THE PROUD FAMILY MOVIE (Released to Disney Channel USA 2005)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  The Proud Family Movie has good animation and the voices are well chosen. However, the script, as written, is flat and lacks originality. It is what it is.  Film Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  The Proud family is offered a vacation and the adventure is on.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Bruce W. Smith for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Smith, Willard Carroll, Thomas L. White, and Ralph Farquhar for making the film possible. Casting includes Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, Jo Marie Payton, Tara Strong, Orlando Brown, Soleil Moon Frye, Jeff Bennett, Alisa Reyes, Omarion, LisaRaye McCoy, and Arsenio Hall.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. Sadly, this animated movie works as a low-grade film with not much to show for itself.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE ALIEN INVADERS (Released to DVD/VHS USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders—good animation—works closely with the basic story of the Scooby-Doo cartoons...no surprises. The cast provides great voicing and the movie runs on the current infatuation with aliens and desire to infiltrate military borders. Nothing new here, a run-of-the-mill movie for the Scooby-Doo fan base.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline The Mystery Machine gang's van breaks down in the middle of the desert so Fred, Velma, and Daphne head to the nearby town for help, while Shaggy and Scooby stay behind with The Mystery Machine van and story is on.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jim Stenstrum for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Jean McCurdy, Producer/Supervising Producer Davis Dona, and Associate Producer Diana Ritchy for making the film possible. Cast include Scott Innes, Mary Kay Bergman, Frank Welker, B.J. Ward, Jeff Bennett, Jennifer Hale, Mark Hamill, Candi Milo, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Neil Ross.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It targets a specific fan base and provides a nostalgic walk down memory lane.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALADDIN 2: THE RETURN OF JAFAR (Released to VHS USA 1994)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar—lost the first Aladdin movie's vibrancy—has a weaker script and portrayal. The movie presentation and its animation  work at the suitable to good level. The casting voices are well-chosen. This film serves the child's audience more than the adult audience.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 Aladdin is in the palace now. Jafar does not want to be a genie anymore and wants to be back in the palace.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Toby Shelton, Tad Stone, Alan Zaslove for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Tad Stone, Alan Zaslove, Assistant Producer Jessica Koplos, Associate Producer Maia Matisse, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jason Alexander, Johnathan Freeman, Jeff Bennett, Gilbert Gottfried, Val Bettin, Brad Kane, Liz Callaway,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. It is interesting but it seems that the writers were at loss to make something work because of the success of the first film  and were not sure how to continue the story. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ENCHANTED (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Enchanted—rich costuming that does not bespeak stinginess in design or use of fabric—serves sweetness of heart on a very huge platter. Great concept that serves a child/adult share movie's needs very well. James Marsden plays the part of a prince well. Patrick Dempsey is great.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

 A Fairy Tale Princess gets thrown into the real world by an evil Queen before the princess can marry her prince. 

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Kevin Lima for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Christopher Chase, Sunil Perkash, and Ezra Swerdlow for making the film possible. Cast includes Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, Susan Sarandon, Julie Andrews, Jeff Bennett, Kevin Lima, and Emma Rose Lima. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is a good one-time watch. Good work for all involved in production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LITTLE MERMAID: ARIEL'S BEGINNING (Released to DVD USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning—prequel story to The Little Mermaid stories—is the third release in the film series. The movie works as a suitable children's watch with its inside story of Ariel from her childhood to her adulthood. The movie serves at a little higher level of quality than part 2. The film has good/suitable voiceovers, acting, presentation, and portrayal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  

Storyline 

Music is banned in Atlantica.  

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Peggy Holmes for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter, and Producer Kendra Haaland for making the film possible. Cast includes: .Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Jim Cummings, Sally Field, Parker Goris, Tara Strong, Jennifer Hale, Grey Griffin, Jeff Bennett, Kari Wahlgren, Lorelei Hill Butters, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Rob Paulsen.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. The movie works for children. Adults may choose to watch with their children, but not find the interest that can be found in other animated features like Tangled or Zootopia. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

  

FRACTURED FAIRY TALES: THE PHOX, THE BOX, AND THE LOX (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Fractured Fairytales: The Phox the Box, and the Lox—interesting animated short film—doesn’t have a lot of storyline but ‘kind of’ teaches a small lesson about being careful about what one acts upon. Sometimes it is wiser to rely on something in print rather than words spoken into the air. The voicing is quite good. This short film was added to the beginning of the 1999 Brendan Fraser DVD Dudley Do-Right movie as an extra entertainment piece. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A wily fox tries to get a cursed box opened by using someone not so bright as he. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Steve Moore for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Tiffany Ward for making the film possible. Voicing cast includes: Scott Weil, Keith Scott, Jeff Bennett, and June Foray. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s cute and watchable, not terrible.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers