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crowdvscritic · 10 months

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round up // JUNE 23

The best things come in pairs in this Round Up. A few repeat offenders this June:

Jason Schwartzman

Harrison Ford

Brad Pitt

Pixar

Archeological digs

Sports stories

1943 musicals

Tap dancing

‘80s pop-rock records

Two Tales of Cities

And, as always, Crowd and Critic are best when they’re in tandem. These are my top picks for June 2023 in the order I experienced them:

June Crowd-Pleasers

1. Shooting Stars (2023)

As a sports dilettante, I knew nothing about LeBron James’s pre-NBA life. (Full disclosure: I don’t know much about his post-NBA life either.) This sports drama probably sands off some edges (James produced this movie based on a book he wrote), but it hits its marks. It’s inspirational but not schmaltzy, and thanks to great performances (including an always stellar Caleb McLaughlin and I’m-always-glad-when-he-pops-up Dermot Mulroney), this story of five basketball-obsessed kids growing up is much better than you’d expect for a direct-to-Peacock movie. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 7/10

2. Elemental (2023)

Pixar is back to basics with Elemental. In the best way, that means Pixar is up to their old shenanigans, but in another sense, it means this movie is, well, basic. Read my full review at ZekeFilm or watch my segment on KMOV to give you an idea on whether Pixar’s latest is for you. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10

3. Flamin’ Hot (2023)

What Flamin’ Hot lacks in heat it makes up for in heart. With its relatable stakes and the comedy it finds in skewering corporate culture, this kind-of-true story of the creation of the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto (yes, really) is about as good as it could be. Read my full review at ZekeFilm. Crowd: 8/0 // Critic: 7/10

4. Coco (2017)

Finally watched after being one of my top “oops, I haven’t seen this yet” titles for years. Yes, Pixar did make me sob again. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 9/10

5. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Do you love to feel nostalgia or to be surprised? Do you like old school action or newfangled special effects? Do you enjoy historical adventures or stories about modern issues? Then the fifth Indiana Jones episode is for you! Literally the only thing this needed to achieve was to surpass the quality of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but why settle for that when you can make an action-packed adventure better than most summer blockbuster fare? Given that Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade are two of the best adventure movies (or perhaps, just movies) of the 20th century, it’s no insult to say The Dial of Destiny ranks third for me in Indy’s canon with Temple of Doom and Crystal Skull following in distant fourth and fifth places. Crowd: 10/10 // Critic: 8.5/10

6. Bananarama-thon + Bangle-mania + Go-Go-palooza

What says “summer” more than 1980s girl pop-rock bands? (Or really, 1980s pop-rock period?) Bananarama, The Bangles, and The Go-Go’s made excellent summer soundtracks with their respective albums Deep Sea Skiving (1983), Bananarama (1984), and True Confessions (1986); All Over the Place (1984), Different Light (1986), and Everything (1988); and Beauty and the Beat (1981), Vacation (1982), and Talk Show (1984). Also, does Bananarama’s debut album have the greatest cover art of all time?

7. Sports Night (1998-2000)

My binge of short-lived behind-the-scenes shows continues! Clearly Aaron Sorkin and pals like Tommy Schlamme were still learning the ropes of TV, and they were not helped by the fact that premiering in the ‘90s mandated a laugh track in the first season. But the bones of Sorkin’s future are there: Josh Charles and Peter Krause’s bromance feels like laying the track for some of the best of The West Wing, and Felicity Huffman is one of his iconic strong female leads. Robert Guillaume’s elder statesmen of TV (both in front and behind of the camera) is the glue that holds the show together, and the show’s love for sports is so infectious it draws in non-sporty girlies like me.

8. Legal Eagles (1986)

A legal dramedy starring Robert Redford directed with the light touch of Ivan Reitman? This art heist murder mystery co-starring Debra Winger and Daryl Hannah is a hidden gem of the ‘80s...and also an addition to my Favorite Tap Dances list on Letterboxd? Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 7.5/10

9. The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses (1989)

A Rolling Stone article I shared last month got me curious about this band (whom I know nothing about beyond that article), and this album has been scratching The Smiths itch that lives in me.

June Critic Picks

1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

It’s a visual wonder with stellar voice work, especially Jason Schwartzman’s clever villain, and once we get to the Nueva York universe, everything flies. But boy, does it take a while to get there. I normally reserve my Round Ups for praise, but since Across the Spider-Verse’s nearly universal acclaim won’t be tarnished by my critique, the spirit of transparency compels me to complain this film is at least 30 minutes too long. When you’re trying to be both a Gwen Stacy movie and a Miles Morales movie, the somber first hour slows down even more and delays revisiting the stuff we loved most in the first film. The kids next to me were antsy well before this was over, my dad fell asleep in the middle (which he never does), and then it rivals Lord of the Rings for fake out endings. Here's hoping Spider-Ham and Spider-Man Noir get to make up for their lost time in part 3! Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 8/10

2. Ninotchka (1939)

When Soviet Greta Garbo travels to Paris on Communist Party business, can she resist the city’s charms? She and her fellow comrades find themselves succumbing to the amenities, champagne, and romance they can’t find in Mother Russia. An Ernst Lubitsch-directed rom-com co-written by Billy Wilder can’t miss! Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 9/10

3. Little Women (2017)

Another Round Up, another version of Little Women. I immediately pushed this PBS miniseries to the top of my watchlist when I dug into Little Mermaid star Jonah Hauer-King’s past filmography and discovered he performed alongside Angela Lansbury (!!!). Though I expect the budget was smaller than a big screen feature’s, the extended runtime allows for moments we haven’t seen depicted on film before. The cast of ringers includes Lansbury as a delightfully cranky Aunt March and Hauer-King as a lovelorn Laurie, as well Maya Hawke as Jo, Kathryn Newton as Amy, and Michael Gambon as Mr. Laurence in an 1860s Concord as bucolic as ever. Like a warm, encouraging hug!

4. Past Lives (2023)

This bittersweet romantic drama makes me want to call up my boyfriend who moved away the summer after 7th grade and the guy I never dated in college who studied abroad and then transferred and that boy I met at a party a few years ago who said he was moving next week to sail boats in Delaware and then be disappointed none of them are as I remember or imagined who they would become. The best film of the year so far? Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 10/10

5. Double Feature - Silly 1943 Musicals About Marrying for Money: Du Barry Was a Lady + Higher and Higher

Movies today should try being as weird as ‘40s musicals. In Higher and Higher (Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 7.5/10), a one-time millionaire tries to marry off his maid to a wealthy bachelor, though she may prefer to romance Frank Sinatra (playing himself!) instead. In Du Barry Was a Lady (7.5/10 // 8/10), Lucille Ball is trying to snag herself a rich guy, though she may prefer to romance Gene Kelly instead. (This is a much more obvious addition to my Favorite Tap Dances list on Letterboxd.) Both are silly, but when you’ve got Sinatra singing or Kelly dancing to Cole Porter songs, you’ve still got wow moments. More movies today should detour into 18th century dream sequences!

6. Valley of the Kings (1954)

Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker go on a high-stakes archaeological dig in the early 1900s set in front of gorgeous photography in Egypt. A fun prototype for Indiana Jones and The Mummy! Crowd: 7/10 // Critic: 8/10

7. Asteroid City (2023)

Something Wes Anderson does not get enough credit for: The man has never made a film longer than two hours. This spring’s trend of Wes Anderson-inspired social media may have brought attention to the previously unacquainted, but it took only a few of those superficially xanthic posts to exhaust my Instagram feed. Most social filmmaking is ugly and chaotic, but Anderson’s attention to detail when blocking his troupe of players in the golden ratio, designing perfectly-shaped mushroom clouds, and using color theory to select his palette doesn’t just hold up on a big screen—it deserves it. Read my full review at ZekeFilm. Crowd: 7/10 // Critic: 10/10

8. Double Feature - ‘90s Brad Pitt: Legends of the Fall (1994) + The Devil’s Own (1997)

In Legends of the Fall (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 8.5/10), Brad Pitt’s nonconformist Tristan upends the lives of his family members (including Anthony Hopkins and Julia Ormond) as they strive to keep their Montana estate through World War I, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. In The Devil’s Own (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 9/10), Pitt’s IRA terrorist Rory upends the life of the family who takes him in (including Harrison Ford) when he escapes to America. One is a soapy historical epic, one is a gritty police thriller, but both show the promise of Pitt’s career.

9. A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

A pretty good adaptation of one of my favorite high school English class reads. Though the nuance and depth of the Mr. Charles “I Get Paid by the Word” Dickens novel can’t be captured in just two hours and the portrayal of Lucie is, well, a lot, Ronald Colman’s Sydney and Blanche Yurka’s Madame De Farge are pitch-perfect, and it’s as moving as its source material. Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10

10. Good Reads

The incessant onslaught of more-TV-than-can-possibly-be-watched is reaching critical mass:

“The Idol and Our Backlash Times,” NYTimes.com (2023)

“‘The End of Peak Television:’ Has the Era of Prestige TV Just Ground to a Halt?” TheGuardian.com (2023)

“Peak TV Is Over. Welcome to Trough TV,” slate.com (2023)

“From Warrior Nun to Three Women, TV Shows are Being Cancelled. Yet Somehow Emily in Paris Lives On,” TheGuardian.com (2023)

“Media's Succession Obsession,” axios.com (2023)

Thoughts on our moment in diversity in TV and movies:

“Box Office: Early Summer Tentpoles Cash In, Fueled by Diverse Stars,” HollywoodReporter.com (2023)

“‘Why is Bridgerton’s Race Twisting Acceptable?’ The Real Problem With the Show’s Black Fantasy,” TheGuardian.com (2023)

The Hollywood Reporter continues its impressive breadth of Writer’s Strike coverage:

“Tom Hanks, Baby Jessica and Lessons from a Three Strike Writer,” HollywoodReport.com (2023)

“Guest Column: If Writers Lose the Standoff With Studios, It Hurts All Filmmakers,” HollywoodReporter.com (2023)

And a grab bag of pieces on baseball, basketball, and Beyoncé:

“The Team Trying Very, Very Hard to Be the Worst in Baseball History,” slate.com (2023)

“Beyoncé Caused Sweden Inflation Bump, Expert Says,” politico.eu (2023)

“The 100 Most Significant Political Films of All Time,” NewRepublic.com (2023)

“The Flash Was Never Going to Run Away From Its Problems,” TheRinger.com (2023)

“Employee of the Month Rewarded With More Work,” vice.com (2023)

Also in June…

I’m processing a lot of emotions about what’s going on at Turner Classic Movies, and I’ve yet to figure out how to put them into words. Until I get there, I’m constantly adding to my list of movies I’ve watched thanks to the people who work there, and you can see the almost-350 of them on Letterboxd.

Until the end of July, you can see what I’m watching in real time on Letterboxd. Yes, I’ve seen Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One; no I can’t talk about it until after the review embargo lifts on July 5th.

Pending Twitter doesn’t self-implode before you read this, you can also find me there.

Photo credits: Bananarama, The Stone Roses, Good Reads. All others IMDb.com.

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dionarastart · 1 year

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Les traigo algunas fotos de la noche en #disneylandresort California. Cabe destacar que #disneyland se compone de dos parques: #DisneylandPark y #DisneyCaliforniaAdventurePark es mucho más chico que #WaltDisneyWorld ✦Pixar Pal-A-Round | es una de las dos ruedas de la Fortuna en Estados Unidos que combina góndolas fijas y oscilantes... Ubicado en Disney California Adventure Park... ✦Incredicoaster | Es la única montaña rusa en Disneyland Resort. Velocidad máxima: 55 millas por hora. Ubicado en Disney California Adventure Park... ✦Avengers Campus | Es una zona dedicada a #Marvel. Me llamó la atención el cartel de Stark Motors y la entrada a las ruinas del Sanctum Sanctorum. Ubicado en Disney California Adventure Park... ✦Sleepin Beauty Castle | Símbolo icónico de The Walt Disney Company. Ubicado en Disneyland Park... ✦Cars Land | Es una zona de Disney California Adventure Park ambientada sobre las películas de The Cars. Es muy interesante de visitar durante la noche. Sus luces de neón hacen la diferencia. ✦Partners | Es una estatua muy simbólica y se encuentra en todos los parques de Disney. Dicen que su mano extendida indica que está admirando el parque y diciéndole a Mickey "Mirá los que hemos logrado juntos". Ubicado en Disneyland Park... #beautifuldestinations #ilovecalifornia #instagood #travelphotography #travelpics #themeparks #themeparkphotography #disneyig #disneygram #disneylandcalifornia #disneyphoto #disneyaddict #disneypics #disneylandpark #disneyworld #disneyphotography #disneyhistory #SleepingBeautyCastle #Disneyland #travelholic #instaparks #travel_captures #waltdisneyworld #traveladdict (en Disneyland Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClJjicwL-or/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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demircarlson3 · 2 months

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Detailed Notes on best squishmallows

This collectible Sanrio Hello Kitty plush is one of the newest releases — and It is no surprise this Squishmallow is traveling from the cabinets. This cute plushy is arguably a lot less strange than Another Howdy Kitty merchandise out there. Skip the pastels in favor of this Daring, bright alternative. This scorching pink chick is hatching suitable away from a colourful, painted Easter egg. Additionally, we’ve bundled some key info on how to spot a faux Squishmallow, and, for when you’ve bought your palms on one, the best washing and care procedures on your new cuddly friend. Prepare for the shock with our thriller packing containers. Obtain all of the adorable Squishmallows and mature your selection! By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you conform to the storing of cookies with your gadget to boost web site navigation, evaluate web-site usage, and assist in our internet marketing attempts. Portion of the Hi there Kitty spouse and children, Cinnamoroll is featured below together with his signature ears and a festive holiday glimpse. Increase some Squishmallows type on your wardrobe with new apparel available solely on Squishmallows.com. Irrespective of whether you favor a pocket-sized pal or a large cuddle buddy, Squishmallows are available various sizes to fit your snuggling Choices. Pick from mini 5-inch animal plush toys for on-the-go companionship, or go huge with our 16-inch and bigger options for maximum huggability. Just about squishmallowsmart guarantees the same plushy goodness, making sure the Pleasure of squishing understands no bounds. We actually like its sweet purple hue and squishy texture, making it perfect for cuddling or fidgeting with good friends. Generally you wouldn’t say an avocado is lovable, however, you’ll transform your intellect if you meet up with Austin. And this unique avocado has the extra reward of by no means receiving overripe on the countertop. The Winnie the Pooh Squishmallow has the same body to him in authentic daily life: lovable and round. All you will need is to acquire him a pot of honey and he’ll be set. Among squishmallows mart has appear straight out of the North Pole and is prepared for snuggles. You can find Emmy by yourself, or as Component of a list of two along with her buddy Bartie. Squishmallows can are available the form of various animals – authentic or mythical – or foodstuff, in addition to a number of renowned people within the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel plus more. 1 Reviewer Wrote: “I got this for a friend who owns cats and she loved it! Very soft and plush, would obtain all over again!”

#squishmallows #mart #squishy #best #top #new

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parksaversnews · 3 months

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New Disneyland Nametags Revealed for 2024!

Disneyland recently revealed colorful new nametags that cast members will begin wearing in 2024. The nametags feature a bright, whimsical design with Disneyland icons and plenty of pixie dust to represent the optimism for the future. According to Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock, the inspiration for the new nametags comes from the DisneylandForward initiative to bring new entertainment, attractions, and offerings to the resort. The nametags are meant to reflect the excitement about what's to come in the next few years.

Details of the New Nametags - The nametags have a colorful design with light blue, bright pink, and lime green features. - They incorporate icons like Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Matterhorn, and the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel. - The bottom banner reads "The Happiest Place on Earth" in a playful font. - There is a magical trail of pixie dust and stars across the nametag. - Cast members' first names and hometowns are featured prominently in the center.

Evolution of Disneyland Nametags Disney nametags have been an iconic tradition since the park opened in 1955. Originally inspired by Walt Disney himself, the first name tags helped cast members create a friendly, family atmosphere. Over the decades, the nametag designs have changed to celebrate new park developments and cast members' dedication. The 2024 nametags continue the legacy of representing Disney's commitment to exceptional guest service and magical memories. Previous nametags during the Disney100 celebration in 2023 featured cast members' favorite Disney characters. The new 2024 design returns to the classic format showcasing names and hometowns.

Disney Nametags Around the World Disney nametags are an iconic part of the Disney parks experience worldwide. However, there are some variations in the nametag policies and designs across different Disney resorts globally. Location Specificity In most Disney parks, cast member nametags include the person's first name and their hometown. However, at Tokyo Disney Resort, cast members' nametags only list their first names, without a hometown. Language Differences Obviously, the language on the nametags changes depending on the primary language spoken at that Disney resort. Nametags feature native languages like Japanese at Tokyo Disney and Chinese at Hong Kong Disneyland. Cultural Adaptations Some Disney parks adapt the nametag styles to better reflect the local culture. For example, at Disneyland Paris, the nametags may feature more ornate European-inspired designs. Iconography The icons and images on the nametags also tend to include resort-specific imagery. Disneyland in Anaheim features Sleeping Beauty's Castle, while Tokyo Disneyland showcases Cinderella's Castle. In summary, while Disney nametags always strive to create a personal connection between cast members and guests, the specific designs and details vary across Disney's global resorts to better represent local cultures. There are opportunities for further research around the evolutions of Disney nametags in different countries over time.

Conclusion The vibrant new Disneyland nametags reflect the positive outlook for fresh offerings at the resort after Disney100. Cast members take pride in wearing the nametags that connect them to Walt Disney's ideals of joyful hospitality. With exciting attractions and lands in development, the nametags signal a bright future filled with pixie dust and Disney magic. Read the full article

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mixcartus · 1 year

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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Disneyland Disney Park Life Mickey Map Zip Up Hoodie Women's Size Extra Large.

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greyloch · 1 year

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Pixar Pal-A-Round A ½ second, 200 ISO long-exposure photo of California Adventure’s “eccentric” Ferris wheel (the cars also move in towards the center during ride). #longexposurephotography #lowlightphotography #sonya7iii #niksoftwarecolorefex #disneycaliforniaadventure (at Disney California Adventure Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnagOxhrhVI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#longexposurephotography #lowlightphotography #sonya7iii #niksoftwarecolorefex #disneycaliforniaadventure

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qinyueguan · 2 years

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Blog2 SOURCES AND SIGNIFICANCE SESSION 3 ‘Inside Out ’Narrative

An animation from Pixar Animation Studios is about a story that takes place in the head of an 11-year-old girl, Reilly, a girl whose emotions are presented anthropomorphically in her brain.

Narrative.

How is this story narrated?

I think the story, like the name of the animation, is divided into two strands, inside and outside Riley's brain, still a traditional narrative with a clear one linear, but with two strands that interact with each other in the process.

The film constructs two parallel worlds, the real world in which Riley lives and the world of Riley's emotions inside her brain. In Riley's world, she is lively and full of fantasy, until one day she moves with her parents to another place, leaving her former comfort zone. Meanwhile, in the world of her mind, the entanglement of two emotions, Joy and Sadness, causes the management of her emotions within her mind to begin to crumble, and as time passes and the island of her personality collapses, she is in a funk for the first time in her life and is no longer as innocent as she once was. Because the whole story unfolds in both the real world and the world of the mind, the dual narrative threads run throughout, with the entire second act achieving a three-line parallel narrative, which is very demanding in terms of direction and editing, and we can deeply feel how smoothly the three lines move the story forward. The two threads run simultaneously and intertwine, making what would otherwise be a simple story a gripping one.

Firstly, according to Todorov's Equilibrium icon, the story also begins with Riley's life being all right (Equilibrium). Secondly, the stability of his life is shattered by the move to San Francisco (Disruption of the Equilibrium), and due to the change of circumstances Riley's emotions begin to be empty, and also allows joy in the brain to discover that something is wrong (Recognition of the disruption), joy tries to get things back to the way they were before by imprisoning sadness ( an attempt to repair the damage), but the over suppression of sadness leads to the next round of equilibrium collapse.

The main conflict leading to the breakdown of balance is between two opposite emotions, joy vs sadness.

The characters are the heart of the story, all the stories to be told are human and triggered, and all the events that arise are in turn human. Who would know what happens in a world where there are no human activities or records, or human beings? So any story that is divorced from people loses the best part of the story. The writer's job is to start with the characters and aim for conflict, allowing them to grow, change and rise through the story

The animation is still a traditional narrative and Vladimir Propp's 8 character types provide a good illustration of the main characters relationships,

The hero: joy

The villain: joy

The false villain: sadness

The princess: Riley

The dispatcher: Riley

The donor: bing bong

The helper: anger fear disgust

The father: Parents

The more controversial character here is Joy, and why is Joy a HERO while still being a VILAIN? because this is not a story where the two sides are fighting, so there is no contest between the two sides, but rather a play on the fate of the main character Joy and her partner. The Train of Thought seems to be the only way to get back to the General, and after a lot of effort to finally get on the train, just as the pals are relaxing, the supports holding up the track is collapsed by the collapsing Honest Island, and nearly push everyone into the abyss; and then the precarious tube that beckons back is now the only saving grace, and Joy, fearing that Sadness will screw up this last hope, has to This time Joy's extremely selfish self is revealed to the viewer, although the director does his best to hide Joy's inner self, which seems reasonable when you listen to Joy's reasons, as the character is not given the label of 'bossy'.

The most striking narrative feature of this animation is the way in which the dual narratives interact with each other and occur simultaneously, creatively playing off the traditional narrative and keeping the audience engaged. In creating works for digital media, dual narratives can be used in a variety of media, such as games, where characters can walk in both positive and negative worlds in an adventure puzzle game. This narrative technique makes simple storylines more involving and allows for a clear contrast of styles to be seen.

Harvard Referencing:

Pete.D,Ronnie.C,2015.Inside Out.Pixar Animation Studios.

#Sources and Significance

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filmzeneration · 2 years

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Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Looks to Illuminate July 4 Box Office With $70 Million Debut

Tiny yellow henchmen will attempt to spark fireworks at the box office over the July 4 weekend.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth installment in Universal and Illumination’s popular “Despicable Me” franchise, is headed for a first-place finish, with the family film expected to bring in $65 million to $75 million from 4,400 North American theaters during the extended holiday period. Though it’s the only new nationwide release, “Minions” will have to fend off holdover titles including Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and Pixar’s “Lightyear.”

Watch on Amazon

The well-reviewed “Minions: The Rise of Gru” looks to test the viability of kid-friendly animated flicks on the big screen. Family audiences are huge drivers in box office revenues and therefore key to the movie theater industry’s revival. But as the box office has attempted to rebound from COVID-19, movies that cater to younger crowds have been a mixed bag in terms of ticket sales. Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” beat forecasts in April, debuting to $72 million over President’s Day weekend, but Disney’s less-embraced “Lightyear” fell short of expectations, launching with $51 million. These days, it can be tricky to predict the movies that’ll entice parents and their kids.

With any luck, “Minions” will score a bigger opening weekend than “Sonic 2” and “Lightyear.” But according to current projections, the newest goofy comedy about mischievous yellow critters is on pace to score the series’ lowest debut since 2010’s “Despicable Me” ignited the franchise with $56 million. After becoming a word-of-mouth hit, the first “Despicable Me” film ended its box office run with a strong $543 million globally. The saga of Gru and the gang reached a high with 2015’s spinoff “Minions,” which opened to $115 million and later crossed the billion-dollar mark. In and around that time, 2013’s “Despicable Me 2” pulled in $84 million in its debut and 2017’s threequel “Despicable Me 3” collected $72.4 million to start. Those films grossed $970 million and $1 billion, respectively. Those receipts indicate that even if “The Rise of Gru” gets off to a slower start compared to its predecessors, the film could keep playing in theaters to sizable crowds throughout the summer.

Pixar veteran Kyle Balda directed “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which takes place in the 1970s as a young Gru (the baddie-turned-daddy from “Despicable Me,” voiced by Steve Carell) tries to test the waters of supervillain life. It goes awry at first, but Gru eventually finds his crew of scoundrels. C’mon, what did you expect for a guy whose first name is Felonious? Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julie Andrews round out the voice cast.

Variety’s Peter Debruge called the film a “delightfully silly sequel,” adding that Illumination delivers “another feel-good dose of bad behavior.” Debruge’s fellow film critics were mixed on “Minions 2,” which holds a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, though reviews rarely matter for kids’ movies.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” began its rollout at the international box office over the weekend, generating $3.7 million in Australia. The film opens in 61 additional markets in the coming days. The single-eyed creatures are especially popular overseas, where the first “Minions” spinoff generated a staggering $823 million — 71% of overall ticket sales.

Minions: The Rise Of Gru Review: Illumination’s Big Banana Is Officially Rotten Animated franchises sometimes have rather wild trajectories – especially when you take into account how long it takes to make a movie in a series like Despicable Me. One year’s hot property in family cinema can be another’s abysmal failure, and the time from one point to another depends on where your franchise peaks. Arguably, 2012’s Despicable Me 2 seems to be that summit for Gru and his pals, as the slow monetary descent started with 2015’s Minions and continued with 2017’s Despicable Me 3. If Minions: The Rise of Gru is any indication, just based on the movie alone, then Illumination’s big box office banana is officially rotten.

Shifting into the soulful ‘70s, this second spinoff picture in the franchise sees Kevin, Stuart, and formerly King Bob (Pierre Coffin) firmly buddied up with young super-villain in training Gru (Steve Carell). As the team had assembled at the end of the first film, Minions 2 sees the mini-boss trying to land his dream gig as a member of the supervillain team, the Vicious 6.

Headed by new leader Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson), the group laughs off Gru’s application, which naturally sends him on his despicable way. While it’s a natural point to launch this story from, what results is a nearly 90-minute movie that feels longer, more chaotic, and less charming than any other installment in the Despicable Me canon.

The latest Minions installment squanders every opportunity to be a decent movie, and there are plenty. The Minions were one of those cadres of sidekicks that were better off playing second fiddle to a lead like Gru. Yet Minions was still a pretty decent series starter. Just enough characters were added so that Kevin, Stuart, and Bob could expand their schtick, while the movie also maintained another story that could entertain the non-Minion enthralled audiences.

Minions: The Rise of Gru really does try to use that formula to amp up its bigger, louder sequel, but it fails in more ways than one. Apparently three central Minions weren’t enough, as the awkward Otto (Pierre Coffin) is now a fourth Minion with a name and a quest. Audiences are now treated to two separate Minion storylines, on top of the Vicious 6/Gru story that plays out. A lot more characters are expected to be doing things in Minions latest chapter, and they definitely do. But few of the angles can be considered a story worth following.

Perhaps the one and only prospect that would have made sense is the mentorship between Gru and recently ousted Vicious 6 leader Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). Showcasing the sweetness that Despicable Me’s protagonist would lose and regain in his own adventures, those moments simply come out looking the best when sifting through everything else Minions: The Rise of Gru has to offer.

Keep in mind, this is a movie that packs its cast with the likes of Lucy Lawless, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Michelle Yeoh, and Dame Julie Andrews. Yet for as talented as this cast is, barely any time is spent with most of those names mentioned, and you’ll probably be disappointed to learn that such a killer roster isn’t given enough time to be recognized in this mess.

This is a movie that wants to be a Despicable Me sequel, but isn’t allowed to be due to the branding power of Minions. Looking at the title itself, Minions: The Rise of Gru calls out its major problem before anyone even sees the movie: not all Minions fans want to see Gru’s story, and vice versa. At least in the Despicable Me trilogy you could expect both would be balanced, with Gru and his daughters maintaining prominence. The same cannot be said with Minions 2, as the result is so scattershot nobody gets what they want.

Now that the Minions have met Gru, you’d think that maybe Despicable Me: The Rise of Gru would have made more sense. After seeing the movie itself, I think that’s exactly what was intended from the beginning, as there’s tons of easter eggs and in-jokes with characters from the main series in the franchise appearing as younger incarnations. Three figures in particular appear throughout Minions: The Rise of Gru, standing out as moments that jab you in your side as if to say, “Remember them?”

Were this to unfold as Gru’s story, there would have been room for Minion mayhem to slide into the background and give everyone a movie that would have felt like an easier fit. That was never going to happen though, as it seems the marketability of the Minions was meant to mash some more bananas at the box office. Succumbing to the hold that these Facebook friendly fiends have, the returns that began to diminish after Despicable Me 2 plummet pretty far and pretty fast here.

Minions: The Rise of Gru was never going to win this franchise any new fans; but this may be the first entry to actively annoy loyal ones. Animated franchises tend to be critic-proof, as all the parents are hoping for with something like Minions: The Rise of Gru is something to entertain their children. But it appears that the well of ideas has finally run dry, as some jokes can only last so long, and the gibberish laden, PG-nudity filled antics of these yellow cretins can only entertain for so long.

While his name is in the title, Gru feels like an afterthought in his own saga, despite being the one character whose plot has the most laughs. That running total, the last I checked, was three. Outside of that, Minions: The Rise of Gru is a slog that tests the borders of franchise fatigue, bawdy family humor, and above all else, patience.

Whether you're looking for a movie focused on the Minions, or a story that centers itself around Gru, you’re going to get neither here. A tug of war of competing stories and “characters” is what winds up on the screen with Minions: The Rise of Gru. The resulting casualties are prime needle drops, a stellar cast that could have shone brighter, and a franchise that could see its next installment crushed before it has a chance to begin. Then again, these are the Minions; and they find a way of surviving when you least expect it.

#Minions: The Rise of Gru

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