Robin Hood

Beware of falling mosasaur

Robin Hood presented by Disney.

Plot: The tales of Robin Hood remain some of the most popular in the English-speaking world. However, Disney offers a new view of classic folklore by telling the story with animals. The dashing fox, Robin Hood, with the support of the ursine Little John, robs from the rich to feed the poor. Eventually, the duo become bitter enemies with the false king, Prince John. Escaping the traitor prince's traps multiple times buys the two time, but they eventually must confront the evil lion in his own palace. Still, the adventurers manage to find assistance through the local clergy, innocent paupers, and pretty vixen.

Genre: Animals, Movies, Animation, Folklore

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: The Rescuers, The Aristocats

Personal Thoughts: This version of Robin Hood is one I, as well as many tweens, grew up with. It is considerably more light-hearted than many of the original tales, but still manages to capture the adventurous aspects of the first stories. However, I was surprised to learn the story was, originally, about another fox, Reynard. While Reynard was, understandably, not a suitable hero for a Disney film, his antics manage to sneak their way into this movie. The result is a colorful, nicely-made movie.

Wreck-It Ralph

He's gonna wreck it

Wreck-It Ralph produced by Disney.

Plot: After thirty years of playing a villain for a popular video game, Ralph takes a bet to improve his miserable standing within the game world. He finds himself playing through several games to fulfill the bet, inadvertently ruining his own game while threatening several others. Ralph is not the only character stuck in a chronically poor situation, however. A little girl, Vanellope, desperately needs his help to change her status in her game. Ralph must assist her, but attempting to do so reveals a shocking, decades-old conspiracy within the arcade.

Genre: Movies, Computer Animation

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: Toy Story, Bolt

Personal Thoughts: I feared the movie would act as little more than a video game cameo parade. Yet, the film offered a surprisingly appealing plot. Unlike the insistence of some reviewers, though, the film does not offer a Toy Story for video games. A critic better described the movie as Nightmare Before Christmas for video games. The film follows a misunderstood protagonist's ill-guided attempt to improve his situation and the consequences of the attempt. Unlike the popular Jack Skellington, though, Ralph must face his own faults without a brief song to fix things. He has to make his apology through action, admittance, and acceptance. As a result, he does change himself and his world positively, even if the changes do not align to his original goal.

Brave

Brave produced by Pixar.

Plot: Princess Merida, a headstrong, athletic, intelligent seventeen-year-old, is determined to stop her mother's plan to betroth her. By contrast, Queen Elenor observes her daughter's reluctance, but insists the only way to maintain the kingdom comes through submission to tradition. After a chance encounter with a wood witch, the princess gains a spell guaranteed to "change her mother." The spell works, but instead of changing Elenor's mind, the magic changes her into a bear. After escaping the castle and feuding clans, the queen and princess discover the spell will be permanent after two days. Miranda and her mother must work together to break the spell before Elenor's mind is lost forever.

Genre: Fantasy, Animation, Movies

Reading Level: Rated PG for scary moments and crude humor

Similar Titles: Finding Nemo

Personal Thoughts: I am not sure why this movie gets the negative reviews it receives. Most sources site slow pacing, undeveloped characters, lack of surprises, and mixed plotlines. Personally, I found the pacing considerably quicker than other Pixar films, particularly Toy Story, Finding Nemo, or Cars. While the film includes many characters and plots, their interactions with each other define their personalities. The movie does not feature the monologues or personal speeches present in, say, The Incredibles or Ratatoullie, because the characters act on their intentions instead of stating them. Not too many twists appear in the film, but they did not need to, since the traditional "princess doesn't want to get married story" morphs into a "mother-daughter film," causing a subtle shift rather than a dramatic twist. Pixar seems to take everything it learned from prior films to create a solid offering.

Perhaps the favor or disfavor stems from the viewers, rather than the film itself. For example, the movie features more "cartoony" moments than prior features, so non-animation fans may find the film tedious. Also, background can influence the viewer. For example, my mother liked the film because she raised three teenage daughters. She understood Elenor's struggles in trying to raise a good kid in an unkind world of mixed messages. Non-mothers may have a very different view of the conflicts Elenor faces.

I like the movie, though, because like the modern tween, I grew up with The Little Mermaid. Nearly every movie I watched featured a strong, independent, female character instantly hailed as the ideal women...until actually viewed her outside of the movie. I will use Ariel as an example. She is an athletic, friendly, beautiful, independent women who, ultimately, is selfish, unwilling to learn, and irresponsible. Like Merida, she gains a spell to get what she wants, and ultimately threatens her family and her kingdom in the process, but still receives her desire without cost. She receives everything she wants without facing her own faults and, as a result, never really changes for better or worse. Real people do not live in consequence-free situations. Unlike Ariel, though, Merida eventually confronts her faults with tears, realizing her choices, not her situation, caused the problems. This, combined with her other qualities such as laziness and stubbornness may not make her a "strong female character" but, with her intelligence and athleticism, it does make her into a realistic, attainable one. Merida acts like a real person, not a caricature, bringing the fantasy movie to a new height.

Gulliver's Travels

 
Gulliver's Travels distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Plot: A fierce storm blows Gulliver, a sailor, onto a land of tiny people in turmoil. The kings of Lilliput and Blefuscu declare war after they fight over their national songs, much to their betrothed children's dismay. When the giant sailor unexpectedly wins the first battle between the two nations for Lilliput, he enjoys the status of a hero. After discovering the cause of the war, though, he realizes battles alone will not solve the war. A larger way of thinking can provide the only solution to the small countries' problem.

Genre: Animation, Movies, Fantasy

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Snow White, Wizard of Oz

Personal Thoughts: Quite unintentionally, I find myself reviewing two movies about exceptionally tiny people this week. Oh well.


The film followed the success of Disney's first feature-length film, Snow White. While Gulliver's Travels shows its age, particularly in regards to the character design and music, it shows higher potential than Disney's film. Shadow and light interact better with each other than in Snow White. Additionally, the film attempts, with mixed results, to focus on "adult" concerns, such as war homesickness, which many modern Disney films continue to neglect. Unfortunately, the movie's director, Dave Fleischer, lacked Walt Disney's business skills, and the film, as well as his studio, never really managed to rival Disney. Still, the movie offers a snapshot of the potential of early animation.

The movie fell under public domain recently, so the movie can be downloaded for free from The Internet Archive . Be warned, though. The copy is not particularly high-quality. Some DVDs offer better, remastered versions of the film, so consider finding copies at other databases, libraries, or downloads.

Secret World of Arrietty

Secret World of Arrietty produced by Studio Ghibli, distributed by Disney.

Plot: Based on The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty offers a Japanese-influenced retelling of the classic English story. Arrietty, the only daughter of two Borrowers, anticipates her first venture into the house. However, the sudden arrival of a young, ill boy threatens the plan. Her first trip ends abruptly when the boy spots her. He attempts to contact the family, despite their attempts to avoid him. Eventually, the trio have no other option. They must leave the house to avoid further detection. The boy may not be as malicious as they fear, though. Yet, despite his good and generous intentions, he may lead trouble to the Borrowers, particularly when the nosy maid becomes involved.

Genre: Anime, Movies, Fiction, Fantasy

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: The Cat Returns, Kiki's Delivery Service

Personal Thoughts: I liked the different cultures within the movie. Some viewers find the contrast forced or unsettling, but the blend of Western and Japanese styles enhances the setting of the film. Much of the animation attempts to follow the modern, Western style and, as a result, the art depicting backgrounds, furniture, light, and shadow allow an extreme focus to detail, enhancing the sense of smallness in Arrietty's world. However some aspects, particularly the character movement and eye design, maintain an anime-like appearance, allowing the film to focus on the expressiveness of the characters.

Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.

Plot: Larry's attempts to patent dubious inventions fail to provide steady income. To keep his house and his son's visitation rights, he needs a stable job. The natural history museum's need for a night watchman seems ideal, since it requires no previous experience. His predecessors fail to mention a rather important fact during his training, though. After the museum closes, every exhibit, display, and model comes to life! Larry must adjust to a workplace inhabited by dinosaur skeletons, miniatures, and wax figures. Additionally, some of his allies may not be quite as benign (or hostile) as initially believed.

Genre: Fantasy, Movies, Humor

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: National Treasure, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Personal Thoughts: The movie did not receive very high reviews. That said, I enjoyed it. It relies on some overdone movie staples, such as father-son relationships, slapstick humor, and never giving up. However, it also focuses on a thought that enters any museum guest at some point: what would happen if these were real? 


A sequel, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, reached theaters in 2009.

Coraline

Coraline produced by Universal Studios.

Plot: A claymation rendition of Neil Gaimen's famous novetta. Coraline Jones unhappily moves to a new house with her work-driven parents. While she initially dismisses the Pink Palace as helplessly boring, a bricked door catches her attention. Through her dreams, she discovers another world on the other side of the barricaded door, complete with better neighbors, better gardens, and better, button-eyed occupants. When she suspects the new location is not all it seems, her "Other Mother" reveals a threatening side. After receiving further warnings from the ghosts of the Other Mother's victims, Coraline must face her fears and unravel the web of the beldam.

Genre: Animation, Horror

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: Nightmare Before Christmas, 9, Corpse Bride

Personal Thoughts: Much like the original novel, the movie, while intended for children, can please adults. Also like the original, the movie has moments of intense creepiness that are not suited for every audience. Unlike the original, some of the story elements have changed drastically. The location is no longer England, but Washington. Coraline shares her feelings with Wybie, a know-it-all neighbor, instead of monologuing. Also, the Other Mother's world enjoys Coraline at least four times, while the heroine only visits twice in the novel. Despite the changes, fans of the book will likely enjoy the movie.

Side Note: Beware the hand.

Creature from the Black Lagoon

Creature from the Black Lagoon produced by Universal Studios.


Plot: A trio of biologists/paleontologists/ichthyologists follow attempt to aid colleague after he discovers a bizarre fossil. The fossil, displaying a strange combination of fish and human-like qualities, leads them to a body of water deep in South America. Despite the fears of the locals, the adventurers press on, eventually diving deep into the domain of the gill-man. The monster, considered an example of parallel evolution, slays several of the crewmen, but shows an interest in the female member of the scientists. Eventually, attempts to capture the gill-man succeed. Keeping the gill-man captive, however, proves unsuccessful. Unwilling to give up his prize and eager for revenge, the monster traps the crew. Using all of the team's resources, wit, and courage may provide the only chance for escape.

Genre: Horror, Campy Movies

Reading Level: Rated G, but exercise caution with younger viewers.

Similar Titles: Frankenstien, Dracula, Phantom of the Opera

Personal Thoughts: One of the many influential horror movies from Universal Studios' golden age. Considered novel for its elaborate creature costume, underwater scenes, and sympathetic monster, the film was remarkable for its time. The original film was shot in 3-D, although most modern copies are in the more conventional 2-D format. Eventually, he titular monster provided the inspiration for numerous television shows, video games, and comics. Creature from the Black Lagoon also spawned two sequels: Revenge of the Creature (which is cornier than its predecessor, but still enjoyable) and The Creature Walks Among Us (a very poor film; it was eventually given a parody treatment via Mystery Science Theater 3000). 

How to Train Your Dragon: Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon: Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon presented by DreamWorks.

Plot: Some time after the events of How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup's village rushes to put out a fire at the blacksmith's home. Despite the scoffs of the elders, Gobber insists the fire was deliberately set by the mythical boneknapper dragon. Hiccup manages to convince the other trainees of the village to assist Gobber in his quest to finally destroy the monster. During the group's travels, the blacksmith relates how he first encountered the dragon and the creature's subsequent attempts to destroy him. However, Hiccup questions the cause of the creature's apparent vendetta.

Genre: Animation

Reading Level: Not rated, but the movie it is based on is rated PG

Similar Titles: Secrets of the Furious Five, Your Friend the Rat, Penguins of Madagascar 

Personal Thoughts: The movie was a bonus to the How to Train Your Dragon DVD. The show bounces between the 3D animation of the movie and the 2D animation of tradition. While some find the switch unnerving, it really adds to the separation between the "real" world and the world of Gobber's stories.


Strangely enough, Toothless does not appear in the film (he's very upset, I'm sure).

The Three Musketeers (1993)

The Three Musketeers produced by Disney (1993).

Plot: While the movie makes a reasonable attempt to follow the very good plot by Dumas, it varies. Milady de Winter is a more pitiable victim of the system than evil seductress. Porthos is a world-traveling pirate. The Cardinal remains the antagonist, but slips into deliberate megalomania. Also, the Louis looks like a girl, but he and his older wife love and trust each other anyway. The resulting movie is questionable.

Genre: Action, Three Musketeers, Movie

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: Zorro, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Count of Monte Cristo

Personal Thoughts: The movie is one of those that did overwhelmingly good in the theater but, years later, makes viewers question why they liked it. Once the hype dies down, the merits of the movie have the opportunity to come into focus and, unfortunately, this movie's merits are questionable. To be fair, the cast choice seems mostly reasonable and the music is inspiring. However, the changes from the novel do not add to the story, like a good movie manages. Instead, they trivialize it.

Two particular character changes especially shatter the dimentions offered by a more conventional following of the novel: Milady de Winter and King Louis. The choice to cast King Louis as a feminine man is desquiting. Granted, in the novel he proves he acts more like a boy than a proper king, but why make him so effiminate? It just distracts from the plot and makes the audience cringe instead of feeling sorry for the kid. The second, and more damaging change comes from the change in Milady de Winter. While making a sympathetic villainess is typical for the 90's, it does not serve the movie well. In the novel, de Winter is evil, and really, really good at it. Like the best villains, such as Voldemort, Cruela De Vil, The Joker, and Moriarty, she is a complete pleasure to hate. Readers observe her with morbid fascination as she schemes, succeeds, and succumbs throughout the novel. Yet, in the movie, she flops, figuratively and literally. While she plans on performing infamous acts, the audience is told, rather than shown, what she is capable of. When her history with Athos is revealed, she becomes overly sympathetic. She then promptly jumps off a cliff. So besides making Athos out to be a jerk, her overall influence in the movie is poor. As a result, the villain torch passes to the Cardinal, who proves to be an unlikeable and only moderately convincing antagonist.

Movies can and, occasionally, should vary from the source material. However, when variety comes merely for the sake of change rather than enhancing the audience's experience, it makes the plot, characters, and themes of the movie fall flat (no pun intended).

Treasure Planet

 
Treasure Planet produced by Disney.

Plot: A sci-fi version of the classic swashbuckling tale. Instead of sailing to the island of treasure, the crew take a ship-rocket hybrid. The captain is a cat-woman, the first mate is a talking rock, Ben Gunn is a robot, and a certain cook is a cyborg with an unexpected heart.

Genre: Science Fiction, Treasure Island, Animation, Movies

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Titan A.E.

Personal Thoughts: The movie received mixed reviews. Much of the "original" aspects of the re-telling are gimmicky, such as a spaceship-sailing ship. Also, most of the characters fit into ridged stereotypes. For example, the captain is the tough chick, the doctor is the goofy scholar, and Jim is the troubled teen. The characters fail to surprise or captivate the audience, since they are largely mirrors of other films.

Still, the movie does provide value, especially from a film history perspective. Treasure Planet represents one of the last attempts to mingle science fiction, computer graphics, and traditional animation. Similar titles, such as Titan A.E., tried similar techniques. While the methods proved unpopular, they do reveal a brief, but meaningful, period of experimentation in animation history, when studios tried to combine old animation with new technology while keeping both aspects distinct, rather than interdependent.

Muppet Treasure Island

 Muppet Treasure Island produced by Disney.

Plot: The classic tale of treasure-seekers as told by the muppets. While the main plot follows the original story fairly accurately, the movie takes an appropriate comedic twist. Which is to be expected when the captain is a frog puppet.

Genre: Movies, Treasure Island, Humor

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Title: The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan

Personal Thoughts: The movie combines classic muppet humor, songs, and situations with a work of literature. Generally, it received favorable reviews, although some protest the "childish" version of a classic novel.

The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music. Produced by 20th Century Fox.


Plot: Maria, a carefree nun, unexpectedly finds herself serving as a governess for the von Trap children. The children, hungry for attention for their reclusive father, immediately attempt to drive her away from the manor. However, the perky nun manages to win the favor of the children and their father through the comfort of music. The family gains fame for their vocal performances, but the looming threat of the Nazis rapidly approaches their corner of Austria.

Genre: Musicals, Movies, Nannies

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Mary Poppins, Bednobs and Broomsticks, My Fair Lady

Personal Notes: Many people consider this to be one of the best musicals produced in movie form. However, it is time for brutal honesty. I have only managed to watch this entire movie once. Granted, I am not very fond of musicals to begin with, which probably influences much of my opinion, but the movie just does not have the amount of action to justify over two hours of film. Given the choice, I prefer Bednobs and Broomsticks, which is shorter and faster-paced.

National Treasure

National Treasure produced by Walt Disney Studios.

Plot: For generations, the Gates family has sought a marvelous treasure with only one clue - the secret lies with Charlotte - given to their ancestor. While none ever succeeded, Benjamin Gates finally finds a benefactor willing to back his search. He finds the Charlotte and another clue. Apparently, the next bit of information about the treasure rests on the back of the Declaration of Independence. After a betrayal and escape, Benjamin and a nerdy cohort must unit forces with a document worker to save the Declaration, stop the traitor, and find the evasive treasure.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Movies

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: Night at the Museum, Indiana Jones

Personal Thoughts: Many critics panned the movie for being unrealistic. At the risk of sounding snarky, why did they look for realism in an adventure film? The movie plays on the current popularity of conspiracy theories while embracing national history in a larger than life manner. As such, the movie performs very well, creating what a relative of mine calls "a clean Indiana Jones" suitable for the Forth of July.

A sequel was produced in 2007. While critics hated it, it was a top-grossing film for the year.

Apparently, another film in the series is planned, but its stage of production is not known.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever. Produced by 4 Kids Entertainment. 2009.

Plot: In some way or form, most people have had contact with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The series has spawned several television programs, movies, video games, and comic books. Yet, each incarnation remained independent of the others...until 2009.

The turtles from the original 1987 cartoon inexplicably find themselves in the more "serious" world of the 2003 cartoon. As the eight turtles find themselves foreigners to their own selves, they discover multiple universes of turtles stalked by foes (old and new), allies (old and new), and an unexpected origin.

Genre: Ninjas, Movies

Reading Level: Not Rated, but I think it was labeled as TV Y-7.

Similar Titles: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

Personal Thoughts: While some may argue (justifiably) that the turtles are a bit of a stretch of the "ninja" theme, they provided many childrens' first encounter with the concept of a ninja. As such, this merits inclusion. Anyway...

By all rules, this should not work. The context is geeky, the series are too wide apart, 2003 Splinter's design is wrong, and the original actors are all silenced by the union. Yet, despite the rules, the movie works believably (in a sci-fi kind of way), unexpectedly, and naturally. The characters remain true to their sources and respond to the situation in a characteristic way. However, the story also manages to avoid becoming contrite or predictable. Even the ending, which could easily become sappy, manages to provide a pleasant surprise. Overall, the movie is definitely a must-see for any TMNT fan.