Category Archives: Animation

Animation, Comedy, Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Inside Out Review

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Inside Out Review – Inside Out is an English animated comedy- drama released in 2015. The plot revolves around a little girl Riley as her family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco, the five different emotions in her struggle to help her cope up with the new environment.

When I saw Pixar’s Up I realised that the animated movies have a new definition now and they are no longer the cute ones to woo the kids but can be emotionally engaging to adults as well. Inside Out takes it to the next level. Although there are plenty of elements for the kids to enjoy, the core of the movie deals with the inner self of human behavior. It is philosophical and explores the deepest part of a human mind and has reflections drawn on how it affects our behavior and decisions.

The emoticons are cute, with happiness, sadness, anger having a much larger part to play compared to disgust and fear. This is again true to human emotions. There are a lot of parallels you would see in the movie. The entire world as perceived by the inner mind has been creatively designed. The credit sequence at the end of the movie is also very good and funny so don’t miss that one.

High Points: The plot for the movie is phenomenal, the screenplay and the execution is wonderful, the animation quality is good as you would expect from a Pixar movie.

Low Points: There are not much of low points for this movie.

Overall Inside Out is not yet another animated movie that teaches moral values to the kid. But its much more than that. It is a movie that every adult should watch. Of course, you could watch this with your kids. If you haven’t seen this rent it out and watch it.

Must Watch

Animation, Comedy, Genre

Minions Review

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Minions Review – Minions is an English animated comedy movie released in 2015. This is prequel to Despicable Me series where the creatures called Minions existed since beginning of time and they always find their purpose in serving a super villain. But for years they are deprived of having a master. Three minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob set out on a journey to find their new master a new super villain.

If you love Minions there is lot you would enjoy in this movie. But if you ask if I would rate this higher than Despicable me then I would say no. My review here is going to treat this as a separate movie without comparing it to its predecessors. The plot is definitely a very interesting one. Thanks to all the Minions promos for increasing the expectation from this movie. To be honest since I have seen all the preview trailers of the minion’s movie I did not find anything new in the first half. Everything seemed to repeat itself and was another ordinary animated drama with occasional laughter.

The movie picks up in the final 20 minutes leading to an entertaining climax. I said you would need to love Minions and Despicable Me series for you to love this one. There are very subtle references of what is going to come next in the movie you might miss this is you are not a fan of this franchise. The next thing this movie has capitalized on is all superhero movies. If you have watched a lot of Superhero movies then you would associate with many of the villain characters shown here and also some of the sequences are direct spoof of a superhero action scene. If you get this you would enjoy this even more. Right from Spiderman to Godzilla you will find references to all of them. The three minions are modeled after the 3 adopted daughters of Gru in the Despicable Me series, which has worked well to continue the tradition of the franchise.

What clicked well for me is the climax of the movie, which was simply stunning and don’t miss the credit sequence which is hilarious.

High Points: Adorable Minions they proved they could take a movie on themselves in Despicable Me 2 and they in fact have done it, the climax sequence is definitely the most entertaining part of the movie, reference to many superhero movies.

Low Points: The promotion of the movie had revealed too much than it should have. The first half of the movie is a bit slow. Scarlet overkill could not match the charismatic super villain Gru.

Overall without comparing this with the previous installments, Minions deliver what they had promised to. If you love animated movies then you would enjoy this.

Watchable

Action, Animation, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Worth a Watch

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review

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How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review – How to Train Your Dragon 2 is an American animation movie released in 2014. This is a sequel to the How to Train Your Dragon movie. After changing the culture of Berk to co-exist peacefully with the dragons Hiccup and Toothless are out on another adventure where they have to face a deadly villain called Drago.

The movie has capitalized on the success of the first part and has the necessary plot points to entice you one more time.  The movie majorly succeeds in maintaining the interest of the audience throughout but for few dragging sequences. If you were to compare this one with the first part then you might like the first installment better. But as it goes with any sequels it is not as fresh as the first one. Also many sequences would remind you of the first part. Leaving this aside if you watch this movie you would certainly enjoy many parts of this one.  The way they have ended this movie promises for yet another sequel.

The quality of animation is very good. There are also new types of dragons introduced in this one which makes it even more interesting. Toothless steals the show completely. The way the character of Toothless is shaping up would create a very memorable dragon character for the viewers.

High Points: Chemistry between Toothless and Hiccup,  The flying sequence between Toothless and Hiccup, The new game invented by the citizens of Berk, Some new kind of dragons

Low Points: Not great when compared to the first part, Few of the sequences seem bit repetitive and dragging.

Overall this one may not be as great as its predecessor but nevertheless a great watch. If you have kids do watch this one with them.

Watchable – for the Night Fury Toothless!

Related: How to Train Your Dragon

Animation, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Worth a Watch

Penguins of Madagascar Review

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Penguins of Madagascar Review – Penguins of Madagascar is an English animation movie released in 2014. The penguins from the Madagascar franchise embark on a new adventure in which they face a fearsome villain from whom they would have to save the entire race of Penguins and the love of people for Penguins.

This one is banking on the popularity Penguins have got with the Madagascar franchise. The movie has a plot that is focused on making the audience laugh and letting the Penguins do what they are best at. Although in parts the movie would resemble to the minions episode in Despicable Me 2. Still the movie would engage you throughout and make you laugh at many places. The quality of the animation is very good.

There are more characters in this other than the Penguins. The new characters have similar taste in adventure as the Penguins do. However they fail to fit in well as Alex and party in the Madagascar series.

High points: The scene in which the penguins fall off a plane is hilarious, their entire adventure in the streets of Shangai is good, The core focus being on the Penguins is a big plus for the movie considering how the last two movies from the Franchise have fared.

Low points: Similarity of the plot and sequences with  Despicable Me 2, The new spy characters did not fit in too well for the Madagascar franchise

Overall despite the short comings this one is a better movie compared to the last two Madagascar movies. If you are a fan of Madagascar Penguins don’t miss this one. Kids would enjoy this movie very much, so if you have kids do take them to watch the adventure of the Penguins.

Watchable

Action, Animation, English Movies, Fantasy, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Superhero, Worth a Watch

Big Hero 6 Review

Big Hero 6 Review – Big Hero 6 is an American animated superhero movie released in 2014. This movie is based on the Marvel Comics of the same name. A 14 year old genius and robotic expert Hiro Hamada has to form a super hero team to fight a villain who is suspected to have played a role in his brother’s death.

If you have read the comics you might already know what you would need to expect from the movie. However if you haven’t then one of the things you might need to know is this is not yet another animation movie that targets kids with a good moral message like Wall E, UP, Frozen, Brave and so on. There is no such thing this Big Hero 6 conveys. The movie is more of a super hero movie than that of a kid’s animation movie. During the break one of the kid exclaimed to her mom that she couldn’t understand the movie. If we are looking this more from a superhero movie angle then it has all the ingredients that would entice you. The animation is of great quality and the characters are all sketched very well. The health care robot Baymax is very cute and the scenes involving the interactions between Hiro and Baymax are funny and would make you laugh. The initial portions of the movie are more enjoyable than the climax itself. The climax is large and involves destruction on a large scale and reminded me of the Avengers and Man of Steel climax. This large scale destruction has now become a trademark for superhero movies. The movie revolves more around Hiro and Baymax. There is little space for the other four characters which I believe would be more prominent in the upcoming editions. The movie does have a post credit sequence which promises a premise for the next edition. So don’t leave the theater before the end of credits.

Overall Big Hero 6 has all the elements to entertain you and keep you engaged for 100 minutes. If you are a fan of Superhero and animation movies then don’t miss this one.

Watchable

Animation, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

The Lego Movie

The Lego Movie – is an English animation movie released in 2014.  Emmet Brickowski, an ordinary worker in a construction site who goes about living his life as per the books, falls into a situation where he would need to break the rules to save the world from freezing.

I should confess that I never thought I would like this movie as I had not been a major fan of animation using Lego toys. Hence my expectation was super low for this one. However this movie turned out to outrun my expectation. Although it appears to be a spoof of many Hollywood movies and characters there is a very deep social message in it with respect to upbringing of kids. Of course the message targets towards increase in sales of Lego toys 🙂 Still this is a must watch for all animation movie fans.

Must Watch – for all animation movie fans

Animation, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Wait for DVD/TV

Planes

Planes – is an American animated movie released in 2013. Dusty is a crop-duster plane who aspires to become a racer. But there is one problem he has to overcome before he becomes a successful racer… he has to let go of his fear of heights. Whether he was able to do it to become the successful racer is the plot of the movie.

This is in line with the Cars movie where it is the world of automobiles with personalities. This uses a tried and tested formula where a protagonist coming from ordinary background aspires to achieve something extraordinary. His journey and the obstacles he would have to overcome to become successful. The animation quality is inline of what you have seen in Cars. However the story line might remind you of other animation movies you have seen using the same plot. So you end up feeling that it is repeat of some movie you had seen some time back. However Planes definitely has some interesting sequences like the one where they have created the iconic landmarks in the world including Taj Mahal as the planes fly across the world. You can watch it with your kids at home.

Wait for TV/DVD

 

Animation, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Worth a Watch

Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2 – A sequel to the Animation Movie Despicable Me released in 2010. Gru former villain turned father of 3 girls is occupied in family life. The Anti Villain League (AVL) organization is in search of a deadliest villain who has stolen a secret laboratory near the Arctic Circle. They convince Gru to help them find the villain. Was Gru able to leave his “happily ever after” family life to take on this adventure? Did he succeed? is the plot of the movie.

At a point of time in the movie I had my doubts if I was already watching Minions the Movie. The first part was about – what would happen if a super bad villain has to turn into a super dad?. The concept was new and the film was very interesting one. Minions, the mini creatures who work for Gru became very popular after the movie. The makers have rightly cashed in the popularity of the minions and rightly they have a significant role to play in this movie. Not only they are part of the main plot but also have helped the story move along acting as fillers. Their acts keep the audience entertained through the movie. This one may not be as good as the first one, but definitely not a bad sequel. It has its hilarious moments throughout the movie. The movie also ends with the teaser for Minions the movie during the credits. If you are a fan of Minions or have a kid who likes minions go for the movie… you will find yourself laughing throughout.

Watchable – for the Minions

 

Animation, English Movies, Fantasy, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Brave

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Brave – An animation fantasy film from Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney. A princess takes a brave step to follow her heart against the will of her mother. In an effort to change her mother’s heart the steps she takes results in unforeseen circumstances that threatens to lose her mother forever. She races against time to mend what she had done… Did she succeed? Was she able to change her Mothers heart?… is the story of Brave.

This is the first fairy tale from Pixar. The screenplay is slick and builds up to the message that you would see in many of the Pixar movies “Follow your Heart”. Although the usual message, the movie stands out of the crowd for the way it is presented. This movie won the Academy Award for the best animated feature film in the year 2012. The visuals are stunning and they have recreated the landscape of Scotland in computer generated images. The amount of complexity of the visuals had posed a challenge to the Pixar Studios and they rewrote their entire animation system. The result is a visual treat. They did not stop with the visuals but they also employed Dolby Atmos sound technology for the first time. This sound technology  is picking up very fast in the Indian film industry as well. Shivaji 3D, Vishwaroopam, Anybody Can Dance adopted this sound technology and there are many more to join this bandwagon soon. For the stunning visuals and a wonderful fairy tale this is a Must Watch

Must Watch – for Animation Fans

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Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. – A 2001 Animated film from the Pixar. The film is about two monsters Sulley and Mike who work for a company Monsters Inc. The job of the monsters is to scare children at night by using their closet doors as portal. The scream generated from children produces electricity in the Monster city. But they have a weak point, they can cannot come in contact with the children or their belongings as they are toxic for them. The company is not doing great as the children no longer are frightened as they used to be. When they are devising up a plan to overcome this crisis, a child enters the monster world by mistake. Sulley and Mike try to hide the child and return it back to the human world without knowledge of anyone.

The movie plot, although written for children makes it a interesting watch for adults as well. Pixar raised the bar of computer graphics to the next level in this movie. The fur on the monster Sulley was a notable achievement then. The adventures of Mike and Sulley are hilarious and you wish you could take them back home with you. It is a Must Watch and do watch it with your kids, nephews, nieces or the kid in you!

Must Watch

After 12 years Disney Pixar is releasing “Monsters University” a prequel  to this movie.  The plot is again the adventures of Mike and Sulley when they went to college. With the success of the first movie there is a high expectation surrounding its prequel. Hope Disney Pixar is able to recreate the magic. 

Animation, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Worth a Watch

Rise of the Guardians

Rise of the Guardians – An out and out movie for kids. It has all the fairy tale characters Santa, Sandman, Jack Frost, Tooth Fairy, Bunny and Boogy man who had featured in many stories told to kids. They have created a neat little story using all these characters. Keeping faith in good things will help you ward off evil is an excellent message to pass on to the kids with all their favorite characters. Go for it for the kid in you!

Watchable

Animation, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Wait for DVD/TV

Madagascar 3: Europe’s most wanted

Madagascar 3: Europe’s most wanted is yet another Madagascar series… Scores better than 2 in many parts but still fails to create the magic like the first one. The movie is brilliant in parts like the chasing sequence in Monte Carlo… And dragging in a few… Overall you could watch it once… Kids would love the visuals and favorite characters doing what they are best at!

Wait for DVD/TV