Monster House

As a parent, I understand how hard it can be to find an appropriate Halloween movie that can interest adults and give kids a mild scare. Monster House is a rare gem that delivers on just that. Back when the film was in theaters in 2006 I was still in the movie business (selling popcorn) and took my little brother to see it. We both thought it was great, him in his early teens and I in my early 20s. This Halloween season, it has become a favorite of my four year old son and I’m so happy to see him enjoy it.

In Monster House, DJ lives across the street from Mr. Nebbercracker (voiced by Steve Buscemi), the creepy old man on the block, and his equally creepy house. Whenever a ball lands on his lawn or a little girl veers her tricycle off the sidewalk, Nebbercracker runs out yelling, “Get off my lawn!” and takes the toy, scaring the kids away. Lately, DJ has been watching his every move.

While DJ’s parents are away, just days before Halloween, his friend, Chowder, comes over and his new basketball lands on the forbidden lawn. As DJ darts across the lawn to retrieve the ball, Nebbercracker is on him, physically shaking the kid and suddenly collapses on top of him. After the ambulance leaves, the kids think Nebbercracker is dead and DJ is riddled with guilt. All night, it seems like the house is watching him. He even gets a call from across the street, knowing no one is home. And soon, the house is outright attacking people and snatching them up, throwing them inside. Could it be Nebbercracker from beyond the grave? Or could the house hold a mystery even more macabre?

The unique design used in Monster House sets it apart from most other animated films. The characters are a slightly stylized out of reality but not created to be overly cute, like in so many other animated films. Nebbercracker and Bones are both wonderfully creepy characters in very different ways while DJ and his friends are lovably dorky kids. Even better, the imagination and style used to turn a creepy house into an all out monster works great here. Little details go a long way, from the way shingles ruffle and the porch contorts to teeth to the interior’s dark and cavernous appearance.

Monster House is a lovably creepy film perfect for Halloween that will engage the whole family. Some themes might be a bit much for very young kids, but the older ones will appriciate a cartoon that isn’t watered down too muh. And while you may think you know how this story is going to go (duh, the house is a monster) there is more here than you would have expected. Way back when I first saw this film, my brother and I really enjoyed the major revelation and how it became a very redeeming factor. That and the high caliber animation helped seal the film’s Oscar nomination for best animated feature. I suggest enjoying this film as a family before trick-or-treating.

“Chowder, your ball just landed on Nebbercracker’s lawn. It doesn’t exist anymore…”

Advertisements

Incredibles 2

It’s been fourteen years since we first met Pixar’s family of superheroes, yet their story picks up from the moment the first film ended. It opens with the Parr family springing into action to stop The Underminer, while they juggle babysitting Jack Jack, and it ensures us that this film will be full of fun, family focused, fast paced action.

However, the day does does not end well for the Parrs, as superheroes are still illegal. The agent who has been helping them stay undercover for years can only offer them two weeks in a motel before they’re on their own. So when a wealthy, nostalgic benefactor hoping to make supers legal again offers Elastigirl a job, complete with a swanky high tech house for the family, the Parrs take it. Soon a new villain rises, targeting Elastigirl and could jeopardize the plan to legalize supers.

While Helen (Elastigirl voice by Holly Hunter) is off doing superhero work, Bob (Mr. Incredible voiced by Craig T. Nelson)  is holding down the fort taking care of the kids. His challenges add some engaging comedy to this family movie. In his first day he has to deal with his Violet’s first date, Dash’s math homework and a baby who won’t stay in his crib on top of being envious of his wife’s work. It only gets worse as Bob discovers Jack-Jack’s powers.

One of the funniest scenes shows Jack-Jack fighting his first enemy: a raccoon in the yard. Many of his powers are revealed as Jack-Jack moves through the glass door, morphs into his monster-baby form, bursts into flames throwing lawn chairs and splits into multiple clones, chasing off the hilariously bewildered raccoon. And when Bob finds him, the excitement about his baby’s new powers is soon met with the insurmountable task of keeping him safe. Thankfully, Edna is willing to help, in her own fabulous way.

This is a rare superhero movie that is family friendly and still satisfies all ages. I loved the way Elastigirl was allowed to shine on her own, as well as a few new female supers. My kid enjoyed the Jack-Jack scenes. And while my husband enjoyed it, he of course found flaws in how similar the plots of both the original and this sequel are, but I won’t spill any spoilers on that. And honestly, I didn’t mind, the stories themselves are unique enough.

One thing I want to warn viewers about is the fact that the film uses a visual effect similar to a strobe light in multiple parts of the film. For those sensitive to such visuals, beware or wait to watch the film at home. It was pretty intense in a dark, crowded theater.

Through all the action and excitement, the heart of the film is the story of the Parr family. While their powers are super, their problems are wonderfully relatable for many modern families. The combination of stress and support between Bob and Helen when they switch household roles is something many families understand and the results are engaging and entertaining for all ages. And as always, these supers are stronger together. Everyone can leave this film seeing the supers within their own home.

“Done properly, parenting is a heroic act… done properly.”

The Boss Baby

Once the Oscar nominations were announced, there was a sudden backlash against The Boss Baby. How could such tripe be nominated for Best Animated Feature over popular franchise gems like The Lego Batman Movie or Cars 3? In my opinion, easily, like taking candy from a baby.

You see, Dreamworks’ The Boss Baby isn’t about a baby in a suit hungry for power. Not really anyway. The real story is about an imaginative seven-year-old named Tim and how he processes the news that he is going to be a big brother. As soon as his parents gently ask him if he’d like to have a baby brother, we are launched into Tim’s fantasy about where babies come from, how his new brother would arrive and how it would take over and change his family and his life. And the whole thing would be because of a big conspiracy, where a corporation of babies are competing for love against their rival: puppies.

How silly, right? But the mind of a kid is silly. And it allows the movie to take some very fun and imaginative liberties with what these babies and Tim can do. What would really be a humdrum play-date, turns into a chase scene in the back yard complete with epic exploding fireballs and the Boss Baby being thrown through an upstairs window. Tim’s Gandalf inspired alarm clock becomes a cute sidekick. A puppy product launch involves actually launching a rocket filled with puppies. And my favorite scene is when the brothers sneak onto a plane full of Elvis impersonators headed to Vegas! So many animated films lately strive for realism or draw the line very neatly between fantasy and reality, while The Boss Baby goes for broke and blurs the line in such a fun way that I think it works and adds to the film’s charm.

For my growing family, The Boss Baby has become a favorite lately. It came on Netflix not long after my husband and I told our three-year-old that he’s going to be a big brother. While he has his own questions and worries, watching a story about a kid learning to love and accept the new baby, and his new role as a big brother is helpful. Sure, they have a rocky start, as I expect my son and his future sibling will, but my son always ends the movie with his hand on my belly, asking if the baby can feel him yet. It’s helping him bond already and the film’s message about love is strong enough that a three-year-old gets it.

Sure, The Boss Baby isn’t some cutting edge animated masterpiece, but to write it off as a running Alec Baldwin baby in a suit gag doesn’t do it justice. It’s a cute, surprisingly smart, film about love that families, especially growing families, can enjoy together.

“This is not about Lamb-lamb!”

Coco

Pixar’s latest addition to their lineup of amazing animation is Coco, a colorful, vibrant film about remembering the importance of family while following your dreams.

The story centers on the Rivera family celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Young Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) wants to be a musician, but his family forbids music since his great-great grandfather left his family to pursue his musical ambitions. The rift caused by this patriarch’s absence has been upheld through the generations. The family offering does not even feature him, his head has been ripped out of the family picture. When Miguel discovers that the picture has also been folded to crop out his great-great grandfather’s guitar, he realizes that the guitar belonged to a famous musician, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice by Benjamin Bratt), who happens to be Miguel’s idol. When Miguel is accidentally transported to the land of the dead, he meets his ancestors and tries to find his great-great grandfather, so he can get his blessing to pursue music.

The writers at Pixar have done it again crafting a smart story that entertains and compels their wide audience. My husband and I took our three year old son to see Coco and all three of us loved it. My husband said it reminded him of Up, from the poignant family story and all the color. Our son loved all the skeletons and thinks Coco is a Halloween movie, even though I’ve explained the differences between that and Dia de los Muertos. I spent much of the movie with tears in my eyes, I found the themes and characters so moving. I think a good portion of the audience was wiping tears away as the film ended.

Visually, Coco is another beautiful step forward for animation and reminds us of the importance of color. In depicting a Dia de los Muertos celebration, color is so important and juxtaposed against the white skeletons and brings both the characters and the celebration to life. The Land of the Dead is an amazing feat of animation, depicting a huge city with a wide variety of buildings stacked and layered. The scenes in the Land of the Dead have a lot of depth and character. The animation of the skeleton characters is a great blend of accurate and imaginative. It takes a bit of creativity to give skeletons so many facial expressions, yet seeing one play a guitar so accurately is a delight. And the art nerd in me loved the comic use of Frida Kahlo.

One of my favorite scenes is when Miguel auditions to perform at Ernesto de la Cruz’s party. It’s his first musical performance, ever. Thankfully, he’s met Hector (voice by Gael García Bernal) who helps him stay calm and confident and becomes a wonderful addition to his performance as they sing Un Poco Loco and steal the show. It’s a wonderful mix of energetic animation and catchy music where we start to realize there is more to Hector than he seems. While I would not call Coco a musical, this scene gives me confidence that Pixar could make musicals just as well as Disney.

I seriously doubt Coco will be forgotten during the Oscar season. It is the obvious choice for Best Animated Feature. Remember Me could be nominated for Best Song and the writing here is so strong I would not be surprised if the film earns a nomination for Original Screenplay. While it’s rare for an animated film to be nominated for art direction awards, I wonder if Coco could be considered.

This film has many lessons to teach, to children, adults and to the aspiring artists, but one rings with more importance and resonates for all: Appreciate your family, especially the elders. Let them tell their stories and listen to their past. They are often our last link to those who have passed long ago. Take time to learn about your family, past and present, and celebrate them.

“Never forget how much your family loves you.”

The Lion King

As the lights went dark in the theater last weekend, I watched my son’s face in anticipation. I’ll always remember how I felt at the start of The Lion King. The singing call and the sun rising startled and shook me inside. I remember being amazed, mystified and engrossed in the film, especially in that stunning beginning. I think The Lion King pushed me from a kid who liked movies to a young film fan. I was eight then, my son is only three now. As the opening number slammed shut with the title in red on the screen, my son asked in his movie-theater whisper, “Can I hold the drink?” I sighed with nostalgic tears in my eyes and handed over the drink. I hope one day he finds a movie the defines his childhood like The Lion King defined mine.

The Lion King is more grand than your average animated film. The story isn’t a fairy tale, but a story of power, family and destiny set within the animal kingdom on the African savanna. Simba (voiced by 90s teen star Jonathan Taylor Thomas and 80s teen star Matthew Broderick) is a young prince excited about his future as king. His wise father, Mufasa (voiced by the even more iconic James Earl Jones), tries to teach Simba what it means to be king while his uncle, Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons), plots to worm his way onto the throne. After Scar murders Mufasa, in one of the most devastating scenes known to Disney, he convinces young Simba the death was his fault. Afraid, Simba leaves the Pride Lands and Scar rules with his band of hyenas. After years of Hakuna Matata, Simba learns that his kingdom is in ruins and he must face his uncle to reclaim it and fulfill his destiny. The story is basically Hamlet with animals, but most American 90s kids didn’t realize it.

Everyone loves the music from The Lion King.  Many kids grow up knowing all the songs by heart. And rightfully so, even the bouncy I Just Can’t Wait to be King has aged wonderfully. Three of the songs, Circle of Life, Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Hakuna Matata were Oscar nominated, with Can You Feel  the Love Tonight winning.

The score is also Oscar winning and perfectly reflects the movie. It’s heavy, yet whimsical, can be very serious and solemn and rooted in its African themes. I can easily listen to The Lion King’s score for hours. It’s such a beautiful soundtrack to envelop an equally visually beautiful film. The styles compliment each other perfectly and it feels like a beautiful celebration of life.

I personally believe The Lion King defines the height of the Disney Renaissance. Never before had Disney animation been so crisp, flawless and intense. And the level of storytelling was raised to a level that could fulfill the hearts and souls of all. I feel very lucky to have been at the perfect age to see this film in its original release and to grow up on its ideas of owning your past, fulfilling your destiny and stepping up to take charge of your own life. Now, sharing this film with my child is an amazing treat, and give the circle of life greater meaning. 

“You see? He lives in you.”

Zootopia

Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) is a young, optimistic rabbit who dreamed her whole life of being a police officer.  She’s the daughter of a carrot farmer from her little country town and plans to move to Zootopia, where anyone can be anything.  But there are big obstacles for this little bunny, from a childhood bully, grueling physical police academy tests better suited for lions or bears, and her dismissive boss who doesn’t seem to care for a rabbit on his force.  When she tries to make a difference, promising a distraught wife that she will find her missing husband, Hopps’ boss gives her an ultimatum to find him within two days or she is fired.  

This leads Hopps to seek help from a local hustler she met on duty, Nick (voiced by Jason Bateman), a fox.  Foxes are seen as a very untrustworthy predator.  With Hopps’ childhood bully being a fox, her parents warning her against foxes so much so that they give her pepper spray like fox repellant, we understand the tension between the two right away.  But a friendship forms between them as they work to crack the case of the missing otter and discover a conspiracy that could destroy Zootopia.

Disney films have tackled social issues before, but never so head on as Zootopia.  The tension between predators and prey, foxes and rabbits plays along our society’s problems with racism and sexism.  Gazelle’s line, “It is irresponsible to label all predators as savages,” is a heated one where we can easily replace predator with any minority and savage with any unsavory stereotype.  Yet the film is still kid friendly enough that adults don’t need to worry about their children witnessing any racist acts or slurs that could get them in trouble at school.  It’s easy for children and adults to understand who the victims are here, regardless of their own upbringing.  

The writing about social issues is smart, the mystery plot that unfolds is brilliant.  This is one of the more elaborate stories I’ve seen from Disney and I really enjoyed it.  I think it can best describe it as an animated buddy cop noir with a touch of Chinatown for inspiration.  And adults will enjoy the Godfather and Breaking Bad references.  

While I expect to see Zootopia nominated for best animated feature come Oscar season, I doubt it will take the prize.  Visually, the film does nothing new.  Sure, it’s a lot of fun to see how all these different animals live together, the sloth scene is great slow motion fun and Tommy Chong as a yak running a “naturalist club” is hilarious.  But if Zootopia does take the Oscar, it will be for it’s superb writing, which it may find a second nomination for.  

“I mean I am just a dumb bunny, but we are good at multiplying.”

Finding Dory

For the past thirteen years Dory (voiced by the wonderful Ellen DeGeneres) has been the world favorite forgetful fish.  Between speaking whale, befriending sharks and forgetting the whole thing, she stole the show in Finding Nemo.  And let’s face it, Marlin wouldn’t have gotten far without her.  It makes perfect sense for the magic makers at Pixar to tell her story.  

In Finding Dory, we see flashbacks and fragments of Dory’s childhood (and Baby Dory so stinkin’ cute!).  Dory starts to remember bits about herself, including her parents.  With Nemo (voiced by Hayden Rolence)  and Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), she sets off across the ocean to find them in California.  They are led to an aquarium, The Marine Life Institute, and find their way inside.  Dory gets some help from a runaway octopus named Hank (voiced by Ed O’Neill) who has some great camouflage tricks while Marlin and Nemo meet Becky… I love Becky too much to spoil.  Dory also meets old friends, finds her old home, faces heartbreaking revelations and shows off her amazing strengths.  By the end everyone will be asking, “What would Dory do?”

One of my favorite scenes was when Dory and Hank are in the Touch Pool.  Those are those shallow, kid height aquariums full of starfish and sea sponges that kids put their grubby hands in to touch the fish.  They looked cute and harmless when I let my kid check it out at the aquarium.  In Finding Dory, it’s a bottom dweller’s nightmare.  My kid jumped a mile on my lap when the first hand dove into the water.  He gripped my arm during this scene and I just felt bad for all the creatures trying to hide.  Maybe next time we’ll skip the touch pool.

What I think Finding Nemo does best is remind us that Dory  is not just our favorite forgetful fish but an amazing, resilient, resourceful and daring leading fish.  Her important memories are not forgotten, just buried deep inside her and are awakened one by one.  Many flashbacks show that Dory’s parents taught her the best they could with her memory loss issue and parents, especially with challenging children, should take note to their resilience as well.  Never count anyone out, it’s amazing what even the most challenged beings can do.

I suspect Finding Dory will be the front-runner for best animated feature, as Pixar films usually are.  Visually, it is superb taking us from familiar oceans to the inner workings of the aquarium.  And Hank’s camouflage antics are a huge hit.  The story springboards off of Finding Nemo, but with it’s zanier antics and quick pace builds it’s own unique tone.  However, like Nemo, it still has it’s heart in the right place with the parent-child dynamic flipped around as Dory searches for her parents.  It will make you cry just a bit and laugh a whole lot.  I think I laughed the most at the use of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World during some perfect slow motion.  

“My friend, Sigourney, once said: rescue, rehabilitate, release!”