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vasilesorin98
Reviews
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Finally, modern animation is on the right path.
Me - I'm a fellow who couldn't get along with the 3D works of this century for the longest time. I am a fan of the lavish hand drawn animation of the '50s, and far more appreciate the slow pace and the dark, serious tones they present, as well as their hidden cleverness and the superb attention to detail in them.
But this? Hell yeah, I can really get behind something like this too! It oozes with style and detail and, for the first time in forever, it's not a movie plagued by lifeless and tasteless "modern audience" material that has poisoned the industry for far too many years now.
I loved almost everything about this movie. The dark tones scattered around were a delight, and the cuteness inserted wasn't really bad at all. I wish Perrito wasn't so... exaggerated, though. I understand the meaning behind him; that he's the embodiment of loyalty because he's a doggo, but still. And I'd have loved more of that stylized animation style! It wasn't enough! It really helped set it apart!
The villains were also great, each with their own motivations. But god-damn, whoever designed Death, must really love Dark Souls/Sekiro, because that's the kind of character design I'd expect in those type games. It was my favorite thing from the movie. It was just right!
Can't forget the references to Pinocchio, the bears, "you only had one job!", and the telegraphed attack of Horner. Good stuff!
9/10 - should've been longer (I feel the bond between Softpaws and Puss didn't receive enough attention, felt a little rushed), Perrito could've been toned down a just a little bit, and the stylized 2.5D animation should have received more screen time.
Verdict: Absolutely solid movie. Great for the whole family.
Lady's Pedigree: The Making of 'Lady and the Tramp' (2006)
An absolute delight
As a huge fan of the original movie, I found this incredibly interesting. I would pop this in the background every once in a while while working and just listen to these people talk.
Would not have expected that Lady and the Tramp actually took this long to make - started all the way back in late '30s with Joe Grant and his springer spaniel named, of course, Lady. The journey on how his idea transitioned to the movie we know today isn't quite pleasant but nevertheless I'm glad with how things turned out. Walt did him wrong but can't hate him; in the end, Lady and the Tramp turned out to be a 10/10.
Various left over bits about the plot, the Siamese Cat song, the Tramp's design and various other little things can be found in "A story of two Dogs" featurette available online.
Disneyland: A Story of Dogs (1954)
How pencil drawings come to life a la Disney
I had the pleasure to find the first part (the Lady and the Tramp half) on the internet. Very insightful, and although it's a condensed version of how the actual process might have undergone, it's still a very welcomed behind-the-scenes bit.
One of the main highlights of the episode is when they show off all the different versions of the Tramp and how they brainstorm about animating him in certain situations. But I was surprised that they did not mention his origins; Happy Dan the Cynical Dog by Ward Greene (they DO mention it in the 2006 Platinum Edition re-release of the movie).
If you try hard enough, you might find some lost bits on the internet about how the Siamese Cat Song and He's a Tramp got to be made, the former being more in depth, even showing the writing and recording process.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
To say this movie is genius is an understatement
One of the greatest movies I've ever watched. The old works never cease to impress. Twists at every corner, great acting throughout the whole journey, enough comedic relief to balance the serious theme of the film. Sir Wilfrid and his personal nurse, in particular, had me laughing lots. And the final turn at the end had my mind literally blown.
10/10 - an instant favorite.
Dial M for Murder (1954)
Dial M for masterful
The old-timey setting, amazing score, and cast of calculated characters make this a delight to watch. The ending in particular was one of my favorite parts of this movie, especially the way Tony delivered his last line.
I only gave this a 9 instead of a 10 because the plot was a bit too predictable for my taste.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Thor getting hammerzoned on the big screens
I envy the people that haven't watched this movie, really. A dude producing amateur-grade films in his garage with a phone camera and budget lamps would have delivered a way better product than whatever "this" was.
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001)
Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's nonsensical adventure
This might be the only Disney animated movie I really, truly hate (and the 2019 remake).
Coming from the original movie, this feels like a 12 year old teenage girl's fanfiction.
The new characters make no sense despite the producer's wasted effort of trying to include them into the universe. Buster has no purpose and is an absolute joke of a villain, not to mention his backstory is mediocre at best. Scamp is like the typical rebellious kid you absolutely hate. And the dogcatcher is made a fool of here! He - the perpetual menace who's job is to keep the rich men's streets clear of mutts, and whose figure is obscured in shadows in the final act as to amplify the feeling of danger and hopelessness when he walks the Tramp to his final destination. They mock him in this movie!
Then there's the songs; corny and awful. The dialogue, too, drab and without flavor. It has that kiddie humor I wish was illegal.
And the dog's point of view on the world is lost, no clever story-telling, no attention to detail on body language.
Ridiculous from start to finish.
It is nothing like the original. 0/10.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Apex of Disney artistry
Inspired by the real life events of Joe Grant's springer spaniel named Lady, comes perhaps the most carefully put together motion picture from the Disney catalog. If there ever was a movie with the perfect amount of each ingredient, it was Lady and the Tramp from 1955.
Seventeen or so years ago was the last time I watched this movie, on the family VHS. I did not understand English at all back then, but I can still clearly recall the fresh amazement I had every time I saw the Tramp rolling on the grass, or Lady rising on her hindlegs, looking through the newspaper that she torn up, or the Bella Notte setting where the colors are dark and there's no orchestra to accompany the vocals. Impeccable atmosphere and animation. They stuck even after so many years. Fast forward almost two decades, I watched it with a new pair of eyes, yet, the amazement was still the same, if not greater.
The story is simple, straightforward. Yet, uniquely and quite cleverly told. It flows naturally and unforced. There are little details scattered everywhere, from clever bits of dialogue to certain motions the characters make. The romance is not overwhelming, nor is it love at first sight cliche. Builds up and happens quickly. But it sticks for long.
The plot is not obvious from the beginning. It takes it's time so the viewer can get comfortable with the setting and each character. Nowadays, this movie's pacing may seem poor for some reason, but I, personally, strongly disagree.
Crazy talent in the background department, especially inside the house. Beautiful New England architecture. The bedroom where Jim Dear and Darling sleep has attention to detail that's out of this world. The dog pound is also another highlight. Dark, gritty and speaks truth. The iron bars cast shadow streaks across the dogs' silhouettes as though they wear inmate suits. The Bella Notte scene does not need any introduction.
Animation is an S+. Courtesy to the nine old men and company. It's crazy knowing that the Bella Notte scene would not have been there if Frank Thomas wouldn't have gone out of his way and animate it all by himself despite Walt's decision of not including it originally.
And not to forget that the movie's riled up with lovable characters and score. Fitting voice cast and catchy songs, unlike the sequel or the live action remake who have both failed to impress in each and every department.
All being said, after watching and rewatching them all, Lady and the Tramp is far and away Walt Disney's best work, in my opinion. The only movie that I can go back and rewatch regularly. For an amateur like me who's still learning the ropes of art and animation, this movie is the perpetual aspiration. Today's Disney, although seemingly incapable of resurrecting the "Disney magic", too busy with its political agenda, should at least reflect on what the Disney name was once able to pull off.
Lady and the Tramp (2019)
An absolute flop
This remake took all the charm and loveliness of the original and dumped it in the trash. This is nothing more than an excuse to be "politically correct" and "inclusive", a shameless attempt at earning some revenue by baiting those nostalgic about the 1955 version for a "modern reimagination." Thankfully, they failed.
It's terrible in all the aspects you can list down; layout, script, voice acting, CGI. Heck, they replaced the Siamese cats with some forgettable cats that don't fit the intended personas at all. People can't seem to understand that Siamese cats, by their design, with their black legs and contrasting yellow bodies, were perfect choice to play the sly, mischievous cats of Aunt Sarah.
And what's with the redesign of Lady, the Tramp and Jock? Or the rewriting of "He's a Tramp" ? And why can we see the humans' faces in this movie? Nobody at the studio even watched the original movie or went through its layout?
It's just a terrible movie made by ignorant people with no heart for what Walt Disney once created.