THE TIGER'S APPRENTICE (Released to Video on Demand USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Tiger’s Apprentice—starts strongly—has a story that can be understood more by an eastern audience than a western audience. The movie delves strongly into Asian concepts of demonology and witches and begins to greatly complicate its story when Tom is taken in by Tiger to train. The computer animation and voicing are good.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A young, high school teen's world changes when his grandmother's friend visits and soon he becomes aware of witchery and shape shifters who claim they help him. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Raman Hui, Jong Duk Jhun, and Paul Watling for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Carlos Baena, Maryann Garger, Kane Lee, and Roy Lee for making the film possible. Voice casting includes: Henry Golding, Brandan Soo Hoo, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang. Leah Lewis, Kheng Hua Tan, Sherry Cola, and Deborah S. Craig.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is an interesting film. But the story and presentation are not clear enough for its viewers. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

TURNING RED (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Turning Red—great concept, okay story, great voicing—tries to make the best of the three but misses that essential POP so that it becomes completely lovable and worthy of putting in a home video collection. While the film is watchable (not terrible), by the time the ending credits roll, the film seems not fulfilled. There is a desire to see a different conclusion even though the ending is well presented. The movie does not live up to its trailer or its advertising. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

A young girl, after being embarrassed in public, turns into a red panda.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Domee Shi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Lindsey Collins for making the film possible. Cast includes: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maittreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, Tristan Allerick Chen, and James Hong. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. For children, this movie may work for the animated flash and dash, and they may understand, at some level, the elements of this story. But the dialogue and basic story are built for an adult audience rather than the child audience.

 Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Raya and the Last Dragon—good concept, no soul—complicates itself in the writing department and as a result makes itself child unfriendly. Animation is the best part of the film.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

This animated film is about a time when evil spirits turn everything into stone, a dragon who is given the power to stop them, and a young girl. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho for making the film possible. Cast includes: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, Sandra Oh, Thalia Tran, Lucille Soong, and Alan Tudyk. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The best of this movie is the animation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers