Hakuta Mutata...
what a wonderful phrase!
Hakuta Mutata... ain't not passing craze... it means...
This is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, YouTube's #1 movie review show, I'm your host, Jonathan
Paula.
Tonight's theme is Disney Animation.
To date, there have been 52 feature-length films from, but we'll begin tonight with "Beauty
And The Beast".
LEFT -- Loosely adapted on the 16th century French fairytale, this family musical fantasy
was released to critical and commercial success in November of 1991, eventually grossing $400
million in profit.
Holding the impressive distinction of being the first animated feature to be nominated
for "Best Picture", this 84-minute G-rated adventure was arguably the high-water mark
for the so-called Disney Renaissance, receiving six Oscar nods in total.
Paige O'Hara lends her voice-talents to the lead heroine, Belle, a bookworm in a small
French village who becomes forcibly involved with a cursed Beast living in a rundown Castle
played by Robby Benson.
Littered with a half-dozen memorable, catchy, and expertly animated musical numbers - this
picture is briskly paced as it bounces from scene to scene, introducing an array of goofy,
and enjoyable characters: from Jerry Orbach as Lumiere, the charming Frenchman transformed
into a candelabra, to Richard White as Gaston, your stereotypical Disney villain, an egotistical
hunter determined to marry Belle as a point of personal conquest.
Containing fewer celebrity voices than the usual Disney film, the talent here is still
impeccable and engaging: bringing to life their lines with excitement and honesty...
even if several of them unfortunately use singing-doubles.
Although the genesis for the entire story hinges on what amounts to a petty, and incredibly
unjust punishment...
the "only true love will break the curse" plot is effective, even though it is as old
as time.
A wonderfully simple, and enchanting story for children, that I myself loved as kid - the
story is the weak-point, as it only provides for a cursory glimpse at the romance between
Belle and the Beast.
Understandably, it is short so kids won't get bored, I can't help but feel like another
10 minutes during the second act could have really helped.
Curiously, the "Special Edition" added brand new content, but instead of character development,
it focuses on a whimsical new song.
A climatic ballroom dancing sequence, set to the Academy Award-winning original title-track
is produced with at-the-time revolutionary computer technology resulting in a breathtakingly
beautiful and moving sequence that is the true centerpiece of the entire film.
From the upbeat dances to the intense fight sequences, the overall atmosphere is perhaps
a bit jumbled, but director Gary Trousdale does a fine job of transitioning them well
enough.
This is a feel-good, well-animated story that the entire family can enjoy, even if it never
quite astonishes.
"Beauty And The Beast", a "Beautiful, heartwarming story that delights".
Now let's see what you had to say about this picture in the YouTube comments.
The rate-o-matic now... a NINE and a NINE for "Beauty And The Beast".
You applauded the animation and the music... but held off from the top score for the exact
same reasons I did: Gaston is a one-note villain, and the story is perhaps too simply.
You thought it was AWESOME.
A true Walt Disney classic I enjoyed as much today as I did 20 years ago, I thought it
was AWESOME as well.
Next up, "The Lion King" -- RIGHT
RIGHT -- Released in June of 1994, this musical dramedy remains the highest grossing traditionally
animated film of all time, with close to one billion in proceeds.
The all star cast of familiar voice-talent includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick,
James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Rowan "Mr.
Bean" Atkinson.
But let's not forget Frank Welker...
Hollywood's go-to-guy for animal sound effects, this underappreciated voice-actor has literally
700 film credits on his IMDB page.
The G-rated story follows the life of Simba the anthropomorphic lion cub, who is forced
to abandon his home and family after a tragic event, eventually forced to face his responsibilities,
remembering his father's sage advice, "I'm only brave when I have to be".
During the up-tempo second-act, when Simba ages from kid to adult during a super fun
montage, he becomes friends with care-free Sahara drifters Timon and Pumba: a lovable
and hilarious duo who went on to star in their own video game, and cartoon show: one that
I just happened to watch every morning before school as a kid.
The villains are creepy and dastardly, and do a great job of setting the consequences
for the final battle.
Although the exposition is ridiculous overt, with many of the characters rather bluntly
declaring their motivation and intentions in lieu of actual dialog: the characters and
writing here are largely fun, enjoyable, and layered.
With three of its incredible songs nominated for Academy Awards, the musical numbers that
drive the plot are all exciting, festive, and difficult not to sing along to.
While "Hakuta Mutata" is a personal favorite, Elton John's Oscar-winning "Can You Feel The
Love Tonight" is emotionally moving, and beautifully animated... ramping this picture into a tense
and exciting final act, that is unfortunately a bit rushed.
And honestly the curious pacing in this otherwise splendid 89-minute picture is the only flaw:
particularly a prolonged and drawn-out setup that takes nearly 40 minutes before arriving
at the first major plot-turn.
Respectfully treating the animals like true characters, rather than a means to a joke
- you won't find any goofy props or Flintstone-style gags, where the African landscape is treated
as a weird American society analogy.
Instead, we're left with an inspiring, moving, charming, hilarious, and wonderfully animated
classic that is immensely enjoyable no matter how many times you watch it.
Dealing with complicated themes of betrayal and redemption with ease, "The Lion King",
has "Exciting action, music, and characters."
Now let's see what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
Our scores for "The Lion King" a DOUBLE NINE.
Unanimous praise was given to the songs and music, but overall scores were mixed, resulting
in an AWESOME.
If I had to choose, this is probably my favorite Disney animated picture...
its strong characters, and vibrant animation make it a timeless classic.
But as I'm no longer eight-year-old, I'll have to score it an AWESOME as well.
Now, a quick word from our sponsor.
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Our final Disney Animated film tonight is, "Wreck-It Ralph"
LEFT -- Preceded in theaters by the incredible, Academy-Award winning 7-minute short "Paperman"...
this computer-animated family comedy grossed over 400-million after it was released worldwide
in November of 2012.
Opting to forgo the musical fanfare, this PG adventure revolves around a tumultuous
crisis moment for John C. Reilly, who plays the title character - a villain in a arcade
game (a sort of hybrid of Crazy Climber, Rampage, and Donkey Kong) who decides he doesn't want
to be the bad guy anymore, longing for a more fulfilling existence.
Combining the "toys are alive" element of Toy Story and Night At The Museum, this 108-minute
movie is a fantastic tribute to many of gaming's greatest arcade heroes and villains.
Opening with an engaging opening narration from Reilly, we're introduced to a fun and
inventive world - that expertly blends multiple styles of animation, color pallets, and even
frame rates for each of the individual games that are featured.
The transformative visuals are downright stunning.
Unfortunately, too much time is spent inside the cutesy food-themed "Sugar Rush" game,
leaving loads of untapped opportunities - falling back on far too many food-related jokes and
constructs.
Segments involving Ralph's game, "Fix It Felix Jr.", a large power-strip modeled after Grand
Central Station, or a racing sequence similar to Mario Kart are truly inspired and enjoyable
however.
The zany characters we meet along the way are each as adorable, and entertaining as
the last, from Jack McBrayer as the eagerly polite Felix, who ironically bemoans, "I fix
everything I touch!"
to painfully type-cast Jane Lynch as the gruff-talking Army sergeant from a first-person shooter
game called "Hero's Duty".
The standout performance is Sarah Silverman as an outcast racer... who's unlikely, and
unwilling relationship with Ralph is truly enjoyable to watch unfold through a series
of quickly edited, and brilliantly animated montages.
Although perky and hostile, Silverman is never annoying, instead contributing one of the
funniest moments in the movie when she riffs on the aforementioned "Hero's Duty" - forcing
Ralph to listen to a string of crude poop jokes in succession.
The voice-acting from the entire recognizable cast, that also includes Ed O'Neill, Dennis
Haysbert, and Alan Tudyk are peppy and believable.
Perfectly capturing the essence and nostalgia of arcade gaming, this decently paced film
balances just the right about of charm, wit, and sophistication, without taking itself
too seriously - resulting in a truly rewarding experience for all gamers.
We can only hope this marks the start of another Disney Renaissance.
"Wreck-It Ralph", "Lovable characters in fantastic environments."
- Now lets read some of your reviews for this movie in the YouTube comments.
"Wreck-It Ralph"... gets a NINE and a NINE from us.
Well, after last week's Oscar special, where we disagreed on everything, it seems this
week we're completely in-tune.
You loved the animation, and dozens of video game references, you thought this film was
AWESOME.
This was a modern-day adventure for the 21st-century, presented with Disney's familiar trademark
style...
I thought it was AWESOME as well.
Finally tonight, a look at what's currently playing in theaters with some of your Tweet
critiques.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag to have
it featured on the show.
Next week, we won't be in Kansas anymore, as we review the iconic "The Wizard Of Oz"
from 1939, and the brand new, "The Great And Powerful Oz" which opens nationwide on March
8th.
Let me know what you think about these movies by voting in the polls below, or by leaving
a comment review.
And please subscribe to the Movie Night Archive channel for my exclusive trailer commentaries,
and an organized library of all our past reviews.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula - thank you for watching Movie Night, I hope to see
you, right back here for the next Friday!