Is Love Primal or Elemental in PIXAR’s latest?

It’s possible that Elemental isn’t a fully PIXAR production. It has a lot of Disney elements laced throughout its narrative.

Elemental Movie PosterJust how Elemental this latest work from PIXAR depends on what viewers want to read from it. By this film’s end, what I understod led me to getting Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” stuck in my head.

But there’s more to this tale than meets the eye. While this film is gorgeous to behold with the new tricks that can be done with lighting and transparency in CGI to render some photo-realistic details, the tale needs refining.  Here, Ember and Wade (voiced by Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie) are complete opposites. One is from a fire nation, and the other water. On certain types of diagrams, they aren’t supposed to meet or combine to form combined substances. When this film is about the four primary elements, any other beings created by their joining won’t necessarily be explained. 

One head scratcher is in how Earth and Air are represented. Whether the tree represents the former and a cloud the latter, that depends on what kind of chemical chart you’re looking at. Continue reading “Is Love Primal or Elemental in PIXAR’s latest?”

PIXAR’s Cars on the Road. So Where Should We Go Next, Mader?

The next season of Cars on the Road can showcase parts of America on those roads less travelled–pardoning the pun–like visiting…

Cars on the Road PosterSpoiler Alert

Disney/PIXAR‘s Cars on the Road is a far more entertaining work than the films. The big reason is that each 10 minute episode pays tribute to a specific film genre and changes the road trip formula around a little. Everything one would expect to happen, happens, but there’s more going on than meets the eye, including meeting a few “transforming” vehicles.

From your classic Horror to Western homages, the gambit doesn’t end there. The influence is perfect. I find “Lights Out” very appropriate for the October season, and when I saw The Shining references, I was beside myself. I assume Steve Purcell did most of the work than John Lasseter.

Continue reading “PIXAR’s Cars on the Road. So Where Should We Go Next, Mader?”

Lightyear, How Painful Can it Get When Time Stands Still?

PIXAR’s Lightyear is more than a fun filled tribute to the pulp age of space exploration.

Lightyear Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

Buzz Lightyear is a hero for all ages, and the feature film that inspired the toy which Andy from PIXAR’s Toy Story owns is here! While rewatching Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, I couldn’t help but find a few ideas put into the CGI tale.

A few seeds were no doubt sowed concerning season two’s “Lost in Time,” but I’m fairly sure writers Angus MacLane, Matthew Aldrich and Jason Headley were drawing more on the movies of the 70s and 80s–namely Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Flash Gordon–while writing this tale. One detail not everyone will notice is the name of Buzz’s new spaceship, a spaceship named XR-1. It’s a soft nod to the robot from the animated series.

However, this movie introduces Sox (voiced by Peter Sohn), a robotic scene-stealing cat, to lighten up an otherwise dark tale. Chris Evans voices the titular hero, and I think the choice is perfect since he is Captain America after all!

Continue reading “Lightyear, How Painful Can it Get When Time Stands Still?”

When Meilin is “Turning Red” in PIXAR’s latest…

This tale is tailored towards an audience already familiar with works like Paddington the Bear.

Turning Red poster.jpgAfter the tremendous success with the animated short Bao in the awards circuit, Domee Shi and Julia Cho developed Turning Red as PIXAR’s next film. What’s created isn’t too different from past films, namely Brave, but in this case, we’re seeing a story set in modern times and in Toronto, Canada no less!

It’s tough to live up to a parent’s expectations. Dealing with overprotective mothers is perhaps the hardest and this film hits a very familiar tone faced by most during their childhood. And what’s shown isn’t necessarily restricted to just her, but also for anyone growing up in a Chinese family. It’s not about the cultural barriers, but also in honouring traditions. The screenplay nails those aspects down because I’ve lived through much of it myself! 

Continue reading “When Meilin is “Turning Red” in PIXAR’s latest…”

The Best Animated Announcements From Disney Plus Day

What Is Disney Plus Day: New Movies and Features Available NowBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

On Disney Plus Day, a lot of new works announced will come flooding into the streaming service next year. I’m more excited for the animated material than the others. Yes, Marvel Entertainment and Star Wars will get their expanded universe treatment, and all I can say is, “What, no more Clone Wars type material? There’s no tease for what the next season of The Bad Batch will entail?”

Out of the entirety of everything’s announced, it’s Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers which excites me the most. I’ve always loved their nostalgia laden pulp fiction adventures. It’s going to be a live-action / CGI hybrid work, and I’m okay with that. Ever since their cameo in the updated Ducktales, I’ve been hoping their return isn’t being delayed because of finding replacement voices or rights management. 

Other works include:

Continue reading “The Best Animated Announcements From Disney Plus Day”

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