Soul [2020] ★★★½
No surprises there: Disney/Pixar just delivered yet another knockout. This wonderful movie from the same people who gave us “Up” and “Inside Out” have done it again. “Soul” is a masterclass in animated features, a deeply touching journey that will resonate with adults even more so than kids. In true Pixar fashion, we follow the story of a Jazz musician (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who seemed to have lost his “spark”. Then an “out of body” experience happens, which leads to a series of unpredictable events. I’ve deliberately kept this review as spoiler-free as possible. Much like “Inside Out” and other superior Pixar features, it’s best to experience “Soul” with a fresh eye. But there is a reason why these movies stand out as much as they do: no one else puts such thought, care and research into their work. What the people behind this unforgettable film have achieved is beyond anything you’ll see in animation this year. I don’t know how kids will respond to it, but a movie like “Soul” will most certainly touch the heart of grownups. In these troubled times, that’s a gift.
Call this a nostalgia review, but after I went through a roller-coaster of emotions while watching the fantastic Chicago Bulls documentary “The Last Dance”, I decided to stream Michael Jordan’s “Space Jam”, which I also found on Netflix. For those of you who grew up in the 90’s, this movie was kind of a big deal and the reason why so many kids bonded and became friends (seriously, everyone was talking about this). I didn’t get the chance to see it again since its release, so it was an interesting experience to look at it from an adult’s perspective this time around. To be completely honest, the movie hasn’t aged all that well, mainly because animation and CGI have long evolved since the 90’s. With that aside, its charm is still there. Michael Jordan is recruited by Bugs Bunny and Co. to help them win a basketball game. The premise couldn’t be more silly, but watching these two worlds blend together is still as fun as it was when I was a kid. Of course, a lot of basketball players make an appearance as well, and it’s always fun to see Bill Murray and Seinfeld’s Wayne Knight in it. But this Michael Jordan’s show all the way, and he makes the best of it (this was also around the same time he was making his NBA comeback, which led to 3 back-to-back titles with the Bulls). I don’t think I have much to add. Newcomers might be tempted to nitpick the film’s many flaws. But from a nostalgia perspective, “Space Jam” is still as entertaining as ever.
As someone who grew up with classic Scooby Doo episodes when they used to air on Cartoon Network back in the 90’s, I was kind of looking forward to a modern revival, mainly because it was advertised as an “origin” story. As it turns out, I enjoyed seeing the old gang back together, but I can’t say I enjoyed the story itself. The movie opens with Shaggy (Will Forte) and Scooby (Frank Welker) meeting and quickly becoming best friends. Velma (Gina Rodriguez), Fred (Zac Efron) and Daphne (Amanda Seyfried) join them later on. Fast forward a few years and Scoob and the gang find themselves facing a villain who is threatening to unleash a ghost dog upon the world. Quite often, there’s a lot going on onscreen, and I thought the science-fiction elements were out of place. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer my Scooby Doo with a side of haunted castles and rubber masks. Kids might still enjoy what “Scoob!” has to offer, mainly because it was tailor-made for them. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself longing for those classic episodes instead.
The folks at Disney/Pixar have done it again. As soon as their latest film opened, I felt at home. You could tell that a lot of effort has been put to bring this story to life, with clever staging, hilarious moments and spectacular action scenes. So what is “Onward” about? It’s basically several things at once. But at heart, it’s about a quest. Two brothers (brilliantly voiced by Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) embark on a grand and glorious adventure in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were very young. The screenplay is lively and funny, the kind we’ve come to expect from Pixar, but it also has heart, especially when it matters most. As someone who loves puzzles and quests, I had a blast watching the story unfold (spotting references to other films is always part of the fun as well). Compared with “Coco”, “Inside Out” and “Up”, “Onward” doesn’t break a lot of new grounds, but the magic is there, and I know that kids and adults alike will have a great time with it.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 24 years since the first “Toy Story” movie hit theaters back in 1995. It was revolutionary, to say the least, and Disney/Pixar followed-it up with two equally amazing sequels that succeeded in making it one of the best trilogies of all time. So when it came time to see “Toy Story 4”, I kept telling myself: I hope they don’t end up ruining it! But as soon as it opened, it was obvious that the people behind this sequel put so much effort into it, to validate its existence. That, along with creativity and boundless imagination have made this sequel so good. Perhaps the movie’s strongest asset is its familiar characters. I can’t tell you how good it was to be finally reunited with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Potato Head, Jessie the Cowgirl, and all the old toys from the previous movies. There are newcomers, of course, notably Forky (voiced by Tony Hale), a handcrafted plastic spork created by Bonnie, the new kid who now owns all of Andy’s old toys. This gives Woody a whole new purpose: to show Forky how good it is to be someone’s favorite toy. It’s a heartwarming premise, fueled by Pixar’s usual dose of hilarious gags and a poignant finale. Director Josh Cooley and his collaborators know exactly how important it is to care for each and every character, as if they were real; They can be proud of what they’ve achieved: “Toy Story 4” is a wonderful sequel, and I think audiences of all ages will be grateful.
I may be swimming against the current here, but I enjoyed “The LEGO Movie 2” more than its predecessor. The first one caught me off guard with its hectic action sequences. Here, I knew exactly what to expect, and I had a blast with it. It’s been five years since the events of the first film, and our heroes, lead by Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) and Batman (Will Arnett, still as funny as ever), are about to face their biggest threat yet: LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space. It sounds ridiculous on paper, but the story takes flight like an old-fashioned episode of “Star Trek” or perhaps “Guardians of the Galaxy” (the Chris Pratt effect maybe?). The movie, written once again by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, has so much energy it threatens to spin out of control at times. But the fun is nonstop and the movie is rarely dull. Even the songs are impeccably performed and catchy. My only complaint is that it goes a bit too long, but I have a feeling fans of the first one and “The LEGO Batman Movie” aren’t going to mind. They’ll be busy having a mighty good time.
Something that I probably never mentioned on this blog is how much of a Dragon Ball Z fan I am. I still remember receiving Volume 13 on Christmas back in 1997 (why not start with Volume 1, mom?), and how immersive it all was. Naturally I ended up reading all the books over the years, up until that final battle with Majin Boo (or Buu in the Japanese version). Another thing worth mentioning is that I failed to catch up with the GT craze, as it never really intrigued me as much as the original storyline. That being said, I absolutely loved Akira Toriyama’s comeback with “Dragon Ball Super”. The books managed to capture the spirit of the original story, and it felt exactly like being reunited with old friends. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that “Broly” is strictly for diehard fans of the series, and I had a blast watching it. For one, it takes us back to a time when Planet Vegeta wasn’t yet destroyed by Freeza. We already knew that Vegeta and Goku were born around that time. What we didn’t know is that a third Saiyan was exiled by King Vegeta to another planet, and lived there for several decades. Fast forward to the present and our heroes are about to finally meet him. It’s a hell of a showdown, and watching it on the big screen truly made my mouth water. The fights scenes are impeccably staged, but none of this would matter if the movie didn’t have a good story to tell. And as someone who favors story over battle scenes, I especially liked the balance between the two here. Complaints? I guess I’d have to say that it left me wanting more, but such is the case with every Dragon Ball book/movie. These stories are so well told that I’m always looking forward to the next chapter. And now, after all these years, I’m especially eager to see where they go next.
I am not a big fan of the number 3, but when it comes to animated movies, I am willing to make an exception. Here’s a trilogy that remained consistent over the years, delivering one spectacular installment after the other. And “The Hidden World”, the first sequel in five years is no exception: it’s a fun-filled adventure with just the right dose of humor to satisfy fans of the series. After an action-packed opening sequence that gets a bit chaotic, the movie gets down to business, and its business is telling a good story. Hiccup (once again voiced by Jay Baruchel) and his friends discover that Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury in the world. This takes them on an adventure to find the “Hidden World”, a place where dragons of all types live. Meanwhile, a tyrant named Grimmel (a delightful F. Murray Abraham) has an evil plan of his own, one that involves him hunting down Toothless and destroying everyone that tries to stop him. Writer-director Dean DeBlois, who made the first two films, knows exactly how to keep the action going while guaranteeing rooting interest from start to finish. We know the stakes are high here, and we want our heroes to succeed. That’s what makes this third installment work so well, along with some beautiful visuals and an emotional climax. Will kids enjoy it? I have no doubt in my mind. But adults may find some real rewards in it as well. It’s that good.
Believe the hype. “Into The “Spider-Verse” isn’t some animated spin-off that will eventually get lost in the shuffle. It’s one of the best “Spider-Man” movies ever made and my personal favorite since Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2”. It gave me a lot to cheer for: a fresh concept and an incredible execution to match it. Credit Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman for directing this exceptional animated feature with a sharp eye, winning both hearts and minds along the way. In a world where Peter Parker is gone (weird, right?), Shameik Moore is perfectly cast as Miles Morales, a teenager who, much to his surprise, becomes the new Spider-Man one night. Here’s the twist: he’s not the only Spider-Man around. How? You’ll have to see for yourself. Suffices to say that with so many characters involved and a ton of exposition, the movie never goes off the rails, and that’s no easy feat. In fact, the film is a constant delight, as clever and surprisingly funny ideas are presented, one after the other. And even during a chaotic climax, the movie never loses sight of the human element, and that’s where it scores extra points. Shortcomings? I honestly cannot think of anything bad to say about this film. It entertained me from start to finish as I found myself rooting for each and every character in this colorful world. It’s a beautiful film from start to finish and my number one contender for best animated feature of the year. Oscar, take note.
If there’s one animated movie that truly appealed to me these past few years, “Wreck it Ralph” would be it. Here’s a character straight out of an 80’s arcade game, and as someone who loves retro games and owns an arcade cabinet at home, you can tell just how happy I was with that first movie. But I have to admit: I approached the sequel with a combination of eagerness and apprehension. Will it be as good as its predecessor? In this case, I knew within minutes that the answer was yes. I felt right at home as soon as Ralph appeared on screen again. And the movie kept that appealing vibe, right through the closing credits. That’s no easy feat, especially when the story takes a completely different direction this time around as Ralph (John C. Reilly) and his best friend Vaneloppe (Sarah Silverman) find themselves visiting the internet (bet you couldn’t tell that from the title) in order to save her game from completely shutting down. It’s one hell of an idea, and I couldn’t ask for a better result. In addition to being hugely entertaining, the movie has heart, especially when it matters the most. So when we’re meant to care for these characters and root for them at the end, we do. I’ll say no more, except that “Ralph Breaks the Internet” has that ability to enchant audiences of all ages; it’s easily one of my favorite animated movies of the year.
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