BROTHER BEAR 2 (DVD Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì Brother Bear 2—old theme—relies on the Shrek idea of changing one's natural being to experience romance. Not a new concept...think of Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid...the list goes on and on, this time it's a girl and a bear. One wonders what is a child's 'take home' message? Many of the transition scenes are jarring. The music is probably the best part of the film. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kenai (voice of Patrick Dempsey), who now lives as a cave bear, remembers when he was human.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ben Gluck for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jim Ballantine and Carolyn Bates for making the film possible. Cast include: Mandy Moore, Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara,  Wanda Sykes, Wendie Malick, and Kathy Najimy.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. This sequel movie has a weak story. It does not reach basic standards of quality.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

I WAS A 7th GRADE DRAGON SLAYER* (Released to DVD USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì 

I was a 7^th Grade Dragon Slayer—weak—is a good example of a movie that needs an all around upgrade. The camerawork is, at best, television quality, not movie quality, with too much lighting in many of the daytime scenes. It is not a good quality choice for family home entertainment.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A young teenage boy and his friends try to prove that card game characters have some validity in reality.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andy Lauer for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Ryil Adamson, and Gavin Gillette for making the film possible. Cast includes Lea Thompson, Hunter Allan, Eric Lutes, Richard Sellers, Abby Victor, Ryan Bradley Norris, Jordan Reynolds, Amy Pietz, Andy Lauer, and Wendie Malick.  

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. This film regularly uses product and famous person references to 'beef up' its story but its not done in a subliminal manner. The movie needs a rewrite, better portrayal, trained actors, and improved lighting for its camerawork.

 *Also known as: The Adventures of a Teenage Dragonslayer

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