Movie Review: Megamind

Movie Review: Megamind                                                                                                          7-17-22

Megamimd answers the ultimate question: What would happen if the supervillain actually defeated the superhero? Well, in this movie from DreamWorks and PDI, Megamimd (Will Ferrell) is the life-long arch-nemesis of renowned superhero Metro Man (Brad Pitt). One day, Megamind kidnaps news reporter Roxanne Richie (Tina Fey), and when Metro Man breaks into Megamind’s fortress, he discovers Metro’s weakness: Copper! Megamind manages to kill Metro Man, and with no one to stop Megamind, the blue alien takes over Metro City and causes all sorts of mischief. However, as the weeks progress, Megamind feels lonely with no one to stop him, so he kidnaps Roxanne’s cameraman Hal Stewart (Jonah Hill), mixes Metro Man’s DNA with him, and raises him to be a superhero, as well as develop a relationship with Roxanne under the guise of museum curator Bernard.

No wonder this movie has an online cult following! Megamind is a diamond in the rough with an original and engaging story, animation that has gone a long way since Antz, likable characters, laugh-a-minute gags, and a good score from Hans Zimmer.

Megamind and Minion (David Cross) with Metro Man's DNA.

As well as Megamind and tougher-than-she-looks Roxanne, Minion, the blue alien’s fish companion, is also a good character. He’s supposed to be Megamind’s henchman, but he’s really a sweetheart who wants what’s best for him and does what’s right. In other words, Minion is Megamind’s conscience.

When Megamind first came out, as well as competing against Tangled and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1, the movie was overshadowed by Despicable Me, which was another movie that had a supervillain as its protagonist. While Despicable Me was aimed at kids, Megamind was aimed at a slightly older demographic.

In conclusion, if you loved The LEGO Batman Movie, then you’re sure to get a kick out of Megmind. It also helps that there’s a spin-off show in the works coming to Peacock, since there’s lots of story material for the show runners to work with. Let’s just hope that it’s better than Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, Monsters vs Aliens: The Series, and Home: Adventures with Tip and Oh.

Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5.

Olaf Presents Cinderella

Olaf: Presenting Cinderella.

Cindy! Olaf: A dream is a wish your heart makes!

(Cut to Tremaine! Olaf in a small bed)

Tremaine! Olaf: Puh, dreams. Kiss them goodbye, Cinderella, because you have to do chores that will take you all day to finish!

(Cut to Jaq! Olaf walking around in a circle)

Jaq! Olaf: Cinderelly will never make it to the ball with all that hard work from her evil stepmom!

(Cut to Mary! Olaf with sewing equipment)

Mary! Olaf: Hey, we can do it! We can fix Cinderelly's dress while she's working.

(Cut to Jaq! Olaf and a Snowgie, playing Gus, sneaking up on Sven, playing Lucifer)

Jaq! Olaf: Careful, Gus-Gus. Lucifee is mean.

(Sven wakes up and growls at Jaq! Olaf and the Snowgie, making them flee)

(Cut to Jaq! Olaf showing Anna's winter dress to Marshmallow)

Jaq! Olaf: We finished your dress, Cinderelly!

Marshmallow: I love it! (takes the dress out of Jaq! Olaf's hands and wears it like a cape)

(Cut to Drisella! Olaf with a shocked expression on her face)

Drisella! Olaf: Hey, that's my dress! Give it back! (rips the dress off of Marshmallow's back, leaving it torn apart)

Marshmallow: My dress! (starts crying)

(Cut to Fairy Godmother! Olaf petting Marshmallow's foot)

Godmother! Olaf: There, there, Cinderella. I will make you a beautiful dress so you can go to the ball.

Marshmallow: Really?

Godmother! Olaf: Yes. All I have to say is the magic words: Bibbity-boppity-boo!

(Cut to Cindy! Olaf with a smaller version of Elsa's iconic blue dress)

Cindy! Olaf: I'm beautiful! Come mice, who've suddenly turned into horses! (hops on Sven's back and gallops off)

(Cut to Cindy! Olaf dancing with a Snowgie)

Cindy! Olaf: So this is love... (alarm clock goes off) Oh no. I need to get going! (runs offscreen and leaves behind his right foot)

(Cut to Tremaine! Olaf holding a key with Sven by her side)

Tremaine! Olaf: I know it was you at the ball, Cinderella, so I'm going to lock you up so you won't marry that Prince. Instead, one of my daughters will! Lucifer, guard the key. (hands the key to Sven)

(Cut to Cindy! Olaf behind some icicles)

Cindy! Olaf: Mice! Help me get out of my room!

(Snowgies charge at Sven, but he swats them away like flies)

Cindy! Olaf: That's not enough. Get Bruno!

(Marshmallow walks on screen and roars at Sven, making him scamper off)

(Cut to a Snowgie putting on Cindy! Olaf's foot)

Cindy! Olaf: It fits! Now I can marry the prince of my dreams and leave my stepfamily behind!

(Cut to Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff watching the play)

Anna: At least Oaken sells extra dresses.

THE END

Once again, here's concept art from Emmy Pflugh!

Cotton balls on the end of the carrot nose is a nice touch.

Tune in next week when Olaf retells the final animated movie to have involvement of Walt Disney, The Jungle Book!

Once again, here's a link to Emmy's website.

The Autistic Animator's Desk – Emmy Pflugh (wordpress.com)

Movie Review: The Sea Beast

Movie Review: The Sea Beast                                                                                           7-8-22

The Sea Beast tells the story of Jacob Holland, first mate of famous sea monster hunter Captain Crow. One day, while on a voyage to kill the Bluster, Crow’s crew encounter the beast itself. Jacob, along with a stowaway orphan girl named Maisie Brumble, get swallowed alive by the Bluster. Luckily, the monster sneezes them out and strands them on a deserted island. After saving Jacob and Maisie from a purple crab-like monster, the Bluster, which Maisie names Red, decides to be their ally and bring them on a journey back home. Meanwhile, Captain Crow makes a deal with a witch to kill the Bluster and show to the King and Queen.

The Sea Beast is an enjoyable film with Pixar-quality character animation, a complex albeit familiar story, engaging characters, and a score from Mark Mancina that ranks among his best.

If I were to complain about one thing, I feel that the movie is too similar to How To Train Your Dragon. I also felt that the movie dragged at parts.

Maisie befriending a baby sea monster that she names Blue.

In conclusion, while it obviously doesn’t hold a candle to How To Train Your Dragon, The Sea Beast, aside from Lightyear, may be the best animated movie for the summer. It’s gotta be better than Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, which I’m baffled would be released in theaters, while quality films like Luca and Vivo, as well as The Sea Beast, were streaming exclusives.

Rating: 3.67 stars out of 5

Olaf Presents Beauty and the Beast

Olaf: Presenting Beauty and the Beast.

Enchantress! Olaf: Oh, young man. Will you let me in on a cold winter's night?

(Cut to Adam! Olaf)

Adam! Olaf: You? Never!

(Cut to Enchantress! Olaf)

Enchantress! Olaf: I will turn you into a beast, even though you're only 11! If you want to be human again, make a girl fall in love with you! (throws leaves to the left)

Marshmallow (with leaves covering his feet): Oh no! I'm a monster!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf in the village, represented by wooden blocks)

Belle! Olaf: I want adventure in this great wide somewhere! (Sven, playing Philipe, runs over to Belle! Olaf to inform her about the news) What's that? My dad's been kidnapped? Show me the way!

(Cuts to Maurice! Olaf in a birdcage with Marshmallow watching)

Maurice! Olaf: Please let me out!

Marshmallow: You shouldn't have been trespassing!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf standing behind Marshmallow)

Belle! Olaf: Take me in my dad's place.

Marshmallow: Okay. (opens the cage and throws Olaf inside)

(Cut to Gaston! Olaf sitting on a stool with an empty bottle)

Gaston! Olaf: How can she reject me? No one says no to Gaston! How can I get Belle to marry me?

(Cut to Maurice! Olaf)

Maurice! Olaf: Help! My daughter's been kidnapped by a beast!

(Cut back to Gaston! Olaf)

Gaston! Olaf: That's it! I'll blackmail Belle into marrying me by threatening to send her dad to the nuthouse!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf behind an ice wall with Marshmallow on the other side)

Marshmallow: Eat dinner with me!

Belle! Olaf: No, I won't!

Marshmallow: Fine. Go ahead and starve!

(Cut to Lumiere! Olaf dancing with Snowgies holding China cups)

Lumiere! Olaf: Be our guest, be our guest! Put our service to the test!

(Cut to Cogsworth! Olaf next to a wooden knight)

Cosgworth! Olaf: If it ain't 'baroque', don't fix it!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf looking at a dandelion underneath a glass)

Belle! Olaf: So this is the West Wing. (Marshmallow approaches Belle! Olaf)

Marshmallow: Do you realize what you could have done?! Get out! (Belle! Olaf runs away)

(Cut to Belle! Olaf running past a bunch of branches)

Belle! Olaf: Good thing there are no hungry wolves out here! (wolves chase Belle! Olaf around) Aaah!

(Marshmallow comes to Belle! Olaf's aid and saves her)

Belle! Olaf: You saved me!

(Cut to Marshmallow and Belle! Olaf dancing together)

Belle! Olaf: Ever just the same! Ever a surprise!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf and Marshmallow near a log)

Marshmallow: Go save your father.

Belle! Olaf: You're letting me go? Thank you!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf nursing Sven, playing Maurice in this scene, back to health)

Belle! Olaf: There. Nothing bad should be happening now.

(Cut to Gaston! Olaf with a breadbox)

Gaston! Olaf: Marry me, or your father gets sent to the asylum!

(Cut to Belle! Olaf)

Belle! Olaf: Never! (holds up a mirror) Show me the Beast! (Marshmallow's reflection can be seen in the mirror)

(Cut to Gaston! Olaf holding a fork)

Gaston! Olaf: I say we kill the beast!

(Cut to Gaston! Olaf confronting Marshmallow)

Gaston! Olaf: Do you love her, beast? Do you think she'd want someone like you, when she has someone like me?

Marshmallow: Go ahead. Kill me.

(Cut to Belle! Olaf on Sven's back)

Belle! Olaf: No!

(Cut to Marshmallow holding Gaston! Olaf in his clutches)

Marshmallow: Go away!

Gaston! Olaf (climbing onto the monster's back): Not until I kill you! (grabs a rock and stabs Marshmallow with it, only to fall off and scream)

(Cut to Marshmallow with Belle! Olaf by his side)

Belle! Olaf: No! Don't die, Beast. I love you.

(Cut to Adam! Olaf back in his human, er, snowman, form)

Adam! Olaf: Belle, it's me.

(Cut to Belle! Olaf with a Snowgie by his side)

Belle! Olaf: It is you! (grabs the Snowgie and dances with it) Beauty and the Beast!

THE END

Once again, here's concept art courtesy of Emmy Pflugh.

Emmy originally drew Olaf with a rose, but I told her to change it to a dandelion, since those would be better for Arendelle's colder climate.

A twig and a lump of coal as a pendulum is super creative.

How can Olaf survive with a candle on his head?

Olaf must've gotten a tablecloth to serve as the Beast's cape.

Tune in next week when Olaf retells the movie that saved Walt Disney from bankruptcy after the 1940s, Cinderella!

Once again, here's a link to Emmy's website.

The Autistic Animator's Desk – Emmy Pflugh (wordpress.com)

Olaf Presents Mulan

Olaf: Presenting Mulan. (gong rings while the Snowgies push the title card away)

Mulan! Olaf: I'm going to see the matchmaker and make my family proud!

(Cut to Matchmaker! Olaf with a teapot)

Matchmaker! Olaf: Now, pour the tea.

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf pouring the tea, only for Bruni, playing Cri-Kee, to pop out)

Matchmaker! Olaf: Aah! A bug! (Bruni sets Olaf on fire) Now I'm on fire! (Kristoff from offscreen throws a bucket of water at Matchmaker! Olaf) Thanks, Kristoff. You will never bring your family honor!

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf near walls of ice, where he sees his reflection)

Mulan! Olaf: Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me?

(Cut to Shi-Fu! Olaf on top of Sven)

Shi-Fu! Olaf: The Huns have invaded China! One man from each family will serve in the army.

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf tugging on Sven's right hind leg)

Mulan! Olaf: No! You shouldn't have to go. I'm gonna take your place in the army so you won't get killed! (Runs offscreen)

(Cut to Grandma Fa! Olaf waking up)

Grandma Fa! Olaf: Mulan is gone! Ancestors, hear our prayers.

(Cut to Mushu! Olaf waking up)

Mushu! Olaf: I LIVE!!! Tell me who needs our help, Head Ancestor!

Marshmallow (playing the Head Ancestor): Awaken the Great Stone Dragon!

Mushu! Olaf: But I'm a dragon!

Marshmallow: No, you're not! Awaken the real dragon!

(Cuts to Mushu! Olaf near a giant dragon ice sculpture)

Mushu! Olaf: Hello? Hello?! (chips off the dragon's ear, and it shatters) That's just great, now what?

Bruni: Squeak!

Mushu! Olaf: That's it! I'll make Mulan into a war hero, and they'll be begging me to get back to work!

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf outside a sign that says 'camp ahead')

Mulan! Olaf: It's gonna take a miracle to get me into the army.

(Cut to Mushu! Olaf casting a shadow)

Mushu! Olaf: Did I hear someone ask for a miracle? Let me hear you say "Aaah!"

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf screaming, and then back to Mushu! Olaf)

Mushu! Olaf: That's close enough!

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf)

Mulan! Olaf: My ancestors sent me a lizard?

(Cut to Mushu! Olaf)

Mushu! Olaf: Dragon, no lizard. I don't do the tongue thing. (flicks tongue)

(Cut to Shang! Olaf with a bow and arrow)

Shang! Olaf (fires the arrow at a tall mound of snow): Whoever shall retrieve the arrow will be an official soldier.

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf holding a poll, knocking over Snowgies, playing soldiers, and then cut back to Shang! Olaf)

Shang! Olaf: You're all pathetic! How can I make a man out of you?

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf climbing the mound and retrieving the arrow)

Mulan! Olaf: I got the arrow! Does that mean I can fight the Huns?

(Cut to Shi-Fu! Olaf)

Shi-Fu! Olaf: Absolutely not! Once the Emperor sees my report, your troops will never see battle! (turns around to see Sven, and he screams like a girl) A panda! That's a bad omen!

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf and the Snowgies singing)

Mulan! Olaf: What do we want? A girl worth fighting for! Look, some soldiers.

(Cut to Olaf solemnly with his back turned)

Olaf: The soldiers they find are all dead.

(Cut to Sven, playing Shan Yu, charging towards Mulan! Olaf)

Mulan! Olaf (holding a snowball): Eat snow, Shan Yu! (throws the ball at Sven, but nothing happens) Effects please, Elsa! (Elsa offscreen summons snow that engulfs Sven and Mulan! Olaf)

(Cut to Shi-Fu! Olaf holding a Snowgie)

Shi-Fu! Olaf: I knew there's something wrong with this soldier! A woman. Shang, kill her.

Shang! Olaf (drops an ice sword): A life for a life. My debt is repaid.

Mulan! Olaf: I'm all alone in the snow. At least Shan Yu is dead. (Sven arises from the snow and screams) Gotta warn Shang!

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf on a rocking horse)

Mulan! Olaf: Shang! The Huns have survived the avalanche!

(Cut to Shang! Olaf with Sven right behind him)

Shang! Olaf: Like I believe a girl. (Sven appears and kicks Olaf)

(Cut to Sven confronting Mulan! Olaf)

Olaf: (moving Sven's lips like a puppet) Looks like you're out of ideas.

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf holding a sword)

Mulan! Olaf: Not quite! Are you ready, Mushu?

(Cut to Mushu! Olaf with bat wings)

Mushu! Olaf: I am ready, baby! Okay, Bruni. (throws a wooden reindeer into the air) Now!

(Bruni spits fire on the toy, and it bursts into flames)

Olaf: Shan Yu dies! For real, this time!

(Cut to Emperor! Olaf)

Emperor! Olaf: Mulan. You destroyed my palace, but it was awesome. You have saved us all.

(Cut to Mulan! Olaf holding the ice sword)

Mulan! Olaf: I'm a war hero, and I gave my family honor!

Mushu! Olaf: And I'm a Guardian again! (howls with delight)

THE END

Once again, here's concept art courtesy of Emmy Pflugh.

Emmy really nailed Mushu! Olaf's design.

Woodchips for a moustache was a nice touch.

I didn't expect Marshmallow to hold a six-foot-tall ice staff, but if Elsa can create an entire palace out of ice, why not a few props?

I told Emmy on purpose to design the Great Stone Dragon after Susu from Raya and the Last Dragon. I made this decision because I wanted to make fun of how viewers thought that Sisu looked like an 'Elsa fursona'.

Stay tuned for next week when Olaf retells the tale as old as time that would be the first animated movie to get the Oscar nomination for Best Picture: Beauty and the Beast!

Once again, here's a link to Emmy's website.

The Autistic Animator's Desk – Emmy Pflugh (wordpress.com)

Olaf Presents Snow White

Hi, everybody! For the next five weeks or so, I'll do something different. Do any of you know the hilarious Disney+ series Olaf Presents?

Well, in this show, Olaf of Frozen fame reenacts five different Disney movies: The Little Mermaid, Moana, The Lion King, Tangled, and Aladdin. It only takes about 10 minutes to watch every episode, and I highly recommend it.

Anyway, each week starting today, I will post a script for a proposed episode. This week, I'll share how I think Olaf would reinterpret Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Emmy Pflugh, who did the illustrations for Finding Bailey, has generously volunteered to do illustrations for my scripts. Without further ado, here's Olaf Presents Snow White!

Olaf: Presenting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Grimhilde! Olaf: Magic mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

Marshmallow (popping out of the snow): Snow White is!

(Cut to Snow White! Olaf near a hole in the ice)

Snow White! Olaf: I'm wishing by the wishing well!

(Cut back to Grimhilde! Olaf)

Grimhilde! Olaf: Huntsman! (gives Sven a pointy rock) Kill Snow White and rip out her heart!

(Cut to Snow White! Olaf near a pile of leaves)

Snow White! Olaf: La la la la la. (Sven appears) Oh no! (Sven looks at Snow White! Olaf, and he can't bare to kill her) What's that? Run away and never return? Why does that sound familiar?

(Cut to Snow White! Olaf behind a bunch of branches)

Snow White! Olaf (now in the forest with Bruni, playing a baby bird): With a smile and a song!

Bruni: Squeak, squeak!

Snow White! Olaf: What's that? There's a house that belongs to strangers, but it's empty right now?

(Cut to Snow White! Olaf and Sven cleaning up the Dwarf's cottage)

Snow White! Olaf: Whistle while you work! Deedle-ee Dee dee dee dee. Even though you're vermin that carry diseases!

(Cut to the Snowgies, playing the Dwarfs, working in the mine)

Olaf (offscreen): We dig all day in our mine and unearth precious jewels, but we don't spend a shilling!

(Cut to the Snowgies sneaking upon Snow White! Olaf sleeping)

Snow White! Olaf: Hi, little men! Can I stay with you until my evil stepmom is done looking for me? (Snowgie squeaks in agreement) Thank you so much!

(Cut to Grimhilde! Olaf in the castle)

Grimhilde! Olaf: WHAT?! A pig's heart?! Guess I'll have to kill Snow White myself, (picking up an apple) with this poison apple!

(Cut to Snow White! Olaf dancing with Snowgies stacked on each other)

Snow White! Olaf: Yodel a-hee-hee Yodel a-hee-hee!

(Cut to Snow White! Olaf on a stool)

Snow White! Olaf: Some day my prince will come...

(Cut to Grimhilde! Olaf attempting to give Snow White the apple)

Grimhilde! Olaf: One bite from this apple, and all your dreams will come true!

Snow White! Olaf: I judge your good intentions. (takes a bite out of the apple) Oh no! I feel weak!

(Cut to Olaf solemnly with his back turned)

Olaf: Snow White is dead.

(Cuts to Grimhilde! Olaf with a stick on the ground)

Grimhilde! Olaf: Now I'm the fairest in the land! (Snowgie charge towards Grimhilde! Olaf) What? Are you here to avenge Snow White's death?

(Cuts to Grimhilde! Olaf trying to push a rock onto the Snowgies)

Grimhilde! Olaf: I'll crush you all! (Gale blows Grimhilde! Olaf away, making him scream)

Florian! Olaf: Oh, look! (looks at Sven playing dead) A girl lying dead in a coffin. I wonder if she's under a spell. (kisses Sven, and he spits in disgust)

(Cuts to Snow White! Olaf with Sven by his side)

Snow White! Olaf: I'm alive! Now I can inherit my dead mom's throne, become queen, and marry a prince I just met!

THE END

As promised, here's concept art from Emmy Pflugh.

These look like something straight out of an 'Art of' book!

I love how Emmy gave the Snowgies distinct personalities, despite the fact that they all look the same with no clothes on.

Please check her out on Instagram, Facebook, and her website below!

The Autistic Animator's Desk – Emmy Pflugh (wordpress.com)

Tune in next week when I'll share a script for Olaf's version of the movie that gave the rise to the likes to Rapunzel, Moana, and even though she's not as loved, Raya: Mulan!

Movie Review: Lightyear

Movie Review: Lightyear                                                                                                     6-17-22

Lightyear tells the story of an astronaut named Buzz Lightyear. One day, Buzz and his friend Alisha Hawthorne explore the planet Tikata Prime, only for it to be infested with giant bugs and man-strangling vines, but Star Command decides to set up a camp there anyway. One day, while testing a space shuttle around Tikata Prime with the robot cat Sox, Buzz has been gone for four years, and Alisha is already engaged. Regardless, Buzz continues to test the planet’s crystallic fuel for a few more decades, and Buzz hasn’t aged a bit. When Buzz arrives back, Tikata Prime has been invaded by an army of robots lead by Emperor Zurg. Now, to save the planet, Buzz and Sox have to team up with a rag-tag trio of space cadets, including Alisha’s granddaughter Izzy Hawthorne, and infiltrate Zurg’s ship.

While the story may not be up to par with other Pixar films, Lightyear is another top-notch movie with animation that has gone a long way since Toy Stories 1 and 2, likable new characters, top-notch voice acting, and a good score from veteran Pixar composer Michael Giaccino.

Buzz and Sox are ready for takeoff.

As well as paying homage to the previous Toy Story movies, Lightyear also takes inspiration from other well-known sci-fi movies, such as Planet of the Apes, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, and of course, Star Wars.

Buzz and Sox traveling at the speed of light in the same fashion as 2001: A Space Odyssey.

If I were to complain about one thing, I felt that some story elements were a smidge confusing, which is often the case with science fiction movies. I also feel bad that they didn’t include Buzz’s karate chop action that was established as early as Toy Story 1.

In conclusion, Lightyear stands out as perhaps the best animated spinoff movie since The LEGO Batman Movie that I strongly recommend seeing in theaters. I just don’t want the movie to be a box-office flop, as Pixar’s last theatrical movie, Onward, was a box-office disaster, and their next three films would be streaming-exclusives. When DreamWorks had four box-office failures almost in a row during the early 2010s, they had to shut down PDI, lay off hundreds of employees, and cancel several projects that had promising potential, such as BOO, Me and My Shadow, and Mumbai Musical.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.