ENCANTO REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

There’s no denying that Walt Disney owns one of the most successful animated studios and it’s easy to see why as they tell original and enjoyable stories through imaginative animation. This is definitely the case with their latest animated feature, Encanto.

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift except Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz). However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.

Encanto tells a meaningful and heartwarming story about self acceptance and family through visually stunning animation. The story, written by Jared Bush and Charise Castro Smith, focuses on Mirabel, an ordinary yet lovable individual who is an outsider as she doesn’t have a unique gift unlike her family members. However, Encanto isn’t about Mirabel going on an adventure to find her gift in order to feel as special. Rather it’s about Mirabel accepting herself, which makes for a heartwarming and inspiring watch. Most of Disney’s early animated features focused on a female character falling in love with a Prince whilst a menacing villain tried to interfere. While their early films were well made and featured stunning hand drawn animation, their story became formulaic. Disney’s most recent animated films have focused more on telling original and meaningful stories that can be enjoyed not just by children but by older viewers as well. Most people think that animated films are just for children, as a lot of them tell a predictable and safe story and feature immature jokes, however, although Encanto will be enjoyed more by children, it will also, most likely, enchant older viewers. 

The imaginative and unique world of the Encanto is brought vividly to life through Disney’s trademark three dimensional animation and is filled with bright and colourful visuals. Encanto is worth watching just to appreciate the hard work that has gone into making one of the most visually stunning animated films of the year.

Disney are known for their inspiring and leading female characters, including sisters Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Moana from their 2016 animated film of the same name and Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon. That’s still the case with Mirabel who, although she doesn’t have any special gifts like her family, is still an interesting individual. What I liked most about Encanto was that it wasn’t about Mirabel going on an adventure to find her gift, rather it was about repairing her relationship with her family and accepting herself. Mirabel is the same at the end as she was at the beginning, however, that’s not a bad thing as there was nothing about her that needed changing. Mirabel is voiced by Stephanie Beatriz who is best known for her role as Rosa in the popular sitcom, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She had a small role in Destin Daniel Cretton’s moving 2013 drama, Short Term 12,  and also appeared in Jon M. Chu’s feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical, In The Heights, which was released earlier this year. In Encanto, Beatriz delivers a warm and bubbly vocal performance as Mirabel making her an easy character to like. She also impresses with her singing skills during the lively musical numbers. Unlike a lot of Disney’s previous films, there are no famous actors that distract from the story, which makes the characters all the more easy to accept. What’s refreshing about Encanto is that there’s no villain that is simply created in order to provide conflict. The writers know that there’s already conflict between Mirabel and her family and they focus more on the former trying to make amends with the latter. 

Encanto is at its most entertaining during the energetic musical numbers. The songs are written by Lin Manuel-Miranda, who is one of the most talented and successful musicians working today. He is best known for his Broadway show, Hamilton, and for writing the songs that featured in Moana. Although Miranda’s songs aren’t as memorable as the ones featured in the latter film, they’re still a lot of fun, especially the opening song, The Family Madrigal, which focuses on Mirabel introducing her gifted family to a small group of children. 

Filled with lively musical numbers and featuring imaginative animation, Disney’s latest film, Encanto, tells a meaningful and heartwarming story about self acceptance and family.

8/10

LUCA REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Pixar Animated Studios are at their best when they’re creating films based on original stories that are meaningful and thematic. This is certainly true of their previous animated feature, Soul. Because of its deep and thought provoking story, it was enjoyed more by critics. Pixar’s latest film, Luca, will appeal more to families as it tells a simple story about friendship. 

Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Luca is a coming-of-age story about one young boy, Luca (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with pasta, gelato and endless scooter rides. He shares these adventures with his new found best friend, Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.

Luca is directed by Enrico Casarosa who previously made the Pixar animated short, La Luna, which was told a peculiar story about a young boy coming of age. In just six minutes, Casarosa was able to create a meaningful film that featured beautiful animation. A decade later, Casarosa has created Luca which is a warm and enjoyable animated film. Although it doesn’t represent Pixar at their best, it’s far from their worst films and provides viewers with ninety minutes of lighthearted entertainment. Prior to Luca’s release, Casarosa said that he was inspired by Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. The town of Portorosso is a nod to one of Studio Ghibli’s animated films, Porco Rosso. The script, written by Jesse Andrews and Mike Jones, reminded Casarosa of his childhood friend who was called Alberto. However, the main character’s name is Luca as the director didn’t want to use his first name, Enrico. It’s clear that Luca means a lot to Casarosa and I can imagine that it’ll mean a lot to a lot of viewers as well.

Like most of Pixar’s films, the animation in Luca stands out as it’s filled with bright and vibrant visuals. The country of Italy is effectively explored and captured through the stunning animation. Pixar sent several of the film's artists to the Italian Riviera for a research trip, during which they took photos of the area's landscape and people. Luca is rooted in the 50s and 60s, a time that Casarosa has described as a "golden age that feels timeless", with the music and designs inspired from that period "to capture a little bit of this timelessness of summer." Because of its sunny and warm setting, Luca is the perfect summer film.

It is a shame that, like Soul, Luca wasn’t released in cinemas as the animation would’ve impressed more on a bigger screen. Understandably, the producers were also disappointed by Disney’s decision to release it on their streaming service, Disney+, as Disney’s latest animated feature, Raya and the Last Dragon, was released both in cinemas and on Disney+. Although I don’t mind watching films at home, I would have much preferred to have watched Luca at the cinema as they’re the perfect form of escapism. 

Luca is at its most heartwarming when it’s focusing on the friendship that develops between Luca and Alberto. Luca is shy and fearful of leaving his family, however, Alberto is confident and encourages Luca to enjoy their adventures together. The pair meet and befriend Giulia (Emma Berman), who is outgoing and charming. Together, the three become involved in the Portorosso Cup Triathlon, which involves the participants racing by swimming, eating a plate full of pasta and riding a bike to the finish line. Although Giulia has previously entered, she has never won due to throwing up but believes she can finally win with the help of Luca and Alberto. All three of these characters are interesting and fun to watch, with the talented young cast, including Tremblay, Grazer and Berman, impressing with their vocal performances. While the majority of the film focuses on Luca, Alberto and Giulia, Luca’s parents, Daniela (Maya Rudolph) and Lorenzo (Jim Gaffigan) search for him. Their scenes provide viewers with amusing physical comedy as they try and find Luca by splashing children with water. 

A lot of animated films are aimed at children and tell a simple and boring story. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Luca, which, like most of Pixar’s animated films, can be enjoyed by viewers of any age. Children will, almost certainly, enjoy the fun adventures involving Luca and Alberto, with older viewers appreciating the deeper meaning behind some of the themes. By many older viewers in the LGBTQ+ community, the story of Luca hiding his true self has been interpreted as a metaphor for a homosexual struggling to come out. Obviously, because it’s a family friendly film, the relationship between Luca and Alberto is nothing more than platonic, however, it’s easy to see why the film will mean a lot to those in the LGBTQ+ community. Luca will also mean a lot to those who had an important friend during their childhood. 

Luca features bright and warm animation and tells a heartwarming story about friendship and is packed full of adventure.

7/10

THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are best known for producing the Oscar winning animated feature, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. They’ve also directed the highly entertaining animated features, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and The Lego Movie. All three of the films have been successful both with critics and at the box office. Because of the success they’ve found through the world of animation, if a film has Lord and Miller’s names attached to it, it’s enough to get people interested in whatever they’re making. Their latest animated feature, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, which is written and directed by Michael Rianda, features their trademark witty humour and eye-popping visuals. 

The story focuses on the Mitchell family, which includes film and phone obsessed, Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson),  her dinosaur obsessed younger brother, Aaron (Rianda), and her parents, Linda (Maya Rudolph) and Rick (Danny McBride). Katie has just been accepted into a college in California and is excited to leave her imperfect and dysfunctional family. However, Rick changes her plans and decides that the whole family is going to go on a road trip to California. Their journey is disrupted by the uprising of evil robots led by villainous PAL (Olivia Colman). This leads to the Mitchell family taking on the robots in order to save the world.

The Mitchells Vs. The Machines was originally scheduled to be released in cinemas in January 2020 but was postponed to September. However, with cinemas being forced to close as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, its release was delayed again to October. With most cinemas still closed, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines was released on the streaming service, Netflix, at the end of April. Although I can understand why it was released on Netflix, it’s a shame that it wasn’t released in cinemas. The cinema is the perfect form of escapism, especially for families. An issue with home viewing is that it’s so easy to get distracted, making it difficult to fully focus on the film. Children are known to get bored and restless easily and, at home, they’ll probably lose interest in the film. If The Mitchells Vs. The Machines was released in cinemas, I think that children would have enjoyed the film more as they’re not distracted. 

A lot of animated films are usually aimed more at younger viewers and, because they tell an unoriginal and predictable story, it can be a dull watch for adults. However, that’s why animated production companies, such as Pixar, are so successful as they create animated features that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. That’s the case with Sony Pictures Animation’s latest feature, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, which is the definitive family friendly film. Children will enjoy the fast-paced action and older viewers will be able to relate to the techno obsessed world that the Mitchell family live in. 

Modern society has become obsessed with technology, including having the latest smartphone, getting the most likes on the photo sharing app, Instagram, and having the most followers on the social media app, Twitter. The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is set in a world similar to ours with the majority of people addicted to technology. The main character is Katie who is interested in films and is almost always on her phone and making short films. However, her father, Rick, wants to spend quality time with his family before Katie leaves them for college. An amusing scene sees the family at the dinner table struggling to make eye contact and be away from their phones. Although Rianda isn’t anti-technology, he’s just reminding us what’s most important and that’s family. In the beginning, the Mitchell family are dysfunctional, however, they are able to work together to stop the evil uprising of robots which brings them closer together. This is what makes The Mitchells Vs. The Machines one of the best family friendly films to be released recently as it captures the family dynamic really well. 

What’s most impressive about The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is its animation, which is filled with bright and colourful visuals which are all imaginative. It’s because of the vibrant animation why I wish I had seen it at the cinema as the quality would have been better on the big screen. When watched on a standard, small television screen, the animation doesn’t impress as much as it probably would have done at the cinema.

Most of the humour in The Mitchells Vs. The Machines comes from the relationship between the titular family who frequently bicker. The characters aren’t perfect and occasionally make mistakes, however, that’s what makes them likeable and relatable. Of the characters, I related to Katie as, not only does she share the same name as me, but we also have a passion for film and technology. She behaves how most people her age do and is excited to finally leave home and her dysfunctional family for college. Katie is a great leading character as she’s bright and has a bubbly personality. The rest of the characters are all fun to watch too, including Katie’s younger brother, Aaron, who is obsessed with dinosaurs and has a crush on Abbey Posey (Charlyne Yi), however, he freaks out whenever he tries to start a conversation with her. Their mother, Linda, is jealous of the seemingly perfect Posey family, which includes Abbey and her parents, Hailey (Chrissy Teigan) and Jim (John Legend). Her husband, Rick, loves nature and is an expert at DIY, however, he believes that his family have become too obsessed with technology. Although most of the robots are evil and controlled by the villainous PAL, the Mitchells are helped by friendly robots, Eric (Beck Bennett) and Deborahbot 5000 (Fred Armisen). The characters are all interesting and fun to watch and add to the overall entertainment of the film.

One of the most important ingredients in making an animated feature is voice casting. If the actor simply reads the dialogue rather than acting it out, it can ruin the enjoyment of the film. Fortunately, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines features a talented cast who all deliver lively and enthusiastic performances. Jacobson is perfectly sweet as Katie and makes her a likeable and interesting individual. McBride and Rudolph are perfect choices to voice her parents, Rick and Linda, as they bring their talented comedic skills to their roles. What’s most interesting about Aaron is that he’s voiced by the writer/director Rianda who is clearly having a lot of fun making The Mitchells Vs. The Machines. Oscar winner, Olivia Colman, is a scene stealer as the villainous artificial intelligence, PAL, who is not as friendly as her name may suggest.

Because they’re best known for producing Into The Spider-Verse, expectations were high for Lord and Miller’s next production, The Mitchell Vs. The Machines. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with what Rianda has created as, like the Oscar winning animated feature, it features dazzling and imaginative animation, with the story filled with fast paced action and amusing comedy. Although Into The Spider-Verse was incredibly successful, I think that The Mitchells Vs. The Machines will appeal to a wider audience as it tells an original story. 

With The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, writer/director Michael Rianda has created a fun family friendly feature that is filled with vibrant and imaginative animation.

8/10

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Disney’s recent animated features, Frozen, its sequel, Moana and Zootropolis have all been successful, including at the box office and at the Academy Awards, with Frozen and Zootropolis winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The films have also been lauded by critics with most of them praising their animation. Because of this, expectations were high for their latest animated feature, Raya and the Last Dragon, which was originally meant to be released in cinemas in November last year, unfortunately, the pandemic caused by the worldwide spread of COVID-19, led to the closures of cinemas with a lot of films having their release dates postponed. Raya and the Last Dragon has recently been released on the streaming service, Disney+. However, does it live up to the high quality of their previous animated features?

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. However, when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned, and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) to track down the last dragon, Sisu (Awkwafina) and stop the Druun for good.

Although Raya and the Last Dragon doesn’t rank as one of the best films created by Disney, it is still a fun and adventure packed feature that is suitable for the whole family to watch, however, many people may be put off by the Premier Access fee of £20 that you have to pay in order to watch it. The reason behind the additional payment is because Raya and the Last Dragon was originally scheduled for a cinema release, however, because in the UK, they’re still closed, the feature has been released on Disney+ before it’s released on Video On Demand and DVD and Blu-Ray in a couple of months time. Because Raya and the Last Dragon was one of my most anticipated films of last year, I didn’t really mind paying the additional payment, however, I do think that £20 is expensive, especially when a lot of people are struggling financially. 

Unsurprisingly, the strength of Raya and the Last Dragon lies in its imaginative and vibrant animation. It’s set in a fantasy land called Kumandra, which is inspired by Southeast Asian cultures of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The filmmakers and production team traveled to all these countries to do background research except Myanmar, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Head of Story for the film was headed by Thai artist Fawn Veerasunthorn. The team formed the Southeast Asia Story Trust, a collective of consultants for the film including Dr. Steve Arounsack, an associate professor of Lao Anthropology at California State University. It’s clear a lot of hard work and creativity has gone into making Raya and the Last Dragon look visually stunning. What I love most about animation is that there is no limit to one’s imagination and that’s certainly the case with Raya and the Last Dragon. The characters and creatures all have unique appearances, especially the dragon, Sisu, and a "con baby" named Little Noi and her trio of monkey-like companions known as the Ongis, who adopted her after her mother was lost to the evil Druun. It’s because of its vibrant animation why I wished I’d seen Raya and the Last Dragon at the cinema. Although not a fault of the film, I was frequently distracted and struggled to fully focus. I do plan on rewatching Raya and the Last Dragon one day, hopefully, my feelings towards it will improve.

One of the weaker aspects of Raya and the Last Dragon is its story which follows a formula that has been used several times in Disney’s other animated films as it follows the main character as she and her companions travel to restore peace to their world. During my watch, I felt that it was very similar to Moana which focused on its titular character also travelling with another character in order to save her world. Because of this, Raya and the Last Dragon felt predictable and a bit repetitive as the characters travelled to different tribes in order to find the missing orb pieces. This is disappointing as, prior to watching the film, I was hoping for a more original story.

The script for Raya and the Last Dragon was written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim and sends out an important message about why trust is important. Over the course of the film, the characters learn to put their differences aside and trust each other in order to live in a more peaceful world. 

In the majority of their animated features, Disney have succeeded in creating memorable characters who have gone on to leave lasting impression. This is still the case with Raya and the Last Dragon which is filled with unique and interesting characters. Raya is a brave and inspiring heroine and a great role model for younger viewers to look up to. Despite losing her father near the beginning of the film, Raya continues to search for the missing pieces of the orb in order to bring peace to her world. Her personality is similar to that of Moana as both are determined to succeed in their mission. At first glance, Sisu looks like she could be a serious dragon, however, her personality is witty and energetic and is similar to Mushu from Mulan. Voiced by comedienne, Awkwafina, Sisu steals almost every scene she appears in. Raya and Sisu’s companions include Little Noi, the Ongis, a young entrepreneur named Boun (Izaac Wang), who is a skilled cook, and a fearsome warrior, Tong (Benedict Wong). Another tradition most Disney animated films have is a cute little animal that is the main character’s side kick. In Tangled, Rapunzel had a chameleon named Pascal and Moana had a pet rooster named Heihei. Raya’s sidekick is Tuk Tuk (Alan Tudyk), a steed that is a mix of an armadillo and a pill bug.

The most impressive aspect of Raya and the Last Dragon is the talented voice cast, which includes Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Benedict Wong and Sandra Oh. Tran first rose to fame as Rose (pun unintended) in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi. Unfortunately, following a cruel backlash from fans, Rose’s screen time was cut in the follow-up, The Rise of Skywalker. As Raya, Tran delivers a heartfelt performance, making her character all the more likeable. Awkwafina is clearly having a lot of fun with her portrayal of Sisu and delivers a lively performance. Chan voices Namaari, who is a warrior princess of the Fang Land and Raya's enemy, with Oh voicing her mother, Virana. 

What’s most refreshing about Raya and the Last Dragon is the lack of an unnecessary love interest for Raya and no musical numbers. In many of their earlier features, including Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, one of Disney’s traditions included a Prince Charming character for the main female character to fall in love with and catchy songs. However, recently, Disney has realised that it isn’t necessary for their female characters to have a love interest. That’s still the case with Raya and the Last Dragon. Although I’ve enjoyed most of Disney’s original songs and think that the musical numbers made their features all the more entertaining, I’m glad that there weren’t any in Raya and the Last Dragon as, because it’s an adventure packed film, I think that a random song would have felt a bit out of place.

Featuring imaginative animation, Raya and the Last Dragon is a fun animated feature that is packed full of adventure.

7/10

SOUL REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Pete Docter is best known for directing the Pixar animated films, Monsters, Inc., Up and Inside Out, with the latter two winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Because of this, there was a lot of excitement surrounding his latest animated feature, Soul, which was supposed to be released in cinemas earlier this year, unfortunately, after cinemas were forced to close worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Soul’s release date was delayed and it was soon announced that it would be released on the streaming site, Disney+ on Christmas Day. Prior to its official release, Soul has received a positive reception from critics with many regarding it as Pixar’s best film yet. 

Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx) is a middle/school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before - a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answer to some of life’s most important questions.

With Monsters, Inc. he showed us a world where monsters were afraid of humans. With Up, he broke our hearts with one of the most moving opening sequences ever created before taking us on an exciting adventure. With Inside Out, he gave us an insight into our emotions. Now, with Soul, Docter continues to establish himself as one of the most imaginative directors and has created a thoughtful and heartfelt animated feature. 

Many animated films are aimed more at children and are filled with immature jokes and a predictable and unoriginal story, making it a dull watch for older viewers. However, with Pixar’s films, I’ve always appreciated their ability to appeal to viewers of all ages, with their unique premises and thematic stories. This is certainly the case with Soul, which will, most likely, be enjoyed more by older viewers. Earlier this year, Pixar released Onward, a fun, fantasy animated films that was full of adventure. I think that Onward will appeal to children more because of its lighthearted tone and adventure filled story. However, Soul is the better film due to its thematic and meaningful story. 

As is usually the case with most of Pixar’s animated features, the strength of Soul lies in their animation. A lot of hard work and effort has clearly gone into making the animation, which brings the busy location of New York City to life and also giving viewers an insight into the unique worlds of the Great Beyond and the Great Before. Those who live in New York City will be impressed at seeing their home city explored and captured in a realistic way. I’ve never been to New York City, however, the animators clearly think fondly of the city and the visuals perfectly bring it to life. The animation is at its most imaginative when it’s exploring the unique worlds, including The Great Beyond. What I’ve always liked about animation is that there is no limit to one’s imagination and that’s the case with Soul. With The Great Beyond and The Great Before, Docter has created two unique worlds filled with fascinating and strange characters, including the soul counsellors who are all named Jerry and Moonwind (Graham Norton), a spiritual and eccentric sign twirler who helps Joe and 22. For 22, the animators created a distinctive design, as the character had not been on Earth but has begun to evolve. Pixar animators created an "unprecedent" technique of line drawing to complete the film's screen image. 

Soul is one of Pixar’s most significant features as it’s the first to have an African American in the main role. It is quite shocking that their animated films are lacking in terms of race and skin colour, with the majority of their main characters consisting of anthropomorphised animals and white people. Pixar was mindful of the history of racist imagery in animation, and set out to create characters who were recognisably black while avoiding the stereotypes in old cartoons. Acknowledging this effort, Docter stated that there's a “long and painful history of caricatured racist design tropes that were used to mock African-Americans." As a way to highlight the ethnic diversity in the living world, the animators used lighting. They also sought to capture the fine details of these black characters, including the textures of black hair and the way light plays on various tones of black skin. Animators used footage of several music performers, including jazz composer Jon Batiste, performing as reference for the film's musical sequences. An aspect of Pixar’s features that never fails to impress is their animation and that is true of Soul. The animation in Soul highlights how far Pixar have come since they made their first animated feature, Toy Story, which represented a breakthrough when it was released in 1995. 

Soul is one of Pixar’s most meaningful films as it explores themes of identity and self worth which will resonate with a lot of people. I can imagine many viewers relating to Joe as he struggles to follow his dream of being a successful jazz musician. The story is also really inspiring as it sends out the message of following your dreams. 

Prior to watching Soul, I was expecting it to be serious due to its mature themes, however, I was surprised by how funny it was. Most of the humour comes from 22 who ends up in Joe’s body while the latter ends up in a cat’s body. This makes for an amusing sequence as 22 awkwardly struggles in Joe’s body. While this sequence is where Soul is at its most entertaining, it’s also very touching and poignant, with 22, in Joe’s body, having a meaningful conversation with his barber, Dez (Donnell Rawlings). There’s also a moving scene between Joe and his mother, Libba (Phylicia Rashad), who doesn’t approve of Joe’s desire to be a jazz musician. Although children will probably find the story too complex to follow, I think they’ll enjoy the fun sequence that sees 22 stuck in Joe’s body.

An important part of animation films are the vocal performances. If an actor simply reads the lines instead of performing them, it could impact the viewer’s connection to the character and overall quality of the film. Fortunately, most of the cast deliver strong performances. Foxx captures Joe’s passion and determination to be a jazz musician, making him an easy character to like. Fey, a talented comedienne, is, unsurprisingly, witty as 22, who has no desire to live as a human on Earth, however, when she ends up in Joe’s body, she finds pleasure in the simplest of things including food, music and nature. Irish chat show host, Norton, is perfectly eccentric as Moonwind, with British comedian and director, Richard Ayoade, delivering a dry but no less funny performance as Jerry, one of the soul counsellors.

Although several of their sequels, including Incredibles  2 and Toy Story 4, have been successful, Soul proves that Pixar are at their best when they’re creating meaningful animated features that have a unique premise. There’s no question that Soul will be nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards next year.

With a unique premise and outstanding animation, Soul represents one of Pixar’s most meaningful and thematic films yet.

8/10

WOLFWALKERS REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Many animated features are aimed at younger viewers and are filled with immature jokes and have a predictable narrative, making it a dull watch for older viewers, especially parents who are watching the film with their children. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the latest feature from Cartoon Saloon, Wolfwalkers, which tells an enchanting story through breathtaking animation.

In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe (voiced by Honor Kneafsey), journeys to Ireland with her father, Bill (Sean Bean), to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh MacTire (Eva Whittaker), who is a member of a mysterious tribe rumoured to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers and risks turning her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

When it comes to animated films, many people think of those created by Disney and Pixar, as they’ve been successful both with critics and at the box office. Although their animated features have impressed critics, the previous features made by Cartoon Saloon have struggled to make much money. Hopefully, this will change soon with the release of their latest feature, Wolfwalkers, as it tells an enchanting story through beautiful animation. Prior to watching Wolfwalkers, I hadn’t seen any of Cartoon Saloon’s previous features, including Song of the Sea, The Breadwinner and The Secret of Kells, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from their latest feature. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised and I’m interested in seeing more of their works. 

Wolfwalkers is directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart based on Will Collins’ screenplay. Together, the trio have created an enchanting and heartfelt film with stunning animation. I found Wolfwalkers to be similar to Studio Ghibli’s 1997 animated feature, Princess Mononoke, as the story for both films effectively capture the conflict between humans and nature. In Wolfwalkers, wolves are perceived as dangerous, with the Lord Protector (Simon McBurney) sending Bill to kill the last wolf pack. However, his daughter, Robyn, meets Mebh and discovers that wolves aren’t dangerous. This leads to her trying to end the conflict between humans and wolves. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, with both her father and the Lord Protector determined to kill wolves. For most of its 103 minute runtime, Wolfwalkers is lighthearted and fun, however, the film takes a darker turn during its intense climax, which sees the Lord Protector travelling to the forbidden lands to destroy the wolf pack. Although the final twenty minutes may be too frightening for young viewers, I think that Wolfwalkers can be enjoyed by viewers of any age. Children will like the friendship between Robyn and Mebh, however, older viewers will, most likely, appreciate the meaningful and thematic story. 

Wolfwalkers’ story features themes of friendship and conflict, both of which are effectively explored. In the beginning, Robyn is determined to impress her father and become a wolf hunter, however, after meeting Mebh, she soon realises that their perceptions of wolves was wrong. The friendship between Robyn and Mebh is where Wolfwalkers was at its most heartwarming and touching. After befriending Mebh, Robyn soon becomes determined to end the conflict between the wolves and humans. She tries to tell her father the truth, however, unsurprisingly, he doesn’t believe her. Because a lot of animated films are aimed at children, rather than families of all ages, they feature immature jokes and are lazily made. That’s why I respect filmmakers, including Moore, Stewart and Collins, who tell original and meaningful stories. 

The strength of Wolfwalkers lies in its unique and vibrant animation. Because of an advancement in technology, most animated films are created using computer generated imagery, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, I find it refreshing to watch a film that is made using two dimensional animation. The setting of Kilkenny in Ireland is brought to life through bright and vivid colours, making it a delight to watch. Both Moore and Stewart establish themselves as two of the most imaginative filmmakers as, although there’s been little competition this year, Wolfwalkers is certainly one of the best animated films to be released this year. Because the animation is rich in detail and colours, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wolfwalkers received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards next year.

Another impressive aspect of Wolfwalkers was the voice work delivered by its talented cast. The only two recognisable names are Bean and McBurney. As Bill, Bean is effective as Robyn’s overprotective but strict father. McBurney makes for a frightful villain as the Lord Protector who is determined to kill the last remaining wolf pack. However, it’s Kneafsey and Whittaker who impress the most with their voice work. Kneafsey makes Robyn a charming and likeable individual, while Whittaker is the standout as the feisty Mebh.

Following my viewing of Wolfwalkers at the Manchester Animation Festival, I watched a Q&A with Moore and Stewart and it was clear that both directors cared a lot about their latest feature.  

I can imagine Wolfwalkers would have benefitted from a theatrical release, unfortunately, cinemas across the globe have been forced to close due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of being released in cinemas, Wolfwalkers will be available to watch on the streaming site, Apple TV+ in December. 

With bright and vibrant animation, Wolfwalkers tells an enchanting story and is one of the best animated films.of this year. 

8/10

ONWARD REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Pixar Animated Studios are at their best when they're telling original stories that have an emotional impact. This statement was proven with one of their previous features, Coco, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards. While their recent sequels, including Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4, have been successful, with the latter winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar at this year's Academy Awards, Pixar's latest feature, Onward, further proves my earlier statement. 

Onward is set a suburban spin on a fantasy world, where teenage elf, Ian (voiced by Tom Holland) and his brother Barley (Chris Pratt) inherit a wizard's staff, charged with enough magical power to bring their father back to life. But when the spell goes disastrously wrong, Ian and Barley must set out on an epic quest to bring the rest of him back – meeting a menagerie of mythical creatures along the way.

With Onward, the director, Dan Scanlon, has created an adventure filled animated film that is never anything less than fun and entertaining for the majority of its 103 minute runtime. Scanlon previously directed the prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University. Although I enjoyed it, I don't think it shows Pixar at its best. Onward is an improvement over Scanlon's previous feature as it provides viewers with an original and heartfelt story co-written by Scanlon, Keith Bunin and Jason Headley. Within their story, they've included themes of grief and brotherhood which are both effectively highlighted in Onward. Scanlon was inspired to write the story after hearing an audio clip of his late father who passed away when he was younger. Scanlon grew up with an older brother and based Ian and Barley’s relationship on the one he had with his brother. This is why their relationship is effective as it feels real and I’m sure that those who grew up with a brother will be able to relate to Ian and Barley.

Because their father died before Ian was born and when Barley was young, they want more than anything to meet him, even just for a day. On Ian's sixteenth birthday, they are given that opportunity when their mother presents them with a gift left by their father which turns out to be a magical staff containing a phoenix gem. They immediately use a spell to bring their father to life but only succeed in bringing the bottom half of his body back. This leads to the brothers going on an adventure together to find another phoenix gem in order to fully bring their father back to life, however, they only have twenty four hours to do it. Viewers who have had a family member or loved one pass away will be able to relate to Ian and Barley's determination to bring their father back to life. I think that, if we had the chance to bring back someone we loved from the dead, we would take that chance.
I think that Onward will resonate more to those that have grown up with a brother as Ian and Barley’s relationship is effectively captured. Although Barley is a few years older than Ian, the brothers are very close, however, their relationship isn’t perfect and there are a few times in Onward where the two have a small falling out after Ian unintentionally hurts his feelings. However, with the help of their father, the brothers are able to overcome their differences. Onward succeeds in capturing that of a relationship between brothers that is realistic and effective. Although I have older brothers, I’m not super close with them so I couldn’t relate to the main characters, however, that didn’t prevent me from enjoying it.
Onward features a strong voice cast, with Holland and Pratt standing out. Holland perfectly captures Ian’s awkward and introverted personality. Pratt is equally as impressive and delivers an energetic and lively performance as Barley, whose big personality is in contrast to Ian, who is shy and finds it difficult to make friends. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer are amusing as the brothers’ mother, Laurel, and Corey, a manticore restaurant owner who Ian and Barley go to for help on their quest. I’ve seen quiet a few comments regarding the subplot, that sees Laurel teaming up with Corey in order to find her sons, as unnecessary and distracting from the main narrative. For me, I enjoyed the scenes involving Laurel and Corey and found them to be an amusing pair, especially the latter. I didn’t realise she was was voiced by Spencer until halfway through Onward.
Although Onward features elves, wizards, dragons centaurs and pixies, their world is very similar to ours, in terms of technology. Instead of using their wings to fly, pixies are seen riding motorcycles and aren’t as friendly as they appear to be. Laurel’s boyfriend is a centaur and a police officer who drives a car, instead of using his legs. Because technology has become so advanced, there is no need for magic, however, Ian and Barley’s journey proves that magic does still exist.
With the majority of their animated features, Pixar have created original stories that have left an emotional impact. This is the case for Onward. While, for the majority of its 103 minute runtime, it’s an adventure film, we’re hoping that it ends with Ian being able to meet his father. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen and Ian only sees his fully formed father from a distance before he disappears. This scene is touching and will definitely move viewers to tears as it’s sad knowing that Ian will never meet his father. While the ending is sad, it’s also realistic. Ian and Barley spend their journey hoping to bring the father back to life, however, it leads to Ian realising that, while he never had a relationship with his father, he had his older brother and he appreciates their relationship more.
With Onward, Pixar have created an animated feature that is full of adventure and features strong vocal performances from Tom Holland and Chris Pratt.
8/10

FROZEN 2 REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

When it comes to sequels, my expectations were low as a lot of them were disappointments. However, this year has proven me wrong and I've seen a lot of sequels that matched the quality of its predecessor(s), including John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Toy Story 4, Zombieland 2: Double Tap and Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil. Because of this, I had high hopes for Frozen II, however, does it meet expectations?

Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad) and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.

When Frozen was first released in late 2013, I didn't see it as I thought it could only be enjoyed by children and not older viewers. However, I was impressed by the success it received and decided to watch it and I found it to be a pleasant surprise. With its sequel, I was hoping for a film that continued the story, instead of repeating it and, fortunately, Frozen II didn't disappoint and I enjoyed it more than the original. When a film is successful, both at the box office and with critics, a sequel is released within a few years, unfortunately, that can lead to it feeling rushed and the end result fails to leave a lasting impression. When the CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, was asked about the sequel in early 2014, he said that Disney wouldn't mandate a sequel or force telling a story as to do so would risk creating something not as good as the original. Because Disney took their time when making a sequel, Frozen II is succeeds in recapturing the magic of the original film. 

Jennifer Lee, who wrote and directed Frozen along with Chris Buck, returns for the sequel. Her script explores more about Elsa and the origins of her powers. It also answers other questions fans of the original may have, including why Anna was born without powers and where their parents were going when their ship sank. New characters are introduced and it's also revealed that there are four spirits, including earth, fire, water and air. I admired Lee for following the story up by focusing on Elsa and the origins of her powers as it made for an interesting watch.

Following the release of Frozen six years ago, the characters of Elsa and Anna became very popular with fans of the film, including children who would wear costumes inspired by them. I think that both Elsa and Anna are great role models, especially for children seeing the film, as they are both strong and brave individuals. This is still the case for Frozen II. After the events of the original, Elsa and Anna have become closer and, when Elsa chooses to travel to the Enchanted Forest, Anna accompanies her, along with Kristoff, his reindeer, Sven, and Olaf the childlike snowman. Despite the possible dangers that lie ahead, Anna promises never to leave Elsa. 

One of the stand-out aspects of Frozen was its soundtrack, with Elsa's powerful song, 'Let It Go', being the most memorable. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. With the sequel, there was a lot of pressure on Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez to create songs that were just as successful. The songs that stood out to me were 'Into The Unknown' and 'Show Yourself', both of which are sung by Menzel as Elsa. The former occurs early on in the film and details Elsa's inner conflict over deciding whether or not to leave Arendelle and track down the source of a mysterious voice she keeps hearing. Bell also gets a chance to impress with her song 'The Next Right Thing', a slow, moving ballad about struggling to move forward and do "the next right thing". 

A tradition, made popular by the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is an extra scene following the credits. This has become popular with films outside of the MCU, including Frozen II which features a post-credits scene. One of the most amusing scenes shows Olaf recapping the events of the first film and the post-credits scene sees him recapping what just happened in the sequel. Parents with restless children may not want to sit through the whole credits so it's worth waiting until Frozen II is available on DVD so they can be fast-forwarded. 

By focusing on Elsa and the origins of her powers, Frozen II is a sequel that recaptures what made the original so successful.

8/10

TOY STORY 4 REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Since the release of Toy Story in 1995, Pixar Animated Studios have released over twenty animated features, with the majority of them impressing critics and succeeding at the box office. While I think that Pixar are at their best when they're releasing original films, the Toy Story sequels are just as good. Toy Story was a breakthrough as it was the first full-length animated feature to be created using computer-generated imagery. Its first sequel was released four years later and it matched the quality of its predecessor. For over a decade, Pixar focused on creating original films before releasing Toy Story 3 in 2010. Ir ended with Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the rest of Andy’s toys being passed on to Bonnie (Emily Hahn). It was an emotional ending and, for a while, it served as an conclusion to the franchise. However, at the end of 2014, Pixar announced that there would be a fourth instalment. I was surprised by this news as I think that Toy Story 3 had a perfect ending and worked really well as a conclusion. Despite this, I was still excited for Toy Story 4.

Woody has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that's Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie's beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as "trash" and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family's road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo's adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they're worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that's the least of their worries.

Because Toy Story 3 was successful, both with critics and at the box office, there was a lot of pressure for director, Josh Cooley, to create a sequel that lived up to expectations and matched the quality of its predecessors. Fortunately, with Toy Story 4, he has succeeded.

The majority of the story focuses on Woody searching for Forky and trying to reunite him with Bonnie. His search leads him to an antiques shop where he meets a doll called Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) whose voice box is broken and wants to steal Woody's. At first, she is seen as the main antagonist and she does seem quite menacing, however, she is soon redeemed by the end. This is what I found refreshing about Toy Story 4 as, unlike in the previous films, there's no villain. 

The antiques shop is also where he reunites with Bo. Since her absence, Bo has enjoyed her independence and what I liked most about her character is that she's developed more into just Woody's love interest and she is also given a lot more to do. 

Those expecting to see more of their old favourite toys such as Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Allen), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Mr and Mrs Potato Head (Don Rickles and Estelle Harris) and Slinky Dog (Blake Clarke) may be disappointed as they don't feature much in Toy Story 4. While I was surprised by their lack of screentime, I can understand why the writers wanted to introduce viewers to new characters. The story mainly focuses on Woody trying to reunite Forky with Bonnie. A subplot involves Buzz trying to find Woody which leads to him ending up on a local fairground. This is where he meets Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele), two toys who aren't as cute and cuddly as they appear to be. Forky is a unique new toy who believes he's trash. He provides most of the film's humour and I wouldn't be surprised if younger viewers began making their own Forky after watching the film. Another memorable new character is Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves), who is a Canadian daredevil toy.

The most impressive aspect of Toy Story 4 is its animation, which has definitely improved since the first film. With each new animated feature, Pixar continues to pride itself as a exceptional studio willing to tell fresh, enriching stories and bring new, invigorating ideas to the forefront — even when those feature familiar, well-established characters. From Toy Story to Toy Story 4, you can see how Pixar has grown significantly as a top-tier animation house. To look at the animation from Toy Story 4 is to see how Pixar has come so far in a little under 30 years time. The animation in Toy Story 4 is some of the best in the company's history, matching Finding Nemo and Wall-E in terms of shot composition, lighting, framing and realistic designs. It's obvious that Pixar has continued to develop its animation skills, with advancing technology allowing them to excel with each new film. The result is a gorgeous-looking animated feature with an emotional heart tug to really bring into focus how far we've come.

While I didn't think Toy Story 4 was necessary as I think its predecessor ended perfectly, I can understand why the filmmakers wanted to create another sequel as the characters are still so beloved, despite it being over two decades since the release of Toy Story. I found this to be a satisfying conclusion to one of the most successful animated franchises. I was also surprised by the ending, which sees Woody leaving Bonnie's toys behind to live a more independent life with Bo. I think I should have seen this ending coming as the film hints at it near the beginning where Bonnie plays with her other toys instead of with Woody. 

Overall, Toy Story 4 features impressive animation, a story that is thoroughly entertaining and is a satisfying conclusion to the franchise.

8/10

THE LEGO MOVIE 2 REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Prior to its release in 2014, I don't think anyone was expecting The Lego Movie to be as good as it was. I didn't think an animated film based on Lego would work and would only appeal to young children. However, I couldn't have been more wrong and The Lego Movie proved to be a pleasant surprise. It was funny, entertaining and managed to appeal to viewers of all ages, especially those who have played with Lego. It was successful, both with critics and at the box office, leading to two spin-off films, The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie, being released in 2017. While the former proved to be just as good as its predecessor, the latter was a disappointment. Five years after The Lego Movie's release, a much anticipated sequel has been released.

It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are now facing a huge new threat: Lego Duplo invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the Lego universe will take Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.

Making a sequel that lives up to people's expectations can be a challenge, fortunately, The Lego Movie 2 is just as entertaining and enjoyable to watch as its predecessor. It expands on the original’s premise and introduces viewers to new worlds and characters, showing that there’s no limit to someone’s imagination. The sequel has also crafted a timely story that is inventive, funny and can be enjoyed by the whole family. The end of The Lego Movie revealed a twist and that the entire film had been based on a young boy, Finn (Jadon Sand) playing with his father's (Ferrell) Lego pieces. It then ended with his younger sister, Bianca (Brooklynn Prince) wanting to play too, leading to the Lego Duplo characters entering the universe. While The Lego Movie was about Finn forming a closer relationship with his father, in the sequel, we see Finn playing with his sister. At first, he's not happy about this, leading to a divide in their relationship. Anyone who has siblings will be able to relate to these scenes as there's a lot of arguing. Because they can't play without fighting, their mother (Maya Rudolph) tells them to pack away the Lego. This leads to a sense of uncertainty for the Lego characters as it seems like it's coming to an end. 

I found the writing to be quite clever and inventive with words. In the beginning, Emmet is troubled by dreams of a pending 'Armamageddon', which references the children's mother. The 'Systar System' sounds a lot like 'Sister System', which indicates Bianca and the world that she has created. 

The Lego Movie 2 picks up straight where its predecessor ending, with Emmet introducing himself to the Lego Duplo characters, unfortunately, things go wrong, with the Duplo characters taking over the world and turning it into a post-apocalyptic wasteland named Apocalypseburg. For the majority of the film, the Duplo characters are perceived as invaders and as the main villains. After Lucy, Batman, Benny (Charlie Day) and Unikitty (Alison Brie) are kidnapped, Emmet goes out on a rescue mission. 

Most sequels suffer from being predictable as they follow the same narrative path, leading to a boring viewing experience and disappointment. This isn't the case for The Lego Movie 2, which continues the story of its predecessor and, instead of repeating the same narrative, the writers, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Matthew Fogel, manage to keep things interesting by introducing viewers to new characters, such as Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi, whose name is a clever play on the words 'Whatever I wanna be', (Tiffany Haddish) and General Sweet Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz). Queen Watevra is a shape-shifting alien who is the ruler of the Systar System whose plan is to marry Batman in order to unite the two universes together. Despite Queen Watevra singing a song about how 'not evil' she is, Lucy isn't convinced and tries to come up with a plan to stop her. Meanwhile, during his rescue mission, Emmet meets Rex Dangervest (Pratt), a self-declared galaxy-defending archaeologist, cowboy and raptor trainer. Considering that Emmet and Rex are both voiced by Pratt, the twist involving Rex's character isn't that much of a surprise. While The Lego Movie 2 isn't unpredictable and it's easy to see most of the twists, it is still entertaining and there isn't a dull moment to be found in its 107 minute runtime.

The Lego Movie is remembered for its catchy song, 'Everything Is Awesome', and its sequel features several more songs, including 'Not Evil', which is sung by Queen Watevra, 'Catchy Song' and 'Everything's Not Awesome', a twist on the original song. This songs add to the overall enjoyment of the film and I can imagine children annoying their parents by singing 'Catchy Song' repeatedly. While 'Everything Is Awesome' is an upbeat and optimistic song, 'Everything's Not Awesome' is more of a slow ballad, sung by the Lego characters who believe all hope is lost. However, while it's not a negative, depressing song, it is actually sung with a sense of hope. It is a more realistic song than 'Everything Is Awesome' which ignores the realities of life. 

The Lego Movie 2 features strong voice casting. Pratt returns as Emmet and Rex, who is an amalgamation of other roles played by Pratt, including Star-Lord from Guardians Of The Galaxy, Owen from Jurassic World and Joshua Faraday from the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven. The character of Rex makes for great self deprecating humour. Also returning is Banks as Lucy, Brie as Unikitty, Charlie Day as Benny and Nick Offerman as MetalBeard. While Lucy spends most of her screen time trying to rescue her friends, the latter three don't get as much screen time. New additions include Haddish as Queen Watevra and Beatriz as General Sweet Mayhem.

Lego bricks have been available ever since they were first manufactured in 1949, seventy years ago. Because of the technology that is available now, including iPhones, iPads and so many apps, it's a little hard to believe that Lego bricks are still popular now, however, the release of The Lego Movie and its spin-offs and sequel proves that there will always be an appreciation for Lego. There's a lot of fun to be had with The Lego Movie 2 and, while it lacks the fresh quality of the original, it is still a successful sequel.

7/10

  

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

It's been almost a decade since Dreamworks released one of their most serious and successful animated features, How To Train Your Dragon. Prior to its release, Dreamworks were best known for films such as Madagascar, Bee Movie and Kung Fu Panda which, while enjoyable for younger viewers, were hard to take seriously by adults accompanying young children. However, How To Train Your Dragon proved to be suitable for the whole family as it told a simple story about the unlikely friendship between a young Viking, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and a Night Fury dragon, Toothless. After impressing critics and succeeding at the box office, a sequel was released four years later and was an improvement over its predecessor in terms of animation, character development and story. Its success lead to a third and final instalment being released, however, is it a fitting conclusion to the How To Train Your Dragon franchise?

Now chief and ruler of Berk alongside Astrid (America Ferrera), Hiccup has created a gloriously chaotic dragon utopia. When the sudden appearance of female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must leave the only home they've known and journey to a hidden world thought only to exist in myth. As their true destinies are revealed, dragon and rider will fight together-to the very ends of the Earth-to protect everything they've grown to treasure.

Prior to watching the first How To Train Your Dragon film shortly after its release in 2010, I was skeptical as I thought that it was going to be a boring and predictable film only enjoyed by younger viewers. Fortunately, I couldn't have been more wrong and it beat my expectations. Despite enjoying the first film, I didn't see the first sequel as I didn't think it would match the quality of its predecessor and, again, I was wrong. I was really impressed by how seriously the writers took the film and how they weren't afraid to take risks and dumb down the narrative for younger viewers. I was very surprised when a main character was killed off halfway through. I think that this is why the How To Train Your Dragon films will appeal more to older viewers as, while there are lighthearted and entertaining moments throughout, there are a few scenes that may be too intense for younger viewers. The third film, The Hidden World, has the same tone as its predecessors and it ends the franchise on a high and is a thrilling and emotional conclusion.

The narrative follows Hiccup as he struggles to keep his people and the dragons of Berk safe. He remembers that his father, who was the previous Chief, spoke of a 'hidden world' and Hiccup becomes determined to find it. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done and the task of keeping everyone safe becomes even more difficult after being threatened by Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), a dragon hunter who wants nothing more than to capture and kill Toothless. While the narrative is fairly similar to its predecessor (an evil villain wanting to capture Toothless), I still found it to be a compelling watch. Grimmel made for a good antagonist as his actions were unpredictable and I was never sure what he was going to do next.

An aspect that has improved with each How To Train Your Dragon film was its animation and that hasn't changed with The Hidden World. It's an animated feature that deserves to be experienced on the big screen as the animators have clearly worked really hard. The animation is at its best when Hiccup and Astrid discover the titular hidden world, a home for dragons. The scene is filled with vibrant colours and is impressively designed, much like the dragons themselves. 

In the first How To Train Your Dragon film, Hiccup was an awkward individual and struggled to live up to his father's expectations. However, since then, he has developed into a true hero. Now the Chief of Berk, Hiccup must make important decisions, including finding a new home for his people and dragons. What I liked most about Hiccup's character is that he's not perfect, however, he is still determined to keep everyone safe. A highlight of the How To Train Your Dragon films is the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. After discovering a female Night Fury, named 'Light Fury', Hiccup and Toothless begin drifting apart after the latter becomes close with the Light Fury. Hiccup feels lonely without Toothless and tries to keep him but he soon learns that the only way to keep Toothless and the rest of the dragons safe is by letting them go and live in the Hidden World. It's a heartbreaking decision that leads to a bittersweet ending, however, it's the right decision as the Hidden World proves to be the perfect home for the dragons.

Most of the actors from the previous films return to voice their characters and they each give a solid performance, including Baruchel as Hiccup, Ferrera as Astrid and supporting roles from Kristen Wiig as Ruffnut, Jonah Hill as Snotlout and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fishlegs who each bring comic relief. Cate Blanchett returns as Hiccup's mother, Valka, unfortunately, she doesn't get as much screen time as she did in the previous film, and Abraham brings intensity to Grimmel.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World matches the quality of its predecessors in terms of animation, character development and its ability to tell an engaging story that is thrilling and full of adventure. There isn’t a dull moment to be found in its 104 minute runtime and, with a runtime of under two hours, it moves at a brisk pace.

The ending is moving and those that have spent the past nine years supporting the How To Train Your Dragon franchise will find it very emotional. Overall, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

8/10

MARY POPPINS RETURNS REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

After its release in 1964, Walt Disney's Mary Poppins went on to be a big success, both at the box office and at the Academy Awards, earning Julie Andrews her first Oscar for her performance as the titular magical nanny. Because of its success, a sequel would be released a few years later, however, the author of the books Mary Poppins was based on, P. L. Travers, was unimpressed with Disney's adaptation, she refused to give the rights for a sequel. After the author passed away in 1996, the Disney producers began thinking about the possibility of a sequel. It wasn't until 2014 when the President of Walt Disney Pictures, Sean Bailey, pitched his idea for a sequel to director, Rob Marshall. With approval from Travers' estate, Disney greenlit the project with the film taking place 20 years after the first, featuring a standalone narrative, based on the remaining seven books in the series. Marshall was hired to direct.

Making a sequel to Mary Poppins over fifty years after its release was always going to be a challenge. The original film has been deemed a classic and one of Disney's best features. The special effects were really impressive at the time too as it mixed live action with animation really well and the performances have all left lasting impressions. This lead to high expectations for Marshall's follow-up.

Mary Poppins Returns is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in P. L. Travers' additional seven books. In the story, Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) are now grown up, with Michael, his three children, Annabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson), and their housekeeper, Ellen (Julie Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street lamplighter Jack (Lin Manuel Miranda), uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Mary Poppins also introduces the children to a new assortment of colorful and whimsical characters, including her eccentric cousin, Topsy (Meryl Streep).

While Mary Poppins Returns isn't as good as its predecessor, it's still a great sequel and it met my expectations. It's fun, lively and there's hardly a dull moment to be found in its 130 minute runtime. The sequel features an impressive ensemble cast, who all give strong performances. While I prefer Andrews' portrayal of Poppins, Blunt does a great job and, by not attempting to copy Andrews, she makes the character her own. Miranda is a scene stealer as Jack, a lamp lighter who is friends with Poppins. Whishaw and Mortimer give solid performances as the now grown-up Michael and Jane. Walters brings comic relief to her portrayal of Elaine, the Banks family's maid. While she only appears in one scene, Streep makes an unforgettable appearance as Poppins' eccentric cousin, Topsy. Colin Firth is best known for portraying likable characters, however, he plays against type as the main antagonist,  William 'Weatherall' Wilkins, the current president of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. Cameos come from Dick Van Dyke, who portrayed Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr in the original and returns as Mr. Dawes Jr, and Angela Lansbury who appears at the end of the film as a Balloon Lady. Originally, this part was offered to Andrews, however, she turned it down as she didn't want to steal the limelight away from Poppins, which is a very respectable decision. I think Lansbury was a great choice for this cameo as, like Andrews, she appeared in a Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, which also combined live-action with animation. The ensemble cast is definitely one of Mary Poppins Returns' biggest highlights. 

While I really enjoyed Mary Poppins, I didn't think that there was much of a story to it, the narrative focused on Poppins taking Jane and Michael Banks on various adventures, which was very entertaining. However, the sequel's plot deals with an adult Michael who is struggling with debt and is heartbroken over the recent death of his wife and mother of his children. Two lawyers turn up at his house and declare that, if he doesn't pay back the money he owes the bank within seven days, he will lose his home. The majority of the sequel focuses on Poppins returning and taking the children on exciting adventures, with the climax featuring a race against time as the characters work together to save the Banks family home. While over two hours may seem a bit long for a family film, there's hardly a dull moment to be found and the feature is full of adventure and energetic songs. Mary Poppins Returns will undoubtedly appeal to children, however, I'm sure it will be enjoyed by older viewers, too, especially those who liked the original. The story doesn't offer anything new and it is predictable, however, that doesn't prevent it from being as entertaining as it is.

One of the most impressive aspects of Mary Poppins was its combination of live-action with animation. Since its release in the early 1960s, special effects have improved a lot, and the same can be said for the sequel. While it would've been easy to use computer generated imagery to create the special effects, Marshall chose to use hand-drawn animation, in order to pay homage to the original. The Disney executives, on the other hand, initially wanted the film to have computer animation for its animated sequences, which infuriated Marshall. He then fought hard to convince the Disney executives to let him use hand-drawn animation, and he also argued why it would be the right choice to use for the film. Ultimately, the Disney executives gave in and allowed Marshall to use hand-drawn animation for the film. The hard work paid off as the live-action/animated sequences is one of the most entertaining scenes from the sequel.

The songs in Mary Poppins were memorable, catchy and emotionally touching, especially the ballad, 'Feed The Birds'.  The music and score for the sequel was composed by Marc Shaiman, with song lyrics written by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. The score includes musical references to the songs and score from the first film written by Richard and Robert Sherman, with the former serving as a music consultant, with Shaiman stating that "if he had something that he thought should have been different or changed, he would have said so. But lo and behold, he didn’t. He was loving what he was hearing, and he really loves the new movie". I think that the new songs are just as memorable, with 'Trip Little Light Fantastic' and 'The Place Where Lost Things Go' being personal favourites. I also really enjoyed 'Can You Imagine That?', a song that takes place inside the children's bath tub and is a fun sequence. 

Mary Poppins Returns ends a year of great films on a high and, while it's not as good as its predecessor, it's still very enjoyable and is the true definition of a family film and will appeal to viewers of all ages.

7/10

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

When I first saw the trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse a few months ago, I was, initially, doubtful and wasn't intending on seeing it as I thought it looked like it was going to be your average animated superhero film. However, after seeing the critical acclaim it has received and because it's currently nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, I decided to watch it. At first, I wasn't sure what to expect but, fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse really is as great as everyone is making it out to be.
The narrative introduces its viewers to Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) who, after being bit by a radioactive spider, suddenly develops spider-like powers and abilities. After discovering his powers, he meets the current Spider-Man, Peter Parker (Chris Pine). The two meet whilst Spider-Man is trying to defeat a crime lord known as Kingpin (Liev Schreiber), unfortunately, tragedy occurs and Morales must team up with other Spider-People, including Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) also known as 'Spider-Woman', Spider-Noir (Nicholas Cage), Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) and Peter Porker (John Mulaney), in order to stop the evil Kingpin from achieving his plan.
The stand-out aspect of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is its unique animation style. Producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller wanted the film to feel like you "walked inside a comic book", and were excited to tell the story in a way that the live-action films couldn't. With this, they have succeeded as I definitely felt like this was a comic book brought to life via the big screen. The computer-generated imagery animation was combined with "line work and painting and dots and all sorts of comic book techniques" to make it look like it was created by hand, which was described as "a living painting". A lot of effort and hard work has gone into making Into the Spider-Verse one of the most visually stunning animated films. I also saw Into The Spider-Verse in 3D and, with a lot of films, this added feature is wasted and is merely used as a way to get audiences to pay extra for 3D glasses, however, this wasn't the case here. While I'm sure it looks just as visually stunning in 2D, I'd recommend giving Into The Spider-Verse a watch in 3D.
What I liked most about Into the Spider-Verse was how well it works as a stand-alone superhero film. It does make several references to previous Spider-Man films, including the various live-action adaptations that were released between 2002 and 2017, however, these are fun references and add to its self-deprecating humour. During production, the writers had to to decide why this film needed to be made, and the answer for the creative team was to tell the new and unique story of Miles Morales, who had yet to be featured in any film. Morales is an interesting character. He is still in high school when he becomes Spider-Man so a lot of viewers, especially those who are around the same age as him, will find him relatable as he has all the normal worries, including passing exams and impressing the girl he's attracted to. He's a great leading character who is also brought to life through Moore's impressive voice acting.
With its PG rating (suitable for ages 8+), Into the Spider-Verse will appeal to the whole family as it works as a thoroughly entertaining superhero adventure. The majority of the feature has a lot of exciting action sequences and isn't too scary or violent which means children will enjoy it too. Unlike most of the previous Spider-Man features, Into The Spider-Verse has a light-hearted tone and is also very funny. Both Lord and Miller have experience working on comedies, including animated features, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and The Lego Movie and also on 21 Jump Street. The comedy mainly comes from witty lines of dialogue.
What's most impressive about Into the Spider-Verse is how fresh it feels, despite a year filled with superhero films, including Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp and Incredibles 2. It doesn't follow the typical narrative path that most superhero films tends to. For those new to the superhero genre, there can be a few unpredictable moments, however, comic book fans won't be surprised by outcomes, however, this doesn't mean they won't enjoy it.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is currently nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Animated Feature alongside Incredibles 2, Ralph Breaks The Internet, Isle of Dogs and Mirai no Mirai. While I thoroughly enjoyed Incredibles 2, I would like to see Into The Spider-Verse win and I won't be surprised if it also gets recognised by the Academy next year.
Overall, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is, not only one of the best animated films we've had this year, but also a great superhero film, with visually stunning animation and is thoroughly entertaining.
8/10

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

At the time of Wreck-It Ralph's release in 2012, Walt Disney Animation Studios were best known for their animated features starring princesses and based on fairy tales, such as Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Tangled and The Princess and the Frog. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's refreshing when the studio releases features based on original and innovative ideas, inspired by the modern day world. Wreck-It Ralph was an example of that. By focusing on a world that existed within video games, the animated feature proved to be thoroughly entertaining for the whole family. While the story focused on original characters, including the titular Ralph (John C. Reilly), the villain of the video game he appears in, the film made references to classic video game characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man and Q*bert. After its release, Wreck-It Ralph proved to be a success, receiving critical acclaim and impressing at the box office. This lead to a sequel being announced and released six years later, titled Ralph Breaks The Internet. However, is it just as entertaining as its predecessor or a disappointment?

Ralph and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak's arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the Internet where they rely on the citizens - the Netizens - to help navigate their way. Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site "BuzzzTube" and Shank (Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces - so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he's ever had.

Fans of Wreck-it Ralph will be happy to discover that its sequel is a great follow-up as it's entertaining and funny. Because the majority of the narrative takes place in the world of the Internet, many of the viewers will be able to understand many of the jokes and references. On their adventure, we see Ralph and Vanellope visit eBay and we briefly see social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter and Google. In this modern day and age, a lot of people, young and old, are using social media and the Internet so I can understand why the writers, Phil Johnston (who co-directed with Rich Moore) and Pamela Ribon, chose to have their main characters explore the universe that exists within the Internet. Over the course of its 114 minute runtime, we see Ralph go viral on BuzzzTube and Vanellope becomes enamoured by the racing game Slaughter Race and she begins to wonder if she wants to return to Sugar Rush. This all makes for a thoroughly entertaining animated feature.

Because the creators behind Ralph Breaks The Internet know that the majority of its audience will be young children, they've sent out an important message about friendship. In Wreck-it Ralph, Ralph and Vanellope's friendship is what drove the film and was a highlight as it was so unlikely, with him being a large antagonist that wrecks things and her being a sweet little race car driver. However, in this sequel, we see Ralph worrying about losing his friendship with Vanellope so he does everything he can to prevent that from happening. When Vanellope considers staying in the Slaughter Race video game, Ralph sends Insecurity Virus that replicates any flaw it finds. Unfortunately, things don't go according to plan, and he almost loses Vanellope in the process. This is when Ralph learns that he can't hold Vanellope back from her dreams and what she really wants to do. Many viewers, especially children, will have friends and, through its story, it teaches them that, in order to keep friends close, you've got to let them go sometimes. In the beginning, we learn that Ralph and Vanellope spend every evening together, hanging out in other video games, however, while it seems fun at first, it's only natural to want to spend time apart every now and again. By trying to keep Vanellope, he almost loses her. I think that this message was executed really well.

When the trailer for Ralph Breaks The Internet was released earlier this year, one of the scenes that stood out was when Vanellope meets a group of the Disney princesses including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel, Anna, Elsa, Tiana, Pocahontas, Mulan and many others. This was the scene that I, and many others, was looking forward to seeing and, fortunately, I wasn't disappointed and it is one of my favourite scenes. At the end of Wreck-it Ralph, it was revealed that Vanellope is the Princess of Sugar Rush. However, as we clearly see in this memorable scene, she's not your typical princess, as she wears a hoodie instead of dresses, doesn't sing songs or talk to animals, which makes the other Princesses doubtful until she says that people assumed all of her problems get solved because a big, strong man showed up. It's a really fun scene and made me wish for a spin-off that focuses more on Vanellope interacting with the various Princesses. 

While Ralph Breaks The Internet shows the highs of the Internet, the film proves that it's not all fun and games. This is shown in a scene where Ralph discovers the comment section after he goes viral on BuzzzTube. After a few positive comments, he soon notices a lot of negative and cruel comments which, unsurprisingly, hurt his feelings. Users of the Internet and especially social media will have encountered at least one cruel comment from an anonymous and faceless person. While it may be hard, Ralph learns from Yesss that he shouldn't pay attention to any of the negativity and it's a lesson everyone should learn. I really appreciated the writers for including this scene and for including the message of friendship within their story as they didn't want viewers, especially parents who have children and are worried about them using the Internet, walking away thinking that it's all fun and games as it isn't. If a person receives ninety-nine positive comments and one nasty comment, what they're going to remember is the latter, which is unfortunate. While people should be thinking more about what they say online, those who receive the comments need to learn to ignore it.

While there is a lot to like about Ralph Breaks The Internet, it's not a perfect feature. Vanellope's song, 'A Place Called Slaughter Race', didn't fit in with the rest of the film and it felt out of place. I understand that she was trying to sing spontaneously, like the other Disney princesses, however, it didn't work for me and Vanellope could've expressed her feelings without singing. The climax also felt like it was dragging. Because there was no main villain, I think that the writers struggled coming up with a way to end the film, so they decided to make Ralph's insecurity the main villain, which seemed like a good idea, however, I just didn't think it was necessary. Despite these small criticisms, I still enjoyed Ralph Breaks The Internet and think that it's a great follow up to Wreck-it Ralph. 

7/10