(no subject)
So I saw Brother Bear 2 today and... well, it's not the WORST Disney sequel ever, but it's not all that great, either.
The basic plot: Kenai's childhood friend Nita has to destroy an amulet that Kenai gave her, in order to break the bond between them so that the spirits will allow her to marry another man. Of course, Kenai has to go with her to do it...
The art: Yeah, this is what I look at first in animated movies. Shaddup. Anyways, it was pretty good for a DTV sequel, but it really just didn't inspire me like the art in the original. The original film's art had me in awe, and I fell in love with the background artwork for its vivid portrayals of the landscape. And while the art in this one wasn't bad, it just was lacking something I can't describe. The animation itself wasn't bad, but Kenai struck me as rather off-model - he looked kinda skinny and gangly to me compared to his original look.
The story: In a word? Predictable. Very, very predictable. And the first half hour or so was really boring to me. It wasn't until the end when it really felt like the plot got moving. That being said, I think some of the dialogue was nicely done. Rutt and Tuke had some great lines. One thing that really made me shudder, though, was the portrayal of some of the humans in the village. Nita's aunts and the shaman, in particular, were so cartoon-y and caricatured that they really felt out of place and rather embarrassing. Seriously, point me at an ice age shaman who talks like they just walked out of a ghetto, and I'll rescind that comment.
The voice talent: Most of the original cast was back in their respective roles... the most notable exception being Patrick Dempsey replacing Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai. And it's a GLARING exception. Patrick Dempsey isn't even a decent sound-alike. And he really just doesn't deliver things the same way that Joaquin did - and I mean that in a bad, character-breaking way. Kenai just didn't seem to have the same attitude, and it's not in what he said, but how he said it. Surprisingly, I kinda liked Mandy Moore as Nita. I thought she did a good job. I already mentioned my dislike for the casting/writing of the aunts and the shaman, so you know how I feel about that.
The music: Pretty in its own right... but not right for this film. Country music is just not a good fit. Now, I'm of the mind that Phil Collins wasn't necessarily the right choice for the first film, either, but I think he made it work in context by including instruments that were more culturally-appropriate and giving it a bit more fitting sound. This one has music by Melissa Etheridge, but there is no attempt made to "theme" the music. As a result, it just didn't blend all that well.
Overall: Unless you're a big Brother Bear fan or one of those folks who has to see all the Disney films, skip it. Really not worth it in the end. For those who do want to see it, I suggest renting.
Music meme yoinked from world_president:
Ask for a letter, then find five random songs starting with that letter and post them. Give anyone who asks a letter of their own.
world_president gave me 'R'... and these aren't so random, 'cause I'm looking through my own audio collection. Whatever. :P All uploaded to SendSpace!
Remember When - LeAnn Rimes Whether you look at is as a Disney song or not (I'd imagine some people wouldn't even realize that's what it is), it's just plain pretty and inspirational. Lyrics in the DL rambling below! (This is also where my journal title comes from)
Remember... Dreams Come True - Disneyland This one's a long one! But it's the most mind-blowingly amazing fireworks show ever produced. A year and a half after its debut, I'm still in awe of it. You can't go wrong with a show that quotes "Permanecer sentados, por favor!"
Remember the Magic - Brian McKnight Last Disney song, I swear. The theme from Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary, and one of the most gorgeous Disney theme park songs ever written.
Rent - Original Broadway Cast Come on. It's just catchy! :D (This is the stage version, not the movie version)
Ready to Fly - Richard Marx I first heard this one when someone used it in an SGA vid awhile back, and I've been in love with it ever since.
My Disneyland pass expires on Saturday, and saying goodbye to it is so hard. I feel blessed to have had three amazing years of getting to go a few times a month. But like a crack addict who's suddenly without a supply, leaving it suddenly is hitting me hard. I had a great time on Saturday with a couple other VFers - got one last margarita, a ride in the front car on Screamin', and yes, one last attention-whoring Fantasmic dance on Tom Sawyer Island (this time getting shouts of "will this be on the internet?!" and cheering from passers-by on the Mark Twain, and a copycat that we spotted from the Gallery balcony about an hour later). It really made me think about all the awesome memories I've had there...
-Getting picked to be a guest in Parade of the Stars and dancing my way down Main Street in a frilly tutu.
-Spending my 21st birthday there, and getting my first legal drink at DCA. Let it be known that beer + Screamin' + Maliboomer = BAD. I did, however, get a rockin' shout-out from the college-aged CM at Maliboomer, who used the ride's PA system to get everyone egging me on to go out and party hard. ;)
-Shouting matches with the pirates going by on the Columbia during Fantasmic
-Riding in the wheel house on the Mark Twain, getting to ring the bell and blow the horn, sign the guestbook, and get a pilot's certificate.
-Starting the Wave in the Hyperion Theater when the Aladdin show stopped mid-show due to audio problems... and then having Genie crack jokes about it when the show got going again.
-Dancing to the Electrical Parade music the whole way back to the DCA entrance with the SeaWorld crew!
-Character dinner at Ariel's Grotto with loser!Mickey and drunkard!Max. Best. Character. Dinner. Ever.
-Character dinner at Ariel's Grotto with seven characters (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Max, Goofy, Donald, and Stitch) and being only one of TWO tables in the entire restaurant. When someone in our group (another former WDW fuzzy) informed Pluto that I used to be Pluto's "best friend" in Florida, Pluto ran off and came back a minute later with candy canes for me (this was a couple of weeks before Christmas) and took lots of photos with me. ;) We also later got Mickey to go out on the back deck and we had a big, private photo session with him with Paradise Pier lit up at night as our background.
-10,000 people on Main Street/Hub shouting in unison "This chamber has no windows, and no doors!" during the May 5 premiere of Remember...Dreams Come True.
-July 17th. How cool was THAT? Getting there at 10:30 the night before, camping out all night in DCA with 14,000 of my closest friends, proudly wearing the special free "July 17" gold mouse ears, spending the entire night in line playing Disney Scene-It without a DVD player, watching the sun come up over the Hyperion Theater, walking across the esplanade to Disneyland along a path lined by CMs cheering and applauding us and calling out "welcome home!", walking down Main Street in the exact same manner and the CMs making us feel like celebrities, seeing Walt Disney's own daughter recite his opening day words, thousands of fans singing happy birthday to Disneyland, being surrounded by the most friendly crowd of people I've ever seen in the park, watching the video Walt's dedication speech exactly 50 years to the minute since he'd first spoken the words and the following music video that touched me to the point where tears were streaming down my face (as were many people around me)... the recognition that 50 years later, Walt's dream still stood in all its glory. The most memorable, joyous day at Disneyland. EVER. (I found this video online of the dedication speech/music video... it's not perfect, but it's watchable. There's a short chunk missing where it was clearly two time-limited digital camera clips patched together, though. If anyone EVER finds that full video - NOT the May 5th Leann Rimes one - in master quality, I NEED IT)
I spent the drive home the other night trying to decide why that place holds such a draw for me. And I came to the conclusion that it's because no matter what is going on in my life, I know that I can go there as an escape. Once I step through the gates, I'm free to play, to enjoy myself, to be lost in the magic. I can go to the Animation Building in DCA and lay on one of the benches in the main hall and just draw, being surrounded by and inspired by the Disney art that really got me interested in drawing in the first place, and fueled a life-long passion. I can go to Tom Sawyer Island and climb around in the caves like I'm six years old again. And hey, I can hug Mickey Mouse. And through all of that, life's stresses are forgotten, and the outside world melts away. That is the magic of Disneyland.
And I think that brings up for me the idea of Walt's Dream. Walt Disney was the quintessential dreamer. And not only was he imaginitive, he had the drive to see his ideas through. When he dreamed of producing a feature-length animated film, the industry turned up its nose at the idea, thinking that an animated film could never compete with live action. But Walt pressed on, and the rest is history. Walt dreamed up a big theme park that entire families could enjoy together. Themed, tidy, and state of the art... and his dream was labelled "Walt's folly." He had trouble getting the banks to finance it. So what did he do? He created a TV show about it that would not only finance the project, but promote it to the public as well. "Disneyland" was a hit, and brought us classics like Davy Crockett, and has changed through the years but still is on the air today in the form of the "Wonderful World of Disney." Walt had the park built in exactly a year... and we all know what a failure Disneyland was. ;) Whenever there was something that they didn't know how to do... Walt and his team dreamed up the technology. From the multiplane camera to the audio animatronic, new technologies made his entertainment all the more captivating. Walt dreamed big... but he achieved big, too. It was not without hard work and sacrifice. I think most of all, it's his story, his drive, his imagination that inspires me. For that, he will always be my hero. Always.
Regulars to Disneyland know the story of this window, but I'll recount it here for those who don't know. On Main Street, just above the fire station, there is a window with a lamp in it. That window is Walt's private apartment in the park, where he often stayed. Whenever he was in his apartment, the light inside was lit. Park employees (known as "cast members," as the whole park is a show) knew that they had to be on their toes. To this day, the light in the window remains lit day and night, as a reminder of Walt's presence in the park, and of his dream. May it never be extinguished.
Do you remember your imagination?
When Neverland was your destination?
Your magical adventure isn't over yet
Just hold on tight and don't forget
Every wish
Every dream you ever had
Close your eyes
And it will all come rushing back
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
You never know where your dreams might take you
So keep them safe and sound don't let reality wake you
Feel your sweetest memories come and carry you away
Just get lost in yesterday
Every wish
Every dream you ever had
Just close your eyes
And it will all come rushing back
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
Surrender to the innocence
You thought you'd left behind
And release the child who lives inside
Every wish
Every dream you ever had
Just close your eyes
And it will all come rushing back
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
Every wish, every dream
Remember when...
The basic plot: Kenai's childhood friend Nita has to destroy an amulet that Kenai gave her, in order to break the bond between them so that the spirits will allow her to marry another man. Of course, Kenai has to go with her to do it...
The art: Yeah, this is what I look at first in animated movies. Shaddup. Anyways, it was pretty good for a DTV sequel, but it really just didn't inspire me like the art in the original. The original film's art had me in awe, and I fell in love with the background artwork for its vivid portrayals of the landscape. And while the art in this one wasn't bad, it just was lacking something I can't describe. The animation itself wasn't bad, but Kenai struck me as rather off-model - he looked kinda skinny and gangly to me compared to his original look.
The story: In a word? Predictable. Very, very predictable. And the first half hour or so was really boring to me. It wasn't until the end when it really felt like the plot got moving. That being said, I think some of the dialogue was nicely done. Rutt and Tuke had some great lines. One thing that really made me shudder, though, was the portrayal of some of the humans in the village. Nita's aunts and the shaman, in particular, were so cartoon-y and caricatured that they really felt out of place and rather embarrassing. Seriously, point me at an ice age shaman who talks like they just walked out of a ghetto, and I'll rescind that comment.
The voice talent: Most of the original cast was back in their respective roles... the most notable exception being Patrick Dempsey replacing Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai. And it's a GLARING exception. Patrick Dempsey isn't even a decent sound-alike. And he really just doesn't deliver things the same way that Joaquin did - and I mean that in a bad, character-breaking way. Kenai just didn't seem to have the same attitude, and it's not in what he said, but how he said it. Surprisingly, I kinda liked Mandy Moore as Nita. I thought she did a good job. I already mentioned my dislike for the casting/writing of the aunts and the shaman, so you know how I feel about that.
The music: Pretty in its own right... but not right for this film. Country music is just not a good fit. Now, I'm of the mind that Phil Collins wasn't necessarily the right choice for the first film, either, but I think he made it work in context by including instruments that were more culturally-appropriate and giving it a bit more fitting sound. This one has music by Melissa Etheridge, but there is no attempt made to "theme" the music. As a result, it just didn't blend all that well.
Overall: Unless you're a big Brother Bear fan or one of those folks who has to see all the Disney films, skip it. Really not worth it in the end. For those who do want to see it, I suggest renting.
Music meme yoinked from world_president:
Ask for a letter, then find five random songs starting with that letter and post them. Give anyone who asks a letter of their own.
world_president gave me 'R'... and these aren't so random, 'cause I'm looking through my own audio collection. Whatever. :P All uploaded to SendSpace!
Remember When - LeAnn Rimes Whether you look at is as a Disney song or not (I'd imagine some people wouldn't even realize that's what it is), it's just plain pretty and inspirational. Lyrics in the DL rambling below! (This is also where my journal title comes from)
Remember... Dreams Come True - Disneyland This one's a long one! But it's the most mind-blowingly amazing fireworks show ever produced. A year and a half after its debut, I'm still in awe of it. You can't go wrong with a show that quotes "Permanecer sentados, por favor!"
Remember the Magic - Brian McKnight Last Disney song, I swear. The theme from Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary, and one of the most gorgeous Disney theme park songs ever written.
Rent - Original Broadway Cast Come on. It's just catchy! :D (This is the stage version, not the movie version)
Ready to Fly - Richard Marx I first heard this one when someone used it in an SGA vid awhile back, and I've been in love with it ever since.
My Disneyland pass expires on Saturday, and saying goodbye to it is so hard. I feel blessed to have had three amazing years of getting to go a few times a month. But like a crack addict who's suddenly without a supply, leaving it suddenly is hitting me hard. I had a great time on Saturday with a couple other VFers - got one last margarita, a ride in the front car on Screamin', and yes, one last attention-whoring Fantasmic dance on Tom Sawyer Island (this time getting shouts of "will this be on the internet?!" and cheering from passers-by on the Mark Twain, and a copycat that we spotted from the Gallery balcony about an hour later). It really made me think about all the awesome memories I've had there...
-Getting picked to be a guest in Parade of the Stars and dancing my way down Main Street in a frilly tutu.
-Spending my 21st birthday there, and getting my first legal drink at DCA. Let it be known that beer + Screamin' + Maliboomer = BAD. I did, however, get a rockin' shout-out from the college-aged CM at Maliboomer, who used the ride's PA system to get everyone egging me on to go out and party hard. ;)
-Shouting matches with the pirates going by on the Columbia during Fantasmic
-Riding in the wheel house on the Mark Twain, getting to ring the bell and blow the horn, sign the guestbook, and get a pilot's certificate.
-Starting the Wave in the Hyperion Theater when the Aladdin show stopped mid-show due to audio problems... and then having Genie crack jokes about it when the show got going again.
-Dancing to the Electrical Parade music the whole way back to the DCA entrance with the SeaWorld crew!
-Character dinner at Ariel's Grotto with loser!Mickey and drunkard!Max. Best. Character. Dinner. Ever.
-Character dinner at Ariel's Grotto with seven characters (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Max, Goofy, Donald, and Stitch) and being only one of TWO tables in the entire restaurant. When someone in our group (another former WDW fuzzy) informed Pluto that I used to be Pluto's "best friend" in Florida, Pluto ran off and came back a minute later with candy canes for me (this was a couple of weeks before Christmas) and took lots of photos with me. ;) We also later got Mickey to go out on the back deck and we had a big, private photo session with him with Paradise Pier lit up at night as our background.
-10,000 people on Main Street/Hub shouting in unison "This chamber has no windows, and no doors!" during the May 5 premiere of Remember...Dreams Come True.
-July 17th. How cool was THAT? Getting there at 10:30 the night before, camping out all night in DCA with 14,000 of my closest friends, proudly wearing the special free "July 17" gold mouse ears, spending the entire night in line playing Disney Scene-It without a DVD player, watching the sun come up over the Hyperion Theater, walking across the esplanade to Disneyland along a path lined by CMs cheering and applauding us and calling out "welcome home!", walking down Main Street in the exact same manner and the CMs making us feel like celebrities, seeing Walt Disney's own daughter recite his opening day words, thousands of fans singing happy birthday to Disneyland, being surrounded by the most friendly crowd of people I've ever seen in the park, watching the video Walt's dedication speech exactly 50 years to the minute since he'd first spoken the words and the following music video that touched me to the point where tears were streaming down my face (as were many people around me)... the recognition that 50 years later, Walt's dream still stood in all its glory. The most memorable, joyous day at Disneyland. EVER. (I found this video online of the dedication speech/music video... it's not perfect, but it's watchable. There's a short chunk missing where it was clearly two time-limited digital camera clips patched together, though. If anyone EVER finds that full video - NOT the May 5th Leann Rimes one - in master quality, I NEED IT)
I spent the drive home the other night trying to decide why that place holds such a draw for me. And I came to the conclusion that it's because no matter what is going on in my life, I know that I can go there as an escape. Once I step through the gates, I'm free to play, to enjoy myself, to be lost in the magic. I can go to the Animation Building in DCA and lay on one of the benches in the main hall and just draw, being surrounded by and inspired by the Disney art that really got me interested in drawing in the first place, and fueled a life-long passion. I can go to Tom Sawyer Island and climb around in the caves like I'm six years old again. And hey, I can hug Mickey Mouse. And through all of that, life's stresses are forgotten, and the outside world melts away. That is the magic of Disneyland.
And I think that brings up for me the idea of Walt's Dream. Walt Disney was the quintessential dreamer. And not only was he imaginitive, he had the drive to see his ideas through. When he dreamed of producing a feature-length animated film, the industry turned up its nose at the idea, thinking that an animated film could never compete with live action. But Walt pressed on, and the rest is history. Walt dreamed up a big theme park that entire families could enjoy together. Themed, tidy, and state of the art... and his dream was labelled "Walt's folly." He had trouble getting the banks to finance it. So what did he do? He created a TV show about it that would not only finance the project, but promote it to the public as well. "Disneyland" was a hit, and brought us classics like Davy Crockett, and has changed through the years but still is on the air today in the form of the "Wonderful World of Disney." Walt had the park built in exactly a year... and we all know what a failure Disneyland was. ;) Whenever there was something that they didn't know how to do... Walt and his team dreamed up the technology. From the multiplane camera to the audio animatronic, new technologies made his entertainment all the more captivating. Walt dreamed big... but he achieved big, too. It was not without hard work and sacrifice. I think most of all, it's his story, his drive, his imagination that inspires me. For that, he will always be my hero. Always.
Regulars to Disneyland know the story of this window, but I'll recount it here for those who don't know. On Main Street, just above the fire station, there is a window with a lamp in it. That window is Walt's private apartment in the park, where he often stayed. Whenever he was in his apartment, the light inside was lit. Park employees (known as "cast members," as the whole park is a show) knew that they had to be on their toes. To this day, the light in the window remains lit day and night, as a reminder of Walt's presence in the park, and of his dream. May it never be extinguished.
Do you remember your imagination?
When Neverland was your destination?
Your magical adventure isn't over yet
Just hold on tight and don't forget
Every wish
Every dream you ever had
Close your eyes
And it will all come rushing back
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
You never know where your dreams might take you
So keep them safe and sound don't let reality wake you
Feel your sweetest memories come and carry you away
Just get lost in yesterday
Every wish
Every dream you ever had
Just close your eyes
And it will all come rushing back
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
Surrender to the innocence
You thought you'd left behind
And release the child who lives inside
Every wish
Every dream you ever had
Just close your eyes
And it will all come rushing back
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
Fly away
All you need is to believe
And remember when
Every wish, every dream
Remember when...