Wish (2023)

Title: Wish
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Release Date: November 22, 2023
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director(s): Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn
Starring: Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever.

What is this about?
A king holds onto wishes and a girl wants to take them back.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you run out of other Disney movies.

Where does it take place?
Rosas.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's Disney.

How did I like this?
It's fine. Mostly, it just has no direction. Like, it has no idea what it wants to be. For example, the double animation style. I love them both, but not together. It made it hard to know where to look, and at times kind of gave me motion sickness. Then there's this awesome ballad, but why is sung between the king and Asha?!?!? Asha thinks everyone should be able to have the chance to see their wish fulfilled, but the king points out that some wishes could wind up badly, but this dichotomy is never explored. There's a lot of little things like that, which are great, but don't fit.

Have you seen Wish? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Zootopia (2016)

Title: Zootopia
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Release Date: March 4, 2016
Genre(s): Animation, Drama, Adventure
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director(s): Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba


Who would I recommend this to?
THE WORLD!

What is this about?
The first bunny cop takes her first case and tries to prove that predators aren't all bad.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Immediately.

Where does it take place?
Zootopia.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because it's Disney. Now, because it's awesome.

How did I like this?
 I love this movie! The themes of stereotyping and prejudice are not subtle, but done in such an accessible way. And everything makes me cry!

Have you seen Zootopia? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Title: Winnie the Pooh
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Release Date: July 15, 2011
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director(s): Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall
Starring: Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, John Cleese


Who would I recommend this to?
Very, very little kids.

What is this about?
Talking forest creatures get up to hijinks.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Uhhh...like baby time.

Where does it take place?
The Hundred Acre Wood.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because the DVD came with another DVD I bought. Now, just to complete my marathon.

How did I like this?
This is my least favorite Pooh media. I feel like they made the characters way too dumb, rather than their usual silly, charming selves. Perhaps I'm just too old for this one?

Have you seen Winnie the Pooh? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Tangled (2010)

Title: Tangled
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Release Date: November 24, 2010
Genre(s): Animation, Musical, Romance
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy


Who would I recommend this to?
You.

What is this about?
A young woman isolated in a tower finally leaves to see the mysterious lights that only appear on her birthday.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Always.

Where does it take place?
The Kingdom of Corona.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally because it's Disney. Now because it's Valentine's Day.

How did I like this?
I've always been team Tangled over Frozen, so yes, I love it. Rapunzel is adorable and Eugene is the best! I can't hear "I See the Light" without crying though... Lots and lots and lots of tears.

Have you seen Tangled? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Title: The Princess and the Frog
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Release Date: December 11, 2009
Genre(s): Animation, Romance, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director(s): Ron Clements, John Musker
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Bruno Campos


Who would I recommend this to?
You.

What is this about?
A hardworking young woman is turned into a frog along with a prince.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now.

Where does it take place?
New Orleans.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because it's Disney. Now, because it's underrated and adorable.

How did I like this?
This movie is sooo cute! Dr. Facilier is the most underrated villain. Top notch songs as well.

The only thing that annoys me was the misunderstanding toward the end, since Tiana knows there are two Naveens, but whatever.

Have you seen The Princess and the Frog? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Title: Meet the Robinsons
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Release Date: March 30, 2007
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Stephen J. Anderson
Starring: Daniel Hansen, Wesley Singerman, Angela Bassett


Who would I recommend this to?
The world.

What is this about?
A young inventor tries to create a devise to keep his birth mother from giving him up for adoption.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now?

Where does it take place?
Mostly in the future.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because it was Disney and playing in 3D. Now, because I adore it.

How did I like this?
I love this movie! Science geek MC, time travel, dinosaurs, silly villain. It's got it all! Yes, I cried.

Have you seen Meet the Robinsons? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Chicken Little (2005)

Title: Chicken Little
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Release Date: October 6, 2005
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Mark Dindal
Starring: Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Garry Marshall


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever likes animated movies that aren't Disney, even though this is Disney.

What is this about?
After being an uber embarrassment, a small chicken tries to win his father's favor.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you run out of other things to watch.

Where does it take place?
Oakey Oaks.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was watching all Disney animated features, for better or worse. Originally because it was Disney.

How did I like this?
This is the most un-Disney Disney movie ever. Like it doesn't look or sound like Disney, but more like a knock off. The story is a super cute idea, but it's overall not very interesting or engaging. And the plot is super flimsy, since when Chicken Little could have showed his dad a piece of sky, he hid it, despite trying desperately to show him earlier in the movie?

Have you seen Chicken Little? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Home on the Range (2004)

Title: Home on the Range
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Release Date: April 2, 2004
Genre(s): Animation, Comedy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Will Finn, John Sanford
Starring: Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr.


Who would I recommend this to?
Umm...whoever is already interested.

What is this about?
A trio of cows set out to save their farm by catching a yodeling bad guy!

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you have nothing else to watch.

Where does it take place?
In the old west.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I'd never seen it and am on a mission.

How did I like this?
It's not bad, but it's definitely not good. There are cute and funny moments, but this is not up to the usual Disney standards. It felt like they just wanted to do a Western, for the sake of it.

Have you seen Home on the Range? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Brother Bear (2003)

Title: Brother Bear
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Release Date: November 1, 2003
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix. Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of Disney's less popular films.

What is this about?
A young man leads with hate and is transformed into a bear to learn to love.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever.

Where does it take place?
Alaska or Canada, I think.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I had never seen it and am trying to watch all Disney animated films.

How did I like this?
It's actually good. I can see why it wasn't too popular, but it's a solid adventure. Yes, I cried.

Have you seen Brother Bear? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Strange World (2022)

Title: Strange World
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Release Date: November 23, 2022
Genre(s): Sci-Fi, LGBTQ+, Animation
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Don Hall, Qui Nguyen
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jaboukie Young-White, Garbeille Union


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone.

What is this about?
A family of explorers...exploring.

When would be a good time to watch this?
As soon as you can.

Where does it take place?
Avalonia.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's Disney.

How did I like this?
I adored this movie! It was so fun and colorful and diverse! And that plot twist?! I did not see that coming! And of course, I am all about the message of this movie, which I will not spoil because spoilers.

This movie is not getting the marketing or attention that it deserves.

Have you seen Strange World? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022)

Title: Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration
Rating: TV-PG
Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Release Date: December 15, 2022
Genre(s): Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Hamish Hamilton
Starring: Rita Moreno, H.E.R., Josh Groban


Who would I recommend this to?
Beauty and the Beast diehards.

What is this about?
The original animated film but with live action stage produced musical numbers and concept art.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime you need a distration.

Where does it take place?
Disney backlot.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Beauty and the Beast is my #3 favorite movie.

How did I like this?
I really liked this, but I do think the idea of it was better than the execution. I absolutely loved the mixed media approach to see the history of the movie while also watching what I love most and also getting a fresh take on it.

The casting was not the best. Le Fou, Belle, and Mrs. Potts did not work at all. However, Gaston was A+++! More Gaston, please.

Have you seen Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?