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The Genius with LEGO Star Wars The Freemaker Adventures

The computer animated series Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures (originally broadcast on DisneyXD) does what very few expanded universe spin-offs can do, and that’s to engage viewers with an adventure faithful to the mythic narrative style the original trilogy represented.

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Trying to recreate the magic of the original Star Wars films can sometimes be hard. Trying to build and expand upon it is even tougher. The computer animated series Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures (originally broadcast on DisneyXD) does what very few expanded universe spin-offs can do, and that’s to engage viewers with an adventure faithful to the mythic narrative style the original trilogy represented.

In this animation, the Freemakers are a family of mechanics — Rowan is the kid with the gift (a future Jedi), Kordi is the elder and overly overprotective sister and Zander is a freewheeling brother — who salvages and repairs spaceships. R0-GR (“Roger”) is this group’s servant of sorts; after being reprogrammed (he was once a B1 Battle Droid) and the adventures they share, he becomes more than a faithful companion. When this family is at work, the spirit of what the LEGO brand represents can be seen in the ships they rebuild and in what the boy can imagine up.

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Don’t Get too Giddy for Guardians of the Galaxy on Disney XD Just Yet

guardians-of-the-galaxy-animated-series-promo-lets-blow-stuff-up By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

The biggest question anyone will have for Marvel / Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy animated series is will it re-create the magic of the movie? In the first couple of minutes the answer, not really. It has the feel of a Marvel Animated Universe product instead of a James Gunn directed film. While there are moments in direct reference to what made the film great, like when Peter Quill aka Starlord turns on his Walkman to listen to “Hooked on a Feeling,” this motley crew has very few issues to iron out between themselves after the events from the film. After a tidy new reintroduction of the main cast, the title card comes on. This series is not a direct continuation of the movie because a few reveals say too much about Quill’s possible future.

In a statement to Empire magazine, Director James Gunn stated that Quill will not be the son of J’son of Spartex.

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The Guardians of the Galaxy Gets Animated for 2015!

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

The writing was on the wall six months ago, ever since the cartoon, Avengers Assemble brought on “Guardians and the Space Knights” last April and Ultimate Spider-Man going into space with “The Guardians of the Galaxy” a month after. Although these animations did not feature the voice cast of the movie, die-hard fans who knew what was coming had to wonder. Once when the live-action film’s success was affirmed, Spidey saw the “Return of the Guardians of the Galaxy” with affirmation made today that a cartoon series is in the works and it will debut next year on Disney XD.

The success of the film is what truly cemented this go-ahead. The question of whether or not the film’s stars will lend a voice is iffy at best, but it would be a boon to fans if Marvel Entertainment can reach an agreement with the performers. Since Jay Baruchel is pivotal to the success of both the How to Train Your Dragon films and Dragons, the spin-off TV series, hopefully the producers will see fit to allow both the toon and live action product blend in.

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Meet the Cast and Crew for Star Wars: Rebels & Thoughts

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

*Spoiler alert

Fans for the next chapter in the Star Wars saga do not have to wait long. Production is more than well underway for Star Wars: Rebels, the animated Disney-approved bridge between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and IV: A New Hope, and the look is fantastic. It faithfully continues in the same style as The Clone Wars, and injects perhaps a much-needed change in the style of narrative when it airs late 2014 on DisneyXD.

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Ninjago Movie is a Go with Charlie Bean, but what about TRON: Uprising?

Charlie+Bean+Unveiling+Disney+XD+TRON+Uprising+fZVWicVDErAl The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Charlie Bean will make his big screen directorial debut with LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu movie. As exciting as that news is for LEGO expanding its properties to the big screen, some people may be wondering if Bean will return to projects left unfinished? This animator turned director has done phenomenal work in his rise up the ladder of success.

His previous works include Robotboy, Dexter’s Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls and the Ren & Stimpy Show. He has been involved in all parts of the animation and story telling process to make these past products the successes that they were. Now with Bean working on Ninjago, to see where this series will head next will be exciting.

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Putting the Smackdown on Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

But when the series does not have enough spark to it, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. may well be more of a passer upper than a must follow.

Poster The producers at Marvel Animation must think the same visual and narrative style used in Ultimate Spider-Man can be repeated with the new series, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

Instead of Peter Parker providing the creative commentary by breaking the fourth wall, Rick Jones (voiced by Seth Green) is providing the narrative by creating a video blog of everything that happens to the Hulk (Fred Tatasciore). He is out to prove to the world that the Hulk is not a beast.

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