TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews

Let's not mince words here. This is probably the best animated Disney film prior to the hot streak that started with the Little Mermaid. It delivers absolutely everything that we expect from one of these. It's fun, cute, teaches lessons, has catchy songs, it absolutely breaks your heart and it has great animation. This one especially focuses on getting nature, including rain, fur and such exactly right. It looks very convincing, important considering how big a part of this it is. Like all of its kin, at least up to and including this one, this was based on a written story and by this point they didn't only do fairy tales.

Where this does somewhat differ from what came before and some of what came after is its social commentary, which has kept it relevant over four decades later. This is just general enough that today it can apply to any minority. I really read a lot of immigration and LGBTQIA+ into it. It definitely was originally about black people, evident in the character of Big Mamma who in addition to being played by one is portrayed as one. Which does bring up why they couldn't cast someone like that in a lead role. But that is of course a sign of the times sadly. She has the role of the experienced elder and I don't think it's accidental that she is also a woman. It is a fact that it is exactly them who teach younger generations the dangers of this existence, this marginalized identity.

Tod being a fox is something he has no control over. In the words of Lady Gaga, he was born that way. Given when it was made it is unsurprising albeit slightly frustrating that indeed he has absolutely no flaws. I guess if he had been played by an African American it would have been Sidney Poitier. The closest they come is that he is naive and curious, and I'm told the latter has been convicted of feline homicide. They were clearly worried that people would latch on to the one negative aspect so they try to minimize it as much as possible. He is prejudged based entirely on looks by the representations of mainstream society; the hunter Amos who works as a stand-in for your average bigot as well as a politician, and also Chief, an aging dog who you could easily read as law enforcement. It is definitely not an accident that the puppy (which comes extremely close to Kristi Noem materializing and shooting it) is literally named Copper. Being a victim of circumstance is a major theme here. This unmistakably communicates that society has to change to accept those who are different. I think this is due for a remake. There's very little that you would have to fix but a lot of people are only going to watch a new version.

I recommend this to absolutely everyone. 8/10.

In case you ever wondered what the deal was with the hopping lamp in the Pixar logo here it is. This delivers everything that we think of inherent to the company. It's fun, cute, has great, expressive animation for non-human characters, and communicates something(albeit in the case of these shorts it is often fairly simple which I don't think is to their detriment). Basically we're seeing a parent watch as their baby plays with a bouncy ball. It just so happens that they're both appliances. Depending on your age you'll relate more to one or the other of them. I could definitely remember having the kind of energy and curiosity that we see in Junior. And recall the reaction that the, I'm going to guess mother, has to that, having seen it in my own. Like a lot of the other early ones, this isn't something you absolutely have to rush out and see. It is currently on Disney plus so if you already have a subscription it's just the tiny bit of time spent rather than any money. It is great to watch for small children, their family, and honestly really everyone.

Recommended. 8/10.

On account of various similarities this has been compared to the Hunger Games so I will be comparing this to that first movie and to be clear I do love both of these I just think this is the better one. This one has a more interesting better explained and more impactful system in the factions compared to the districts. I'm not sure I agree that the action is less plentiful but it definitely is more varied more emotionally engaging here. The last 20 or 30 minutes are significantly more impactful for reasons I can't get into without spoiling which I don't intend to do here. Ultimately part of it is the superior setup and payoff which does unfortunately come at the cost of pacing; this one has one chunk that is fairly samey and doesn't utilize as many distinct locations and situations. The love interest is more compelling.

For some reason there are people who think this is juvenile and talks down to its audience; I disagree. I definitely think it is approaching it right considering this is for teenagers whose brains literally have not fully developed yet. Besides which yes what is being conveyed here is obvious but it hasn't been taken to heart by those in power. Go yell at them for not understanding something like this instead of pieces of media that put in the effort to make sure future generations do. Teenagers watching this grow up to become voters; it's extremely important that we influence them in the right direction, away from fascism, and this is doing that. The casting and acting are excellent everyone felt like their character from the book as I listened to it. I would recommend the novel to those who like the film and vice versa. 7/10.