Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Starring: Jordan Fry, Daniel Hansen, Wesley Singerman, Harland Williams, Tom Kenny, Steve Anderson, Angela Bassett, Laurie Metcalf, Adam West, Tom Selleck, Nicole Sullivan, Jessie Flower, Matthew Joston, Ethan Sandler, Don Hall, Kelly Hoover, Tracey Miller-Zarneke, Joe Mateo, Aurian Redson, Jamie Cullum, Paul Butcher, Dara McGarry, John H.H. Ford, Nathan Greneo
Songs: A Danny Elfman score and a pop soundtrack
Meet the Robinsons is the forty-seventh Disney animated feature. Inspired by the William Joyce children's book A Day With Wilbur Robinson, it tells the story of Lewis, a young orphan who gets taken to the future by an odd young man named Wilbur and how they team up to stop the evil Bowler Hat Guy from destroying life as Wilbur knew it.
This movie began production in 2004 and was to be released in 2006, but when Disney and Pixar merged and John Lasseter became chief creative officer of animation, the film was reworked almost completely and the story was changed, as was the villain. Nearly 60% of it was redone, and the release was delayed about one year. Director Stephen Anderson felt a certain kinship with the final version of the story as it was about an adopted child's longing for a family and to know the family that he might have had because he was an adopted child. Reviews for the film were mixed to positive, and the box office was relatively successful, though not a blockbuster.
What sets this movie apart is the future setting. This had been done before (in Treasure Planet) but the was tradition 2D animation, and the film was wildly different, as was the art style. It does have some of the kiddish humor I mentioned in the last couple of films, but it also has some more mature humor, slapstick comedy, and most importantly, it has puns. This is a film that I have loved since the first time I saw it, and I'd probably but it in my top ten. I don't know why it resonated with so much, and though I will admit it's not Disney's best movie, it has a soft spot in my heart.
What I Liked: I like this movie a lot, so I could pick out a number of things. The soundtrack is awesome, and the scenery is really cool. But Todayland always makes me smile.
What I Disliked: Hm, well, as much as I do like it I admit it's not perfect... SPOILERS AHEAD.
The fact that seeing Lewis's hair proved to the family who he was is a little silly. Really, that was circumstantial evidence at best. Could have been anyone. And also the fact that Lewis defeats D.O.R.I.S. by saying he'd never invent her... slightly heavy handed.
Should You Watch This Movie: I'd recommend it, yes.
No comments:
Post a Comment