Toy Story 4 (2019)

We are taking a break this weekend from Sunday at the Classics to check out a film because tonight is the 92ND annual Academy Awards ceremony. Tonight, they'll be handing out Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and so many more. One of the categories that I have always had great luck with is the Best Animated Feature award that I have successfully predicted for the last five years and for today's film I had to check out the film that I am picking for that award in Toy Story 4. The film once again stars Tom Hanks (Philadelphia) as Woody, Tim Allen (Home Improvement) as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack (Working Girl) as Jesse, Kristen Schaal (Toy Story 3) as Trixie, Wallace Shawn (The Princess Bride) as Rex, John Ratzenberger (Cheers) as Hamm, Blake Clark (Waterboy) as Slinky, and Bonnie Hunt (Rain Man) as Dolly. This time around, the gang is trying to get used to Bonnie's routines, but Woody is having a hard time adjusting. One day, he helps her create a new friend in Forky (Tony Hale), but Forky gets lost at an Antique store and it's up to Woody and an old friend to bring him back before it's too late. The film also stars Annie Potts (Ghostbusters) as Bo Peep, Keegan-Michael Key (Keanu) as Ducky, Keanu Reeves (John Wick) as Duke Caboom, Jordan Peele (Keanu) as Bunny, Christina Hendricks (The Neon Demon) as Gabby Gabby, Ally Maki (Cloak & Dagger) as Giggles McDimples, and the film was directed by Josh Cooley (Inside Out).

So, compared to the previous entry in the franchise which I thought was dark towards the end of the film, this was a much lighter film. The film touches on the idea of being an outcast, an undesirable that feels left out in the cold and it tries to teach you that it's OK to feel that way, but nothing is permanent. They try to teach you in the film that you have to accept yourself for who you are and that sometimes you have to take a chance and think outside the four walls of your room or the proverbial box. The film teaches you that sometimes you just need to accept reality and when you can do that you will be OK because you'll value your true closest friends. Disney films have always been very deep as far as the underlying messages that you don't get as a child until you watch it again as an adult. I think they hope that your brain will just subliminally understand what is happening and you'll be a better citizen for it. I have always been a fan of the franchise and I was very much looking forward to this film, but how does it rank with the rest of them? I thought the story was well done, but the film was more centered on Woody this time around then it was about any other character. I definitely believe with all my heart that this was the franchise's swan song and they did it with dignity. I loved seeing all the different new toys and how they included some from Canada with theirs which was great because I loved having Keanu Reeves there. I don't know what else there is to say because Disney Pixar do not make bad movies. So, I am going to go ahead and give this one an A- for a final grade.

The Lion King (2019)

Disney has been on this kick as of late that since technology has greatly improved since the release of several of their original films that they would try to bring some to life. I believe it all started with Beauty And The Beast and in 2019 they moved on to another classic Disney film. In 1994, Disney would release what can be considered to be one of the greatest animated films in their arsenal in The Lion King. Fast forward 25 years later and they have decided to make it come alive in a live action film with CGI. While King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) celebrates the birth of his son ho is the rightful heir to the throne, his brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) sits in the background in jealousy waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When he does, he convinces young Simba (JD McCrary) that it was all his fault so he runs away never to return. Fast forward some years later and Simba (Donald Glover) is convinced to return to claim his rightful place and avenge his father. The film also stars Seth Rogen (Steve Jobs) as Pumbaa, John Oliver (The Smurfs) as Zazu, Beyoncé as Nala, Keegan-Michael Key (Keanu) as Kamari, Billy Eichner (Angry Birds) as Timon, Florence Kasumba (Black Panther) as Shenzi, Penny Johnson Jerald (24) as Sarafina, and the film was directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man).

I hate to dog a movie right from the get go because I love to build up films a little only to deliver what I didn't like at the end. I am doing the opposite with this one because what are the rules of remaking a film nevermind a classic? I honestly feel that if you are going to remake a film, you need to bring something fresh to the table. Don't just say that you'll give them an emotionless live action film and just expect us to eat it all up and be happy. The thing that was great about the original was that they showed exactly what emotions they were going through so that would could understand the excitement or the hurt that they were going through. Basically they did absolutely nothing new to the film and if I wanted to I could go to a zoo or take a trip the African Safari and I could pretend that they were reenacting The Lion King. The only cool thing about the film was the fact that they got James Earl Jones to come back and voice Mufasa once again which was awesome. The other thing I didn't like was the look of Scar because in the original he looked like a Lion that was just a little shady and conniving. In this one, he looks like a rescue Lion that was abused by it's original owners and he certainly looked like he was no shape to take over a kingdom. I mean I think Nala could have stood a chance against Scar. I hate dogging the film, but this may have been a better film if they only did it better than they did with emotions if that makes any sense? The only plus side is that Seth Rogen absolutely knocked it out of the park as Pumbaa like he was the perfect person to play him. The film was crisp, great cinematography, but everything else just sets it back a bit to the point that this film gets a C+/B- (somewhere in there) for a final grade.