MARVEL'S Sort-of Animated GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Article originally written for Seat42F.

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY was an awesome surprise last summer, a film set far apart from the others the comic book company’s movie studio has released, yet thoroughly enjoyable in its own right. Full of unique, developed, magnetic characters and a moving story arc, it is worth repeat viewings, and has quickly sparked both a sequel and a cartoon spin-off. That spin-off, also titled MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, premiered recently on Disney XD. And it is not worthy of the name.

I used to watch cartoons as a child, of course, but have not watched this type of cartoon since probably around 1990. The type I’m talking about is a formulaic action drama in which a generic group of bland characters jump from action scene to action scene, spouting trivial dialogue that means nothing to the story, and lacks any emotional depth or character development. MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is exactly this, and could have blended in a late 1980s lineup seamlessly.

Gone is everything that makes MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY special. Sure, the characters, including many of the supporting ones from the movie, are still there, as are the settings, and even the soundtrack. But they are all merely set dressing for a trite, flat adventure, not used to any real effect. For instance, Drax the Destroyer (David Sobolov, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare) still talks about getting revenge, but we no longer feel the sadness in his eyes. And Peter Quill (Will Friedle, Boy Meets World, Kim Possible) pops in the song “Hooked on a Feeling” as background noise as the team stages a raid, but it doesn’t mean anything like the songs do in the movie, it’s just static.

I am loathe to blame the voice cast, because I know many of them have good reputations in the voice-over world, though I haven’t watched most of their work. Yet, the magic that the original group, none of whom return, brought to the film is completely missing. Friedle’s Quill is fine, I guess, as a lead, but he doesn’t exhibit the layers that Chris Pratt communicated in each line. A large part of this could be because Friedle is not given the material with which to play, but part of it is the chemistry between the ensemble just isn’t there.

The plot itself is extremely A.D.D. In a single half hour, there are no less than six, arguably more, sequences that are all about shooting and running, both on the ground and in space. The movie has its share of action, to be sure, but it’s not constant. It slows down to get inside the characters’ minds. This cartoon shows no signs that it will ever do that.

Even the mystery of the pilot, in which Quill discovers that he’s half of a specific alien race, has no impact. That’s because the show has not given viewers enough time or substance to get to know the character. Now, being a follow-up to the movie, it might assume we already know him. But because this Quill is different, we need to meet him all over again, and we don’t get to.

There’s also much made as to whether the characters are outlaws or heroes. Gamora (Vanessa Marshall, Star Wars Rebels), of course, argues for the latter. Yet, since there are no consequences in sight for the former, no one questioning their motives or holding them accountable, the question is a moot point, merely included so Gamora gets a couple of lines, not because it matters.

The bottom line is, I won’t be giving this series another chance. It is a generic as they come, with none of the spark of its source material, and no compelling reason to tune in, the cliffhanger lacking any real sense of danger because of how tame the violence is. Not being a child any more, nor having one yet to seek an opinion from, I can’t say for certain if it will hit its target audience; after all, myself and many of my friends used to watch this kind of junk. But I know there is better, more intelligent programming out there for kids, and it would be nice to see even a little bit of effort on the part of this production to be something stand-out.

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY begins its regular run on Disney XD on September 26^th.

ONCE UPON A TIME "Operation" Successful

Article originally written for Seat42F.

ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME two-hour season finale is titled “Operation Mongoose,” but it could have shared Game of Thrones’ title this week, “Kill the Boy.” That’s because, with everyone else trapped in an upside-down version of the Enchanted Forest, Henry (Jared Gilmore) alone remains to save the day. The man in his way, Isaac (Patrick Fischler), doesn’t seem willing to commit murder directly, but wastes no time sending others after Henry when they both enter the fictional world.

“Operation Mongoose” is the best episode of ONCE UPON A TIME in quite some time, with rich, emotional pay-off and a lot of fun chances to see actors approach characters differently. Ginnifer Goodwin plays such a terrific villain and the story possibilities in this world are so ripe I find myself wishing this had played out over five or six hours, not two. It’s great, but kind of a squandered opportunity. Though, it’s nice the show doesn’t use yet another True Love’s Kiss to fix everything.

Henry gets to step up as never before, though! This kid not only drives a car and functions without parental units, but goes to a land he isn’t familiar with and battles evil, including wielding a sword against Rumple himself. Henry has been annoying at times in the past, and most fans of ONCE UPON A TIME don’t want to see a kid save the day. What Henry becomes here, though, is a full-fledged member of the cast, pulling his weight, and it’s awesome.

By the end of the hour, Henry proves himself again when he breaks the pen. He is the next Author, but rather than allow himself to be tempted to misuse the power, as Isaac does, Henry ensures he can only do what he’s supposed to do. It’s an impressive decision for the young man to make, but one would expect no less of him.

“Operation Mongoose” finally gives some explanation as to why Rumple’s (Robert Carlyle) heroic sacrifice mid-way through season three did not stick. The Dark One consumes any light taking root and eliminates it. The fact that Rumple manages to be good at all proves there is a very strong lightness within him, which I guess makes sense, being the opposite of the strong darkness we see. If only ONCE UPON A TIME had committed to this explanation earlier and showed Rumple fighting and losing the struggle to be good, the story would have been satisfying. Instead, the revelation comes too little, too late, even if there’s the opportunity to see Rumple have his happy ending next season, Belle (Emilie de Ravin) still being in love with him.

Speaking of happy endings, it turns out the whole rule that villains can’t get them is bull. At first, that seems a cop out, but upon further examination, it makes sense. Some characters are operating under false assumptions or incomplete information. Isaac sure isn’t reliable, so what he says can’t be trusted. Rumple looks for an outside source to blame for losing Belle, not realizing it is the Dark One that is costing him his love. The episode ends with Robin (Sean Maguire) and Regina (Lana Parrilla) right where they should be, so that proves the falsehood.

But is Emma a hero or a villain? Growing up in the real world, she has defied either to a certain extent. “Operation Mongoose” tests that by making Emma the new Dark One. Now, this woman who has untold power she’s only beginning to tap into is the most evil person in Storybrooke. It’s a great set up, since it will probably take everyone banding together to stop someone as dangerous as Emma, especially without hurting her. It will be interesting to see how Merlin plays into this, too.

ONCE UPON A TIME is far from a perfect show. It has good runs and bad ones. Ending a bad run with a good finale, though, is better than ending a good one with a bad, as the show does last year, and it makes me a little more optimistic for season five. The plot it teases is certainly tantalizing enough, and I’m excited about the series in a way I haven’t been in awhile. There are still glaring mistakes in “Operation Mongoose,” from Emma and Henry just standing there watching Hook die, to Robin’s hesitance at the altar ending in wedding bells and then immediately rushing to Regina’s side. But overall, I’m satisfied with this ending.

Oh, and based on Isaac’s flashback, it looks like Walt Disney was the Author just previous to him, which is kind of fun. Combined with a Wookie-like prison escape and a Jack Sparrow mention, “Operation Mongoose” has plenty of delightful references.

ONCE UPON A TIME will return next fall on ABC.

2014 Disney Movie Gift Guide

Article first published as 2014 Disney Movie Gift Guide on Blogcritics.

Every December holiday season, there are numerous Blu-ray titles from which to select gifts for your loved ones. Although I mainly watch television shows, I’m far from immune to the draw of a good film, and Disney had a pretty solid lineup of choices this year among its offerings. This guide serves as a short summary of some of the best choices from “The Mouse.”

Sleeping Beauty Diamond Edition (Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Combo) ~ I already had Sleeping Beauty on DVD, but this new edition is pretty sweet anyway. One of the old Disney classics, the story is timeless, if not quite as relatable as some of the studio’s other films. There’s a magic to it, enhanced by Tchaikovsky’s score. Older viewers will love the nostalgia, while the young should appreciate a movie that isn’t as dated as they might think. There’s a reason Sleeping Beauty got a new, fancy release, packed full of extras, and it’s deserved.

The picture and sound quality on this thing are remarkable! If you already bought the Platinum Edition Blu-ray from a few years ago, this is the same presentation, so there’s no need to shell out again. But if you’ve only watched this film on DVD or (shudder) VHS, I recommend taking the opportunity to upgrade. It’s well worth it, as clearly much time and effort has been spent making a remastered version to be proud of. This is also the first edition offering a digital copy, so that’s worth noting if you want to protect your physical discs from the kids.

Maleficent (Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Combo) ~ You’ve seen Sleeping Beauty, so now check out the other side of the story. This live-action movie stars Angelina Jolie, spectacularly playing the titular “villain.” I recently did a full review of the movie, but suffice it to say, despite some issues with the story, the effects are mostly terrific, and the core performance makes this picture worth checking out. Plus, if you’ve already viewed the original, why not go a little deeper into what make Maleficent tick? It’s an interesting take on motivations and back story. And yes, Sleeping Beauty put in an appearance!

Frozen Sing-Along Edition (DVD / Digital Combo) ~ Frozen has swept the country, if not the world, by storm. If you’re around kids at all, you’ve heard lots about it, as well as its famous song, “Let It Go.” The best Disney animated feature in years, it is the story of two sisters, one with a power she doesn’t know how to control. It’s sweet, full of positive female role models, and amusing to boot. Even some of my peers, in their twenties and thirties, enthusiastically count themselves among the fan base.

This edition, sadly, has no Blu-ray disc. That’s OK, though, because it’s really for the kids, who will love it, and probably won’t notice the quality difference as much as the older folks would. It offers two options: play the full film, with lyrics appearing on screen during the musical bits, or play just the songs from the movie, which is equally popular with the young crowd. Even if that child you’re shopping for already has the regular release, this is something to consider, given that latter feature.
 
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / Digital Combo) ~ In my opinion, this is the best of the recent Marvel slate of movies. Besides being action-packed, it’s also a political thriller co-starring Robert Redford, which might raise the opinion of anyone who has unjustly dismissed it as a simple popcorn flick. Follow Captain America (Chris Evans), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) as they take on a figure from the Cap’s past in a battle that forever completely changes the franchise. It’s really, really good stuff.

As with other Marvel titles, the best way to experience this is in 3D. If you have a 3D television available, I recommend taking full advantage of it to get the most out of the visuals, which are finely detailed and quite impressive. If not, the regular Blu-ray is included in the box, which pack quite a punch all on its own.

Guardians of the Galaxy (Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / Digital Combo) ~ While Captain America is dramatic and serious, Guardians of the Galaxy is loads of fun while being a little dramatic and serious. The movie introduces a whole crop of new superheroes, set away from the Earth. It has an excellent retro soundtrack that helps lock the tone and style of the piece. August theatrical releases aren’t usually as big as those earlier in the summer, but because this one is so well-crafted, Guardians succeeded in the box office and as a quality film.

Like Captain America, I do recommend watching this in 3D if you can. It has even more impressive effects, with the often-present CGI necessary for a space-setting rendered naturally. Not once did I question the believability of the piece, grounded with authentic characters and a moving climax, and  I look forward to Marvel’s continued expansion if this is the type of direction they will be going in.

MALEFICENT Not Quite Magnificent, But Jolie Is

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Maleficent' on Blogcritics.

Disney’s Maleficent, a re-telling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty with a twist, comes to Blu-ray and DVD this week. Starring Angelina Jolie (Salt, Mr. & Mrs Smith) in the title role, this film seeks to give layers to what has often been a one-dimensional villain, unspooling the story from a different perspective. It’s one that mostly works. I admit to having relatively low expectations going in, despite a friend’s defense of it, which means the enjoyable result is a pleasant surprise.

Maleficent begins with the titular fairy as a young girl (played by Isobelle Molloy, EastEnders). She’s innocent and bold, loving life and the world around her. One day, Maleficent meets Stefan (Michael Higgins), a human. Despite his bad traits, such as a penchant for stealing, the two hit it off. Little does the girl know, though, that Stefan will grow up to be a manipulative man (Sharlto Copley, District 9) who will betray her in order to become king.

This is when Maleficent turns dark, somewhat early in the running time. After her wings are stolen in a moving sequence, her need for revenge is understandable. That she takes it out on an unborn child makes less sense,  but even this wronged version of the character is not one who will murder or maim, so perhaps it’s done in an empty-threat, kick-the-can-down-the-road sort of way. Once Aurora (Elle Fanning, Super 8) is born, though, and sent to live with three inept pixies (Harry Potter‘s Imelda Staunton, Fleming‘s Lesley Manville, and Killer Joe‘s Juno Temple), Maleficent can’t help but be drawn to the child, whom she comes to like and protect, which makes the fulfillment of the curse somewhat complicated.

While not normally a huge fan of Jolie, I don’t think the movie would work in practically anyone else’s hands. The role is perfect for her. Jolie captures the coldness and danger lurking beneath Malefient’s exterior, but also the vulnerability and magic of the part. She plays this evil-looking, yet still gorgeous, witch in a way that never feels scary, and that pairs nicely with the perpetually-sweet Aurora. Make no mistake about it, Jolie is the number one reason to watch this film.

The story itself isn’t bad. It’s a tad simplistic and predictable, while also weak in logic periodically. Yet it’s cohesive and plays out in a way that makes sense for the characters. Fast-paced enough to hold a child’s interest, the material is deep enough for adults to engage with, too, striking that rare balance in a movie that the whole family truly can enjoy.

Maleficent does push the boundaries of the PG rating. There is no cursing or sex, but there is plenty of violence, including some Lord of the Rings-esque battle scenes, which tend to be required for this type of movie these days (though they’re mostly unnecessary in this case). The humor, mostly delivered by the three pixies, who are well-cast with three terrific, somewhat underused actresses, is more silly than edgy, which may be a good thing for the target audience.

The visuals of Maleficent are mostly stunning as presented in 1080p high definition. There are some moments where certain characters are noticeably digital renderings, rather than actors, but the creatures that populate Maleficent’s moor, as well as the world the movie is set in, are beautiful. The pixies are done by blending the actresses’ actual features into animated creations in a very cool way. I only wish a 3D version were to be officially released in the U.S. (Amazon does have a region-free version listed) as this movie practically begs for that added depth, but it’s still a very good presentation. The audio levels are mixed in such a way that action scenes are a LOT louder than dialogue ones, so you do have to keep a hand on the remote. However, the clarity in the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix is crystal and music and voices coexist nicely when combined.

Maleficent does have a decent amount of extras, too. There are deleted scenes. The ones featuring the pixies better round out the characters than how they are shown in-film, so I wish they hadn’t been cut. There’s a featurette on Aurora, having Fanning talk about her part, which should appeal to young fans. For the older crowd, we see how the movie is made, the creation of the battle stuff, a look at the visual effects, and Maleficent’s costume elements.

While Maleficent is far from perfect, with Stefan making a forgettable villain, it is well-made and much more enjoyable than I expected it to be. It’s definitely worth a watch for the effects and Jolie’s performance, which are both excellent.

Maleficent arrives on Blu-ray and DVD November 4.

GIRL MEETS WORLD, Too

Article originally written for Seat42F.

ABC’s popular Boy Meets World ended a seven season run just over fourteen years ago. Last night, Disney Channel continued the story with the premiere of GIRL MEETS WORLD. The series checks in with Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga Matthews (Danielle Fisher), who now have a girl of their own, Riley (Rowan Blanchard, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World), whose turn it is to come into her own. This sounds like a recipe for success.

A lot of the familiar elements are there. Riley is well-cast in terms of looks, resembling both of her parents a bit, and echoing some of Cory’s traits and goofy faces. She has a best friend, Maya Hart (Sabrina Carpenter, The Goodwin Games, who looks a lot like Britt Robertson), not the best influence, providing opportunity for Riley to step up and save Maya, as Cory did Shawn. The setting is still split between the classroom and the home, and the writers seek to impart heart-warming, family-friendly messages.

The pilot, “Girl Meets Boy,” is genuinely funny. Scenes of Riley and Maya on the subway, bumping into cute-boy Lucas (Peyton Meyer, Dog with a Blog), are bolstered by guest star Jackée Harry. I chuckled through the sadly-few bits Topango gets, including choosing her daughter over her husband. And Blanchard definitely has stage presence, her cheese actually very right for this role.

The best part of “Girl Meets Boy” is the ending, in which Cory glances across the tunnel and sees Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) telling him he’s done well. It doesn’t make sense for Feeny to be on a poster, even an education-themed one, all the way across the country from where he taught, and Cory hasn’t done as well as he should have yet. But the emotion of that moment and the torch passing quality is undeniably moving.

Unfortunately, “Girl Meets Boy” also gets a lot wrong. Unlike the original, it hits us over the head with the moral point. Boy Meets World was not subtle, but it also didn’t go to extremes. When Cory wants to give his daughter some freedom, he gathers the entire clan, along with friends, including a boy Riley has just met, in the subway. It doesn’t make sense for this to happen, and building upon Cory too vehemently arguing his points earlier, ruins some of the hokey charm the first series relied upon.

The characters surrounding the energetic Cory in Boy Meets World tended to be toned down, a grounding factor that balances out the kid and keeps the series somewhat realistic. Now, Riley is in a classroom with her father as the teacher, and Cory still wants to act like adolescent Cory, enabling the students to be out of control. Cory shows hints of maturity in talking to his daughter, but mostly hasn’t grown up nearly as much as he should have, making the dynamic unstable.

The worst element of GIRL MEETS WORLD so far may be the inclusion of Farkle (Corey Fogelmanis). IMDB lists his last name as Minkus and I would not be surprised to learn he is the offspring of Cory and Topanga’s former classmate Stuart Minkus. Which is all the more reason why GIRL MEETS WORLD should not have shifted from the quiet suburbs to bustling New York because, even if you accept Minkus somehow got married and had a kid as quickly as Cory did, a stretch to be sure, why would they both move to the same neighborhood far away? However, that logic leap is not nearly as awful as Farkle’s personality, which is much, much worse than Minkus ever was, taking those annoying elements of the nerd to a teeth-jarring extreme.

Some of these grating elements could be a product of the age. The 2010s is quite removed from the 1990s and sensibilities have shifted. As an adult, I don’t want to watch anything on the Disney Channel, not being their target audience, and not enjoying pretty much any of their fare. GIRL MEETS WORLD is trying to play to nostalgia, though, like TNT’s Dallas continuation, and bring old viewers in with the new. However, GIRLS MEETS WORLD isn’t matching the previous style well enough yet, so while it might work for the kids tuning it, it provides little for the grown-ups looking to relive fond childhood memories.

Now, reportedly this show takes a few episodes to find its stride, and having re-watched season one of Boy Meets World this past week, I admit GIRL MEETS WORLD isn’t that many notches below, as distasteful as I find a few key elements. Plus, most of the central cast members from Boy Meets World have signed on to show up later. So I will keep viewing, at least for the next month or so, to see if it can settle into a worthy successor. It’s not a great show, but neither was the original, so if this program can hit ‘pretty good,’ it will have done its namesake proud.

GIRL MEETS WORLD will rerun the pilot many times over the next couple weeks and begins fresh installments Friday, July 11^th at 8:30 p.m. ET.