All films available on DVD and Blu Ray -
"Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2" – Might just be the animated sequel of 2013 that no one really wanted- even the kiddos. The 2009 original was a surprise hit- it was a fun, if a little gross, diversion that made full use of it’s premise and moved fairly briskly. This follow-up is some kind of strange rip-off of "The Lost World: Jurassic Park", complete with food-animal hybrids running amok on the remnants of Swallow Falls Island. The "Cheespider", "Tacodile Supreme" and "Shrimpanzee's" are pretty cool, though the lame strawberry with eyes, "Barry" (how original), reeks of a marketing ploy.
It's colorful enough and conveys a wholesome message, though I wasn't particularly enamored with the animation effects. It’s not awful, it just appears (relatively) cheap and I just can’t think of a reason to ever watch it again. This is a franchise that overshot with the first entry but seems to have appropriately ended here.
Terry Crews replaces Mr. T as the voice of Swallow Falls policeman, "Earl Devereaux"- apparently Mr. T declined to reprise the role from the original film and I can't imagine why...
7.0 out of 10
Director: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn
Vocal Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Will Forte, Andy Samberg, Benjamin Bratt, Neil Patrick Harris, Terry Crews and Kristen Schaal
Run-Time: 95 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for mild rude humor
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"The Croods" – This story of a family of pre-historic cave dwellers displaced from their shuttered in abode (and lifestyle) and reluctantly forced to experience the outside world is absolutely gorgeous to look at, with the sharpest, most detailed and vibrant animation of 2013- a bit of a letdown that the 3rd act bogs down in tired formula trappings. It’s still very much worthwhile, though should play best on the largest available screens. It seems a sequel is indeed in the works.
8.0 out of 10
Director: Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders
Vocal Cast: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman and Clark Duke
Run-Time: 98 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for some scary action
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"Despicable Me 2" – Filled with legitimately funny moments and super-cool action sequences, the further misadventures of the world’s greatest super-villain turned good is my pick for the best animated film of 2013. It just may be a better, more confident release than it's 2010 predecessor, and the behind the scenes fun of the vocal talent and filmmakers bleeds through. The minions (once again) steal the show, of course.
A 3rd entry to this franchise drops in 2017, and I look forward to it.
9.0 out of 10
Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
Vocal Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias, Nasim Pedrad and Kristen Schaal
Run-Time: 98 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for rude humor and mild action
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"Epic" – This modern-day adventure tale of a teenaged girl who is magically "down-sized" and thrust into the middle of a war between the diminutive, forest-dwelling forces of good and evil is surprisingly entertaining. I enjoyed the visual design and the slightly-edgier action sequences, though the narrative seems a bit too short and slightly unrealized (a direct conflict with its title) for its own good. I just wish I had checked it out in a theater in 3D, because the animation is often of a commendably darker, more serious nature and the added dimensional viewing gimmick seems as if it was utilized well here- not simply as an afterthought. Lackluster box-office means a sequel is unlikely.
Give it a chance.
8.5 out of 10
Director: Chris Wedge
Vocal Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell, Christoph Waltz, Beyonce Knowles, Aziz Ansari, Chris O'Dowd, Pitbull, Jason Sudeikis, Steven Tyler and Troy Evans
Run-Time: 102 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for mild action, some scary images and brief rude language
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"Frozen" – By no means a bad film (little girls will LOVE it!), though I have the utmost confidence in labeling it the most overrated and over-praised animated film of the last 10 years. It’s paint-by-numbers, expertly manufactured material featuring dusted-off stock characters and a “seen this a hundred times over” storyline that is glossed over and jazzed up with some admittedly sharp and aesthetically-pleasing effects work. I didn't even consider the songs all that special... especially that hugely popular tune belted out by Adele Dazeem...
I don’t need everything explained to me in a narrative and often appreciate the “just because” approach, but the lack of depth and explanation involving characters and situations in this release is hilarious and reeks of laziness. How did our protagonist attain her “powers”? And what the hell was with the forest trolls? Why were they relevant or even necessary? Kind of important stuff.
I’ll give Frozen a “B” for its animation effects, commendable messages and themes, a very cool snow monster and an 11th hour unexpected turn of events. The mere involvement of Kristen Bell is worth at least one full point. Yes, the vast majority of the mega-budgeted animated films released year-in, year-out are derivative in some manner or fashion, I just believe this particular release was just more obvious than most. The snowman tag-a-long thingy was super annoying and reeked of obligation (because every Disney feature DEMANDS a fuzzy, cuddly whatsit!).
Frozen is essentially a follow-up to 2010's Tangled (keep a lookout for an early cameo from "Rapunzel" and "Flynn"), which I heartily believe is a superior effort and film. The box office intake (not including DVD and Blu Ray sales) for this particular film has crossed $1.2 billion as of this posting, which means Disney will surely abide by the formula in it's understandable endeavor to follow it up with a direct sequel. I'll be sure to skip that. Now, before y’all go piling on me, all I have left to say is this- Let it go.
8.0 out of 10
Director: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Vocal Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk, Ciaran Hinds, Robert Pine, Livvy Stubenrauch and Eva Bella
Run-Time: 102 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor
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"Monsters University" – This long-delayed follow-up, in the form of a college-set prequel, to 2001's Monsters, Inc., delivers on pretty much all fronts- it has its share of laughs, innovation, heart and inspired moments. That said, I do believe there may not be much more story to tell concerning the exploits of legendary “Scarers” Mike and Sulley. A $743 million worldwide haul means audiences can surely expect a third entry, though.
Highly Recommended.
8.5 out of 10
Director: Dan Scanlon
Vocal Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Peter Sohn, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Charlie Day, Alfred Molina, Tyler Labine, Nathan Fillion, Aubrey Plaza, Julia Sweeney, Bonnie Hunt, John Krasinski, Bill Hader, Beth Behrs and John Ratzenberger
Run-Time: 104 minutes
MPAA: Rated G
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