoying his new role as head of Disney animation and trying to rekindle the Disney brand.  But what of Pixar?  Last year's Cars 2 was the worst film in the studio's history.  This year's Brave was very pretty but it failed on the one thing Pixar always got right, the story!  Next year Pixar is using an inexperienced director to create a prequel to Monsters Inc.  Meanwhile Disney is releasing a Hans Christen Anderson fairy tale!

Pixar was king of the art house blockbuster.  They made story choices to fit the story not the marketing or demographic.  That's a space they are giving up without any replacement.  In five years will there be anything unique about Pixar?  Is there now?  Someone needs to take over Pixar or it's just going to be another production arm of the Mouse House.

2013 Animation Forecast

My look ahead at animated features. 2013 looks to be a much better year than the lackluster 2012! Thankfully there are a lot fewer sequels. Here's my quick take. I haven't included remakes, motion capture, art house or re-releases.

One thing is obvious, CG has changed everything. Almost anyone can now make an animated film. The big boys are all present. Disney and Pixar are each coming out with a film at their typical time (summer and winter). Dreamworks is coming out with three new films. Relative newcomers (to animation) The Weinstein Company is also coming out with three new movies. And Sony Animation drops a sequel.

Not to be outdone, established small firms Blue Sky and Illumination each take a shot. Co-production/direct to video firms Prana and Rainmaker both jump into theaters this year. Newcomers Triggerfish push out their second film in as many years. And Studio Ghibli will release their 2011 domestic hit. It's a crowded field.

Cloudy 2: Revenge of the Leftovers 2 (Sept)
Sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Sony Pictures Animation (Smurfs, Surf's up). Typical sequel cash out. No interest.

The Croods (March)
Dreamworks. It's about a cave man forced out of his comfort zone by a volcano. The previews aren't doing it any favors. It's co-directed and written by Chris Sanders who has a great pedigree with having directed/written How to Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch. The CG looks like How to Train Your Dragon which means a step above the typical Dreamworks feature - but nothing ground breaking. Maybe this one is better then it's previews. I can only hope. Expectations: low.

Despicable Me 2 (July)
Sequel by Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, The Lorax). The CG looks dull and the humor predictable. No interest.

Dorothy of Oz (TBA)
The first major animated feature from Prana Studios. In the past decade Prana has been brought on to co-produce many works by other large animation companies. They are best known for their work on the Tinker Bell series with Disney. Dorothy of Oz is based on a children's book of the same name written by Roger Baum, the grandson of the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story is a sequel and has Dorothy returning to Oz for further adventures. The CG backgrounds look great but the character designs are weak. Which is what you'd expect from a co-production company. Might be too scary for my kids. No word on if you can sync the video with audio of Dark Side of the Moon. Expectations: medium.
 

Epic (May)
This year's feature from Blue Sky Studio. Blue Sky is best known for Rio, Robots and the Ice Age franchise. First off, at least it's not another Ice Age sequel! Blue Sky principal Chris Wedge (Ice Age, Robots) will be directing. Epic is a "battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and evil." It looks like a go girl action adventure with environmental overtones. The story is based on William Joyce's The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bug. The CG looks good but not great. Let's hope it lives up to its name. Expectations: medium.

Escape From Planet Earth (Feb)
From Rainmaker Entertainment who are best known for the Barbie direct to video movies. An SF action/ adventure comedy. The humor is slapstick and the CG lowbrow. Young kids would probably like this. My take is that it's boilerplate and cliché. Low expectations, skipping.

Frozen (Nov)
A Disney princess-esque movie. It's actually based on the rather dark Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen and will be a family action/adventure film. Director Chris Buck has had success with Tarzan and Surf's Up in the past but has no recent work for Disney. But given the story and Disney's history under animation director John Lasseter, expectations are high.

From Up on Poppy Hill (March)
Studio Ghibli's 2011 film is finally being released in North American theaters. And for the first time in a decade it will be without Disney. Which is why we're getting to see it in 2013 instead of 2015. A relationship coming of age film, it did well in Japan with good reviews. This is one of Ghibli's more direct, less surreal ventures. The art direction looks more straight forward then some of their past visual masterpieces. Directed by Gorō Miyazaki using a script written by his father. Looking forward to seeing this hand drawn film in the spring. A subtitled version is already available on DVD for those interested.

Khumba
The second feature from South African Triggerfish Animation Studio. A zebra goes on his journey to find his stripes. The CG is nothing special and it's being made by mostly no-names. It looks like a Madagascar rip-off to boot. Low expectations, plan on skipping

Leo The Lion (Aug)
The Weinstein Company is making a big animation push this year with three films. And Leo The Lion wins for the most PC of the lot. It's about a vegetarian lion who's an outcast among his fellow lions. Shocker. Directed and written by - who cares? Skip.

Monsters University (July)
Pixar's latest is technically a prequel. I really wish they wouldn't do sequels/prequels. Cars 2 was easily the worst movie they've ever made. On the other hand, Toy Story 3 was amazing. Monsters University is the directorial debut of long time animator Dan Scanlon which does not increase my confidence. The CG looks like a step back from the fine detail of Brave. I'm afraid this Monsters is going to go for laughs over story. Because it's Pixar, I have high expectations. But I also have high concerns.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (Nov)
A non-sequel Dreamworks film by Rob Minkoff, co-director of the Lion King. This movie is about Mr. Peabody, the dog who appeared in the old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons in the 1960's. Not exactly trendy material. The CG looks to be, cartoonish. The script is written by a non-animation guy, Craig Wright. Wright is best known for writing scripts for Lost and Six Feet Under. It's an odd group of people with a strange subject. But odd can be good. Withholding (pre) judgment.

Planes (fall)
Direct to video Disneytoon production. Planes is a spinoff from the Cars universe created at Pixar. I'm pretty interested to see what Disney does here. Looks like cheap CG but maybe they'll surprise me. It has to be better then Cars 2.

Santapprentice (Dec)
From The Weinstein Company comes the worst title for a movie ever. So an orphan is chosen to replace Santa when he retires. Looks like a badly hand drawn film. And I swear I've seen this movie before and it wasn't good the first time. Skip.

The Trick or Treaters (Oct)
The Weinstein Company really likes holiday themed movies. Not much detail out on this one yet. Expectations are low.

Turbo (July)
Another Dreamworks feature. A sports flick about a snail who wants to go fast. Written by and the directorial debut of animator David Soren. I just don't know enough about it to have a strong opinion. It could be ok but I'm leaving my expectations low.