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ericlerougecon
Reviews
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
Animation with heart
This is one of the best examples of what an animated film can be. Technically brilliant, emotionally powerful, and truly suitable for everyone. This film out does the original Disney animated film from the 1940s which is a pretty hard benchmark to pass. (Forget the recent live action remake with Tom Hanks that Disney made, I wish I could forget seeing that film)
The look and design is spot on for this children's take, with themes of love, value of truth, and selflessness.
Voice cast was great, I especially liked Ewan Macgregor as the cricket.
This film has dark tones and elements in both story and design which is nice to see in a children's genre usually so careful to have everything bright and colorful.
Well worth a Netflix 4K subscription! This is the film that should win the Academy Award for best animated film.
The Sea Beast (2022)
Well made but didn't land the fish
There is a fair bit to like about this animated seafaring adventure, starting with the voice cast like Karl Urban and Jared Harris, the design and stylisation of the whaling era, especially the ships, interaction with the sea, the mainland and the characters, with some exceptions. The little blue side kick monster did not feel part of the world at all for me, and the look and design of the main Sea Beast was just too simple compared to the details created for the rest of the world.
The main character of the little girl gets annoying at times ad the story feels a bit too contrived with its messaging about the value of nature, although the theme of trust had some good examples, such as not trusting written history because of the bias of the authors.
Not sure why this film is shortlisted for an Academy nomination, it was too uneven in theme, story, design for me.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Really a bundle of fun
This is one of the best animation that DreamWorks have done - Great story and songs, animation design, colorful, so many deep subjects and well done characters.
I loved all the characters, seeing a lot of Latinos voicing the characters is a huge plus! Antonio Banderas as Gato is unique and kept the character's signature, but I have to give kudos to Wagner Moura for voice of the wolf... It's not common to see Brazilian actors behind great productions like this one (if you don't know who he is, please check Narcos on Netflix... He played Pablo Escobar).
Puss in Boots - The Last Wish won't let you down, trust me! Worth every penny and second. Kids and adults, mainly adults I will say, gonna love it!
Mia and Me: The Hero of Centopia (2022)
A pleasant if predictable kids film
Mia and Me - The Hero of Centopia is a part live action, part animation, fantasy adventure. The predictable plot with positive messages about destiny and finding the strength within will appeal to young children. It does have themes and violence which means the film is suitable for all but the youngest viewers, that is children over 6.
The quality of the animation is a little uneven and is not at the standard of the major animation studios, but the look and design is bright cheerful and fun.
Thé voice acting is appropriate with that of the villain and his henchman being the most memorable.
Music was very good, if occasionally loud.
A fun film for kids between 6 to 10 years old with positive messages to believe in yourself; to try your best; and to always remember that courage, friendship and kindness are far more powerful than hatred and fear.
Luca (2021)
A nice surprise
I was very pleasantly surprised by this Pixar effort, it is so much better than what they've put out lately. It is a well told, emotional story about friends and it's such a sweet comforting film and never fails to make you smile before punching you in the gut and gently whispering "look at you. You're crying over two sea monsters being friends and eating funny pasta. Look what you have become" into my ear. There are layers to this film and plentiful little gems in its look and design. The quality of the animation is superb and never feels formulaic. A film in which all family members will get something out of.
The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021)
Don't miss this fun film
The Mitchells vs. The Machines has to be one of the better Netflix titles to come out in a long time. Innovative plot device that showcases the talented team of Lord and Miller. This is how they should be making original funny stories and it's refreshing to find another animated studio that can compete with Pixar. The films success lies with the characters and overall story arc that doesn't feel like its stuck in a typical cliche model. There's a rich universe here and it would've been nice for this film to open in all cinemas like it was previously intended. The style of the animation feels unique and not part of standard Pixar or Disney aesthetic. These filmmakers and writers have a giant future ahead of them and you'll not have wasted time if you watch this film.