Showing posts with label Don Lake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Don Lake. Show all posts

March 6, 2016

Zootopia.


Review #782: Zootopia.

Cast
Ginnifer Goodwin (Officer Judy Hopps), Jason Bateman (Nick Wilde), Idris Elba (Chief Bogo), J.K. Simmons (Leodore Lionheart), Tommy Chong (Yax), Octavia Spencer (Mrs. Otterton), Jenny Slate (Dawn Bellwether), Shakira (Gazelle), Nate Torrence (Officer Benjamin Clawhauser), Bonnie Hunt (Bonnie Hopps), Don Lake (Stu Hopps), Alan Tudyk (Duke Weaselton), Mark Smith (Officer McHorn), Raymond S. Persi (Flash), and Maurice LaMarche (Mr. Big) Directed by Byron Howard, Rich Moore (#386 - Wreck it Ralph) and Jared Bush.

Review
Honestly, the movie exceeded my expectations. And it only makes sense that it comes from a movie ultimately all about how we perceive types of people...and the fact that it came at a time like this with regards to prejudice and stereotypes. It's not merely a buddy film, or a movie just with animals in a city, or even just a silly comedy, it's a clever movie on many levels that could appeal to anyone. Of course it helps the cast is enjoyable as well. Goodwin and Bateman have good chemistry together, being enjoyable to watch not just exchanging remarks, but actually in solving the case. The rest of the cast is also pretty enjoyable, making these characters (and animals) stand out. It's also a wonderfully animated movie, especially with shots of the city, but also the look of the animals. It's a movie that also doesn't hesitate to take risks with plot and characters, and it always kept me interested in what would go on next. The way the movie talks about prejudice and stereotyping is also well done, being neither over done nor underplayed, being utilized neatly. More importantly, this is a movie that works for both kids and adults, being a movie full of creativity and enjoyment that anyone can like.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

May 11, 2013

Movie Night: Short Circuit 2.



Review #376: Short Circuit 2.

Cast
Tim Blaney (Johnny 5), Fisher Stevens (Ben Jahrvi), Michael McKean (Fred Ritter), Cynthia Gibb (Sandy Banatoni), Jack Weston (Oscar Baldwin), David Hemblen (Jones), and Don Lake (Manic Mike) Directed by Kenneth Johnson.

Review
Well, what do you know, I'm reviewing another sequel to a film long ago here, 288 reviews ago and 473 days to be exact, which was (#088) Short Circuit. It had some creativity, and while it didn't exactly make me laugh a lot or really be any good, it had a spark of entertainment, for all its weirdness. And so, once again, the qeustion is asked is does this film live up to the first one? Eh...yea. Johnny 5 is allright, once again having some decent lines as...a person robot? Made weirder by the fact he is actually declared a citizen at the end, I'm not kidding. Fisher Stevens is back once again, in a way promoted from sidekick to Steve Guttenburg to mostly-main character. Guttenburg and Sheedy from the first film don't appear (though it is explained they are in Montana. Okay?), and the depth (or there little of) is replaced with...comedy. Strangely enough, the film has a revenge sub plot and even tries to be tear-inducing at one point. In the end, the film isn't horrible, it's just...okay.

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Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.