Christmas Present Announcement

Hi, everybody! Remember how in my review of Ralph Breaks the Internet, I stated that there would be a Christmas present announcement? Throughout December, I will post five special Christmas gifts: Two movie reviews and a three-part sneak-peak to one of my 2019 projects, Animated Movies Throughout the Years! In this project, each Friday, I will talk about animated movies from 1998 to 2018. However, I'm only doing animated films released in the United States, but I will definitely include imports from countries like Japan, France, and Ireland. First, however, I will do three prequels: 1989-1991, 1992-1994, and 1995-1997. However, if there's a movie that I find inappropriate, I will use this picture instead.

As for the movies that I will review in December, I won't give out the names of the movies, but I will reveal the dates I will review them: December 4th and December 11th.

The Sneak Peek gift trilogy will begin December 7th.

Movie Review: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Movie Review: Ralph Breaks the Internet                                                                                      11-22-18

Wreck-it Ralph, released back in fall 2012, was Disney's 52nd animated feature, and is best described as Toy Story with video games. It got good reviews, did well at the box-office, and won the KCA and Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature. Ever since the film's premiere, there have been rumors about a sequel in the works. After many years, fans will finally see Ralph and Vanellope again in another full-length adventure. However, instead of journeying into more video games likes fans hoped, our heroes will venture into the Internet. When I first heard this, I was concerned that it would be too much like The Emoji Movie, and we all know how that went.

So, does Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-it Ralph 2 rank among the Top 10 on the High Scores, or do we need to insert another token? Let's find out.

In the highly-anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2012 film Wreck-it Ralph, Litwack plugs a Wi-Fi router into the arcade. When a steering wheel for Sugar Rush breaks, the game gets unplugged, and Vanellope and the rest of Sugar Rush are forced to leave their game and inhabit other games. In order to save her game, Ralph and Vanellope must leave the arcade behind and embark on an adventure across the World Wide Web to retrieve a new steering wheel. However, when Vanellope finds a new interest in Slaughter Race, an online game influenced by Grand Theft Auto, she must decide whether to go back to Litwack's or to make a new home in Slaughter Race.

Now, what do I think of Ralph Breaks the Internet? While not as good as Incredibles 2 or even Paddington 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet has incredible animation, a story that greatly expands on the digital world of the original film, and the highly-anticipated scene of Vanellope with the Disney Princesses.

Just to let you know, these are not the true Disney Princesses. They are Avatars of the princesses and representations of what the fans would think if the Disney Princesses did meet together.

Shank, voiced by Gal Gadot, is a fearless and fierce female character that you'd never except out of a Disney movie.

If I were to complain about one thing, I felt that the film was a bit too long. Also, fans who watched the original film noticed that Mario, the most famous video game character of all time, was absent from Wreck-it Ralph 1. Fans will be disappointed to hear that Mario doesn't appear in Wreck-it Ralph 2, either.

Mario in his tanuki suit power-up from Super Mario Bros 3 and Super Mario 3D Land.

In conclusion, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a treat that not only fans of the original film, but also those who weren't fans of the first film. It should also be noted that this is the last Disney film for John Lasseter and Ed Catmull to have full involvement with.

Ed Catmull, the late Steve Jobs, and John Lasseter

I also have a special Christmas announcement on Monday.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

PS. If you are reading this Auli'i Cravalho, happy birthday!

Paddington Double Feature Review

Double Feature Review: Paddington and Paddington 2                                                                11-16-18

Based on the beloved books by Michael Bond, Paddington is about a marmalade-loving bear cub named Paddington. After his uncle got killed in a storm, his aunt sends Paddington on a boat to London. He gets adopted by the Brown family, and Paddington stays with them until they find him a real home. Meanwhile, animal poacher and taxidermist Millicent discovers that Paddington is a rare bear, and plans on killing him so she can add him to her collection.

When I first saw the teaser trailer for Paddington 1, I thought it was disgusting: I was thinking it was going to be like one of those live-action Alvin & the Chipmunks or Smurfs movies. It looked something like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-d-V9jXYDE

However, after watching it, I ended up liking it more than The Good Dinosaur, which was released the same year. Paddington is an enjoyable film with a story that stays true to Michael Bond's books, likable characters, and a memorable score from Nick Urata.

Millicent Clyde, played by Nicole Kidman, is also a memorable villain. She's reminiscent of movie villains that we don't see much of anymore.

In conclusion, Paddington is a wonderful film that easily outshines most of the live-action Disney remakes.

In Paddington 2, the titular bear is happily settled in London with the Browns. While looking for the perfect birthday gift for for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday (in bear years), Paddington comes across a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and he embarks on a series of jobs to get enough money to buy it. When the book goes missing, Paddington gets framed for the crime and gets sent to prison. While in jail, Paddington befriends the local chef Nuckels, and back in London, the Browns and Mr. Gruber try to find the real culprit and clear Paddington's name.

Paddington 2 is one of the best sequels I have seen in a long time, animated or live-action. The film takes what was wrong about Muppets Most Wanted and fixes each problem and adds the charms of Paddington 1.

Nuckels (Brendan Gleeson) being given a marmalade sandwich by Paddington.

Nearly everything about Paddington 2 is perfect: The story, the characters, the cinematography, the music! In fact, I actually liked Paddington 2 more than Incredibles 2, and I'll probably like it more than Ralph Breaks the Internet. I'll be surprised if this film doesn't get a single Oscar nomination.

Paddington 1 rating: 4 stars out of 5

Paddington 2 rating: The perfect rating of 5 stars

PLUS 5 oranges (for making marmalade)