Day 47: Piglet's Big Movie

Small but Fierce: Our 47th movie!

1. What movie did you watch?

Piglet's Big Movie. The film was released in 2003. Several of the stories in the movie were taken from the plot of A.A. Milne’s original stories. American singer-songwriter Carly Simon wrote seven new songs exclusively for the film. (Not So)Fun Fact: By this point, John Fiedler was the only original voice actor left of the original cast of characters. He reprised his role of Piglet.  

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: No! This is exciting!
Alexis: Yes, but many years ago when they would show it on Disney Channel.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: Piglet was always the Pooh character I most related to, so I was excited for this and connected with that part of it.
Alexis: Mainly memories of how much I love all the Winnie the Pooh characters! I will watch any story that takes place in the Hundred Acre Woods, no matter which character it's focused on. Also, I remember this movie always made me sad as kid, much like the Tigger Movie, just because I felt so bad for Piglet!

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: It was sad at points but so cute!! Never underestimate people just because they are small! Piglet was so underappreciated. He's so amazing. Ugh- MVP.

Alexis: I think it's a really sweet movie. I enjoy that they went back to the old format of including several short narratives within the movie, like the original and unlike Pooh's Grand Adventure or the Tigger Movie. I'm especially glad they included the House at Pooh Corner.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: The part with Piglet and Kanga when they first met Kanga and Roo! It was so sweet. Also, the part when they remake Piglet's book after ruining it.

Alexis: Definitely the montage of all the characters re-drawing Piglet's book of memories. I love the drawing animation! 

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Not a huge fan of all of the Carly Simon music, but it all had nice sentiments. The lyrics are just so literal.
Alexis: Agreed, the Carly Simon music was just not good.

Day 46: The Jungle Book 2

Jungle Book 2 Much 2 Handle: Our 46th Movie!

1. What movie did you watch?

The Jungle Book 2. The movie, released in 2003, is a sequel to Disney’s The Jungle Book, but is not based on the book The Second Jungle Book. Plans for the movie began in 1990, but they were shelved in favor of original ideas during the Disney Renaissance. Almost all of the characters from the first movie returned, except for King Louie because of a legal dispute with Louis Prima’s estate. Fun Fact: At one point in the film, two prickly pears fall and stick to Kaa’s head, giving him the appearance of Mickey Mouse. This counts as one of many Hidden Mickeys scattered through Disney films.

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: Yes- when they used to air it on Disney channel- but not since then.
Alexis: We used to have it on DVD so I know I've seen it multiple times, but I can't remember when the last time was.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: As we know, The Jungle Book is in my top 5 of Disney movies- so it really made me think more of that, and made me very emotionally connected.
Alexis: We used to have a McDonald's happy meal toy of Shanti. I've come to the realization that for a lot of these "in between", forgettable Disney movies, the only clear memory I have attached to them is playing with happy meal figurines in our basement with my sister. I swear we didn't go to McDonald's that much.

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I had a lot of problems with it- but also loved getting to see my favorite characters again.
Alexis: It's pretty meh. As far as Disney sequels goes, it's definitely toward the bottom in my opinion. The plot seems intriguing at first, with Mowgli having to deal with missing the jungle and living among humans, but it never really goes anywhere and we end up seeing the same villain/climax as the first movie which makes it unexciting. Also the new kids are annoying.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: I love Bagheera- so his relationship with Ranjan is my favorite part. It's so sweet. 

Alexis: Any scene with Bagheera, he's also my favorite.

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: What did Shanti think she was going to do when she found Mowgli??? She can't fight the jungle animals...Stupid.
Alexis: John Goodman sounds nothing like Phil Harris.

Day 45: Treasure Planet

Go Doppler, Go Doppler!: We watch our 45th movie!

1. What movie did you watch?

Treasure Planet. Released in 2003, the movie is loosely based on the novel Treasure Planet. The film employs the technique of hand-drawn 2D traditional animation set atop 3D computer animation, and took roughly four and a half years to complete. Although it was a pet-project by several animators at the company, the movie was a box-office bomb. Fun Fact: The name of the ship, "R.L.S. Legacy" is a reference to the book's ("Treasure Island") author, Robert Louis Stevenson.

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: Yes, but not in years.
Alexis: This is actually one I've never seen before!

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: Really not many- but I heard a lot of cool stories from my Disney Animation professor recently about how the film was so close to getting a sequel until it bombed at the box office. So it more made me think of that.
Alexis: Not many because I've never seen it. Although it did remind me of the B.E.N. happy meal toy that my sister and I got as kids, which we played with even though we'd never seen the movie!

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I thought that the art style was really really great- the steampunk elements are so cool. But, the story just wasn't very well executed. And on top of that, it's hard (especially when I was younger) to relate to an angsty 15 year old boy- so it was never really my thing.

Alexis: It was okay. There were many scenes that I liked, and I thought all the characters were really interesting or funny, but the overall plot wasn't paced very well. I wasn't totally invested in the main plotline, it just wasn't developed enough for me to care about the hunt for the treasure. I was more invested in Silver's and Jim's adorable father-son relationship! 

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: If I had to pick one it would be the opening sequence- the execution of that was cool.

Alexis: Morph was my favorite character, so any scene where he is being adorable and fun is a scene I liked!

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Not great but not horrible. Just meh. Also, did you know that originally there were lines at the end of the film about how Dr. Doppler carried the babies you see him and the Captain with at the end? Glad those were cut.
Alexis: I can see why this film didn't break even at the box office.