Pixar Animation: Part 4: Monsters Inc.

Series Intro: In my purposeful retrospective of WDAS I couldn’t ignore it’s younger sister: PIXAR. This is Part 4 in the retrospective of PIXAR

Official Title: Monsters, Inc.
Release: November 2, 2001
Running Time: 92 minutes
Estimated Cost: $150 million
Estimated Revenue: $525.37 million
Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Plot Summary
The monsters in our closets are real. They come into our children’s rooms at night to scare them and collect the energy of the scream to power their city. And the number one scare-er, Sully, is about to a mile-stone at Monsters Inc.

After doing so he and his partner find themselves in a hilarious situation where a small child (who Sully calls “Boo”) enters Monstropolis. Knowing that monsters at terrified of the germs on children Sully and Mike try to find a way to safely return Boo back to her world.

However, in doing so, they discover a secret plan to steal the screams from children, and hurt them in the process. After a long chase scene through many closet doors, Sully and Mike successfully evade capture from Randle (Sully’s work rival); and leave him stuck in the real world. The manager of Monsters Inc., Waternoose, is also revealed to be the mastermind of the scream stealing.

Boo returns home and her door is destroyed in a tear jerking moment between her and Sully.

Roz, who up until now was just there for a gag, is revealed to be a agent for the CDA and remove Waternoose into custody.

Throughout this ordeal, Sully learns that children’s laughter makes for better energy. He converts the Scare Floor to a Laugh Floor, where Monsters Inc. is more successful than ever.

Mike gives Sully a present. He put Boo’s door back together!

Plot Rating: 4 stars out of 5

PIXAR seemed to missed a bit with this movie. It had everything one could ask for, but I was left wanting something. Perhaps an ending a bit further in the future, where Boo can be a bit older. Also how long was Boo missing in her world?

Animation Rating: 5 out of 5

Sully’s hair rocked. I was pleased to see such great animation here. Most of the animation was great. I think PIXAR has taken their game to a new level.

The Test of Time:
Three theme park attractions and a Prequel due out next Summer ’13. Again PIXAR makes movies that stand the test of time. I don’t find myself watching a dated movie with outdated ideas of equality.

Final Thoughts
This is was a fun movie. But my final thoughts have to deal with the most recent time I visited WDW. When I met Sully, he silently raised his hand above my head to signify that I’m tall. I took that to mean that he was commenting on how old I was to be so excited to meet these monsters.

Next Up:
Finding Nemo.

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Too Many Character Rides at Walt Disney World?

Magic Kingdom August 2008

Since “The Disney Decade” (circa 1989 – 1999) there has been a lack of originality and creativity when it comes to attractions at Walt Disney World (WDW). Most, if not all, new attractions (and/or their refurbishments) have relied on characters from movies and television shows as the main force behind the story.

            Of course Walt himself did this; and many opening day attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World were based on cartoons and TV shows within the Disney company. WDW’s character based opening day attractions were: Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, Dumbo Flying Elephants, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Peter Pan’s Flight, Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel, and [of course] Cinderella’s Castle (all opening in ’71). Walt was alive during most of the planning stages of WDW, and only planned something like a third of the attractions (nee rides) to be character themed. A list of current (and planned) attractions at WDW that are character based would be extensive and read like a park map (especially at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

            Let’s take a look at the last non-character attraction to open at each of the parks.

            First stop, the newest park: Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK). DAK opened in 1998 with very few character related attractions (save the Camp Mickey/Minnie Meet and Greet Land). DAK still remains mostly character free, with its newest non-character edition also being its last major edition: Expedition Everest. Opening in 2006, this thrill ride took the Disney tradition of hiding roller coasters in mountains and added a twist of a GIANT audio-animatronic (AA) housed within the tracks.

           

            Over at Disney’s [MGM] Hollywood Studios (MGM), (with its theme of the “Hollywood that Never Was”) one expects a different type of philosophy about attractions based on movies and TV. When MGM opened it only had two attractions: the Studio Backlot Tour (’89) and The Great Movie Ride (’89) (both TV and movie based attractions). As the park grew, it foreseeable added more and more character based attractions. Its most recent, non-character attraction was Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, which opened in 2005. This behind the scene’s look at an action movie’s chase scene being made is movie based, but not based on any movie in particular.

            Looking only at ride based attractions Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (’99) was the last new attraction to open at MGM that was non-character based. Another indoor roller coaster, RnR Coaster puts riders into a stretch limo with Aerosmith on their way to some event.

            EPCOT Center/Epcot consists of two separate themes: Future World and World Showcase. World Showcase has seen little updating and extension since the openings of Morocco (‘84) and Norway (’88). One of the movies has changed: Reflections of China (’03), but focusing only on rides; Maelstrom (’88) in Norway was the last non-character ride. Maelstrom is a log flume type ride that takes the riders through a history of Norway, including some folk tales (and a not-so-scary troll). World Showcase remains very character free (save the Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros (’07) in Mexico and character meet-and-greets spread throughout).

            Future World has begun it’s transition to character attractions (The Living Seas Pavilion(’86) is now called The Seas with Nemo and Friends(’03)). The last non-character attraction (outside of the rotating attractions at Innoventions) to open was Soarin’ (’05); however this being a clone from Disney’s California Adventure, let us consider Mission Space (’03) as the last NEW, non-character ride. Mission Space offers riders two modes of space travel simulators (mild or intense).

            At Magic Kingdom, one has to look deep in its past to find a new ride that wasn’t related to characters. 1980 brought Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Frontierland, a runaway train through a southwestern desert mountain.

            Walt Disney Imagineers have been working hard on the Fantasyland Forest expansion (leaving just one ride non-character based – it’s a small world (’71) (although rumors suggest that once the expansion is over, WDW’s version will match Disneyland’s newest rehab to include characters). Imagineers have also been working on updating cues to be interactive and NextGen. But where are the new non-character attractions? Tomorrowland is becoming PIXAR-land. Adventureland has The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (’01) cluttering up its courtyard.

            Many great attractions were non-character based when they were created and remain so today (Jungle Cruise (’71), Haunted Mansion (’71), Space Mountain (’74), Spaceship Earth (’82), Journey Into Imagination with Figment (’02), Kilimanjaro Safaris (’98) and Kali River Rapids (’99) just to name a few).  Imagineers need the freedom to create new attractions based on nothing but their imagination (like Soarin’ (’05)). 

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Walt Disney Animation Studios Part 40: The Emperor's New Groove

Series Intro: This is Part 40 of a multi-part retrospective of Walt Disney Animation Studios' endeavors.

Official Title: The Emperor’s New Groove
Release: December 15, 2000 (Third Release this year!)
Running Time: 78 minutes
Estimated Cost: $100 million
Estimated Revenue: $169.33 million
Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Plot Summary:
Kuzco is a vain emperor who loves his “groove,” and in the opening number he winds up throwing an old man out the window because he threw off Kuzco’s groove. After the opening number, we are simultaneously introduced to the two plot lines that run through the story: Pacha’s farm is going to be turned into Kuzcotopia (a summer house); and Yzma (Kuzco’s advisor) being fired and enacting her revenge. She turns Kuzco into a llama (thanks to the blundering Kronk who mixed up the poison with the llama potion). Llama Kuzco is knocked out and winds up going home with Pacha.

Pacha only agrees to help Kuzco return to the palace if Kuzco agrees not to tear down Pacha’s house. Kuzco doesn’t agree but Pacha’s good heart leads him to do the right thing. Kuzco and Pacha have several misadventures (almost being caught by Yzma and Kronk in a diner).

Once back at the palace, Kronk changes sides and is almost killed during a hilarious chase scene where Yzma’s potions turn Kuzco into several different animals (including Yzma into a kitty cat). After being returned to normal, Kuzco decides that Pacha’s farm isn’t the best location for Kuzcotopia (but he buys the neighboring farm). Kuzco, Pacha and Pacha’s family play in the farm land while Kronk is leading a scout troupe (with kitten Yzma as one of the scouts). And they all lived happily ever after.

Songs:

Not a musical.

The score was great though, it still felt like a musical with the music actually still moving the plot along.

Plot Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was a great movie! It was much more character driven than plot and the “buddy/buddy – film” was a nice break from the love stories that dominated the 90’s during the Disney Renaissance. There wasn’t an ounce of romance (other than Pacha saying he loved his wife, and even that was made fun of by Pacha himself).

In many ways this harkened back to Peter Pan. It was about the adventure of the heroes!

Animation Rating: 5 out of 5

WOW! Just wow! The traditional animation was, of course, on par with those of the 90’s, but the CG effects were absolutely amazing! I just couldn’t believe that this was the same company that just earlier this year released the horrid Fantasia 2000 and their crappy flying whales.

The Test of Time:

A sequel and two seasons of a prequel TV show, shows that Disney was still running on the Renaissance formula that their movies were hits and everyone wanted more. That just wasn’t the case with this movie (it barely broke even).

Despite the fact that this was my first viewing of this movie, I had seen the TV series and enjoyed it.

Through the Modern Lens
David Spade, really? Here is when Disney knew their films were heading south and were trying to bring in big names to voice their characters.

Although historically inaccurate (which Disney is actually accurate), I thought this film presented a socially enjoyable movie.


Next Up:
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (I’ll finally figure out why it’s not just “Atlantis” - I always thought this was some sort of sequel.)

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Walt Disney Animation Studios Part 39: Dinosaur

 
Series Intro: This is Part 39 of a multi-part retrospective of Walt Disney Animation Studios' endeavors.

Official Title: Dinosaur
Release: May 19, 2000
Running Time:82 minutes
Estimated Cost: $127.5 million
Estimated Revenue: $349.82million
Overall Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Plot Summary:
Baby Aladar, the Iguanadon, gets adopted by a family of Lemurs and they live a happy life until a meteor nearly destroys their secluded island. Aladar and his family safely make it to the mainland and find themselves in the middle of a herd of herbivores making way to their nesting ground.

Aladar also finds himself in a power struggle with the herd’s leader, Kron (who is the older brother to Aladar’s love interest – Neera). Kron’s Darwin philosophy is that only the strongest survive, while Aladar makes sure that his new friends (elder dinosaurs) make it to the nesting ground.

Aladar, his family and the old biddy dinos separate from the herd. They find a short cut to the nesting ground, thanks to the attack of the Carnotaurs. Aladar goes back to save the herd and lead them to the short cut. Kron fights off the Carnotaur with the help of Neera and Aladar. Kron dies and Aladar seems to take on the roll of alpha of the herd.

Neera and Aladar mate and have their own baby, who also becomes adopted by Aladar’s Lemur family.

Songs:

Not a musical.

The score was decent, but I was never moved enough to notice it.

Plot Rating: 3 stars out of 5

The entire plot was that of Land Before Time, I honestly couldn’t believe how similar the two are!

I didn’t have any connection to any of the main characters, however I love the old biddies. This movie also didn’t have a recognizable villain. Yes, the Carnotaurs were bad, but they weren’t motivated by revenge or money like most of the previous Disney villains. Kron wasn’t a villain per se either, he was just doing what the herd had always done.

Animation Rating: 4 out of 5

The CG only stood out once or twice against the live backgrounds. The characters movements were fluid and the design was realistic (as far as the science of the time is concerned). All of the practice CG WDAS has done had really paid off!

The Test of Time:

WDW’s Animal Kingdom has a ride that was retro-fitted to be rethemed to match this movie (though the timeline suggests that the ride was intended to be themed to the movie from the beginning (with the ride opening just over two years before the film was released).

Beyond this attraction, I don’t think many children know about this film and it doesn’t have the following the Fairy Tale movies currently have.

This was the last Disney film I would see in theaters until Princesses and the Frog

Through the Modern Lens
This movie seems pretty flawless. Neera works hard to break traditional roles and even fights the Carnotaur! I guess my only problem was the way Kron treated the biddies, but he was of that type of mindset.


Next Up:
The Emperor’s New Groove (thus beginning the decade of Disney that I’ve never seen).

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Walt Disney Animation Studios Part 38: Fantasia 2000

Series Intro: This is Part 38 of a multi-part retrospective of Walt Disney Animation Studios' endeavors.

Official Title: Fantasia 2000
Release: December 17, 1999
Running Time:75 minutes
Estimated Cost: $80 million
Estimated Revenue: $90.85million
Overall Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Plot Summary:
Sigh, I HATE the packaged films… here are the pieces that are presented

* Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor-I. Allegro con brio
* Ottorino Respighi's Pines of Rome
* George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
* Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major-I. Allegro
* Camille Saint-Saëns's The Carnival of the Animals, Finale
* Paul Dukas's The Sorcerer's Apprentice
* Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance - Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4
* Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite - 1919 Version

Plot Rating: 1 stars out of 5

What made this movie much better than the original are the celebrity hosts. These were more impressive than the silhouetted conductor. The only segment worth its time was the Firebird sweet.

Animation Rating: 1 out of 5

Poorly CGed flying whales in a mediocre background. I was not impressed with the animation. It just doesn’t hold well with the movies before it.

The Test of Time:

When I watched this with my friend, I announced that this would probably be the last VHS movie I ever watch! That was before it was released on Blu-Ray. With it’s current release, I wonder how well it is doing.

It performed poorly for a movie riding the tales of the Disney renaissance, just barely breaking even.

Through the Modern Lens

Celebrities of the time haven’t really held up. I have difficulty identifying some of them today, and this movie is barely 10 years old.

Next Up:
Dinosaur

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