Turbo

Summary:

After a freak accident infuses him with the power of super-speed, Turbo kicks into overdrive and embarks on an extraordinary journey to achieve the seemingly impossible: competing in the world's fastest race, the Indianapolis 500. With the help of his tricked-out streetwise snail crew, this ultimate underdog puts his heart and shell on the line to prove that no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.

Plot:

This was a really sweet story, but I feel like it’s all been done before, the racecars, the animal who wants to be something unusual and gets a human to help him. It could have been really original if Cars and Ratatouille hadn’t already exsisted. That being said it was really cute in a clichéd type of way. It had its funny moments, and it’s just a fun movie, without trying too hard to be deep or emotional.

Characters:

The characters are a bit eccentric, all of them, but they’re lots of fun. I liked Turbo a lot, he’s a very likable guy...uhm snail...and his snail buddies are all quite funny, if a little generic. I liked the humans as well, they were a little overshadowed by the snails (haha, they’re overshadowed by snails...no you’re right it’s not funny...), but they were still interesting enough.

Cinematography:

Pretty good, the animation is colourful and inventive, and doesn’t try too hard to be realistic, the music isn’t exactly my style, but it fit the feel of the movie well.

Who should watch this:

If you’re looking for a nice, clean movie for your kids this is definitely one I’d recommend. Seeing as how they like watching the same movie over and over again they won’t mind that it’s kind of similar to many other kids’ movies out there, and if they loved Cars or Ratatouille, and you’re tired of watching that, try this one... However, don’t expect to love this if you’re an adult, this is not that type of kids’ movie.

My rating:

While this was a sweet story, it didn’t have the same entertainment value that the previously mentioned movies did in my opinion, which is sad because it’s a great premise. The characters and animation were good, but honestly, I probably won’t watch this again.  3/5

Quote:

Turbo: Are you crazy?

Whiplash: Yeah, I'm crazy! What made you think I was sane?

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Summary:

The mustang stallion Spirit grows up to proudly succeed his father as leader of the Cimarron herd in the unspoiled Wild West. When 'civilization' reaches Dakota territory, naive curiosity gets him caught by cowboys and sold to the US Cavalry. Its method of training by breaking a horse fails utterly on him. Just when the colonel intends to shoot Spirit, the equally indomitable captured young Lakota brave, Little Creek, escapes on his back. He also tricks him to a coral with his beloved mare, but shows respect and wins some trust. As the railroad arrives, the Indian village is wrecked and Spirit gets captured for use as a draft-horse. When the stallion realizes this project threatens his whole world, he escapes and unleashes the fury of a force of nature, ultimately teaming up with Little Creek.

Plot:

I’ve loved this story ever since I was little. It’s a story of not giving up, of fighting for what you believe in, and horses, all of which make it incredible. I love the passionate nature of this story, how every part is extremely emotional. You don’t have slumps where nothing is happening. Incredibly sad, with some light bits of humor thrown in when appropriate, this movie made me cry and made me smile.

Characters:

I adore the characters in this movie. The main character-the horse ‘Spirit’ is incredibly head-strong and feisty. The gentle horses ‘Rain’-spirit’s love interest and Spirit’s mother are great. The Indian, Little Creek, who connects with Spirit in a way that no other human could. They’re all incredible. Especially considering that, even though Spirit is the only horse that ‘talks’ in the movie, you can still tell the characteristics of all the others.

Cinematography:

This is quite an old movie, and the animation isn’t quite up to today’s standards, but I could tell that the producers and directors put a lot of thought into this movie. The character’s facial expressions and body language are beautifully portrayed, and you don’t really notice that they don’t look completely realistic. Also the music in this movie gives me chills every time.

Who should watch this:

(PG) as some younger kids may be frightened by the way the horses are treated by some of the humans. Anyone who liked movies like ‘the Lion King’ etc., that make you cry and laugh, watch this one! I think this movie will appeal to all ages.

My rating:

I really love this movie, it being one of the few animated ones that make me cry. I love the soundtrack and I love…just everything about this movie really. 5/5

Quote:
And so I grew from colt to stallion, as wild and as reckless as thunder over the land. Racing with the eagle, soaring with the wind. Flying? There were times I believed I could.

The Lorax

Summary:
The latest Dr. Seuss book to get the Hollywood treatment revolves around The Lorax, who would like to fix the pollution in his town caused by a greedy industrialist. Help arrives in the form of a young man desperate to impress his girlfriend by producing a real tree, not the plastic ones they have in town. This sets up the battle between the young man, The Lorax, and the evil mayor.

Plot:

I found this to be a very sweet and funny story, although I would’ve preferred a little subtlety with the whole ‘save the earth’ theme. It made me laugh, had me slightly sad, and it got the message across. It was cute.

Characters:

I really want a singing fish! Anyways…the characters were also incredibly cute, and quite funny. They were fun, upbeat, well most of them anyway, and they sang. So they were great. Is it just me or does the ‘bad guy’ looks like that dressmaker from ‘the Incredibles’? Just wondering.

Cinematography:

Okay, I loved the way the ‘paradise’ place at the start was portrayed, the colors were used well throughout this film. If you’ve seen ‘Horton hears a Who’ you would know what to expect. Not the greatest animation, but somehow it works.

Who should watch this:

(PG) This movie is definitely aimed towards kids, there are no mature content at all, not even crude jokes. I don’t think anyone over the age of 10 would really love this movie, although I did like it (yes I am over 10).

My rating:

I liked this movie, only now I really want a singing fish, and I don’t know where to find one, so that’s quite sad… 3/5

Quote:
It's not about what it is. It's about what it can become. Just like... you're not just a boy.

The Little Mermaid

 Summary:
A mermaid princess makes a bargain with an unscrupulous sea hag in order to meet a human prince on land.

Disregarding her father's order to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her dreams. Determined to be human, she strikes a bargain with the devious sea witch, Ursula, and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend, the adorable and chatty Flounder, and her reluctant chaperone Sebastian, the hilarious, reggae-singing Caribbean crab, at her side, Ariel must win the prince's love and save her father's kingdom - all in a heart-pounding race against time!

Plot:

I love this story, I always have. It’s just so beautiful and fun and sad and wonderful! I love musicals, or any movies with music, and this is one of my favorites of Disney. The story is so well known, I don’t really know what else to say about it.

Characters:

Oh, I love the characters in this movie! Flounder, the wimpy best friend. Sebastian the crabby, singing crab. Ariel, the headstrong, beautiful, innocent mermaid. King Triton, stern, but loving. Ursula, the evil sea-witch. Her two pets, the eels! The French cook! The prince (no need to say more)!!! They’re all marvelous.

Cinematography:

This is quite an old movie, so the animation isn’t quite as good as today’s, but I like the old feel of it. The best part as far as the animation go is probably the scene where they sing ‘kiss the girl’. The fireflies and the different birds, makes it wonderfully romantic.

Who should watch this:

(A), is the official rating. There is no adult content, although Ursula might scare some little kids (she scares me! :P). Lovers of all the Disney princess classics, or any Disney classics really should have watched this already! Perfect for little girls (like me).

My rating:

I love this movie, because I’m a kid and a hopeless romantic (heehee). 4/5

Quote:
Scuttle: I haven't seen this in years, this is *wonderful*!
Ariel: What is it?
Scuttle: A banded, bulbous snarfblatt.
Ariel, Flounder: Ohhh.