film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

Author: Megan Williams

  • Monsters Inc. – Disney+ Talk

    Monsters Inc. – Disney+ Talk

    With the original Disney+ show ‘Monsters At Work’ coming to the streaming service on the 7th July, I thought it would be a nice idea to revisit the original Pixar animated classic. ‘Monsters Inc.’ was a film that I remember seeing with my family and loved it at the time of release. Not only was it a unique and fantastic film, but it was also a technological achievement for the animation studio, when it came to creating realistic fur. But this is a film that I haven’t watched in a long time, so I wonder if it has stood the test of time?

    ‘Monsters Inc’ follows James. P. Sullivan, or Sully for short (John Goodman – Kong Skull Island, 10 Cloverfield), and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal – When Harry Met Sally) as scarers at the titular company. In the world of monsters, children screams are the energy source for their city. However, when a human child named Boo accidentally wanders into their world, it’s up to Sully and Mike to get Boo back into her world.

    Despite the film being ten years old, it’s still a classic. While it has aged a little, specifically in close up shots, the animation still looks fantastic. The detailing in the fur, like on Sully’s body, is great but the various textures of the monsters are all different and are of the same visual quality. Whether this is fur or scales, this film proves that Pixar knew what they were doing in terms of improving their animation skills. It also demonstrated that, with each new film, they were learning to animate a new environment or detail and achieving that goal with outstanding results.

    And it isn’t just the animation that’s fantastic; the cast is also perfect. There isn’t a bad voice performance featured, and Billy Crystal and John Goodman worked beautifully as Mike and Sully. While they are an odd casting choice, the two leads have amazing chemistry with each other, which is essential for making the audience believe that Mike and Sully have known each other for years. But their friendship with the human child Boo is what makes this film even more special. The leads’ development, from thinking that human children are toxic, to learning to accept and befriend Boo is sweet and heart-warming. But the film does have a villain in the form of the lizard-like Randall Boggs. Voiced by Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams), Randall is a cunning creature, rival to Sully and has one goal in mind: to beat the company’s scare record and become the best scarer. Buscemi’s performance here is also fantastic (also personal confession: Randall was my favourite character in the film. While other children owned Sully Toys, I had a Randall toy that I still own).

    ‘Monsters Inc.’ still earns the title of a Pixar classic. Turning the ‘monsters in the closet’ concept on its head, as well as being a commentary on company corruption and how far it would go to stay afloat, this film is still enjoyable. The animation is amazing, even a decade later, and demonstrated that Pixar were constantly improving upon their animation skills. The voice cast is great and is perfect for the film and the story it’s telling. If, for some reason, you have not seen ‘Monsters Inc’, then add this to your Disney+ watchlist.

    Happy 10th Birthday ‘Monsters Inc.’! 

  • Cinderella 3: A Twist In Time – Disney+ Talk

    Cinderella 3: A Twist In Time – Disney+ Talk

    Aside from ‘The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride’, I’ve never been impressed by the sequels to classic films that Disney brings out. They either seem pointless or erase any impact that its predecessor has (I’m looking at you ‘Mulan 2’ and ‘The Little Mermaid 2’). However, I have been recommended a threequel by one of my friends, which is ‘Cinderella 3: A Twist in Time’. As well as the recommendation, I have heard that this is a suitable entry in the trilogy and so have decided to watch it.

    ‘Cinderella 3: A Twist in Time’ sees Cinderella and Prince Charming live happily ever after. However, their happy ending is put in jeopardy after the Evil Stepmother finds the magic wand of the Fairy Godmother and uses it to erase Prince Charming’s memories of Cinderella.

    While I can’t call this a feature film, with a runtime of 60 minutes, I can say that it’s actually quite enjoyable. While the concept of undoing a film’s plot has been executed before, this film uses that to question the original film’s logic (how come the Prince only remembers Cinderella by her foot size?) and further develop certain character’s personality, mainly the step sister Anastasia. Here, it tries to make the latter character sympathetic; all she wants is true love and a happy ending. And, while memories of her past horrific behaviour still linger, this character development mostly works for the story the film is telling.

    I would also see the sequel’s moral as be yourself and that there’s more to a person’s looks that attract a potential partner. Prince Charming is tricked into marrying Anastasia, but his true feelings of love just aren’t aimed at her, no matter what the Stepmother’s spell does. An example of this is when Prince Charming and Anastasia share a dance and Charming doesn’t feel anything for her during this sequence. He even says, ‘I held her hand and I felt nothing’. The morals are very important ones to have, especially in the age of social media, where looks and likes are the peak importance. Despite this film being fourteen years old, it’s still relevant.

    The songs and animation are also good. There aren’t many songs featured, but they’re catchy when they do appear. They also help advance the plot as well as reveal how a character is feeling in that moment. This is an aspect that Disney are good at; even if their straight-to-DVD sequels aren’t good, the songs will always make a lasting impression. The only critique I have is with the animation. This was a straight-to-DVD release, so attention to the animation quality is lacking. The visuals are a lot simpler than its original source material and are not as detailed, which is a shame. It’s still watchable, but the animation quality isn’t as good as the original.

    I was overall surprised by ‘Cinderella 3’. While it uses a tired concept, it uses it to give viewers a good message. And, while the animation isn’t as good as other films, the songs are catchy. While I usually wouldn’t recommend Disney’s straight-to-DVD releases (aside from ‘The Lion King’), I would definitely recommend this one.

  • Us Again: Disney+ Talk

    Us Again: Disney+ Talk

    ‘Us Again’ is a 6-minute short film set in a city of music and lights where an elderly couple relive memories of their youth and dancing the night away with each other.

    Considering that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s new musical film ‘In The Heights’ will finally be arriving in cinemas in two weeks’ time, this would be a perfect short to accompany it. It’s a wonderful piece of work from Disney.

    The animation is gorgeous and the characters’ movements, most of which is dancing, are smooth and fluid. Not only that but the bright and vibrant lighting of the city is fantastic to look at. This is a city that has life to it and always has something going on. I especially loved the reflections in the puddles, as it would elevate the lighting of the scene, giving it a magical atmosphere.

    The short film is structured like a musical number and succeeds wonderfully at this. The jazz music accompanying the short is catchy and upbeat; like previously mentioned, there’s life and positivity in this city and the soundtrack reflects that beautifully. However, like the short ‘Paperman’, it also acts as a way to emphasise the lead character’s actions and show what their actual feelings are. This made ‘Us Again’ not only delightful to watch but satisfying as the music’s timing would match the actions of the characters. It’s essentially the driving force of the film.

    However, ‘Us Again’ is also about reminiscing someone’s youth and ‘the olden days’. The film focuses on a husband and his young-at-heart wife as she tries to remind him of their youthful days. However, he’s not as enthusiastic; he’d rather watch the days go by in the comfort of his home. It was almost like he’d made an acceptance of once you’re old, then that’s it. This is especially evident when he goes outside in the rain and the rain reverts the couple back to when they were young. However, as the rain disappears, it reverts them back to being elderly, so the husband starts to chase the rain, holding onto a time long gone. However, like the wife demonstrates, you don’t have to stop having fun just because you’re elderly. This film was not only about reminiscing but also accepting that you can grow old and still be young at heart. It’s about looking back fondly but also living in the present happily.

    ‘Us Again’ is a delightful new short film from Disney. The animation and lighting are wonderful, and the soundtrack is upbeat and catchy. It’s the driving force of the film and it’s satisfying to watch the music symbolize the characters actions and movements. However, it’s also a tale about remembering the youthful days fondly while learning to live in the present and being happy with where you are now. It’s essentially a visual representation of the phrase ‘growing old is compulsory but growing up is optional’ and Disney demonstrated this in a fun and touching way.

  • Cruella: Disney+ Talk

    Cruella: Disney+ Talk

    Another year, another Disney film where a classic villain is taken out of the vaults and given an origin story. However, while 2014’s ‘Maleficent’ aimed to make the Sleeping Beauty villain sympathetic, ‘Cruella’ instead embraces its madness and just tells the story of how Cruella came to be the puppy killer that she is.

    ‘Cruella’ stars Emma Stone as the titular character as she unexpectedly moves to London, meets thieves Horace and Jasper and moves up in the fashion world, rivalling fashion goddess The Baroness (Emma Thompson).

    Just as Glenn Close elevated the role of the older Cruella De Vil in the live action ‘101 Dalmatians’, Emma Stone brings a charm to the young Cruella. Despite developing into a villain, she’s captivating and demands attention whenever she’s onscreen. And, while she is sympathetic at first as the shy and innocent Estella, she eventually morphs into the iconic character (a little suddenly) and fully embraces it. Her interactions with Jasper and Horace are also meaningful and is consistent with what will eventually occur. However, my favourite interactions were between Cruella and fashion seller Artie (John McCrea – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie). They had amazing chemistry and were a delight to watch together. While Jasper and Horace accepted Cruella, it felt like Artie truly understood her. Overall, Emma Stone is phenomenal as Cruella and was the perfect casting choice. Emma Thompson is also fantastic as the strict and arrogant fashion star The Baroness. She brings a stern and straight-faced attitude to the role that would make Meryl Streep blush.

    And this is said because, in making ‘Cruella’, Disney have also made their version of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. And while the cast were amazing, the costume designer Jenny Beaven (Christopher Robin, Mad Max: Fury Road) deserves a standing ovation for her magnificent work on the costumes. Costumes rarely get mentioned in my reviews purely because they’re not a prominent aspect in the focal films. However, the outfits are just as much as a character here as the rest of the actors and they are outstanding and impressive. Specific outfits are one involving a 40 ft trail made of scrap fabric, a spotted punk outfit, and a red and black long dress in the realms of the Red Queen from ‘Alice in Wonderland’. They’re all unique and different from each other and, as someone who has no interest in fashion, I actually found myself wanting all of Cruella’s outfits! After this, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jenny Beaven announces a fashion line.

    The film has a lot to do here in terms of plot: tell viewers about her childhood, how she met Horace and Jasper then explain how she became Cruella De Vil. And with the 2 hour 15-minute runtime, the film is, strangely, too long. There were a lot of scenes, specifically in the first act, that could’ve been cut mainly because it expected its audience to not have basic prior knowledge of ‘101 Dalmatians’. Which, for a classic like that, is ridiculous to think. 

    Cruella
    Cruella

    The film’s soundtrack is also strange. ‘Cruella’ takes a page out of the book of 2016’s ‘Suicide Squad’ by placing various pop songs throughout. Some of the songs chosen do work but the film is overloaded with too many songs to the point where, while a scene was occurring, a song finished and the next one immediately started. They’re even placed in scenes that would’ve worked better with ambient sound or a score. With all of the film’s strengths, the soundtrack was more of an annoyance due to there being too much of it. 

    I originally thought ‘Cruella’ was going to be another unnecessary offering from Disney. However, this is a fabulous film. Emma Stone fully embraces the role of Cruella De Vil and captures her rebellious attitude perfectly. Emma Thompson is also fantastic as The Baroness. Each character is interesting and has a purpose for being in the film and even the impressive costumes are seen as a character, comfortably taking centre stage when the demand is needed. Interestingly, its biggest flaw is that Disney have based this around a well-known villain when the film should’ve centred on an original character, especially because it has to be consistent with the 1961 animated classic. There’s specifically a mid-credit scene that raises a couple of questions. However, it doesn’t overall hurt the film and it’s definitely enjoyable without having seen the source material. Disney now have their own ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and that is ‘Cruella’!

  • The Force Awakens From Its Nap: Disney+ Talk

    The Force Awakens From Its Nap: Disney+ Talk

    Disney+ Talk With Megan Williams: Maggie Simpson in: The Force Awakens From Its Nap (2021)

    It feels like I haven’t covered any ‘Star Wars’ material in a long time. I, admittedly, didn’t watch Season 2 of ‘The Mandolarian’ and I was disappointed by ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. But, with the release of the series ‘The Bad Batch’ on Disney+, I can see if I like that…but I haven’t watched it. I, instead, watched the latest Simpsons short ‘The Force Awakens From Its Nap’.

    This 3-minute short follows Maggie Simpson as she is dropped off at a Jedi day-care centre and, upon losing her pacifier, goes on a search to find it.

    This is, essentially, 3 minutes of Star Wars references. Firstly, I love the idea of a daycare in the Star Wars universe; it’s silly but fun to see what the writers can come up with in terms of staff and activities. An example of this being the Time Out Area…which is actually the toddlers getting frozen, like Han Solo in Episode V. They’re fun ideas and it makes me want more shorts revolving around the Simpsons in this world. I also like the animation. I haven’t watched The Simpsons in a very long time; the last time I did, the animation wasn’t as fluid as this and modern technology, like smartphones, weren’t featured. So, it was amazing to see the high-quality animation here even if it’s a regular style now.

    And, once again, the references are aplenty here: BB-8 helps Maggie find her pacifier, she engages in a lightsaber battle with a Darth Maul baby, and a General Grievous-type droid is a staff member of the day care. It’s silly but it, strangely, works. It can be argued that the short includes too many references, but I would disagree. This short deliberately has a basic story outline in order to build a small part of this world and that’s something I appreciate. Hopefully, there’ll be more Star Wars/Simpsons shorts like this, depicting a certain character’s life within this world. I think it would be interesting, and funny, to see each Simpson character interact with this world.