HAPPY FEET TWO (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Happy Feet Two, despite the fact that its music does not seem to fit its scenes, has phenomenal musical scoring. This becomes most evident when Gloria (Voice of Pink) starts to sing to sooth her son Eric (Voice of Ava Acres) toward the middle of the film. Pink performs a wonderful rendition of the song, ”Bridge of Light,” which enhances the emotion of the moment, but the song itself seems almost out of place with the events at that point in the movie. The story timing seems confusing as when the tidal wave begins at the early part of the first act but does not progress as expected until the half-way mark of the film. The comical elements with the Krill are creative and strengthen themselves with the voices of Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. While the script does not seem as straight forwardly written as its prequel, the movie earns its watch and delivers a take-home, ‘feel good’ emotion.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Erik becomes enthralled with the concept of the power of the mind and once again must help save the penguins. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Miller for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Graham Burke, Christopher DeFaria, and Philip Hearnshaw for making the film possible. Character/cast include: Ramon/Lovelace (Voice of Robin Williams), Mumble (Voice of Elijah Wood), Gloria (Voice of Pink), Nestor (Voice of Carlos Alazraqui), Raul (Voice of Lombardo Boyar), Rinaldo (Voice of Jeffery Garcia), Lombardo, (Voice of Johnny A. Sanchez), Carmen (Voice of Sofia Vergara), Erik (Voice of Ava Acres), Atticas (Voice of Benjamin Flores Jr.), Bo (Voice of Meibh Campbell), Seymour (Voice of Common), Miss Viola (Voice of Magda Szubanski), Noah the Elder (Voice of Hugo Weaving),Will the Krill (Voice of Brad Pitt), Bill the Krill (Voice of Matt Damon)

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Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  

Yes. This movie has fabulous animation, great character development, and entertains both the child and adult audience. Clean and upscale entertainment that deserves addition to the family home video library.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER (Theatrical Release USA 1982)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

The Man from Snowy River—an Australian western—has its own distinctive flavor. Even though it stars America’s Kirk Douglas, there is no mistaking the different texture of this story compared to other westerns Kirk Douglas has played (i.e., The Way West/Man Without A Star). The script, derived from an 1890s Australian poem, seems disorganized and a little weak as if the writer did not have enough material to make a solid story. Even though the film was quite successful at Australian box offices, it performs as something an American would watch on a ‘ho-hum’ afternoon of Bonanza reruns rather than a film one would go to theater to watch. The Ben Meyers’ reaction to this film is: ‘pretty much bored throughout the movie, checking the wrist watch to see when the 102 requisite minutes will be finished’. Redeeming factors for this film are: 1) outstanding scenery 2) a conclusion that nearly matches the unmistakable American Western movie style and literally pulls the rest of the film together.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Jim Craig (Tom Burlinson) earns his right to run his deceased father’s Australian station.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director George Miller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Edgley and Simon Wincer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry Craig (Terence Donovan), Harrison/Spur (Kirk Douglas), Mountain Man (Tommy Dysart), Man in Street (Bruce Kerr), Banjo Paterson (David Bradshaw), Jessica Harrison (Sigrid Thornton), Clancy (Jack Thompson), Kane (Tony Bonner), and Mrs. Bailey (June Jago).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It introduces the audience to great Australian scenery and has a workable conclusion.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers