Forrest Gump | Review and Analysis

#forrestgump #review #analysis #retrospective #adaptations

To pay tribute to a late friend/mentor of mine, I decided this week to take a look at the masterpiece known as Forrest Gump. This film is easily one of my favorites and influenced me from the moment I saw it during my early teen years. What did you think of this movie? Also, all clips and images are owned by Winstom Groom, Paramount Pictures, and Robert Zemeckis. Also, please be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for future videos! Follow us on Social Media: Twitter: @austinmmyers19 Instagram: @austinmmyers19 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amm2media/ Blogger: www.amm2media.com Please be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more updates!

Cats (2019) Review

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In this review, we will be taking a look at the 2019 film adaptation of Cats, and see whether it holds up to the stage musical it spawned from.

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Editorial: Bob Iger Steps Down from Disney

Breaking News (Somewhat): Bob Iger steps down as Disney's CEO.

A Farewell to DBZ Abridged (DBZA Tribute)

In this video, we take a look at the popular YouTube parody series, Dragon Ball Z Abridged. Be sure to stay for a little surprise at the end of the video! 

(Note: I do not own any of the clips and images used in the video, they are used to supplement my audio recording)

Top 5 Vital Storytelling Elements

In this video, I discuss five elements that I believe are essential to any story. I do not own any of the clips or images in the work, and they are simply used to supplement my case. 

The Little Mermaid Live

 (Source: Wikipedia)

I had such high hopes for this production, since I knew if it was successful, it could have lead to similar shows based on Disney's other stage adaptations. Matter of fact, I am not the biggest fan of Disney's The Little Mermaid, and even I found it nothing short of disappointing. I expected a production similar to other networks' broadcasts of stage musicals, such as A Christmas Story Live, where they would essentially broadcast the stage adaptation in its entirety (based on the marketing of this "event"). Unfortunately, that is not what I saw being played out; instead, I was treated to a mere broadcast of the 1989 film intermixed with "live action" segments whenever it was time for a musical number.
The constant switch between the animated and live action segments broke the immersion, and made the production seem inconsistent overall. If they wanted to broadcast the original film, then they should have done so, and the same could be said if they wanted to show the stage musical. It did not need to be this poorly-executed hybrid of both; consequently, it was difficult to understand what was going on in some segments due to the constant switch between the two. Adding insult to injury, the production was wrought with technical issues, such as inconsistencies with volume. Even by the end, it seemed like they simply gave up on the live action segments, because they did not even perform a live version of the finale.
In regard to the new versions of the iconic songs, these were arguably the weakest part of the production. However, I will say I enjoyed the new versions of Fathoms Below and Poor Unfortunate Souls, purely because of the re-integration of some of Howard Ashman's cut lyrics (I have a bit of a fascination for deleted Disney lyrics).
The musical numbers lacked the energy of their animated counterparts, with the "live action" performers seeming like they were doing it for the big paycheck from Disney. This also ruined the emotional impact of certain songs such as Her Voice and If Only (the only two songs that carried over from the stage counterparts, and major moments for Ariel and Eric). The costumes also looked cheap and inconsistent, looking like they were bought from Wal-Mart's clearance aisle. Sebastian's took the biggest hit, being simply a red leather jacket (I wonder which Michael Jackson impersonator they took that from) without any claws, while the ensemble's crab costumes looked more like the character than he did.
In regard to the performers, I feel there were a few miscasts, such as Ariel herself and Chef Louis during the Les Poissons number. I enjoyed Cravalho's role as Moana, but I felt like her Ariel was underwhelming; during Part of Your World and its respective reprise, it seemed like she had trouble hitting those high notes, such as during the closing lyrics of the latter.  I think at one point during the production, her voice may have given out; because part of a song sounded like it was being overdubbed by Jodi Benson (Ariel's original voice actress) herself. Her singing was a poor fit for Ariel, and felt lifeless and off-key, making it difficult to invest in her performance. The only performer that I felt was making any effort was Queen Latifah as Ursula, since it seemed like she was having at least some fun in the role. Her take on Poor Unfortunate Souls had a bit of energy to it, and was at least tolerable.
Overall, I would not call this production "bad" (even though it was painful to watch), but "poorly-executed". It seemed like Disney did not know what they wanted to do beforehand, whether it was to re-broadcast the animated film or perform the stage adaptation; they should have either done one or the other, but not both. While it may work in a theatrical setting, the hybrid/live concert concept translates poorly to television, since it breaks the viewer's immersion and confuses them. If I could give some advice for future productions of this nature, please stick to one medium, and give the viewers what you advertised (and Disney, if you do Aladdin, include Proud of Your Boy). For fans of The Little Mermaid, stick with the original film, the stage musical, or the upcoming live-action remake; this is one production that is not really worth seeing unless you are curious.
What did you think of this "experiment"? Feel free to discuss in the comments below, and also be sure to like and follow for more Reviews and Retrospectives updates!

Judy (2019)

(Image Source: IMDb)

For as long as I could remember, one of my favorite films (if not my absolute favorite) has always been 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Consequently, it lead to Judy Garland becoming one of my favorite actresses of all time due to her beautiful rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow; a song that has also become one of my favorite musical numbers in a film (next to Proud of Your Boy and Who Am I). When I first saw the trailer for the biopic surrounding her life, I was excited and had such high hopes for the film. Thankfully, it not only lived up to my expectations, but far exceeded them as well! 

It beautifully retold the story of one of my favorite golden age actresses, flashing back and forth between her prime as an actress, along with showing roughly the final year of her life (while she performed in London). The flashbacks served to further develop Garland, and provided a solid context for the issues she faced later on in her life. These small insights into her earlier life were easily my favorite parts of the film, and I wish there were more of them to further develop her. Another insight I found interesting was the look into the darker side of the film industry, especially in regard to child actors. The plot was one that was definitely unforgettable, and that was attributed to Garland's actress, Renee Zellweger. 

Not only did Zellweger perfectly portray Miss Garland in both character and voice, the filmmakers also managed to give her a near identical appearance to the actress/singer. She absolutely nailed the role and put on a performance that makes the viewer forget it is somebody else playing her. If the MPAA is somehow reading this, do me a huge favor and please give this woman an Oscar! She certainly deserves it for her amazing performance! When she sang her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, it took a lot of effort to hold back some tears for her cover. Matter of fact, I am seriously considering buying the soundtrack for this film as I type this post as a result.

If you are wanting to see this, I would highly recommend it; it is one that will move you to tears and sympathize with the protagonist during her final years. However, if you were looking for a film that showcases Garland's life as a whole, then this might not be the film for you. This movie specifically covers her final year and her last performances in London, with only small flashbacks to her earlier career as an actress.

After seeing this amazing film, I am hoping to look more into Garland's life and see some other films she has appeared in to further understand her career. My knowledge of her is extremely limited due to only knowing her from The Wizard of Oz.
What is your favorite Judy Garland role? (I ask so I can see more of her career) If you have seen this movie, what do you think? Feel free to discuss in the comments below, like this review and subscribe for more Reviews and Retrospectives content! 

The Positives of The Last Airbender

(Source: IMDB.com)

Growing up in the mid-2000s, no Nickelodeon show caught my attention in a post-Rugrats/Hey Arnold world more than Avatar: The Last Airbender. For those unaware, the latter series centered around Aang (the titular "Avatar") and his friends, as they traveled the world helping Aang master the art of "bending" the elements of water, earth, and fire. Along the way, a country opposing them known as The Fire Nation (lead by their leader, Fire Lord Ozai) is in constant pursuit of the young Avatar. Aang's basic goal throughout his journey is to master bending all remaining elements beside air, and defeat Fire Lord Ozai before the return of Sozin's Comet. Naturally with a series as massive as this, a film adaptation was inevitable; in 2010, such an adaptation was released... and it was absolutely horrendous. The characters were horribly miscast (aside from anti-hero Zuko and his uncle), and due to having to condense the show's first season into around two hours, the film suffered from a myriad of plot problems. Additionally, the work suffered due to unnecessary changes in adaptation, such as cutting iconic characters entirely. Characters such as Aang's previous life, Avatar Roku, Jet, and the Kyoshi Warriors are removed as a result of "streamlining" the overall story. However, despite the film being a massive dumpster fire, there are some positive aspects to it that deserve some recognition.

First and foremost, while the story's adherence to the source material is not the best, the world it plays out in surprisingly manages to remain faithful to its animated counterpart. Throughout the film, there are various references to locations in the world of Airbender, such as the library in the Earth Kingdom, the air temples, and the city of Ba Sing Se. Understandably, this was to start development on the film's world in preparation for the ill-fated sequels (which thankfully never came). Deleted scenes that remained in the novelization and comic adaptations further expanded upon the world; before Shyamalan decided to save it for the sequel, viewers would have been treated to live action versions of the Kyoshi Warriors and Jet. It was also rumored that Avatar Roku was also planned to make an appearance, before being relegated to a cameo in the form of a wooden statue. Speaking of the Avatar, the next positive in this film lies within Aang himself.

Despite casting a Caucasian actor for the role of Avatar Aang, Noah Ringer manages to pull off a fantastic portrayal of the character. He manages to remain faithful to the source material (being a fan of Airbender himself), while also making the role by giving us a portrayal that is more realistic in nature. While this film makes me cringe, I did enjoy this take on the character, as it made me feel like Aang leaped right off an animation cel. The same can be said for Dev Patel's portrayal of anti-hero Prince Zuko, despite lacking the physical resemblance to his animated counterpart. Patel and Ringer both manage to capture the essence of their respective characters, giving us a believable and faithful performance. Unfortunately, that cannot be said for the rest of the cast, as they lack the necessary elements of their characters. Sokka is more serious than comedic, Katara is bland and boring (lacking any sort of expression or emotion as well), and Iroh is just... there. Unfortunately, the animal characters are also given less screentime as well, serving only as background elements.

While the characters and story are not the best (save for Aang and Zuko), the film truly shines in its overall score and (to quote Sokka in The Ember Island Players) "the effects are decent". The score manages to perfectly capture the overall tone of the film, and the effects perfectly portray the elemental bending techniques. Viewers could believe a character was actually controlling the elements, and that there was an actual Sky Bison and Winged Lemur. The CGI is brilliantly integrated into the footage to create a greater visual appeal, with some examples including Aang going into the Avatar State, Appa's model, and the many waterbending sequences.

However, while this film does have a few positives, I would still not recommend watching this if you are wanting to get into Avatar: The Last Airbender. This movie is still an absolute mess, with poor editing, bland characters, a plot with multiple holes, and the omission of many fan-favorites from the source material. If you wish to give this franchise a shot, I would highly suggest you stay away from this; it will give you the wrong impression of the series. However, if you are curious, watch the cartoon first and then watch this only once to see how horrendous it actually is. Hopefully, the upcoming live action Netflix series does not make the same mistakes The Last Airbender did, and gives us the live action adaptation we deserve.

What did you think of both The Last Airbender and its animated source material? What are some bad movies you would like me to find the positives of? Feel free to discuss in the comments below, and also be sure to give a like and a follow for future Reviews and Retrospectives updates!

Dragon Ball Z Retrospective Part 2: Majin Buu Arc (Heavy Spoilers)

(Image Source: DaizenshuuEX)

While I enjoyed watching the story of Dragon Ball Z up to the Cell arc, I did not have as much enjoyment of the Buu portion of the storyline. I feel that Cell's defeat at the hands of Gohan made a perfect ending for the series, with the now deceased Son Goku passing the torch to his son, and the world enjoying a much needed era of peace. The Cell arc completed the development of many members of the main cast; Gohan finally broke out of his pacifistic shell and saved the world like his father, Krillin finally found love in the form of Android 18, and Vegeta learned to stop being so narcissistic and self-centered. The series could have ended perfectly at this point and there would be no problem. However, due to editorial mandate, series creator Akira Toriyama was forced to continue the series even further with the Majin Buu story arc. As a result, the aforementioned arc feels both tacked-on and as if it is an "extended epilogue" to the series. Aside from introducing new characters, reconnecting with old ones seven years after Cell, and resurrecting Goku at the end (matter of fact Goku does little in this storyline, as it opts to focus on his sons, Gohan and Goten), this arc contributes very little to the franchise as a whole.

Matter of fact, Buu is not as interesting of an antagonist as Vegeta, Frieza, or Cell were. While the aforementioned three had dynamic personalities that slowly developed, Majin Buu seemed rushed and one-dimensional (you could tell Toriyama was wanting to be done with the series at this point). The character seems infantile, acting only like a destructive, spoiled child as opposed to the calm and interesting villains that came before him. However, I will give Buu something positive, he is somewhat more sympathetic and adorable (especially his first form).

He is also a more formidable foe to the cast, going so far as to literally destroy Earth itself. Another positive to this arc that I will add is the further development of my favorite character, Son Gohan (even going so far as giving him a romantic interest known as Videl). While during the seven year timeskip between Cell and Buu, his power was weakened drastically, he manages to hold his own during the battles he faces in this storyline. However, he is once again quickly knocked to the ground in favor of his father, since he's the "main character". I feel after this, Gohan is drastically underutilized for the remainder of the franchise, being demoted to a small supporting role rather than the protagonist he was hyped up to be in the first half of the series.

This arc was also the introduction to the most useless (and ugliest) of transformations, Super Saiyan 3. The form serves only to be flashy during action sequences and is utilized poorly in Z, with Goku losing a significant amount of time and power while in that state (it essentially becomes the new "Yamcha"). SS3 feels once again like another instance of Toriyama saying "I need to get this series over with as soon as possible and appease my editor".

The Majin Buu arc of Dragon Ball Z is not a bad way to end the series by any means, but the overall execution is rushed, fan favorite characters are tossed aside, and the titular villain of the storyline is severely lacking in development (being essentially the equivalent of a spoiled man-child, rather than an intimidating entity like his predecessors). Buu was an absolutely unnecessary and tacked-on addition to the series, serving as one final villain in Toriyama's extended epilogue to Dragon Ball.

What did you think of the Buu arc? Feel free to discuss in the comments below, and be sure to follow for future updates on the site! Next time, we will be looking at my favorite installment in the series, by going back and taking a look at Goku's childhood in the original Dragon Ball.

Turtles (1990) vs. Turtles (2014)

(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)

In regard to my list of favorite comic book films, there is none I hold on a higher pedestal than Sam Raimi's original Spider-Man. However, a close second is the first live-action adaptation of Mirage Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I admire the film for how it stays faithful to the source material (the comics as opposed to the popular 1987 cartoon), and shows a casual audience an approximation of the original turtles' personalities. While it is much more faithful to the original comics, it also sprinkles in some elements from the cartoon, such as the turtles' colored bandanas and April O' Neil being a television reporter. Additionally, it shows some amazing effect work courtesy of the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Matter of fact, this project was one of the last Henson was involved in before he passed away in May of 1990 (the film's home media releases are actually dedicated to him, such as the DVD).

Since this film adheres more to the comics than the cartoon in terms of plot, characters such as Krang, Bebop, and Rocksteady are thankfully omitted. The tone is also more realistic and grounded in reality, similar to the later Christopher Nolan Batman films. Therefore, one should not expect much of the science fiction elements found in its' animated counterpart. However, the traditional origins of the turtles are kept, and Master Splinter's origin reverts to being the pet of Hamato Yoshi, as opposed to being Yoshi himself (the latter of which I was never a fan of in the 1987 and 2012 versions). Casey Jones and April O' Neil also play roles more similar to the comics, such as the former being a more prominent character than in the animated series (and actually being unmasked). The realistic tone that is carried over from the comics allows for a product that is more believable, and allows for a greater sense of immersion. However, since it takes on a more realistic and darker tone, I would advise showing this version of the turtles to small children since it contains more violence and instances of profanity. The stakes for the turtles are much higher, and the antagonist, Oroku Saki/Shredder is much more intimidating than the bumbling idiot in the cartoon.

Shredder, the turtles, and Splinter feel like they are ripped directly from the comics in terms of appearances, personality, origin, and motivations. Matter of fact, the former's outfit is a 1:1 recreation of the character's appearance from the first issue of the series. Speaking of which, many moments in the plot are ripped directly from the source material as well, with the final confrontation being almost a "shot for shot" adaptation of the battle with Shredder from issue one (aside from the battle's end). We would not see another faithful recreation after this for another thirteen years, when the 2003 4Kids adaptation was released (a version arguably more faithful than this film). If you are looking for a "definitive" adaptation that perfectly captures the essence of Ninja Turtles, then I would highly recommend this one. However, if you are looking for a version that captures more of the essence of the cartoon (albeit poorly), then we have something for you as well; the 2014 Michael Bay reboot...

While the aforementioned film was more grounded in reality, and adhered to the gritty tone of the original comics, this version is that version's near polar opposite. Instead of following the original comics, it chooses to follow the original cartoon. While the 1990 film used impressive practical effects that made the turtles feel believable, the 2014 reboot uses awkward CGI that made the heroes in a half-shell look like Shrek clones on steroids (and made Shredder look as edgy and extreme as possible). I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, considering the man behind this is Michael "make everything macho and over the top" Bay of Transformers fame.

This version poorly captures the essence of the franchise, and simply turns it into 2+ hours of explosions, excessive amounts of computer graphics (especially where there did not need to be CGI), and a bland, miscast April O' Neil (portrayed by Bay's "go-to gal", Megan Fox). Viewers can really tell that Fox was doing this for a paycheck and nothing more, she acts with little personality to the point of it being sleep-inducing. Unfortunately, she also overshadows the titular characters and has a significantly higher amount of screen-time than they do.

Additionally, the origins of the turtles and Splinter are drastically changed as well, with any connection to Hamato Yoshi being completely omitted. However, while this film is a poor adaptation of the source material, there is one aspect they did get right; the individual characteristics of the turtles. While they look like bulked-up Shrek clones, they still act like they are supposed to. Their family dynamic also remains faithful to the source material, acting like brothers instead of four soldiers.

Overall, if you want an experience that is closer to the comics (and much more enjoyable), go for the 1990 film. However if you are looking for excessive adrenaline rushes, macho manliness, bland characters, extreme action sequences, and a product that is basically Ninja Turtles in name only, then go for the 2014 film by Michael Bay. The latter was an absolute chore to watch in the three moments I attempted to do so, and I do not see myself viewing it again (thank goodness I only rented it instead of outright purchasing it for this review). I hope these turtles fade into obscurity in favor of a future experience that is more like the original film, with believable effects, dynamic characters, and a world adhering more closely to either the original or rebooted comics. Perhaps they could make it a period piece by setting it in the 1980s, and make it closer in tone to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's original vision. I would love to see the turtles having all red bandanas for the first time outside of the comics, and the first live action appearances of the Utroms.

What do you think of these two versions of the turtles? What is your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles adaptation? Feel free to discuss in the comments below; also feel free to like and follow this page for future updates! 

Top 5 Disney Songs from the Stage Musicals

For a bit of context, whenever Disney makes a stage musical based on one of their films, they will usually include all or at least two of the following:

• All or most of the songs from the source material
• Songs written for the original film but cut (such as Human Again in Beauty and the Beast, and Proud of Your Boy in Aladdin)
• Songs written exclusively for the stage production

I have covered the first two in previous reviews, so it is fitting that I should cover some of the songs written exclusively for the stage versions. I will be discussing when this song takes place in the show (so there will definitely be spoilers), the impact it has on the overall story, and my overall thoughts on the number. As was the case with the previous two reviews of this nature, I will only be doing one song per production, so each show gets their chance in the spotlight (pun intended). I will also be including links to the songs for you to listen to, so you can develop your opinions on which ones you like as well. 

#5: I Need to Know, Tarzan

(Source: TLMBroadway193)

Plotwise, this song takes place during the scene where the young Tarzan is trying to determine who (or what) he is, after a fallout with the gorilla tribe's leader, Kerchak. This song could serve as the customary "I want" number in a musical, something the original 1999 film lacked. Tarzan is trying to determine where he belongs and his place in the world, unaware of his humanity at this point in the story. He is later comforted by his adoptive gorilla mother, Kala, whom essentially informs him that even though they look different, they are indeed one in the same. I like how this song is used to develop Tarzan as a character, and sets up his development for the rest of the production (considering it directly precedes the iconic Son of Man from the original movie).

#4: Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

(Source: Adam Ostrowski)

At this point in the production, we have learned of the desires of both Quasimodo and his adoptive father, Archdeacon Frollo. Essentially, they have the same desire, "the gypsy known as Esmeralda". Matter of fact, Frollo's desire for Esmeralda is so insane, he decides to burn down a majority of Paris simply to locate her; it essentially sounds like a stalker horror gone completely wrong. It serves as a turning point for the majority of the main characters; Phoebus turns on Frollo, Esmeralda decides to stand up for herself and the gypsies, we begin to see Quasimodo rebelling against his master, and Frollo (of course) goes insane. The song serves as a powerful finale for the show's first act, leaving the production on a powerful (and somewhat bleak) cliffhanger. Like the song preceding it (Hellfire) and The Lion King's Be Prepared (coincidentally, Frollo's actor played Scar in The Lion King), this is definitely one song that will send massive chills down your spine. 

#3: He Lives in You, The Lion King

(Source: TheSonicMaster123)

After reuniting with Nala and being persuaded to return to the Pride Lands to reclaim his throne, Simba is left confused on what he should do. He still believes he is the one who killed Mufasa, which makes him reluctant to return home. Essentially, this song takes place during the scene where Simba sees his father's ghost (one of my favorite Disney moments), and gives a powerful message; even though some are gone physically, they still live on in all of us. The message and Swahili vocals alone make this song one of my favorites, in addition to it taking place during my favorite part of The Lion King. Matter of fact, this song is so good, it serves as the opening for The Lion King II as an analogue to Circle of Life. It is one that reinvigorates and is a powerful showstopper before the final confrontation with Scar.

#2: A Million Miles Away, Aladdin

(Source: DisneyMusicVEVO)

After Aladdin and Jasmine meet, the audience learns of their desire to escape their current situations; Al wants to break away from being a street rat, and Jasmine does not want to be in an arranged marriage she has no consent to. They both decide to run away from Agrabah and start life anew, having only each other's company. A Million Miles Away discusses their plan and what they hope to expect from it, while also being a beautiful romantic ballad for the two. Matter of fact, this song also sets up their later meeting and A Whole New World, as hinted by Aladdin's short reprise at the beginning of the aforementioned song. I wish this song (or some equivalent to it) was used in the 2019 remake of Aladdin, as it would have further built their relationship. I love the song because it furthers the characters' development, it has a beautiful melody, and it hints at their relationship later in the show. Not having a duet like this in the remake was definitely a missed opportunity for the production staff.

#1: If I Can't Love Her, Beauty and the Beast

(Source: disneysoundtrack89)

Of course, my number one pick on this list is from my favorite stage musical, Beauty and the Beast; specifically, the finale of the show's first act. Taking place after Beast scares Belle out of the castle, the former begins to lament on possibly losing his only chance to break his curse. If he does not change his ways soon, "he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time". The song serves as the beginning of Beast's character development, along with being somewhat of an apology to those he's affected. It makes you want to cheer for the success of this character, and see him through his wish to regain his lost humanity. Like A Million Miles Away in Aladdin, If I Can't Love Her should have also been in its respective live action remake. Having this song and Evermore would have made perfect bookends to Beast's character development. (On a side note, I am glad that production I saw at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park thought similarly. Instead of performing  If I Can't Love Her's reprise like usual, they performed Evermore instead. While I understand they were paying tribute to the recently released remake by doing so, it was definitely a smart move and gave Beast another well-deserved ballad.)

What are some of your favorite songs from Disney's stage musicals? What are some of your favorite musical numbers in general? Feel free to leave a comment below and discuss! Additionally, feel free to give me a follow for future updates on the blog. 

Spider-Man Far From Home (Minor Spoilers)

(Image Source: iMDb)

While I am elated that Spider-Man is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I feel Sony and Marvel's handling of this incarnation of the character has been a mixed bag. Don't get me wrong, I think Tom Holland's take on the character is pretty solid with plenty of room to grow. I understand this version of Peter Parker is relatively new to the hero business, and still has much to learn about being a superhero. However, as of now, I rank this take on the character between his predecessors, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield; he nails both sides of the character, the quirkiness of Peter Parker and the witty heroics of Spider-Man. Unfortunately, Marvel and Sony have been touting him more as Iron Man Jr., rather than a hero of his own. This was my biggest complaint with Spider-Man Homecoming, and it is definitely one of the bigger faults of Spider-Man: Far From Home. It seems Marvel definitely wants to make him one of the new faces of this franchise, but if they want to do so effectively, they need to let Spider-Man stand on his own and not in the constant shadow of Tony Stark. I think Jon Favreau's character (Happy Hogan) says it best, he's not the next Iron Man and he is never going to be Iron Man. With that little rant out of the way, how does Far From Home hold up as an installment of the MCU and as a Spider-Man solo film? Honestly, while it was solid in both regards, I felt it was simply another "filler" episode like Ant Man and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Acting as an epilogue to the MCU's Infinity Saga, Far From Home takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame. The film does well in setting up a Post-Avengers world through the perspective of Peter Parker, and giving us a taste of the world in Phase 4 (and possibly beyond). The basic premise surrounds Peter and his classmates taking a class trip to Europe; unfortunately, the vacation is hijacked by SHIELD commander, Nick Fury, and a mysterious person known as Quentin Beck. Similar to how Homecoming paid homage to John Hughes' "high school comedy" films of the 1980s, Far From Home seems to pay tribute to the National Lampoon Vacation series, most notably National Lampoon's European Vacation. The viewer joins Peter and his classmates as they travel across the European countryside, visiting notable locations such as Venice, Prague, and London. It is interesting to see Spider-Man in a location outside of his usual New York, and offers something new to longtime fans of the character. While I enjoyed the change in scenery, it adds very little to the overall production; the filmmakers could have kept it in New York and the plot would have remained mostly the same. They still would have kept Peter feeling lost after Endgame, his budding romance with Zendaya's version of MJ, and the conflict surrounding Nick Fury and Quentin Beck's overall mission. Speaking of Quentin Beck, his version of Mysterio was an amazing visual spectacle, but was unfortunately lacking as a character. While I understand Gyllenhal was attempting to portray him as supposedly the opposite of his comic book counterpart, it unfortunately comes off as pretentious. However, I suppose that simply adds another layer to Mysterio, adding to his overall "illusion". I will say I liked the interactions between Parker and Beck, with the latter acting as another mentor to him in his time of need.
In regard to Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, he was once again at the top of his game and was easily my favorite character in the film. (Marvel, can we please get a Nick Fury movie? That would be amazing!) I also enjoyed some of the supporting cast, such as Zendaya's MJ, but I felt there was one subplot involving them that Marvel was being a bit pushy with. Thankfully, that particular one ends along with this film.
Overall, Far From Home is solid as both an installment in the MCU and as a Spider-Man film; however I feel it was a lacking and unnecessary one. It felt more like a filler episode than a major chapter, aside from the mid-credits scene which is one of the few noteworthy parts of this film, and sets up the character's overall future. If you are looking to marathon the MCU in its entirety, this one can be considered optional since it does not contribute much to the overall narrative. The action scenes were pretty solid, I will give them that. It is worth watching out of curiosity, and seeing where the franchise is going after Endgame. Hopefully, the inevitable Spider-Man 3 fixes many of these missteps and gives us a fitting conclusion to Peter's high school years. What did you think of this movie? Feel free to discuss in the comments below, and be sure to follow for more updates from Reviews and Retrospectives.

Top Five Disney TV Series

Hey everyone, guess what? It's time for the annual Top Five Disney list! However, this year we are going to change things up and give you two lists instead of one! In addition to the previously teased Top Five Disney Broadway Songs, I am also going to give you some insight into my top five shows made by Disney as well! Growing up in the late 90s and the 2000s as well, I was basically a Disney Channel/Toon Disney addict (along with a fascination for Nickelodeon and to some extent, Cartoon Network)! Below are five of my favorite shows from the company; there are more than this, but these are simply five that I enjoyed the most (with two honorable mentions).

5. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody/The Suite Life on Deck

I do admit, even now I love Disney Channel's iconic sitcoms from the mid 2000s. However, if you were to ask me which are my favorites, I would tell you that honor goes to the Suite Life of Zack and Cody series. The show centers around the titular twins played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse, (the latter of which is now known as the WORST version of Jughead Jones in Riverdale) living with their cabaret singing mother in a luxurious hotel. Their friends include a spoiled hotel heiress (Brenda Song), a candy counter girl  (Ashley Tisdale), and a mechanic (Brian Stephanik). The closest this show had to an antagonist was the hotel's manager, portrayed by Phill Lewis; however, Zack and Cody antagonized poor Moesby more than the former. Eventually, the series was given a rebrand and a new love interest for Cody (played by Debby Ryan). The setting was also changed from a hotel to a cruise ship, with the premise of the twins going to school at sea, something I feel was a bit of a stretch in retrospect (though it would be amazing to study abroad on a cruise ship). Matter of fact, the premise was so outlandish, iCarly referenced it in one episode of their own series. Despite my problems with the premise, the rebranded series had a stronger emphasis on story than its predecessor (which in my opinion makes The Suite Life on Deck the superior series out of the two). In my opinion, these two series were the best out of what Disney Channel offered in terms of sitcoms in the mid 2000s.

4. American Dragon: Jake Long

Before Gravity Falls first aired in Summer of 2012, American Dragon: Jake Long was my favorite animated series on Disney Channel. The plot centered around the titular character, who was descended from a family of human/dragon hybrids, tasked with protecting the mortal and magical realms (think Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but with dragons instead of witches). I loved the massive amount of action in the series, the overarching story, and constantly developing characters. I was also in suspense in regard to the relationship between Jake and his love interest, Rose. Unfortunately, Disney prematurely cut this show from the roster, cancelling it after two seasons. Consequently, that would be one of few times I was legitimately angered by the company; I felt this franchise had a massive amount of potential, and could have lasted much longer than it should. Disney would later do the same to another story-driven series with a similar premise, with similar success.

3. Gargoyles

I admit, while I consider this series one of my favorites, I have not seen it completely. In the early 2000s, Toon Disney had a tendency to air this show's episodes out of their intended order. As a result, it was extremely hard to follow the overarching storylines. If this series ever comes to Hulu and Netflix, you can count on me binge watching it while I work on my animation and design projects. The series has the premise of Gargoyles frozen in time, awakening in the modern day and severely displaced from their medieval era. Like the previous entry, I enjoyed the copious amount of character development and action sequences. Unfortunately, I have not seen much of the story, so I cannot comment on it at the moment; I will give my proper thoughts on this series in a future post.

2. Gravity Falls

As mentioned in entry four, this effectively replaced American Dragon: Jake Long as my favorite Disney Channel animated series. Unfortunately, it suffered a similar fate in terms of premature cancellation as well and left many questions unanswered. Nonetheless, this series is also similar to Jake Long in its subject matter; both explore the supernatural and mystical elements of the world while also being bound to an overarching story. The basic premise surrounds Mabel and Dipper Pines' adventures in Gravity Falls during their summer vacation, and as the story progresses they come across enemies such as Bill Cipher and the irksome Lil' Gideon (the latter of which I found to be an annoying character). Its emphasis on story, and balance between action and comedy makes this stand out from what Disney XD has to offer. It was one of those rare series that contained a singular overarching story as opposed to smaller background story arcs, which kept me watching (despite getting into it well after it ended by binging it on Hulu). Plus, who could forget other iconic characters such as Wendy, Soos, and the always lovable Gnome, Shmebulock?

Honorable Mentions: Aladdin: The Animated Series and Hercules: The Animated Series

Now I bet you are all surprised that I did not put the series based on two of my favorite Disney movies in the top spot, and you all have every right to be. I loved these shows when I was younger, but I did not put them in a top spot for two reasons; the first being I do not have as much nostalgic feeling toward them as I do toward their animated film counterparts. The second being they have not aged as well as these other series in the list. While they are series that I fondly remember and love, their quality is a bit of a downgrade along with creating quite a few plot holes in terms of continuity. However despite that, there are some memorable episodes from both series that are among my favorites in addition to a CROSSOVER between the two. If you are as much of a fan of Aladdin and Hercules like I am, then I would highly recommend giving these two shows a look, they are truly a "diamond in the rough".

1. DuckTales

This series (with Aladdin as an honorable mention) is the Disney show that I have the most memories of watching; matter of fact it is probably one of the earliest exposures to Disney I remember. Since I was really young, I remember watching Ducktales on channels such as ABC, Toon Disney, and Disney Channel. Additionally, they feature characters related to my favorite classic Disney characters, Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck. The series surrounds Donald's Uncle Scrooge and their nephews (the adorable Huey, Duey, and Louie) as they travel the world in search of treasure and adventure. During their travels, they come across enemies such as Scrooge's rival, Flintheart Glomgold, and a sorceress named Magica de Spell. Occassionally, they will also be confronted by smaller foes such as the criminal group known as The Beagle Boys and Disney's iconic Pete. In addition to being centered around Disney's duck characters, I was also hooked on the adventure aspect and diverse locales Scrooge and his gang would visit. I suppose many of you readers are asking what I think of the 2017 reboot, and I can confidently say I like what I have seen so far. I have not had time to watch much of the series, but from the few episodes I have seen, I love how it actually improves upon the source material. As an added bonus, Donald himself has more of a prominent role than in the original. I may give my thoughts on the new version in a later post, but so far I think this is a worthy successor to the Disney Afternoon classic.

What are some of your favorite Disney TV series? Feel free to leave your responses in the comments below, and be sure to like and follow for future posts from Reviews and Retrospectives! Maybe next time in Top 5 Disney I will finally discuss my favorite songs from the stage adaptations, but I will wait until I hear more from the upcoming stage version of Hercules before doing so.

Disney's Aladdin (2019): Diamond in the Rough?

 (Source: IMDb.com)

Initially, I had mixed feelings when this remake was announced but was nonetheless excited (since this is adapting my favorite animated movie). However, this film was an example of one I should have viewed with no expectations whatsoever; I was one who hoped for deleted songs such as Proud of Your Boy, and essentially an adaptation of the stage musical using Howard Ashman's deleted lyrics. I will say if you are one who had those expectations like me, you are going to be slightly disappointed; as a minor spoiler, the only instance of deleted lyrics in the film are at the end of Arabian Nights and the new reprise of One Jump Ahead (which was surprisingly written for the original film but cut later in production, similar to the aforementioned Proud of Your Boy). Despite all this, this remake is one of Disney's best in their current trend of live-action adaptations. Admittedly, while this film is by no means perfect (nor does it hold a candle to the original and its stage musical), it still does a solid job adapting the source material while giving us something new in the process. 

Also, I am currently eating my words in regard to Will Smith's Genie and the rest of the cast (aside from Marwan Kenzari's Jafar). 

I loved the portrayals by Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Jasmine), Frank Welker (Abu, Raja, Cave of Wonders), and of course Will Smith. They did a phenomenal job portraying their respective characters in addition to fleshing them out; their renditions of the iconic songs were also beautifully done.... except for Will Smith's Prince Ali. 

While I know he was making a solid effort in that scene, the sequence as a whole lacked the energy of its animated and stage counterparts; it is disappointing because Prince Ali is my favorite song that was in the original film. I did like the part of the song where Genie was waiting for Sultan's approval to enter the palace, even though it messed up the song's flow. Harkening back to my earlier statement on deleted Ashman lyrics, I felt this song could have benefited most from using them; Genie could have used the lost intro as a means of transitioning into the main number (since the scene started rather abruptly), and the lost lyrics littered throughout the song could have been used to embellish "Prince Ali's" exploits (similar to the stage musical). Utilizing these deleted lyrics was one of main missed opportunities in this film, the other being everyone's favorite Scarlet McCaw, Iago. 

I was disappointed that Iago's role was drastically reduced from the original and stage versions, where in this version he is simply a regular parrot; he is still capable of speech, but now it is small phrases. Alan Tudyk did a great job in the role, but I wish we would have seen more from him. Aside from Abu (who remained mostly the same from the original, if not having a more expanded role), the animal characters were essentially pushed aside. 

While I am not the biggest fan of Abu, I actually enjoyed him much more in this version. He was given a more dynamic personality and was a catalyst for some events in the plot, making this little monkey one of the most enjoyable characters in the film. Additionally, he is given more time as a monkey than as an elephant, which is another bonus for the character. 

Regarding the film's events and pacing; while the story was very solid, there seemed to be somewhat of a lack of cohesion in the second and third acts, as it simply jumped from one event to another. There were plenty of moments I enjoyed (such as the scenes of Aladdin and Jasmine in the marketplace), but there were also times where it seemed like Guy Ritchie was going off a checklist, trying to hit certain points. There were moments he nailed perfectly under his direction, and there were some that could have used some work (such as the infamous "jams" running gag). 

I respect the efforts of director Guy Ritchie and the beautiful score by Alan Menken, they did a very solid job in making this film. The cast made the roles their own and did a great job, especially the main trio. Aside from Prince Ali, the entirety of Menken's score was also beautiful, and Jasmine's new song blew me away. I also loved the callbacks to the source material and the stage musical, such as making Prince Ali "of Ababwa" and the little snippet of Proud of Your Boy used at one point in the film (a moment which made me shed a few tears of joy since that is my favorite Disney song). If you go into this film with ZERO expectations, then you will have an enjoyable experience and come out satisfied. It is not exactly a "Diamond in the Rough" like one would think, but it makes a great effort in trying to be one. Aladdin is certainly worth a watch (or two or three), and I loved how it took the material of its predecessors and ran with them. However, Jafar seriously needed some work... he certainly does not hold a candle to Jonathan Freeman, not by a long shot.