One Piece: Anime Review

Exotic food, magnificent temples, orthodox religions and diverse cultures are some of the things that define Asia. But those are mostly textbook descriptions, for in this present time, Asia is gaining more prominence with pop music, fashion trends, television dramas, and of course, Anime! What is Asia without these greater-than-life animated series?

 

Animes originated from Japan. They are animated productions featuring computer or hand-drawn animation. Many of which are based on Japanese manga or serialized comic books and graphic novels. Tons of animes had already been produced and distributed not only in Asian countries but all over the world.  Some only last for a couple of seasons while others span years of viewership. Some are pseudo-realist while others are purely based on the out-of-this-world imagination of the creators. As for me, I have several favorite, but among these peeves, one that I got so addicted with is ONE PIECE.

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Brave

When it comes to films about princesses and their happily-ever-after lives, Walt Disney Pictures is just the authority. In this 2012 animated fantasy film, Disney once again offered a story about the strength of a young princess and her will to shape her own destiny.

Rango

Rango is a 2011 animated comedy film directed by Gore Verbinski, produced by Nickelodeon Movies, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It features the voices of Johnny Deep, Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina, Abigail Breslin, and many others.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a 2011 science fiction film directed by Rupert Wyatt. It stars James Franco, Frieda Pinto, and Andy Serkis. It is a great addition to the Planet of the Apes series which actually tells the origin of the intelligent apes. The movie is distributed by 20^th Century Fox.

Plot.  Will Rodman (played by James Franco) is a pharmaceutical scientist who develops a drug to cure Alzheimer’s disease by testing them on chimpanzees. His drug mutates the chimps, giving them human level of intelligence. One of the most successful subjects is the chimp named Bright Eyes. Unknown to the Will and to his them, Bright Eyes has secretly given birth to a male baby. So during a presentation, Bright Eyes goes in a rampage, believing that she and the baby are threatened. Consequently, all the experimental chimps are killed except for the baby whom Will saves and takes home. Will’s father names the baby Caesar and Will raises him in his house. Caesar inherits his mother’s high intelligence and learns things very quickly. After eight years, Caesar has outgrown his environment and has become a highly intelligent ape.

One day, after seeing Will’s father being hurt by a neighbor, Caesar gets suddenly mad and attacks the person. Due to this incidence, Will is forced to surrender Caesar to San Bruno Sanctuary. There, Caesar meets several monkeys, chimps, and orangutan. It has been hard at the beginning but Caesar gently befriends them one by one and gains their respect and trust. However, Caesar is saddened by the fact the staff in the sanctuary are actually treating them bad.

Meanwhile, authorities now believe the efficacy of Will’s drug and so Will is directed to create more powerful drug. Experiments on a bonobo named Koba reveal that it strengthens the intelligence of the apes even further.

Later, Caesar escapes the ape facility and goes home to steal the canisters of drug created by Will. He then returns and releases it through the cage area, enhancing the intelligence of his fellow apes. In a unified decision, the apes break the facility and escape. They also liberated all the other apes in the city. With Caesar leading them all, they aim to cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and go to the redwood forest at Muir Woods National Monument.

After a hard-won battle against humans who desperate attempt to block them, the apes successfully enter the redwood forest. In the final heart-breaking scene, Caesar bids farewell to Will.

Commentary. I instantly love this film on first watch. And when was that moment? Just a week ago while riding a bus home. LOL! Yes, it was almost a three-hour travel and the film’s only one and a half hours. Got no entertainment on the bus and so the driver played the movie on DVD. It was excruciating watching it from my seat but it really got me. When I came home, I looked for a copy of the film and watched it all over again.

The movie is a great variation of the many “The Planet of the Apes” versions. Instead of having supernatural apes or apes from other planets, we see common apes made extraordinary by human technology. And for that, I could say that this is one of the most creative and intelligent movies I have ever seen.

What is special about the film is the sentimentality involved. We have seen countless movies about animal cruelty, but this one has added “voice” and “heart” to the animals in a unique way. The main ape, after having exposed with certain drugs, has adapted the ways of man which he later uses to save his kind. That was the most dramatic part, when the apes rise to defend themselves. Their revolt is not vengeance at all – they simply want to go “home.” Without doubt, the movie succeeds in conveying its message of anti-exploitation of our environment and natural resources.

 

Aside from its beautiful theme, the movie also succeeds in achieving visual and cinematic excellence also.

Reception. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is both financial and critical success. From its budget of roughly $93 million, it grossed to almost $400 million. It also received mostly positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 82% “Certified Fresh Rating” while Metacritic awards it a score of 68.

Rating. This is a beautiful film. But I could only give it four and a half stars. It is relatively short and much more could have had happened.
 
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Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 animated film directed by Tim Burton and released by Walt Disney. It has a powerhouse cast, mainly composing of Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway. The film is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its 1871 sequel Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. In the movie, the now nineteen-year-old Alice, 13 years after her last visit, returns to Wonderland as a young woman and with a new mission.

Plot. In a garden party, nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh is suddenly confronted with a marriage proposal. Confused, she runs away and encounters a rabbit in a blue waistcoat. She chases after it and then accidentally falls into a large rabbit hole. Alice is transported to a world called Underland. There, she meets the White Rabbit, the Dormouse, the Dodo, and Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The strangers argue whether she is “the right Alice” who is bound to slay the Red Queen’s monster called Jabberwocky and restore the White Queen to power. The group is found and then chased by a group of playing-card soldiers led by the Knaves of Hearts. However, Alice escapes into the woods.

The Knaves of Heart tells the Red Queen about Alice, and immediately, she orders the soldiers to find Alice. Meanwhile, Alice finds Mad Hatter who is consequently seized by the enemies when protecting her. Instead of going to the White Queen, she proceeds to the Red Queen’s castle and pretends to be a servant named “Um”. She learns that the only weapon that can kill the Jabberwocky is the Vorpal Sword which is locked away inside the Bandersnatch’s  den. After befriending the monster, Alice escapes the castle and delivers the sword to the White Queen. Yet, the Queen gives her the sword for only “Alice” can fulfill the destiny. To clarify her confusions, Alice meets with Absolem the Catterpillar and is reminded of her past visit to Underland, which she mistakenly called “Wonderland” at the time. With her memories returned, Alice finally takes courage. Also, the Hatter is saved by the Cheshire Cat from execution and then calls for a rebellion against the Red Queen.

When the Frabjous Day arrives, both the White and Red Queens meet on a chessboard-like battlefield and from their armies, they send forth their chosen champions – Alice and the Jabberwocky. After a difficult battle, Alice wins the battle. As a punishment, the Red Queen and the Knaves of Heart are banished to the Outlands. The White Queen gives Alive a vial of the Jabberwocky’s blood which can take her home. Alice bids farewell to Underland with a promise to return.

Alice goes home. She then stands up for her family and vows to live her own life.

Commentary. Alice in Wonderland is a unique and refreshing version of a favorite children’s tale. Here, Alice has grown up and returns to a dull, chaotic, and dark Wonderland. Compared with the tale, the movie has less adventures but more drama. The young woman Alice finds her true self in the Wonderland, while fulfilling a great prophecy. Despite the dark atmosphere of the setting, the characters are very delightful, humorous, witty, and engaging. It is really feels great to see the familiar characters, yet now in Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). It is nostalgic and dramatic at the same time. Though the images are really plausible, the movie is not very different from other such films which have better visuals than plot.

Actors. The actors in the film have done well, especially Johnny Depp (though the design and look of his character here is reminiscent of his other roles) and Anne Hathaway. I guess they all fit perfectly well into CGI.

Reception. Alice in Wonderland is a huge commercial success, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2010 worldwide (behind Toy Story), and the sixth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide. It is also director Tim Burton’s highest-grossing film, as well as the highest-grossing children’s book adaptation.

Critically, the film received mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an average score of 5.7 out of 10. In Metacritic, it received a rating score of 53 out of 100. 

Rating. Alice in Wonderland is visually excellent but the whole movie itself rests on ordinariness. So I would have to give it two and a half stars out of  five.

How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon is a computer-animated fantasy film released by DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures in 2010. It is loosely based on a 2003 book of the same name. The movie features the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Plot.  The film follows the adventures of a boy named Hiccup as he struggles to befriend and trains a dragon. It is set in a mythical Viking world on an island called Berk. Over time, the Vikings have been frequently attacked by dragons which raid their livestocks and destroy their homes. They have attempted to find the dragons’ lair but are unsuccessful.

Hiccup is the talkative, bright son of Stoick, chief of a Viking clan. Being small compared to the other Viking kids, Hiccup makes up for his size by building contraptions to kill dragons, especially the Night fury, the most dangerous dragon known. He does this to gain the admiration of his father and of the girl he has eyes for – the competent and aggressive Astrid.

Like other kids, Hiccup is under training for “killing dragons” and in between lessons, he explores the nearby woods and checks on his inventions. One day, his contraption has caught a Night Fury whose tailwing is damaged. Hiccup tries to kill dragon, but cannot get himself to do it. Instead, he frees the dragon. Afterwards, he discovers that the dragon cannot fly due to its injury. Summoning all his courage, Hiccup befriends the dragon and successfully helps it fly again. The two establishes a bond and becomes friend, and Hiccup names the dragon “Toothless.”

Astrid soon finds out Hiccup’s secret. But Hiccup convinces her otherwise, and they both ride Toothless and explore the land. Incidentally, they reach a volcanic-like island where the dragons live. Inside, they find that the dragons do not eat the livestock itself but instead give it to a giant dragon (a Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus) which also feeds off the other dragons. Astrid assumes that the dragons are forced to serve the giant beast.

The next day, Hiccup’s secret is revealed to the community as he fails the final test. Consequently, Toothless is caught and made to lead the soldiers to the lair of the dragons. Left behind, Hiccup assembles the children in the island and teaches them to befriend the training dragons. Ultimately, the group sets off and helps the Viking fleet. It is a long and hard battle as Hiccup fights to prove to the Vikings that the dragons are friends. In the end, Hiccup and Toothless successfully defeat the giant beast.

Some time later, Hiccup wakes up in their island to find that he has lost his foot, replaced by an artificial limb. Despite this, Hiccup is celebrated as the hero of the village. Toothless and also all the other dragons are there, living in harmony with all the people.

Review.  How to Train Your Dragon is a beautiful coming-of-age animated fantasy film. It is vibrant with colorful graphics and exciting fight scenes. It is full of wit as evident in its meaty dialogues and heart-warming storyline. It is very engaging, suspenseful, and lovable.

But more than the technical brilliance of the film is its underlying message. The movie teaches about change and the openness and willingness to embrace it. In the film, we see a boy trained to kill dragons, but when confronted with one, he turns soft and feels compassion for it that he befriends it. On the other hand, the community chooses to stay blind to the various potentials of having dragons around them. And even though faced with resistance, the boy redeems himself and shows the worth of the dragons. As in real life, we grow up with traditions and culture vested on us. When new possibilities come our way, we suddenly become afraid to take risks and choose to remain with where we are. We are contented with the security of status quo and let go the fruits and joys of taking chances, even it has been really a mistake in the end.

Reception. How to Train Your Dragon received both critical and commercial success. In Rotten Tomatoes, 98% of its critics gave a positive review with an overall rating of 8.0 out of 10. In Metacritic, the film received a rating score of 74 out of 100. In the box office, the movie is one of DreamWorks highest-grossing films, trailing behind the Shrek film series. Accordingly, part two of the film will be released by 2013.

Rating. I would willingly let kids watch this film. It is fun and not violent despite the fight scenes. It also has good moral lessons to teach. So five stars out of five for this movie.

Avatar

Avatar is a 2009 science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. Its stars Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Joel David Moore, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and many others. It is released and distributed by Lightstorm Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners, and 20^th Century Fox.

Plot. The movie explores the world of Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. This world is inhabited by 10-foot-tall blue-skinned, sapient humanoids called as the Na’vi. These creatures live in harmony with nature and worship a mother goddess named Eywa.

 In 2154, the RDA Corporation is mining a valuable mineral called unobtanium on Pandora. The Hometree, dwelling of the Na’vi, sits on the richest deposit of unobtanium for hundreds of miles. The humans are challenged on how to acquire this great deposit from the aliens. To accomplish this, scientists use Na’vi-human hybrid called avatars that are operated through mental link by genetically matched humans.

In the beginning, Jake Sully, a paraplegic former marine, replaces his twin brother, an avatar operator who was killed in a robbery. His avatar is assigned as a bodyguard of Dr. Grace Augustine, head of the Avatar Program, and scientist Norm Spellman on their expedition to collect biological sample and data in the forest. Unfortunately, Jake’s avatar is attacked by a jungle predator, strays from his team, and gets lost in the forest. Jake accidentally meets a female Na’vi named Neytiri who happens to be the daughter of the clan’s chief Eytukan, and since she sees omen from the Eywa, Neytiri takes Jake to the whole clan.

 

Jake gets included to the community and she is taught by Neytiri the way of life of the Na’vis. Just when Jake gains the trust of the whole clan, the forces of the RDA Corporation moves and attacks the Na’vis. The aliens then learn of Jake’s original mission. But Jake has fallen for Neytiri and for the whole clan. With his last ounce of courage, he successfully scuffles against a powerful predator and redeems himself. With the help of his human friends, Jake leads a massive war – humans against the Na’vis and all the Pandoran lives.

In a heart-warming ending, Jakes undergoes a ritual dedicated to Eywa to permanently transfer him into his avatar.

Film Background. The idea for the movie began in 1994 and filming is supposed to start after the completion of Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic. Due to the unavailability of appropriate technology, filming was forgone.  Work began again by 2005.

The language of the Na’vi was created by Dr. Paul Frommer, a linguist from USC. It has a vocabulary of about 1000 words with some 30 added by Cameron. It is loosely based from some sounds found in the Amharic language of Ethiopia and from New Zealand Maori.

 

The humanoids Na’vi was inspired by a dream that Cameron’s mother had, long before the Avatar was started. In her dream, she saw a blue-skinned woman 12 feet tall. Cameron thought it was a good color, and it seemed to have a connection to the Hindu deities.

Review. Avatar is one of the best films ever created, both because of its mesmerizing production and the message behind the film.

Avatar is visually engaging. Films always portray aliens as scary humanoids or distorted monsters. The vision of blue-skinned creatures with a heart for nature and balance of life is very new and inspiring. The film has successfully blended animation with live action. The special effect behind the movie is very powerful with a great live sound to match that every character seems to pop out of the screen. The new world it created, Pandora, though based on many real sites on the planet, feels so unique, vivid and dynamic that audience would love “visiting” it again and again. The storyline may be reminiscent of other movies or popular books, but the creativity in every aspect – the alien world, the human technology, the battle scenes, and all, made it very unforgettable, lovable, and enjoyable.

Avatar also crosses both social and political themes. First, the love of nature is highlighted in the film and the struggle of many separate groups in protecting it from the few vicious minds. The opposing forces in film best represent militarism, capitalism, and imperialism in the real world. Avatar has profoundly put on film the struggle of nature against the erosive forces of capitalism. The movie has also touched in a very touching and unique way lessons of love, respect, appreciation, trust, and hope. The only bad criticism I can give to the film is that, once again, “a white guy becomes the hero of a non-white culture”. However, the ending compensates for this somewhat discriminating point. The “white guy” embraces the foreign culture, accepts them, and becomes part of them, an admission that “whites” may not always be superior and that they can succumb to other societies.

Unforgettable scenes. It is hard to pick the very best part of the movie for it is packed with beautiful and entertaining moments, scenes after scenes. I suppose the part near the end when Jake links to a pterodactyl-like predator really made me jumped off the chair. But the battle, all Pandoran lives against human, would be the most heart-pumping, triumphant moment of the movie.

Reception. Critics generally love Avatar. Rotten Tomatoes reported that 83% of its critics gave a positive review with an average rating of 7.4 out of 10. Metacritics gave a rating of 84% based on 35 reviews. Time ranked Avatar #10 in their list of “Best Movies of the Decade,” while IGN listed it as #22 on their list of the top 25 Sci-Fi movies of all time.

Avatar was a huge commercial success. It broke several box office records during its release and became the highest-grossing films of all time worldwide, surpassing Titanic which had held the box office records for the previous twelve years. It was also the first film to gross more than $2 billion.

Rating. Without a shadow of doubt, Avatar is an epic masterpiece. For that, five stars out of five for the film.

Spirited Away

Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi^?, or "The Spiriting Away of Sen and Chihiro") is a Japanese animated fantasy-adventure film in 2001. It is written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and produced by Studio Ghibli.

Plot. While ten-year-old Chihiro Ogino and her parents get lost when moving to a new town, they discover an abandoned amusement park. The park is beautiful enough that the family is lured into wandering inside.  Chihiro’s parents sample some delicious food, while she roams around and finds a grand bathhouse across a bridge where she meets a boy who warns her to leave the place before nightfall. Chihiro looks for her parents and soon finds out that they have been transformed into pigs. Nightfall comes and a riverboat full of different spirits disembarks on the river. Chihiro hides but is found by the boy whom she meets earlier. He instructs her to see Kamaji, a six-armed creature, and asks him for a job so she can stay and try to rescue her parents. After a struggle, Chihiro obtains a job in the bathhouse and her name is changed to Sen. She meets different spirits – Lin, Yubaba, Boh the giant baby, No Face, the women spirits, the frog servants, several river spirits, Zeniba, and other peculiar creatures. In the end, Chihiro passes several tests and her parents are turned into human again. But it is not only a great adventure for Chihiro for she discovers a sweet, nostalgic truth about her childhood memories…

Review. Spirited Away revolves around Chihiro and her journey from the realms of fantasy to the world of reality, and with it is her transformation from a child to an adult. It is a coming-of-age fantasy animated film. When Chihiro acquires work at the bathhouse, she loses her name, along with her childhood memories, in exchange. She slowly forgets everything. But she must move forward, and as she slowly regains her self and her past, she learns valuable life lessons and gains maturity, wisdom and hope. The movie is truly about a journey and the transformations it brings along.

Spirited Away is a very imaginative film. Much of the materials are very original, though most are based on several Japanese folklores. I particularly love the spirit “No Face” who is turned into a voracious monster after being consumed by too much affection and admiration. He manages to return back into his lovable, good-natured self after Chihiro’s help. The bathhouse is also a place that is vey grandiose, merry, and colorful. Overall, every aspect of the film is very engaging, entertaining, and impressive. Though the film is a traditional two-dimensional animation, it succeeds to bring out so much color, life and “wow” factor. It is impressive despite its simplicity. I guess it would be very expensive to adapt the movie into real-life action or full 3D animation.

 

Unforgettable Scenes. The bathing of the “stink spirit” and the rampage of “No Face” are memorable. But the part I love most is Chihiro’s discovery about Haku, the dragon and river spirit who has rescued her before. It is partly sad and romantic.

Reception. The movie received almost universal critical acclaim. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of 97%, ranking it as the thirteenth-best animated film. It also ranked #9 of the highest-rated movies of all time on Metacritic and the site’s highest rated traditionally animated film.

Spirited Away was a huge blockbuster hit not only in Japan but also worldwide. It became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, overtaking Titanic. By 2002, a sixth of the Japanese population had seen it. Walt Disney Pictures, under Pixar, supervised the English translation of the film for its international release.

Moreover, the Empire Magazine ranked the film as #10 on its “The 100 Best Films of World Cinema” in 2010. It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75^th Academy Awards, and the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival.

Rating. I have nothing to say against the movie so five stars for Spirited Away. Bravo!

Greatest Disney Fairy Tale Classics (Volume 2)

Over the years, Disney has successfully created unforgettable images of well-loved fairy tale heroes, as well as producing their own new stories with appealing and lovable characters. And though 3D animation is presently the most popular form of animation, we cannot set aside the fact that we grew up with the traditional ones, had been fascinated with them, and had truly loved them. I had previously presented the first volume of Greatest Disney Fairy Tale Classics with the tales of the five Disney princesses. But Disney is not all about princesses and girly tales, there are tales about pirates and animals and sword-fighting that boys alike would love. Well, here are more of the best and memorable Disney classic fairy, or I should I say magical, tales.

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Pinocchio. First released in February 7, 1940, Pinocchio is the second animated film produced by Walt Disney, next to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It is based on a story by Carlo Collodi entitled The Adventures of Pinocchio. 

In the beginning, Geppetto, an old wood-carver makes a wish on a falling star that Pinocchio his wooden marionette boy would become a real boy. That night while he is sleeping, the Blue Fairy appears and grant Geppeto’s wish. She brings life to Pinocchio, yet, he remains as a puppet. The only way he would become a real boy is if he can prove himself to be brave, truthful and unselfish. But Pinocchio is such a naughty boy that through the course of the story, he is abducted several times and faces many misadventures. When will he learn to be truthful and unselfish? Will he finally become a real boy?

 

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At its initial release, Pinocchio was a financial success only in the United State. This is because the film’s release in Europe and Asia was delayed because of World War II. Despite this, the film received generally positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a positive rating of 100%. In 2008, the American Film Institute (AFI) acknowledged the film as the second best animated film of all time, next to Snow White. The film’s theme song, “When You Wish Upon a Star”, was also well-loved and multi-awarded.

Dumbo. This film is based on the storyline written by Helen Aberson and illustrated by Harold Pearl. It was released on October 23, 1941 and was the fourth animated film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. 

In a particular circus, Mrs. Jumbo the elephant receives her baby from a stark and named him Jumbo Jr. The baby elephant is unique because of his large ears that the other elephants taunt him and nickname him “Dumbo.”He grows up being ridiculed, and because he regularly fails elephant stunts due to his ears, he is made a clown. One day, Dumbo wakes up in a tree and soon discovers he can fly with his large ears if he holds the “magic feather”.  Back at the circus, Dumbo must perform his stunt of jumping from a high building. However, Dumbo loses the feather while he is falling. What will happen to Dumbo? Will Dumbo be able to fly on his own? Will he finally redeem his pride?

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Dumbo is one of Disney’s shortest animated films at 64 minutes time.  Despite its simplicity and economy of production, the film was able to recoup the financial failure of Fantasia, Disney’s third film.  Both audience and critics love the film. The humble and simple little elephant has successfully touched the hearts of everyone.

Peter Pan.  Based on the play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up by J.M. Barrie, the film is released in 1953 and is the fourteenth in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. Like other Disney adaptations, some portions of the original story were altered to lighten it and make it friendlier to the young audience. 

The film is about the adventures of Peter Pan and the Darling siblings in the Never Land. One night in the neighborhood of Bloomsbury, Edwardian London, John, Michael and Wendy are visited by Peter Pan who teaches them to fly and later takes them to the island of Never Land. There they meet the mermaids, the Indians, the Lost Boys, and Peter Pan’s long-time enemy – Captain Hook with his band of pirates. What adventures will they encounter? Will the Darlings go home?

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Peter Pan was the highest-grossing film of 1953 and was a huge commercial success for Walt Disney so it was re-released in 1958, 1969, 1976, 1982, and 1989. In 1953, it was also entered into the Cannes Film Festival. Moreover, Michael Jackson had cited Peter Pan as his favorite movie of all time, from which he derived the name for his estate, Neverland Ranch. A sequel titled Return to Never Land and a prequel titled Tinker Bell were released in 2002 and 2008, respectively.

The Jungle Book. Released in 1967, this film is the 19^th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. It is inspired by the book of Rudyard Kipling of the same name, though the Disney version has veered far away from the original story.

In the beginning, there is a baby in a basket found in the deep jungles of Madhya Pradesh, India. He is Mowgli. Bagheera, the black panther who discovers the boy, takes him to an Indian Wolf who raises him along with her cubs. Ten years later, Mowgli has become a grown boy and is then threatened by the return of Shere Khan, a man-eating Bengal tiger, to the jungle. The animals realize that Mowgli must be protected and so Bagheera volunteers to escort him back to the “man village”. But going to the “man village” will be a long journey. What adventures await Mowgli along the way? What friends and enemies will they encounter? Will Mowgli reach the “man village”?

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The Jungle Book is the last movie to be produced by Walt Disney (the man himself) who died during its production. Incidentally, the movie opened with huge success ten months after his death. The movie received generally positive reviews from critics and its musical numbers were well-loved by audiences.

Aladdin. This is the 31^st animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. It is released in 1992, and is based on the Arabian folktale Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from “One Thousand and One Nights.” 

In the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, there lived a beautiful daughter of Sultan named Jasmine. One day while she is in the marketplace disguised as a common citizen, she meets street rat Aladdin and his monkey Abu. When Aladdin is captured and jailed for thievery, Jasmine orders his release, but Jafar, Grand Vizier to the Sultan, lies by telling her that Aladdin has already been executed. Moreover, Jafar tricks Aladdin into stealing a magical oil lamp from the Cave of Wonders. But Aladdin discovers the deception and manages to sneak the lamp from Jafar. When Aladdin rubs the lamp, the Genie comes out and offers him three wishes. What will Aladdin wish for? Wealth and prestige? Jasmine’s love? Or the Genie’s freedom? And will Jafar stand in his way?

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Aladdin was the most successful film in the box office of 1992. As of 2010, it is the eighteenth highest grossing animated film and the third highest grossing traditionally animated feature worldwide, behind The Lion King and The Simpsons Movie. The film also received generally positive response, with 7.9/10 average score at Rotten Tomatoes. Personally, this is one of my most favorite Disney films of all time, and I particularly love the characters of Abu, the Magic Carpet and the Genie. Moreover, the movie’s theme song “A Whole New World” had gathered numerous awards, making it equally great and unforgettable to other Disney music. Due to its success, two sequels had been created – “Return of Jafar” and “Aladdin and the King of Thieves.”

The Lion King. Released in 1994, The Lion King is the 32^nd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics. It is one of Disney’s original creations and its creation was influenced by Bible stories of Joseph and Moses, the Epic of Sundiata and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 

Simba is the only child of lion King and Queen, Mufasa and Sarabi. Scar, Mufasa’s younger brother, has always wanted to have the kingship and he is displeased with the new heir. One day, through the help of some ruthless hyenas, Scar finally realizes his secret plot to kill his father. Mufasa falls off a gorge after rescuing Simba. Scar blames Simba for his death which drives the young lion off the Pride Lands. Eventually, Scar declares himself ruler of the land. Years later, Simba has grown up to be a strong lion, yet he still feels the guilt. Until he sees again Nala, a childhood friend. Will he go back to Pride Lands? Will he learn the truth about his father’s death? Will he finally become, as he should be, the lion King?

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The Lion King is a huge success for Walt Disney. It is the highest grossing film worldwide in 1994, and is one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time (actually highest for all 2D animated films). It is also highly-acclaimed as critics love it. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an approval rating of 92%, while Metacritic gave it a score of 84. It was also hailed by the American Film Institute as the 4^th best animated films of all time. The movie and its soundtracks, especially Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, had gathered several nominations and wins in different award-giving bodies, including the Academy, Golden Globe, Annie, and Grammy Awards.

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