Brian's Review - Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow

A Marvel movie that's marvelous for kids, but a bit tame for the rest.

Released: 2008
Genre(s): Animation, Action, Family

Marvel Animation has been a consistent contributor to the greater Marvel multiverse for years, creating diverse and impressive reimaginings of canon favorites, and adding entertaining, new characters to the already eclectic mix. "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow" does a spectacular job of making its young protagonists feel like natural fits in the already established mythos surrounding them, while also keeping everything family-friendly and fairly lighthearted - in fact, this is Marvel's first PG-rated animated film, and it definitely has a certain cutesy, Saturday morning cartoon appeal. The animation isn't groundbreaking - think an imitation of Cartoon Network's "Ben 10" - but is appropriate for a direct-to-video feature, coming off not quite as smooth as a major Disney caper, but not utilizing the clunkiest or clumsiest of presentations either. This "Teen Titans"-style treatment unfortunately can have a harsh polarizing effect among viewers: while the jaunty antics and adventures of the new superhero team are wonderful for kids, neither being too violent or complicated in nature, this approach may alienate those older fans more familiar with Marvel's darker thematic elements. While far inferior to the parade of live-action blockbusters that have marched through theaters over the past few years, "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow" is a fresh, fun take on one of the most famous superhero teams of all time, promising to delight younger audiences and not put older ones to sleep. Plan to pick it up for an entertaining family movie night.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Review - Rio (2011)

A colorful, family vacation.

Released: 2011
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family

When animation and music come together in just the right way, the resulting combination can have a magical effect that proves enjoyable for both children and adults. Disney has proven over and over again that this formula can create films with almost infinite entertainment value. Blue Sky's "Rio" is one such concoction, although one not quite potent enough to be considered a timeless classic. Unlike the studio's monotonous, icy landscapes from its "Ice Age" series of movies, "Rio" is full of so much brilliant color that a Skittles warehouse would be jealous. Some seriously gorgeous visuals are melded seamlessly with the film's cartoony character models, a juxtaposition I'm actually surprised works so well. The animation is smooth and sleek, and it's expert execution manages to make the whole presentation eye-popping and effective, while the large dance scenes and action sequences pulse with so much vibrant life that it's impossible not to be mesmerized and amused in equal parts. The music itself is upbeat, poppy, catchy - a synthesis of Rio's Carnival celebration and today's chart-topping sensibilities - spanning across multiple genres, finding a way to remain massively-appealing despite its obvious quirkiness. The characters are fun, dialogue is witty, and the adventure is just big enough - and unorthodox enough - to remain consistently pleasant throughout. There's plenty of goofball slapstick to keep kiddies happy and parents will be able to appreciate the mild environmental commentary and shrouded adult innuendos: this is a very solid family film. Unfortunately, while this is definitely a fun and wild adventure, there's not a whole lot that really elevates "Rio" above what's par for the course; at its foundation, it's a very conventional outing. Even so, this is one ride that is well worth the cost of admission.

Rating (out of 5): 3.5

Brian's Review - Hugo

A marvelous invention created for all ages.

Released: 2011
Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Family

Martin Scorsese has had one of the most lucrative and critically-acclaimed careers of any high-echelon movie maker within the past few decades, crafting films ranging from psychological thrillers to gangster dramas. His ability to infuse his works with honest emotion, instead of artificially coaxing it onto the screen, is a true gift and a consistent mark of quality that he continues with his family-friendly adventure "Hugo." Based on the historical fiction novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" (which I unfortunately haven't had the pleasure of reading yet), the movie spins a whimsical tale spanning the loneliness, curiosity, and sheer noble determination of a young boy. The brilliant execution here means the storytelling never dumbs itself down to infantile numbness, or hurls abrasive preteen angst at us, but stays universally-appealing through an artful and pleasant blend of humor, action, and wit. Enhancing this film's charm are its hauntingly beautiful visuals; at moments the cinematography is colorfully playful and bold, painting for us a Parisian wonderland, then suddenly it becomes almost eerie and sorrowful, a delightful dichotomy that truly expresses Scorsese's stylized vision. The world we're allowed to see is an absolute dream, one that manages to be enchanting and fantastical, while simultaneously remaining steeped in reality. How sincerely appreciative I am to have been served such a generous helping of magic, sans flying spell books or wild, mythical creatures roaming about. Instead, "Hugo" gives us exactly what we're looking for, a sentiment that mirrors a line within the movie itself: Hugo turns to one of his friends and utters "Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need." This film is just such a machine.

Rating (out of 5): 4.5

Brian's Review - A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures

Green turtles with a green message.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Family

Ever since the release of the brilliant "Finding Nemo" in 2003, I've been itching for another animated movie capable of doing justice to the gorgeous, sweeping ocean landscape and its various, bewitchingly beautiful denizens. "A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures" has the animation chops and family-friendly vibe necessary to stand out as something a bit more appealing than a simple imitation of the Disney/Pixar masterpiece. The CGI here is more than competent enough - in fact, it's downright impressive, especially in regards to the underwater environments full of lush, oceanic wildlife. The character models used for Sammy and his friends are fun and childishly charming and these appearances match their genial (and happily oblivious) personalities. The adventure itself unfortunately suffers from some bad pacing issues: never before have I seen such a linear film manage to remain so completely unfocused throughout its entirety. The movie manages to be equal parts whimsical, exciting, and disappointingly bland, inconsistently delivering entertainment value. In fact, the only theme that seems to hold the whole thing together is the eco-friendly, anti-polluting message that the viewer is constantly beaten over the head with. While I'm all about teaching our youth about important environmental issues, this sort of direct, unrelenting approach might turn off some older viewers simply trying to enjoy a silly family film with their children. Fortunately, the cuteness quotient here is substantial enough to make this journey worth taking, offering up plenty of enjoyably goofy situations and mildly perilous ones to captivate the attention of tykes for its duration, and enough commendably feel-good moments to keep everyone else at least moderately entertained. This may feel like a poor man's "Finding Nemo," but if you're looking for an undersea, family-friendly adventure, it may be worth it to take the plunge.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Review - The Secret World of Arrietty

A secret world worth exploring.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Family

Studio Ghibli is internationally known for pushing the limits of human imagination, creating worlds so rich with creative splendor that it's impossible to not get completely wrapped up in the onscreen magic. The backdrop conjured up for "The Secret World of Arrietty" doesn't embody the same sort of eerily haunting, supernatural whimsy of past projects (such as "Spirited Away"), but despite taking place within a setting that initially appears to be somewhat pedestrian in scope (a quiet, suburban household), Studio Ghibli's newest film still manages to feel pleasantly grandiose and ambitious. While events take place on a very small scale, due to the tiny size of the titular character, the action here is entertaining and wild in a very big way. The animation is beautiful, fluid, and on par with some of the studio's best works, inspiring wonder in every single frame - it's great seeing such a high standard of quality not just being set, but also met on a consistent basis. The story might not break as much ground as Studio Ghibli's previous works, but this is still an enjoyable reimagining of author Mary Norton's children's book "The Borrowers" that packs a truly genuine message. The combination of excellent voice acting, stellar animation, and unmistakable Studio Ghibli charm makes this a family-friendly movie that is definitely worth a watch. While not quite perfect, this film is heartfelt and endearing enough to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, and that universal appeal alone makes it a must-see for a random weekend evening.

Rating (out of 5): 4

Brian's Review - Spirited Away

Animation magic that will spirit you away.

Released: 2001
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Family

Those unfamiliar with anime may only be able to associate the term with the mainstream goofiness of shows like "Dragon Ball Z" or "Sailor Moon," and fat, smelly nerds, clad in Acapulco shirts sporting images of dragons shooting laser beams out of their eyeballs. While "Spirited Away" may appear to be nothing more than a Japanese children's cartoon, this movie views far more like a moving piece of gorgeous artwork. Director/writer Hayao Miyazaki, one of the crucial leaders at the legendary animation workshop Studio Ghibli, crafts a piece of cinema with a depth and weight rarely felt even within live-action films. Disney does the experience justice by doing a beautiful job of localizing everything, with the English voice-acting cast in particular being delightfully exceptional. The characters are pure fantasy, but whimsical, charming, lovable ones that feel so alive that letting go of them at the end of the movie is easily one of the most bittersweet farewells in my recent memory. A soaring soundtrack by famous composer Joe Hisaishi stands out as some of his very best work to ever make it into a major production, only further enhancing the raw emotion of the film. Even though Miyazaki's masterpiece incorporates some brief, yet profound, social commentaries, "Spirited Away" is in actuality a wild, surreal, family adventure, enjoying more silly, fun moments of wonder than heavy, dark themes. There's definitely enough excitement here to please action fans, and enough deep, thought-provoking elements to satiate the ponderer in all of us. An incredibly memorable experience, this is the movie to try out if you're unsure about getting into feature-length anime: simply turn down the lights and let the magic take you to an incredible realm of imagination and heart.

Rating (out of 5): 5

Brian's Review - The Muppets

Mah-Na Mah-Nawesome.

Released: 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Family, Drama

Pigs in Space. Muppet News Flash. Mah-Na Mah-Na. All sketches that became iconic in their own right. "The Muppet Show" simultaneously brought ecstatic laughter and outrageous weirdness to audiences around the country, and did so with wild disregard for the norm. While the popularity of the Muppets has waxed and waned over the years, Jim Henson's masterful creations have remained timeless and classic in their existences; due to this, 2011's "The Muppets" feels less like a revival of the franchise and more like a return visit from an old friend. All of the long-standing favorite characters make appearances here, alongside a plethora of celebrity cameos, embodying the original idea of the star-studded TV series. The musical aspect of the movie manages to encompass something for both young, new fans and those who grew up with the Muppets - there are old classics mixed in with the newly-composed numbers here that will have you tapping your toes and chuckling right along to every lyric. The film's humor follows this same formula, with references to classic sketches mingling with insanely entertaining new scenarios. "The Muppets" occasionally even breaks the fourth wall, very effectively generating laughs without making it an overdone gimmick. I also have to commend Jason Segel and Amy Adams for adding a ridiculous amount of goofy charm to the slapstick, sharp-as-a-tack humor prevalent throughout this journey. "The Muppets" is in no way a family film that becomes too heavy for children, but older viewers may also enjoy the genuinely touching moments between characters and the deeper, personal quest of accepting oneself that the film offers between its sillier moments. While at times hopelessly-nostalgic, all in all the movie soars as a gut-bustingly good time that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and serves as a wonderful launching pad for future entries into the long-running labor of love known as "The Muppets."

Rating (out of 5): 5