THE GARFIELD MOVIE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Garfield Movie—comical and worth watching—has great animation, portrayal and presentation. It is a different kind of origin story, than what one would expect, but the story plays well and tells a really good story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A cat is left in an open, wooden crate. The cat runs to an Italian restaurant and the man waiting there for service is Jon.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mark Dindal for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John Cohen, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Steven P. Wagner, Craig Sost, and Namit Malhotra for making the film possible. Cast includes Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, and Ving Rhames.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a really good film and more than worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Emperor’s New Groove—excellent, clean, wholesome, animated family movie—creates a ‘no foul found here’ entertainment experience. Well scripted and well voiced, it allows gentle realization that decisions are best made when thinking of the impact on others.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Emperor Kuzco (voice of David Spade) wants to build a water park for his eighteenth birthday atop a mountain that houses impoverished llama herder, Pacha (voice of John Goodman). Emperor Kuzco, transformed into a llama, learns a few things about loyalty and friendship while Pacha learns patience and forgiveness for persons outside his cultural group in a comical romp that is quite satisfying from start to finish.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mark Dindal for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Don Hahn for making the film possible. Additional voice casting include: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, and Wendie Malick.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A wonderful film for the child/adult share, with a fabulous story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CATS DON’T DANCE (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.4|5.0 Starsìì

Cats Don’t Dance serves at the poor to fair entertainment level with some comedic elements. The introduction plays well until Danny, the cat, arrives in Hollywood; then, the story seems to fall apart little by little with only a few scenes that seem ‘cool’ or interesting. It’s like the writers borrowed from other movies and mixed scenes and dialogue to make a ‘cookie-cutter’ movie. With the exceptions of the Noah’s Ark scene, Darla Dimple and her butler scene, and Max scenes, there is little in this movie to pique interest. The movie lacks charisma and charm. The single film highlight is the comedic coupling of a sweet Shirley-Temple-look-a-like with a very mean, un-Shirley-Temple-like personality. This unique rendition is well-executed by character Darla Dimple.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Danny the cat (voice of Scott Bakula), new to Hollywood, is lucky enough to land a movie part but angers Darla Dimple (voice of Ashley Peldon), the star of the film.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mark Dindal for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sawyer (voice of Jasmine Guy), Sawyer (singing voice of Natalie Cole), Darla Dimple (singing voice of Lindsay Ridgeway), Tillie Hippo (voice of Kathy Najimy), Woolie Mammoth (voice of John Rhys-Davies), L.B. Mammoth (voice of George Kennedy), and Flanigan (voice of Rene Auberjonois).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There seems to be no focal point or real reason for this movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers