The story and look is a bit more traditional Disney than it is Pixar. Which immediately is not the greatest impression I could get. But some details seem promising, for example lookit the screenshot. I like that the her hair looks more hand-drawn than it looks rendered. It adds a bit of the abstraction I'm missing in the trailer otherwise.
Ah yes, lack of abstraction, that's what felt weak to me. And of course, I'm not crazy about pre-industrial stories or fantasy in general, paradoxically most of it seems to lack the very imagination which the genre by definition allows so much of.
And there's rumors that the next-next Pixar movie will be quite abstract, taking place in a girl's mind with personified emotions, sounds interesting.
I have read that when Pixar was little and unproven, they had to resist a lot of pressure from Disney to make Toy Story a musical. For one, I'm happy they did!
Not that I dislike Disney, I usually enjoy their films. For example Hercules and The Emperor's New Grove are very funny (and lovably abstract, especially the latter), good, and seminal.
Update:
Alex mentioned ParaNorman. That looks like fun. And the light in it is beautiful, see for example the short clips neat the beginning of the trailer, of the sunrise-lit street and the hero seen through a window. It seems to be a stop-motion movie, I wonder how they make such beautiful lighting.
Not that I dislike Disney, I usually enjoy their films. For example Hercules and The Emperor's New Grove are very funny (and lovably abstract, especially the latter), good, and seminal.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get a real laugh at your unintentionally funny comments. You blather on pretentiously about lack of imagination, but then list two real by-the-numbers, unimaginative Disney blecch-fests. Btw, avoid the use of criticspeak words like "seminal."
Brave seems to have an excellent cast. I hope the rest of it lives up to that.
ReplyDeleteSince you're talking animation, what's your take on ParaNorman
Thanks, that looks quite promising. Clearly mainly aimed at kids, but that never stopped the best from being good for all (Pixar), and I always loved monster stories.
ReplyDeleteCoraline was good, very good, first the book then the movie.
It's interesting seeing films big screen, seeing what trailers they put alongside the main feature. Since I was seeing Hugo 3-D they gave us ad's for Titanic 3-D, ParaNorman and Pirates. There must have been something else, but it was totally forgettable. I'm surprised they didn't also advertise Arietty, I just missed seeing it in Asia last year, and it's only just coming out over here in February.
ReplyDeleteAndy Ihnatko was delirious about Hugo in 3D, he said that it was one of the few movies where the 3D was not just effects, but a basic of the storytelling.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the latest thing is, you people are into it.
ReplyDelete