Movie Reviews

The Jungle Book Swings onto Diamond Edition Blu-ray 2/11/14

10 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I was recently sent a preview copy of The Jungle Book Diamond Edition, and I have to say I had forgotten what a fun movie this was. Truly a classic that my 5 year old enjoyed as much as I did. He knew some of the characters, but he really hadn’t seen the whole movie that he remembered, but he instantly loved every animal and song. A few days later, he started randomly singing “Bare Necessities” on his own. I love the diverse music within the film, from the background music, which reminds me of the old Adventureland music from the opening of Disneyland, to the swinging jazz numbers – eight original songs from the Sherman Brothers and The Bare Necessities, written by Terry Gylkinson. I have always loved Phil Harris and Sterling Holloway’s voices, so this movie is one of my favorites because of that.

The film itself looks great on Blu-ray, it’s been wonderfully restored. The opening selection screen is a fun addition too. There are some great bonus features for Disney buffs – concept art, deleted scenes, an alternate ending and backstory from Richard Sherman and Diane Disney Miller. There’s also a great featurette from Walt Disney Animation as well as things to keep the kids happy, like “Bear-e-oke” sing a longs. The movie also opens with a lovely preview of Sleeping Beauty, which looks gorgeous on blu-ray and Frozen. Can’t wait for those releases!

Here is a slideshow of Jungle Book concept art:
The Jungle Book is available tomorrow 2/11/14 everywhere. Click to bring it home now for your Disney collection:

*link is an affiliate link, exactly the same as a regular link but a small portion goes back to zannaland to help offset costs here. Thank you!

The Lego Movie Has Laughs For All Ages-Celebrate at Legoland Florida

5 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

After seeing several commercials for The Lego Movie in our house, my kids were pretty excited to see it. I thought it was a joke at first; some independent filmmaker deciding to have some fun with Lego. The characters seemed to be poking fun at their own personas and even Lego-building itself. Surely this couldn’t be an official thing, I thought. But I was wrong. It was official and after seeing the film at a screening last Saturday, thanks to Legoland Florida, I have to applaud all involved. Following local theme parks and entertainment like I do, it is very rare to see huge corporations have a sense of humor about their own reputation. The Lego Movie was a refreshing and human take on the cult and culture of Lego-building, covering everything from following the included instructions to the way Lego figures move, to the crossing of Lego themed sets from one ‘universe’ to another. I wont give away all of the ending, but it was definitely a surprise, and made me get a little emotional about the act of play itself, using imagination, and the bonds between parent and child.

As far as kids go, they will love the movie just because of the cool Lego action – things being built, Legos they’ve known and loved actually moving and talking, and that absolutely everything is made out of Lego bricks. Filmed using a combination of stop-motion animation and computer animation, filmmakers took great lengths to make sure the animated parts looked like real Lego figures and bricks. The use of water, smoke and bubbles as well as other special effects make you laugh with the realization that yes, that’s what Legos would look like in that situation.

Parents and adults can relate to all the old-school Lego references, the relationship humor and the personalities we get to know in the movie. Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) is pretty full of himself, as both a superhero and a boyfriend, while Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell) plays the stereotypical bad guy perfectly. And surely we all know someone like Uni-Kitty (voiced by Alison Brie), from Cloud Cuckoo Land, the capital of rainbows and puppies – spouting positivity and happiness at every turn while avoiding reality until their pent up emotions and anger within eventually explode…or is that exclusive to the Disney community? Regardless, the characters and jokes are hilarious and they did not skimp on the voice actors, with greats like Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, and Elizabeth Banks on board.

I absolutely loved the opening scene, showcasing the “life of a Lego” or at least how “President Business” (voiced by Will Ferrell) deems life should be. Following instructions to a tee, this sequence will make you want to watch the movie again and again to catch new little references or jokes here and there. We follow Emmet, a construction worker who wants desperately to fit in and have friends, so he follows the instructions every day. When he happens to see Wyldstyle (voiced by Elizabeth Banks), his ordinary life changes forever. He discovers President Business is actually Lord Business and he is seeking to destroy the planet with the ultimate weapon – the Kragle (super glue to you and me). Emmet stumbles upon the “piece of resistance” (the only way to stop the Kragle) and Wyldstyle takes him to Vitruvius, the somewhat kooky prophet (voiced by Morgan Freeman) as they attempt to save the world. Emmet finds himself in the process and the ending will have you wanting to run out and build an entire Lego world yourself. Definitely a must see (and see again!).

In coordination with the launch of the first-ever, full length theatrical LEGO^® adventure, “The LEGO^® Movie^TM”, LEGOLAND^® Florida celebrates with a movie-themed weekend in the park on Feb. 8 and 9. Guests can head to their local theatre to watch “The LEGO Movie,” opening nationwide on Friday, February 7, and then come to LEGOLAND Florida to see LEGO come to life amidst more than 50 rides, shows and attractions and special movie-themed fun all geared for families with children ages 2 to 12.

“The LEGO Movie” Weekend at LEGOLAND Florida includes the following activities:

“The LEGO Movie” Scavenger Hunt – Miniland USA
Movie characters Emmet, Wyldstyle, Lord Business and MetalBeard are lost in Miniland USA. Guests can help find them to save the day! Guests can submit an entry to win a LEGO Prize Pack at www.LEGOLAND.com. See website for official rules.
“The LEGO Movie” Video Game Challenge – Warner Bros. Games Zone
Gaming fans can test their skills and play the latest action-packed video game, “The LEGO Movie.”
Build Your Own World Competition – Imagination Zone
Guests can use their imagination to build their own unique LEGO model. LEGOLAND Florida Master Model Builders will select a winner from each event day to receive a LEGO prize pack. Official rules will be available at the park.
“The LEGO Movie” Mural Build – Imagination Zone
Families can build together and help create a giant LEGO poster of “The LEGO Movie.”
Character Meet & Greets – LEGO City
Fans can walk the red carpet and meet two of the stars of “The LEGO Movie.” Emmet and Wyldstyle.

“The LEGO Movie” Weekend is included with park admission and guests will have complete access to a full day of theme park fun with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass as low as $99 each. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madam Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise with no black-out dates. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

I’ll be at Legoland Florida this Sunday live-tweeting, instagramming and posting on Facebook so be sure to follow along! Thanks again to Legoland Florida for providing my family with tickets to see the movie, and tickets to their park this weekend. My opinions and thoughts are my own, as always!

Review: Frozen Took Me By Surprise and Melted My Heart

26 November 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I will fully admit, as I saw the endless promotion for Disney’s 53rd Animated Feature, Frozen start to begin, I was less than interested. Olaf the Snowman, clearly designed to appeal to the youngest of Disney fans, didn’t excite me at all. I wanted to know more about the story of Frozen: the sisters, their background, what happened to them and why. Not watch a lop-sided snowman chase his carrot nose for an hour. Adding in Sven, the reindeer who seemed like a carbon-copy of Max the canine-like horse from Tangled, and I didn’t hold out much hope for Frozen. I was given some images from Disney showing background animation and concept art, and that excited me a bit. It was what I was most looking forward to when I attended a screening a couple of weeks ago, but little else.

Then, the theatre darkened and the music began. Rich, hearty Norwegian chanting. It made me sit up and take notice. What followed was me being glued to the edge of my seat, soaking up every pixel of gorgeous animation, every word of enticing story, every note of exquisite music and lyrics. I was, in short, in love. I walked out thinking “This is my new favorite Disney film.” and “I must have this soundtrack.”

Without giving major plot points away, I want to convey how refreshing it was to see this storyline unfold. Not knowing anything about the movie other than there was a silly snowman and a reindeer, I was completely taken in by what I thought was happening and really couldn’t guess the end at all. I loved how the sisters were portrayed, loving each other, caring for each other, and when unable to be together, missing each other. Unlike most previous Disney animated films, the first real main character song fits in so well as something that is really happening, vs. just breaking into a nice song that helps propel the story but seems a little out of place. We learn so much about the sisters’ upbringing in “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” and it’s a beautiful song to boot. We then learn more about Princess Anna in her subsequent songs and really begin to feel for her, as well as Elsa. The whole soundtrack is very Broadway-esque and I instantly thought of Rent when I heard Princess Anna and Hans singing “Love is an Open Door” it’s this kind of refreshingly good music that makes the difference here. Princess Anna is pretty identifiable (at least personally) – she may be a princess but she’s clumsy and even a bit gullible and clueless (which could be called trusting and innocent too), and most importantly of all, she wakes up with bedhead. How many other Disney princesses would admit to that? I instantly loved her. While we don’t know much about Elsa after she was hidden away as a child, what we do know is that she was a loving, caring sister. This sisterly bond above all else is an important message of the film.

When Idina Menzel as Elsa, newly crowned as Queen, finally gives in to her icy powers, the resulting “Let it Go” song is perhaps the most powerful moment in the film. The accompanying animation here is beyond amazing as well. You’ll wish you could hit repeat on this section of the movie, it’s that good. THIS is what Frozen is about. Family, secrets, struggles, love, and figuring out how to combine them all and be happy. While I understand the gigantic marketing machine that is the Walt Disney Company and how they must promote and sell merchandise with every movie they produce, I truly wish they could find a way to give the audience some credit and showcase the real highlights of their talented animators work. This film is so much more than has been advertised so far. That said, Olaf is less annoying than I thought he’d be. His song, “In Summer” is pretty classically funny without relying on toddler humor. It reminded me of Josh Gad’s stellar performance in Book of Mormon. It is also refreshing to see Disney working with the guy that wrote the music for Book of Mormon and Avenue Q, unafraid to take risks and push boundaries. Now the marketing team just needs to catch up!

The only disappointments in the film for me were the unnecessary troll characters which were as annoying as I mistakenly thought Olaf would be. They served no real purpose and their song was unmemorable and pointless. However, in listening to outtakes on the Deluxe Edition of the soundtrack, we learn a bit more of the trolls role, which made me wish some of the eliminated songs were actually used. Oh well. The other sad thing was that the talented Jonathan Groff was only given one very short song in the film. I can understand why; the film is really female-focused with the sisters, their bond and how they grow and learn, but I do wish we heard more Jonathan.

All in all, I walked away from this film proud of Walt Disney Animation, amazed by Kristen Anderson Lopez, Robert Lopez and Christophe Beck’s work with the soundtrack, feeling like Princess Anna was my spirit animal, and ready for more Frozen. It is definitely a must-see and a must-see again and again. Disney’s Frozen opens tomorrow, 11/27 and is the perfect way to spend some time during the Thanksgiving holiday. The wonderful soundtrack is available now and I highly recommend investing in the Frozen Deluxe Edition for even more insight into the film-making process with the songwriters commentary before the outtakes and additional pieces of the score. Idina’s “Let it Go” has been on repeat for 24 hours straight here and I don’t see an end in sight. Frozen will melt your heart!

I’d love to hear your thoughts below when you’ve seen the film!

DVD Release Round Up! Iron Man, Gravity Falls and Little Mermaid Out Now

19 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

There have been quite a few Disney DVD’s out lately, and the latest three I’ve gotten offer something for every member of the family! Now out on DVD and Blu-ray is Iron Man 3, The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition, Gravity Falls: Six Strange Tales, and coming up soon, Monsters University, releasing on October 29. Here is a wrap-up of the extras and bonus features offered for each and why you should run out and add these to your Disney DVD (or Blu-ray) collection!

Iron Man 3 – I’m pretty sure Iron Man 3 is my favorite Iron Man movie of the series so far. I actually really like Tony Stark in Avengers, but in Iron Man 3 we really see what makes him tick (literally). I have a full review of Iron Man 3 here. But I was finally able to see the bonus features on the Blu-ray and was so entertained by all these extras. The “Agent Carter” one-shot was amazing. I loooved seeing more of Agent Carter – who you will immediately recognize as Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers (aka Captain America)’s long lost flame. As you will recall from the first Captain America movie, Peggy Carter can hold her own under any circumstance and when an emergency mission falls into her lap, she proves just this to the boys club who thinks of her as nothing more than a skirt with a typewriter. It was wonderful to see her in action again, and the ending makes me want an entire movie, or at the very least a TV series on the original members of S.H.I.E.L.D. A wonderful little treasure on the Iron Man 3 Blu-ray!

In addition, the bonus features like the gag reel with bloopers and flubs, and the deleted scenes make for hours of additional fun and information about the making of Iron Man 3. Seeing Ben Kingsley reel off every accent he can do as “The Mandarin” is hilarious and it’s really fun to see the filming bloopers before the special effects have been added. There’s also a ton of ‘making of Iron Man 3’ featurettes and audio commentary to keep you entertained and informed. Definitely a must-add to your collection!

Gravity Falls: Six Strange Tales was released on October 15 and offers over 2 hours of hilarious adventures, irreverent humor and unforgettable characters plus free exclusive Mystery Book: Journal #3. If you have anyone that loves the ridiculously crazy stories from Gravity Falls, they will love this DVD set. If by chance you haven’t seen this popular series on Disney XD, here is a synopsis of the animated series: In this animated adventure comedy riddled with mystery, twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel are sent to spend their summer vacation with their great uncle. Upon arrival, their great uncle, also known as Grunkle Stan, enlists the siblings’ help in running The Mystery Shack, a fun tourist trap he owns that overcharges unsuspecting customers. While Dipper has a hard time getting used to his new surroundings, Mabel’s upbeat optimism comes in handy in her quest to find true love. When Dipper stumbles upon an elusive book, he discovers that it is the key to unlocking the town’s mysterious secrets, and the brother and sister duo soon realize they must rely on one another to navigate the unfamiliar place.

Six Strange Tales includes the following episodes:

1 – “Tourist Trapped”

2 – “The Legend of the Gobblewonker”

3 – “Headhunters”

4 – “The Hand That Rocks the Mabel”

5 – “The Inconveniencing”

6 – “Dipper vs. Manliness”

Lastly, a family favorite The Little Mermaid is finally out on Blu-ray! It was so wonderful to see this again and be reminded of the great songs and animation in this now classic. There are quite a few extras that will provide lots of mermaid-y fun for your little ones (or for you – you know you love this story too!) including the Crab-eoke, a fun sing-along to all your favorite songs, some wonderful behind-the-SEAnes features and audio commentary. Also included is this deleted scene for a character called Harold the Merman:

The scenes with Jodi Benson visiting Walt Disney World’s New Fantasyland with her two children totally made me tear up. It is pretty amazing to see the voice of Ariel riding Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in the Magic Kingdom. And she and her family look like huge Disney fans, which is wonderful to see. Other Blu-ray bonus features include:

All-New Music Video for Part of Your World by Carly Rae Jepsen

Behind the Scenes at Disney Animation Studios

Disney Intermission – press pause and see what happens

Deleted Character Harold the Merman

The Real Little Mermaid: Live Action Reference Model

Part of Her World: Jodi Benson’s Voyage To New Fantasyland

Howard’s Lecture – Music in the Movies

Classic DVD Bonus Features

This is another must-add to your collection, whether you are sharing it for the first time with your children, or reliving your childhood with an old favorite. The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition is available now.

Stay tuned for future releases and reviews – I’ll have one for Monsters University

up soon! The next Disney animated classics to get the Diamond Edition Blu-ray treatment are THE JUNGLE BOOK and SLEEPING BEAUTY. Released from the Disney vault for a limited time only, THE JUNGLE BOOK opens to colorful new life on Blu-ray Diamond Edition in February 2014, while SLEEPING BEAUTY awakens on stunning Blu-ray Diamond Edition in October 2014. Can’t wait. I’m SO excited for Sleeping Beauty on Blu-ray!!

Review: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest for the Crystal Mickey on DVD

20 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Around my house, the promotion for the Quest for the Crystal Mickey on Disney Junior was quite a build up. My four-year old was SO excited, we had to show him on a calendar just how many days until it premiered and of course set up to record it as well. So when I saw it was coming to DVD, of course, I knew he had to have it. He was not disappointed and it is still one of his favorite shows to watch. I think anything with “quest” in it instantly makes things more exciting, don’t you? The best part is the DVD comes not only with that episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but also 3 others so it really is a DVD you can pop-in and ensure your little ones have quality family entertainment for a good while. The episodes included are: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest for the Crystal Mickey, Donald of the Desert, Donald the Genie, Goofy’s Coconutty Monkey, and Goofy’s Giant Adventure.

Here are more details, if you happened to miss the show when it came out:

Join Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and all their pals in the newest Clubhouse crusade. When the legendary Crystal Mickey

goes missing, Mickey and friends go on an adventure to save the Clubhouse from losing its magic. Grab your hat,

buckle your seatbelt, and get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure in “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Quest for

the Crystal Mickey!”

There’s no time to lose after greedy Plunderin’ Pete snatches the legendary Crystal Mickey statue from the Clubhouse. Without this sparkly statue’s magic, the Clubhouse will

disappear forever!

Can the world’s most extraordinary hero “Kansas City Mickey,” get the magical statue back in time? Only with help from young viewers at home…and the right Mouseketools can Mickey journey across the Sandy Desert, brave the Rushing River and make his way through the Hidden Jungle. But watch out for Pete’s trickiest traps!

You can bring the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest for the Crystal Mickey into your home today, as it is currently out on DVD. You’ll be singing along in no time! You can also check out Mickey Mouse Club House daily on Disney Junior.

Oz the Great and Powerful on DVD and Blu-Ray

11 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Oz the Great and Powerful comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray today. In addition to the great (no pun intended) movie full of fun new characters and stories, there are some fun bonus clips featuring behind-the-scenes action and the creative processes behind making the film.

Watch Mila Kunis go from sweet to wicked in seconds flat thanks to award-winning special effects make up artist Howard Berger! See how Disney Classics like Pinocchio, Snow White and Cinderella inspired the team when creating Oz! Danny Elfman describes the inspiration behind the score he wrote for the Wicked Witch. See this and more in the clips below!

Here are the bonus features on the DVD and Blu-ray:

Bonus Features:

Blu-ray:

The Magic of “Oz The Great and Powerful” (Second Screen Experience) – An immersive Second Screen experience that details all thingsOz. From an interactive map full of secrets and surprises, to an inside look at the spectacular world of Oz. All fans need to do is download the special “The Magic of Oz The Great and Powerful: Second Screen” App (which is free and currently available for immediate download at the iTunes Store for iPads) which provides fans with infinite opportunities to remain connected to their favorite film, its cast of characters and to dive deeper into the magical world of Oz. This App provides exclusive access to invigorating and exclusive content including:

The Enchanting Characters and Creatures of Oz – From Munchkins and Tinkers to good witches, bad witches, and flying baboons, this piece follows each character and creature of the Land of Oz from inspiration to final outcome.

The Sounds of Magical Oz – What adds fragility to the sounds of China Girl’s footsteps; ferocity to the tornado; or weight to the flutter of Finley’s flapping wings?

Sleight of Hand: Zach Braff Puppet Theater – Actor, and voice of Finley, Zach Braff introduces viewers to the Finley mockup.

Mariah Carey Music Video

Bloopers

My Journey in Oz by James Franco – A personal story produced and directed by James Franco.

Mr. Elfman’s Musical Concoctions – An interview with composer Danny Elfman unveils his inspiration in scoring “Oz The Great And Powerful.”

China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief – This feature uncloaks the several forms of movie magic employed to bring China Girl to life, from the initial artwork and character design, to the on-set puppeteering during filmmaking, and finally, through each stage of the visual-effects process; and includes an interview with Joey King, the voice of China Girl.

Before Your Very Eyes: From Kansas to Oz – Production designer Robert Stromberg takes viewers through the set design of the Land of Oz, from sketching his original ideas on a napkin, through to the final set pieces and the accompanying visual effects.

Mila’s Metamorphosis – Lead makeup artist Howard Berger expands on one of the oldest, most tried-and-true forms of movie magic: makeup design and effects.

Walt Disney and the Road to Oz – It is well known that Walt Disney had a fascination with the Land of Oz since he was a child. See how that fascination grew into inspiration as he began planning for his own adaptation of the stories in the classic Baum books.

DVD:

Bloopers

Walt Disney and the Road to Oz

Oz the Great and Powerful comes out today- be sure to add it to your Disney movie collection!

Spoiler-Free Review: Iron Man 3 Changes the World

3 May 2013 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

I’ve said before that it is very difficult to choose a favorite Avenger movie; I do love Captain America and his storyline (and am excited for part two to come out soon), but I do believe Iron Man holds the biggest place in my heart as far as the Marvel movies go. I never really got into super hero movies until Iron Man came out. I had always been a fan of Robert Downey Jr. and when I saw that he had imbued the role with his famous RDJ charm and wit, I was hooked. Of course, the storylines and action were a plus too. So, when I saw the first trailers for Iron Man 3, I was absolutely thrilled with how it looked; so many visual ‘wow’ moments and it truly left me excited to see more. And more is definitely what I saw, earlier this week at a media screening of Iron Man 3. My review of the film follows, but given the almost crazy amount of twists and turns within the plot, my review will be safely major-plot-point-spoiler-free for your reading pleasure!

I think part of why I love Iron Man, and Tony Stark so much is that at the end of the day, he’s just a man. He has no super powers when the suit is off, he’s just a guy trying to figure life out too. And those human struggles are where Iron Man 3 begins its story. Tony Stark has been having difficulty dealing with “New York” -as the events of the Avengers film are referred to in this movie. Just as he is at his breaking point of handling the stress, a villain appears on the scene and gives him no choice but to get back into action, save the world, and in the process, save himself.

What proceeds from there on in Iron Man 3 is a series of events that you could never see coming and challenge your belief that it will all be okay in the end. We see Tony Stark pretty much at rock bottom and being forced to rely on others as well as returning to the most base elemental components that make up “Iron Man” and Stark as a human being – he “fixes things.” I loved it from start to finish and really enjoyed the humor throughout the film, even poking fun at traditional villains, and of course, Iron Man himself along the way. It really humanized the super human, and made me feel for all of the characters within the film. The theme here is rebirth, reinvention, and getting back to what you know, and it’s a message that so many can relate to, myself included.

Here is the latest released clip, showing some of Tony Stark’s struggles

I will say one thing, there is a sub-plot within the film where Tony interacts with a young boy, and I thought this was a great addition to the movie and story. The scenes may have worked just as well without this character, but what this young actor brought to the screen was wonderful, and as a parent, even heartwarming to see. It was a great counter-point to the non-stop action going on around the rest of the story. In addition to this, the entire cast works so well as an ensemble, it’s great to see more of Don Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow in their respective roles.

I can’t really say too much else without giving things away, so I’ll end my brief but no less heartfelt review here. As I said on twitter after seeing the screening, “Iron Man 3. Amazing. That is all.” And really, that’s all the review you need, go out and see this movie – today! (And stay past the credits as always!)

Iron Man 3 is open today in theatres everywhere! I was provided a free media screening of the film, but my opinions are my own.

Like IRON MAN 3 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ironman

Follow IRON MAN 3 on Twitter: @Iron_Man

Visit the website: http://marvel.com/ironman3

Top 5 Oz-tacular Moments in Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful

8 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I was recently treated to two screenings of the highly anticipated Oz the Great and Powerful (one through the Disney Parks Blog’s Oz Meet-Up and a media screening). When deciding how I would put my thoughts about the movie into words, some things kept popping out at me. Eye Candy.

Here are the 5 pieces of eye-candy I enjoyed while watching Oz the Great and Powerful: {there will be spoilers in the review below, proceed at your own risk!}

Rainbows
Sparkly Rainbow Cloud Fog
Rainbow Horses
Giant Shimmery Bubbles
Sparkly Giant Emeralds

Did I mention rainbows? I’m only sort of joking with the above list; after seeing Oz the Great and Powerful twice, I realized that what I enjoyed most about the film was how pretty it was in parts. The way the opening scenes are handled, in black and white and in a smaller screen, are of course a nod to the original Wizard of Oz, and a nice contrast to the vibrant colors of the land of Oz. That’s not to say there isn’t more to the movie than its pretty looks (although I couldn’t stop staring at Theodora and Glinda’s eye make-up and wondering if they used Urban Decay…) but overall I think the visuals are what carry the film.

We know the story of the Wizard of Oz; now with Oz the Great and Powerful we are sort of deconstructing exactly what made The Wizard who he is, and how the Wicked Witch came to be. While the first quarter of the movie is necessary to establish just the kind of selfish, greedy, self-serving cad Oscar Diggs is, it does drag a bit. Even when he first arrives in Oz and is exposed to the wondrous sites and sounds of such an unusual universe, the whole scene really serves no purpose other than to show off some cool effects.

When we pass the reeds in the river and they bend to make a sound, I instantly thought of the sound of the carnival organ that had flown past Oscar in the balloon, which would go along with the whole “it’s just a dream…” theme that the Wizard of Oz used. Combined with Finley the monkey being Oscar’s assistant from the carnival, the China Doll being the girl in the wheelchair, and of course Glinda, it would make sense that this fantastical world was all in Oscar’s head as he was knocked out from the effects of the twister. But it is never established or confirmed that Oz is just a dream. Perhaps because of the possibility of future sequels…either way, it was odd to have those elements and then not to explain them or develop them further. The river fairies were another example of this. Cute, somewhat funny, but they really have no point in the film as we see them for 30 seconds. It just felt a little forced, as if we were supposed to view Oz as a Wonderland sort of place, but nothing was ever really delved into more than a very cursory visual. Another thing that was never really established or explained in the film was where these witches came from and why Evanora is evil, as well as what makes Theodora evil, even before she changes, though she doesn’t realize it. Perhaps these are questions which will be answered in future films…

Once Oz gets his quest, and repairs China Doll (why doesn’t she get a name?!) and Finley joins them as they find Glinda, then the story really gets moving and I enjoyed the film a lot more. Up until that point, Oscar Diggs is not a very likeable guy, which is the point. Once he finds his passion, he leaves his selfish ways behind and finally does the right thing.

Of course it’s too late by then and he has incurred the wrath of the true Wicked Witch and her sister. The final battle scenes against the wicked sisters are really fun and well-played. Plus we get to see more rainbow cloud fog! It was a relief to see Oscar become The Wizard and do right by the citizens of Oz, though we have to wonder, did he really learn his lesson with women? He seems to have been humbled elsewhere and learned important lessons about friendship and family, and true magic, and that was lovely.

The 3-D effects within the film were really wonderful. Usually I leave a 3-D film not even realizing what I just watched was in 3-D, because it’s just sort of there. But in Oz, you definitely experience the 3-D and it makes it all the more exciting and adventurous when those scenes happen.

Another star of the movie was the soundtrack. When the film opens, the very detailed, animated title sequence has a beautiful song behind it, which is then interwoven throughout the film. Danny Elfman really does a great job of giving Oz the Great and Powerful
a unique soundtrack, while instilling his signature sound too. I would definitely purchase the soundtrack to listen to. {For those visiting Epcot any time during the Flower and Garden Festival, you can hear the soundtrack playing in the Oz garden on the walkway from World Showcase to the East side of Future World. It’s worth a listen!}

Overall, I enjoyed the movie, despite its slow or underdeveloped parts. We were definitely left with an open enough ending to allow for a sequel or two, so I do hope it is successful enough to warrant that, so we can see the growth of all the characters. Oz the Great and Powerful opens today in theatres everywhere. I’d love to hear what you think when you see the film!

Disclosure: I attended a media screening of Oz the Great and Powerful. My opinions are my own.

Wreck-It Ralph Goes Turbo on Blu-ray and DVD – Review of Bonus Features

5 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Wreck-It Ralph is, aside from Tangled, one of the few Disney releases that I have willingly watched again and again. It’s just a delight to watch and my whole family feels the same way. After having seen it at a Disney Parks Blog meet-up, a media screening, on the Disney Dream cruise ship, and most recently at the Orlando Science Center, it’s kind of fun to watch it in the comfort of my living room.

When watching the bonus features on the Blu-ray, I discovered some interesting facts about the production of the film. My favorite tid-bits were how the Sugar Rush universe and architecture was actually inspired by Spanish architect Antoni GaudÍ, one of my favorites. Once I heard the animator explain this, it made perfect sense! Do a google image search to see some of his amazing work and see the similarities in the buildings of Sugar Rush. Another fun note was how John Lasseter told animators to watch the opening of Saving Private Ryan as well as Aliens, to get a feel for the kind of frenzied, chaotic game environment to throw Ralph into when he game jumps to Hero’s Duty. I loved this insight into the film-making process.

The only thing missing was the cool 8-bit opening Castle scene for the Disney Pictures splash screen, I thought that was such a fun detail in theatres! I also wish there had been a complete run-down of all the homages and hidden Easter eggs of video games past within the movie. I know I look for more each time I see it, but I’d love to know if I’ve found them all! The deleted scenes were kind of crazy to see where the film may have gone. I definitely like the finished version.

Wreck-it Ralph now brings the wonderful story of redemption, friendship, and good vs. bad into your home, and with the Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy, you can watch Wreck-it Ralph anywhere. Of course also on the discs is the Emmy award-winning short, Paperman, beautifully animated and composed, it gets me every time.

Wreck-it Ralph is a definite addition to any Disney collection, or video gaming fan. It is available now – and I highly recommend the soundtrack too, which I’ve been listening to for months now. The Sugar Rush theme song is my ring tone!

In addition, there are some great apps for the kids to expand their wrecking fun with two fully interactive iOS apps “Wreck-It Ralph Storybook Deluxe” and “Hero’s Duty Interactive Comic,” along with print books and ebooks One Sweet Race and Wreck-It Ralph Read-Along.

Wreck-It Ralph Storybook Deluxe ($6.99)
Ralph, Felix, Vanellope, and other favorite characters from Wreck-It Ralph star in this exciting Storybook Deluxe app. Follow Ralph as he wrecks his way through the arcade in search of a hero’s medal—and ends up finding much, much more. – My 4 year old LOVES this app. The storybook part is great on its own, but the extra games and interactive elements keep him entertained without a peep!
Hero’s Duty Interactive Comic ($1.99)
A fantastic prequel to the upcoming movie, readers are able to venture into the Hero’s Duty game to discover Dr. Brad Scott, Tammy Calhoun, the Space Marines, and the infamous cy-bugs as they fight on the unnamed planet.
ONE SWEET RACE ($15.99 – available wherever books and eBooks are sold)
Explore the charming video-game world of Sugar Rush, from Disney Animation Studio’s latest film, Wreck-It-Ralph. This jacketed picture book features an original story about the film’s spunky heroine, Vanellope von Schweetz, as well as illustrations by one of the artists who worked on the film.
WRECK-IT RALPH READ ALONG STORYBOOK AND CD ($6.99 – available wherever books are sold, eBook available at Barnes & Noble and iTunes)
Jump into the action of the latest Walt Disney Animation Studios film Wreck-It Ralph with this exciting storybook and CD set! Video-game bad guy Wreck-It Ralph wants to be as beloved as his game’s good guy, Fix-It Felix. But when Ralph tries to prove he’s a hero by winning a video game medal, his actions spell disaster for the entire arcade! Featuring sound effects and the voices of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch, this thrilling read-along brings the action of Wreck-It Ralph to life!

Another great way to learn more about Wreck-it Ralph is visiting the The Magic of Disney Animation over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There you can see amazing concept art from the film as well as get your photo with Ralph and Vanellope in the meet and greet location, which is chock full of more gaming details.

Disclosure: I was provided with a 3-disc combo pack for review as well as a code for the Wreck-it Ralph Storybook app. My opinions are my own.

Disney’s Classic Peter Pan Flies onto Blu-ray

15 February 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Peter Pan has always been one of my absolute favorite Disney films. The scenes over London, the first time we see Tinker Bell, the second star to the right, and the mermaid lagoon, all stand out in my mind as wonderful memories of this classic tale.

Now the movie is available on Blu-ray in pristine condition, with some pretty fun bonus features as well. One of my favorite parts is when you press the pause button on the movie, it goes to a special screen and the a little mini-scene comes up to entertain whomever is left watching while the screen is on pause.

Who doesn’t love this classic Tink scene?

I’m also a huge fan of Mary Blair and her amazing artwork, and the Peter Pan disc offers a great gallery of some of the Mary Blair concept art for Peter Pan:

This disc is a must-own for any Disney fan and the bonus features make it a fun, interactive learning experience for the whole family. The Peter Pan Diamond Edition is out on DVD, Blu-ray and combo pack with digital download now. There is also a Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy + Storybook App

version available as well. My son is addicted to Disney Storybook apps and Peter Pan is no exception. Bring Peter Pan and the whole Never Land gang home to your family today!