'Frozen II' Warmed My Heart

After years since returning Arendelle to its former, non-icy glory, Anna and Elsa came back with some new adventures in Disney’s ‘Frozen II’. This time, it’s with bigger plot points than Elsa learning to conceal her gifts or embrace them. There were a few additions to the story that made it seem a little darker than the first film, but ‘Frozen II’ still gave its best performance with top-notch voice acting, messages about family and true love, powerful musical numbers, and of course, occasional scene-stealing by Olaf, the Snowman.

In ‘Frozen II’, past mistakes come to light as elemental spirits begin ravaging the kingdom of Arendelle. In order to save their kingdom, Anna and Elsa, voiced by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, travel with Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad, and Sven the Reindeer, to figure out what is angering the elemental spirits of water, fire, earth, and air. Along the way, Anna and Elsa also try to uncover the mysterious circumstances behind their parents’, voiced by Alfred Molina and Evan Rachel Wood, deaths.

Even before she died, Queen Iduna, voiced by Evan Rachel Wood, would keep her children close and loved. Photo courtesy of Disney.

One of the great things about ‘Frozen II’ was the theme of defying traditions. The trouble from the elemental spirits came from the girls’ grandfather, King Runeard, voiced by Jeremy Sisto, and his hostility towards magic. But in the nick of time, Anna and Elsa were able to break that tradition and use the magic of the elements and their undying love for each other to save their kingdom and loved ones, while also putting their parents at peace.

Next, there was nonstop humor for Olaf and Kristoff. Olaf was up to his carrot nose in crazy antics trying to explain the backstory for Mattias and Yelena, voiced by Sterling K. Brown and Martha Plimpton, two leaders of opposing groups of soldiers in conflict over the elemental spirits. Olaf had a knack for breaking into songs, dressing funny for the kids, interacting with the weird weather conditions, and trying to teach Anna and Elsa about embracing change and sticking together.

Princess Anna and Olaf the Snowman are happy with each other. Photo courtesy of Disney.

On the other hand, Kristoff had his moments when trying to become more romantic with Anna. There were awkward moments when he tried to pick the right words to say, while she was focused on the mission to save Arendelle. When he was left alone with Sven in the ‘Lost in the Woods scene’, it was like hearing Chicago when he tried to perform some kind of heartbreak ballad, which was actually quite impressive.

The animators did a great job with the Enchanted Forest and the Ahtohallan. They looked beautiful through depicting a lush autumn or shiny ice-covered environment.

Olaf, Kristoff, Anna, and Elsa looking out at the Enchanted Forest and into the unknown. Photo courtesy of Disney.

As for the rest of the film’s soundtrack, Menzel, Bell, and the rest of the cast did well. Menzel and Aurora’s work on ‘Into the Unknown’ was about encouraging people to go into unimaginable adventure, to look deep into their passions and make a new, more exciting world for themselves. ‘Into the Unknown” was told in a more upbeat manner when Panic! At the Disco sang it in the end credits. 

Weezer’s version of ‘Lost in the Woods’ sounded like Chicago similar to the way Groff sang it, just with more rock instruments to add to the melancholy theme. Lastly, when all hope seemed to be lost, Kristen Bell as Anna struck back in ‘The Next Right Thing’, which taught her that even if Elsa gets in trouble with her magic while going off on her own, she can have the courage to overcome evil mystical power and save her friends and family.

In conclusion, ‘Frozen II’ warmed my heart with multiplicity of humor, empowering musical numbers, and messages about family and true love. The voice cast and production crew of ‘Frozen II’ can show you that harsh traditions can be broken by the magic that lies in your hearts and the people you love the most. If you saw the first ‘Frozen’ film and want to see the group use literal and metaphorical magic to make a better place, go watch ‘Frozen II’!

Captain Marvel: Stupendous Work by Brie Larson

Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in Marvel’s 'Captain Marvel.' Courtesy of Disney.

'Captain Marvel' plays off of other superhero films I’ve seen, but it was a great starring vehicle for Brie Larson. It’s like Guardians of the Galaxy and Wonder Woman combined, and Larson still could stand on her own as a true superhero. With hilarious chemistry between Larson, Jude Law, and Samuel L. Jackson, colorful costume designs, and high-flying adventure, 'Captain Marvel' was a stupendous example of a powerful woman, while also creating hype for the forthcoming 'Avengers: Endgame.'

“Captain Marvel” takes place during 1995, when Carol Danvers crash lands in Earth following an attack by the alien shapeshifters, Skrulls. With the fate of the Earth in the balance, Danvers must team up with young Nick Fury (played by Jackson) to end the extraterrestrial war. Along the way, Danvers must figure out the story behind her powers, but most importantly, who she is.

Larson was the perfect fit for her role as Captain Marvel. Her training regimen in judo and boxing showed her to be a very capable fighter against evil. I could also feel that her character was a symbol of female empowerment, based on overcoming sexism in the military and being the one woman who can end a devastating war that no one else could.

Another good symbol of female empowerment came in the form of Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau, Danvers’ best friend before she disappeared. Lynch played a proud black female pilot at a time when that probably seemed impossible, and she was a dedicated single mother to her daughter, Monica, AKA “Lieutenant Trouble”, played by Akira and Azari Akbar at different ages. And just like Danvers, Maria was skilled for some high-flying, out-of-this-world adventure.

Jackson’s younger form of Nick Fury was humorous in his distrust for Danvers at first and how he reacts to finding the Skrulls shapeshifting and destroying the town. He showed he hasn’t lost his “macho man” behavior when it comes to taking the crooks down. He’s like Agent J from “Men in Black”, skeptical and suave.

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury (left) and Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in 'Captain Marvel.' Courtesy of Disney.

I was also impressed with the performance of Jude Law as Yon-Rogg. It was amusing in how Yon-Rogg’s strict personality clashed with Danvers, as he wanted her to control her emotions and bring out the best of her powers. It looked like he trained well when he sparred with Danvers and was agile in his fights on and off Earth.

Jude Law as Yon-Rogg (center) in 'Captain Marvel.' Courtesy of Disney.

Much of the high-flying adventure reminded me of “Top Gun”, given how Danvers wanted to become the ultimate USAF pilot and flew into the danger zone. I think of “Captain Marvel” like Marvel’s retelling of DC’s “Wonder Woman”, but it was still a lovely story. Even in the face of certain doom, Captain Marvel broke a cycle of torture and used her strength to fight off alien terrorists.

In addition to the humor and flying, Captain Marvel’s red, blue, and yellow costume was spectacular. Wearing those colors looked like it was fighting with patriotism and elegance at the same time. Another good thing to note is the 1990s songs in the film’s soundtrack, namely “Celebrity Skin” by Hole.

Overall, “Captain Marvel” was stupendous work led by Brie Larson. No matter what comes off as familiar, it is a great combination of superhero film and female illumination. Perhaps if you see what Larson’s done, you might be more encouraged to do something heroic yourself. Having said all that, go see “Captain Marvel”.

'The Lego Movie 2' is Entertaining by the Brick

With numerous new characters and story ideas to expand its original concept, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” proved that everything is awesome again five years later. Through a catchy pop music soundtrack, consistent humor, and radiant animation, it was worth nearly two hours of watching.

Following the cliffhanger from the first film, Bricksburg has transitioned into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Only Emmett Brickowski (voiced by Chris Pratt) remains optimistic, much to girlfriend Lucy/Wyldstyle’s (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) chagrin. But Emmett must be ready to change his attitude when a new threat begins to wreak havoc and takes away his loved ones.

Lucy (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) and Emmett Brickowski (voiced by Chris Pratt) having coffee at Apocalypseburg in 'The Lego Movie 2'. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

There to assist Emmett is adventurer Rex Dangervest (also voiced by Pratt). The inclusion of Rex into Emmet’s life reminded me of the adventures in “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2”,  given their crazy journeys through space and to return home as heroes.

Emmett Brickowski and Rex Dangervest (both voiced by Christ Pratt) are looking for adventure. Courtesy of Warner Bros, Pictures.

One of the things I loved watching was allowing the character of Emmett to mature from his usual, peppy self. His interactions with Rex allowed him to become a more fierce combatant. Their clashing personalities was one source of a good laugh.

Another source of the humor came from adding the character, Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (voiced by Tiffany Haddish) into the plot. Her charismatic behavior and influence over the other Master Builders was a major highlight. But what was probably the funniest part was her denouncing of Batman’s (voiced by Will Arnett) loner outlook and her attempts to build chemistry with him.

Audiences will get an earful when they listen to “Catchy Song” by Dillon Francis ft. T. Pain and That Girl Lay Lay.

The different Lego trucks, ships and planets were phenomenal to see. Those scenes reminded me of Disney’s “Wall-E”. And witnessing Lego minifigures who work hard in their own universe to build these contraptions still leaves me with wonder.

While it was nice to see the cliffhanger resolved, there is one thing that confused me about the sequel. For starters, if Emmett is the main character, the story could try focusing on him and how he handles becoming “The Special”. With there being other plots about Lucy, Batman, or Watevra Wa’Nabi, it’s difficult to know what/who the film is truly about.

To elaborate my point, the previous film was about standing up against normality in the Lego city and everyone coming together to make a stable, happy environment. So the producers may want to try a different story to tell, something new and fresh for audiences who want to see something bigger.

‘The Second Part’ could use a little more action as much as there are memorable pop music or pop culture gags. And given the motifs of family and friendship throughout ‘The Lego Movie 2’, this sequel might be geared towards young children ages 6-10, because they could use these inspiring moments more than anyone else.

In conclusion, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” is a vibrant, humorous film that is best for the whole family. It has some improvements it could make, but nevertheless, it still delivers strong entertainment one little brick at a time. If you’ve seen the first film and want to see more, then Warner Bros. has the answer to your question. “Everything is Awesome”.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: Fraught with Hysterical, Web Slinging Action

All the different identities of Spider-Man gathered together: Peni Parker (voiced by Kimiko Glenn), Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Ham (voiced by John Mulaney), Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), Peter B. Parker, (voiced by Jake Johnson) and Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage). Photo courtesy of gizmodo.com

With tremendous humor, enrapturing action sequences, a heartfelt story, talented cast selection, and a passionate hip hop soundtrack, Sony and Marvel's Spider-Man Into the Spider Verse was a delightful cinematic debut of one of the newest Spider-Men, Miles Morales. It's great to see a powerful animated film that's not Warner Bros., Universal, or Pixar for a change. Given each actors' delivery in the film, I think "The Man" Stan Lee would be proud of them all.

This film is both a recreation and an update of prior “Spider-Man” films, as Afro-Latino teenager Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is bitten by a radioactive spider and given superhuman abilities. The difference is Miles is drawn into a conflict with sinister crime lord Wilson Fisk (voiced by Liev Schreiber), who wishes to destroy Spider-Man once and for all through access to parallel universes. There to assist Miles into becoming a true hero are Spider-Men from alternative dimensions (voiced by Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Kimiko Glenn, John Mulaney, and Nicolas Cage).

Even though it is familiar, the story of Miles was very moving. It was deepening to watch him try to

find his place in the world in between appeasing his police officer father (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry) and being as mellow as his criminal uncle Aaron (voiced by Mahershala Ali). He constantly struggles to be normal and make a better life for himself, while also learning to stay on the fine line between overcoming loss of loved ones and taking revenge against villains like Kingpin. That’s what allowed him to become as brave as all the other spider-themed heroes.

The majority of the humor came from the relationship between Moore and Johnson’s characters. Johnson’s character of an older, washed-up Peter B. Parker, had hysterical moments of comic relief as he was trying to mentor Miles and return to an effective hero role. The last time I saw Johnson being that funny in film was probably “Jurassic World”. And Moore’s character was humorous during his struggles to be an efficient web-slinger and impressing Spider-Woman. In the end, it was astonishing to see them work together to combat a female Doctor Octopus (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) and Kingpin.

Peter B. Parker and Miles Morales pondering about how to combat Kingpin. Photo courtesy of imdb.com 

Another cut of the humor came from the gathering of the other Spider people. Their differing backstories and doubts about Miles were comical. It was great to see that they helped Miles grow as the newest Spider-Man. While their characters views may have clashed, I appreciated Henry and Ali's performances as Miles' father and uncle. It was heartwarming that they both believed Miles had strong potential to do great things for the world, and that they really love him.

The animation was phenomenal during sequences of the particle accelerator reshaping reality and the ultimate battle of the Spider team versus Kingpin. It was remarkable how the other Spiders understood Miles’ struggles to satisfy his family’s wishes and show the world the best person he can be. Songs such as “What’s Up Danger” and “Scared of the Dark” were a great accompaniment in the soundtrack, as they emphasized how fearless Miles truly is and his readiness to overthrow evil, all while looking good in a new costume while flying through the city.

Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) in a brand new Spider-Man costume, ready for action. Photo courtesy of imdb.com 

Having finally watched this film, I see it deserved the 2019 Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. Through bold messages about family and heroism, diversity in cast, and an abundance of comedy and action, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse” is one for the books. Some might see a rehash of old superhero movies, but because it’s told in a heartfelt manner, it’s worth watching. If you want to see how there’s not just one Spider-Man to save the world, I absolutely recommend “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”.

"Mary Poppins Returns" Comes with Wonder by Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com

Fifty-four years from the 1960s classic was worth the wait in Disney's latest project, "Mary Poppins Returns". There are parallels between the film, Christopher Robin, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Be that as it may, Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda's singing voices brought an outpouring of wonder that audiences must see.
"Mary Poppins Returns" takes place in 1930s London, where a now grown-up, widowed Michael Banks, played by Ben Whishaw, is struggling to keep his home and his children intact. When all seems lost, the children, Annabel, John, and Georgie, played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, and Joel Dawson, cross paths with Michael's former nanny, the esteemed Mary Poppins, played by Emily Blunt. Through her magic umbrella, and the assistance of affable lamplighter Jack, played by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Michael's optimistic sister Jane, played by Emily Mortimer, the Banks children can save their home, their broken father, and recapture a long-unseen whimsical lifestyle. 

A major theme of “Mary Poppins Returns” was fantasy versus reality. Because of the loss of their mother, their father’s high spirits, and possibly their home, the Banks children seemed to have forgotten the zest of everyday life. But through musical numbers by Mary Poppins and Jack, they were able to escape reality and feel reborn in colorful mirages.

From left to right: Joel Dawson, Emily Blunt, Pixie Davies, and Nathanael Saleh as Georgie Banks, Mary Poppins, Annabel Banks, and John Banks. Photo courtesy of imdb.com 

For example, when Mary Poppins sang “Can You Imagine That?”, the trio could be astounded by the sights of treasure hunts and synchronized-dancing dolphins. That scene reminded me of Pure Imagination by Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, where you can be happy with your dreams instead of the tyranny of what’s “real”.

Next, when Jack sang “Trip a Little Light Fantastic”, they could momentarily forget their troubles and be brought to enlightenment. Secondary to that, when he sang “Underneath the Lovely London Sky” in the beginning. He was reminding audiences that even when your spirits are dampened by finances or loss of loved ones, staring at the beautifully-lit sky will move you to feel happier. I’ve never seen Miranda’s plays before, but I very much liked his performance, and I think he deserves his Golden Globe nomination.

Besides the musical numbers, the wonder in “Mary Poppins Returns” came from the performances by the rest of the cast, the brief animation moments, and the props. Mortimer and the children's actors showed tremendous heart in trying to save Michael. Whishaw's playing of Michael reminded me of Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin, as both men lost their sense of ingenuity in favor of maturity. I'm glad that the love of his family eventually consoled Michael and he was able to get with the groove and be happy again.

The animated sequences during "The Royal Doulton Music Hall" looked as enthralling as Disney's Fantasia or the original "Mary Poppins" starring Julie Andrews. It was funny watching the chemistry between Mary Poppins, Jack, the children, and anthropomorphic dancing penguins.

Photo of Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) in "The Royal Doulton Music Hall" scene. Photo courtesy of imdb.com 

I liked how director Rob Marshall used the kite, bowl, and magic umbrella props as symbols for significant events. Upon seeing the kite "mysteriously" move away from Georgie, I could sense that Mary Poppins was to return when it stopped. The crack in their mother's bowl was a representation of the Banks needing to work hard to keep the memory of their mother alive and keep the family together no matter the financial hardship. And it was surprising to witness Mary Poppins bring them into all these bright, magical dimensions with a touch of her umbrella.

To summarize, with an overall great ensemble cast, elegant costume designing, the usual strong scoring by visionary Marc Shaiman, and an engaging story, the wonderful film of Disney has succeeded at bringing wonder to me. It is similar to other films I've seen before, but it still gives me an increase in hopefulness against everyday struggle. You may have seen how well Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda performed in the past, but you'll feel "supercalifragillisticexpialidocious" when you watch "Mary Poppins Returns".