THE LITTLE MERMAID (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Little Mermaid—rehash of the original film—misses the magic of the original movie. It ends as a suitable to okay watch and can get a bit boring throughout the story presentation. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Ariel wants to be with humans on land.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Rob Marshall for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Marc Platt, Lin Manuel Miranda, John DeLuca,  and Rob Marshall. Cast includes Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is interesting to see this interpretation of an old tale, but it does not compare well with the quality of the original animated mermaid story in any area. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

LUCA (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Luca—fresh concept—has fabulous animation with beautiful lighting and colorization. Especially note the terrific coloring of its opening scenes. It is technologically up-to-date, but it incorporates a softer touch and is not ‘loud’ nor is it ‘brassy’.  The story itself is a bit constipated in some scenes, but overall is suitable and presents a heartfelt conclusion with its ‘black sheep’ doing good deeds ending.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young sea monster discovers that when he is on dry land, he becomes a human. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Enrico Casarosa for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Andrea Warren for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Saverio Raimondo, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Marco Barricelli, and Jim Gaffigan.  

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The animation is fabulous. It works within the technology currently available, uses terrific lighting effects, and has a softer touch that in no way glares or seems too loud. The conclusion is beautiful. Overall, the film serves both adult and child audiences. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MY FATHER’S DRAGON (Video on Demand (VOD) Release World-Wide 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

My Father’s Dragon 'kind of' works until a boy follows a cat he met moments earlier. After the cat calls up a whale, the story begins to fall apart. While the animation is fine, the story itself ends on a pointless note.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A boy needs to find a way to prosper and do well. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Nora Twomey for making the film possible. Thank you to Producers Bonnie Curtis, Julie Lynn, and Paul Young for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jacob Tremblay, Galen Matarazzo, Golshifteh Farahani, Dianne Wiest, Rita Moreno, Chris O’Dowd, Judy Greer, Alan Cumming, and Yara Shahidi. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. The movie squanders its storyline.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers