Movie Review: Luca

Movie Review: Luca                                                                                                                    6-29-21

Luca is a young sea monster who lives in the ocean, but secretly wants to know what lies beyond the surface. He meets another monster named Alberto, who claims that he knows everything about the human world, and he encourages Luca to go beyond the surface. When Luca and Alberto go above the surface, they turn into humans! Now, in search of their own Vespa (a type of motorcycle), Luca and Alberto go to the seaside town of Portorosso and meet a girl named Giulia (pronounced Julia) and enter a local contest where they could win their own Vespa, while also keeping their monster identities a secret.

While Luca obviously doesn’t have the strongest story Pixar has to offer, it has beautiful animation, engaging characters, the best music in a Pixar film since Coco, and top-notch voice acting from little-known actors.

Giulia is an interesting character that easily joins the ranks of Colette Tatou, Jessie, Joy, and even Helen Parr. She has divorced parents, and is outcast for losing the contest every year. Giulia is also an outgoing and charming adventurer with a love of books and learning.

Giulia encountering Luca and Alberto for the first time.

In conclusion, Luca obviously doesn’t hold a candle to other Pixar films, but is a welcome break from hard-hitting animated films like Wolfwalkers, Soul, ‘Raya’, and ‘Mitchells’.

Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5.

Plus 4 Vespas 🛵🛵🛵🛵

Movie Review: A Goofy Movie

Movie Review: A Goofy Movie                                                                                      6-19-21

Max (Jason Marsden) is the son of the lovable clumsy canine Goofy (Bill Farmer), but all his classmates make fun of him for being related to Goofy. When the principal sends Max to detention for impersonating popular music star Powerline, he threatens Goofy to put Max in the electric chair if he doesn’t straighten Max out. With this in mind, Goofy brings Max on a cross-country road trip to Lake Destiny, Idaho, but Max wants to go to the Powerline concert in Los Angela’s, California to impress popular high school girl Roxanne (Kellie Martin).

A Goofy Movie is a forgotten gem that deserves to be part of the Disney Animated Canon with a story that fits Goofy perfectly, smooth animation, engaging characters, songs that easily surpass the weakest of Alan Menken films, and a strong message about trust and bonding that parents and children alike will understand. I can especially relate to Max sometimes, as both my parents love movies/specials that I think are either overrated or have been outclassed.

Goofy taking Max to Lester's Possum Park, which is a bit like Chuck E Cheese but with possums.

Another thing to appreciate about A Goofy Movie is the amount of care taken in not just the story, but the animation. You can tell that the filmmakers didn’t want this to be an extended episode of Goof Troop, and the fact that this movie used digital ink and paint instead of celluloid shows.

Is that the Duke of Soul from The Little Mermaid biting on Goofy's leg?

If I were to complain about one thing, I feel we didn’t get enough of PJ, Max’s best friend who’s also the son of brutish neighbor Pete, Mickey’s feline rival who dates back to the mouse’s black-and-white days. On Goof Troop, PJ was a bit like Clyde McBride from The Loud House, except with no creepy crush.

PJ, or Pete Junior, as shown on Goof Troop.

In conclusion, A Goofy Movie is a perfect film to share with the whole family, especially on Father’s Day. I also personally prefer this film to WDAS’s actual film that year, Pocahontas.

Rating: 3.4 stars out of 5.

PS. As promised, I will say which film was better: Raya and the Last Dragon or The Mitchells vs the Machines. I picked ‘Mitchells’ because, while ‘Raya’ has amazing world building and animation, it suffers from underdeveloped characters, dragon designs that could’ve looked less fluffy and cuddly, and a rushed ending. While ‘Mitchells’ may not look as beautiful as Kumandra, the film has more likable and relatable characters, a better story, and funnier jokes you’d expect from DreamWorks.