Fantastic Mr. Fox

Late Thanksgiving thurs. I went out excited to see ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ after persuading a friend not to see Twilight: New Moon. I am relieved that I succeeded. Not only did I avoid wasting money seeing the terrible phenom known as Twilight, I manage to see one of the best movies this year.

The story simply is about a retired fox eager to make one last ‘heist’ before old age renders him unable. There is a lot to be said about how clever the dialogue was written. It was very smart, funny, articulate, and a bit quirky.

Fantastic Mr. Fox had so many elements packed into the film to enjoy and appreciate. Strong music, detailed animation or ‘claymation’, dialogue, and excellent voice talent. The film is absolutely humorous, well paced, and visually fun to watch. Wes Anderson has artistically adapted Roald Dahl’s brilliant story into a visual masterpiece that many will enjoy.

I would highly recommend seeing Fantastic Mr. Fox and for the added difficulty of making this genre of film a success I must add half a babble.

Miyazaki’s Ponyo raises the creative standard

This past week, I took my 4 and 6 year old children to go see Ponyo at the dollar theater. Since Scott already reviewed this from an adult Babblers point of view, I will share this from the perspective of my kids. Movies are pretty much ‘hit or miss’ experience for the vulnerable senses of my offspring. Most movies targeted for kids are still too intense or frightening for them. Even most Disney movies are too graphic resulting in a early departure from the theaters and an evening of nightmares. If they are not too scary, they are usually too mature for them and they get bored. Either way, we have not had too much luck lately and haven’t successfully sat through a whole movie in quite sometime.

Ponyo was a refreshing change in the ordinary. It was cute, simple, and very creative. My kids were engaged from the very start and hung on every scene. The relationships easily digestible and relatively healthy. While there was an antagonist, he was just misunderstood and redeemed himself by the end. There are a couple of intense scenes but not out of mal intentions. Visually it was so much more creative then the standard animated ‘McMovie’. Miyazki’s world is vibrant, full of life, and brilliant. My kids couldn’t stop talking about it all night. In fact, their enthusiasm caused me to buy a little Ponyo stuff plushy and a couple of books for them to enjoy.

My only complaint is that it feels a little long. At an hour and 40 minutes, it could have been a little tighter- especiallyt since we went twice this week. In the English version, the voice acting was strong thanks to Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, and Tina Fey. Finally, at a whopping 91% on RottenTomatoes, it deserved every percent.

I hope the East will continue to provide great and creative family movies like Ponyo. It’s no wonder that Disney bought the distribution rights to this one. We don’t buy many movie but this will no doubt make the Christmas list.

I (and my kids) give Ponyo a 4 out of 5 Babbles

Miyazaki’s Ponyo is an anime delight

Seeing as how Johnny’s post on Ponyo has been one of our highest-viewed articles on a daily basis, I felt as though I would be truly missing something special if I didn’t see this movie. Today I finally made my way to the discount theater for one last chance to see Ponyo, the story of a fish-girl who falls in love with a young human boy. Unfortunately, due to an incredibly long line at the concessions stand from which I was forced to purchase my ticket, I missed the first few minutes. I will assume they were equally as good as the remainder of the movie.

(Spoilers Ahead)

Ponyo (pronounced Pahn-yo, not Pone-yo or Pwn-yo) is a Princess goldfish who, while exploring the shallow waters close to a human town, is caught up in a trawler’s net scraping the bottom of the ocean floor. Escaping a wave of refuse, but trapped in a jar, she is rescued by 5-year old Sosuke, who cuts his finger when he shatters her glass prison. Inexplicably, she laps at the blood that has welled up from the small wound, activating her magical powers. Don’t ask; it ruins the magic.

Sosuke places Ponyo in a bucket of water, feeds her, and takes her to his school and to the senior center where his mother works. After a short time, Ponyo comes to love Sosuke (and voices her love out loud!) only moments before her father, a wizard of the waves, a druid of the deep, a sorcerer of the sea, etc, “rescues” his daughter and takes her back to his underwater castle. Ponyo is determined to return to the surface world and find Sosuke, and in doing so, accidentally sets in motion an ecological calamity that places Sosuke’s town almost completely underwater and threatens to destroy the world.

(No more spoilers)

Enough story synopsis. It sounds bizarre, right? Well, it is, a little. But don’t let that stop you from seeing the movie. Ponyo is pure, fantastic imagination brought to life in beautifully hand-drawn animation. There is not a single digitally-rendered frame anywhere on the movie reel, and I “reelly” appreciated it. According to my sources at Wikipedia, director Miyazaki “preferred to draw the sea and waves himself,” giving us an idea of the dedication and passion he had for this film. It is a lovingly crafted film, and it shows. In one particular scene in which Ponyo is literally running across the backs of giant fish/waves, the sense of dynamic motion and unrestrained happiness is unmatched by almost anything I can remember seeing in cinema. It made me feel a sense of unrestrained, joyous freedom, and a longing for something pure.

The movie is not perfect, though. I found myself a little distracted (as I often do) by the English language voiceover artists, who include Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, and Betty White. It’s hard to get into the style of Japanese animation when I am constantly thinking of Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars), Liz Lemon (30 Rock), and Rose from Golden Girls. Cate Blanchett lends her voice as Ponyo’s mother, the Goddess of Mercy, and sounds much like she did as Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. While the dubbing isn’t bad, when it comes to foreign films, I always prefer the original language with subtitles. Without the recognition of the English voice actors, I am able to better focus on the movie’s story and dialogue without any distractions. The music was forgettable, too, and I am unlikely to be happily haunted by it as I was by Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky.

Still, I loved this movie. It avoided cliché scenarios and manufactured drama, and while a little aimless at times, never felt slow. Ponyo is a simple movie, overflowing with innocence and magic, suitable for all ages, and made to appeal especially to young children. I wish I could see it with the eyes of a child. The grownup in me gives it 4 out of 5 Babbles, and the child in me gives it THIS MANY!!!

4/5 Babbles

Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs

Guest BabbleOn reviewer: Travis Wimer

This delicious film tantalizes the theatre taste buds and satisfies the yearning for a good flick. Flint Lockwood is probably the most delusional nerd and probably the most pathetic. As an adult he still prances about like a child pretending to be a scientific genius and is still concocting inventions in his parent’s backyard. One such invention, which isn’t in the book, is a machine that turns water vapor into food. After an experiment gone wrong, Flint accidentally launches his machine high above the town. Soon it begins raining food and he becomes the town hero. From there, the problems begin to mount as citizens start making requests and the machine begins to act a little peculiar.

What makes Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs so enjoyable is that it doesn’t take itself seriously, yet provides the same creative force as Pixar’s Up. The movie could have easily tackled some very serious issues such as famine, global warming, gluttony, and the economic downturn, but chooses to gloss over all those things to simply tell a fun tale about food and finding the courage to be true to one’s self. Of course it is evident the producers had a great story concept, that of food falling from the sky, and tried to cram a character driven story into it. And they do a pretty good job at it. The last part of the movie has just as much suspense and adventure as a high budgeted action film.

The film is stunning in 3D. With plenty of aerial shots and food splattering all over the town, director Chris Miller and Phil Lord took full advantage of their 3D arsenal. Even without 3D the movie is filled with visual delights. At times the background has just as many gags, as the foreground.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs serves up a tasty dessert more so than a succulent steak. And no matter the age, a yummy dessert is always greatly desired now and then.

I give it 4 out of 5 Babbles

Thank you Travis for your BabbleOn contribution!

2009 is the year of the “9″

From District 9, to the upcoming release of the animated 9, and even from the recent re-release of Plan 9 From Outer Space, 09 is certainly the year of the 9’s. The CGI feature 9 produced by Tim Burton stars Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly, John C. Reilly, and Crispin Glover. This post apocalyptic story tells the story of 9, an odd creature in search of others like him. This is a tale of community, survival, and courage. 9 releases this weekend on 9.9.09.

Green Lantern: First Flight Review

I know that I mentioned last week that ‘Babbleon5’ would attend the Comic Con screening of this film, but 4 out of 5 of us will not be there tomorrow to watch the world premiere. Being the dedicated Babbler, I’ve watched the film and am offering my review a whole day early.

‘Green Lantern: First Flight’ was thoroughly enjoyable. DC has always been great at animating their characters into full-length features. ‘Justice League Unlimited’ was an example of a great series that offered exciting action as well as incredible depth in story. I have to say that my knowledge of the Green Lantern is slightly limited. I am familiar with Hal Jordan’s origin and his relationship with his former mentor, Sinestro. And I’ve probably only read one or two graphic novels from this mythos.

First Flight is definitely worth watching. You’ll find that there are quite a few ‘wow’ moments. At times I found myself cheering like I was a little kid again. Seeing either Hal connect a strong punch to the face or something awesome is emitted out of his ring gave reason to punch a fist into the air. This film is very simple, not a lot going on, but I would recommend checking this one out. 3.5 babbles out of 5

Side note: Victor Garber (Sinestro) absolutely shines in his role. I’ve been a long time fan of his work and his performance doesn’t disappoint.

Green Lantern: First Flight

2 years ago, Comic Con premiered DC’s ‘Superman: Doomsday’ Thurs. night before the big weekend and this year it will be showing ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’. Babbleon5 will plan to attend and provide an early review of the film before it’s DVD release the following Tues.

I thought ‘Batman: Gotham Knight’ was incredible and ‘Wonder Woman’ was fairly enjoyable, but I think that I’m most excited about seeing a Green Lantern story.

Watch the Trailer below:

*Leave your comments

No Go Joe?

Yo Joe! No phrase brought more joy as a child to me except maybe the word COBRA! (Or may the Force be with you.) I mean my brother and I have tons of the G.I. Joe toys. Note I said have, because they are still up in the attic. We even bought the comic books and watched the cartoon relighiously. Now, years after my childhood, they are finally making it into a movie titled, G.I. Joe: the Rise of Cobra.

Will It Be G.I. Blow?

 I fear this movie and yet, I am morally obliged to see it. I have to, it is my sworn duty. I watch the movie trailers and I shudder. This movie SHOULD be an instant hit. I mean, how hard is to mess up what is essientally a war flick? Seriously, elite Special Forces take on a sinister terrorist organization. No brainer right? Yet the more I watch the previews and read about it, the more my concern grows. When I was a kid there were two movies I badly wanted to be made. A G.I. Joe movie and Lord of the Rings, fortunately LOR turned out to be really good for the most part, now if they could just get G.I. Joe right.

Apparently the Joes we know and love have been replaced by a super squad that wears a special combat “accelerator” suite that enhances their physical fighting abilities. I don’t like it. It looks cheesy. Why not stick to a good old fashioned dirty dozen style war-action movie? This is nothing like the G.I. Joes we grew up with and loved.

 On a plus side, it does look like France gets hit really hard by Cobra, which should be fun to watch, and the Baroness looks pretty hot as well. I just hope this movie doesn’t have me yelling No Joe! by the end of it.

Miyazaki’s Ponyo

*Edit- A review of ‘PONYO’ from our fellow Babbler: http://babbleon5.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/ponyo-an-anime-delight/

 

Ponyo

From the Academy Award®-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent, including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, FRANKIE JONAS, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN and BETTY WHITE.

I’m really excited that Disney is bringing this film to the states. I originally was going to ‘pirate’ a japanese version to watch since anime films rarely make it to the states. Hayao Miyazaki, famed director in japan has a brilliant track record with anime films. I’ve listed a few below.

Also, watch the new trailer of ‘Ponyo’ and leave your comments below as always.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/ponyo/hd/

Princess Mononoke

(Perhaps my favorite Miyazaki film)

Spirited Away

My Neighbor Totoro