Director of the 2013 "Disney & Pixar" film "Monsters University", is Dan Scanlon. Scanlon returns to make yet another exciting film from the studio. He makes this film just as playfully magical as the rest of the studios' prior film entires. Scanlon's vision is executed flawlessly and with the help of a stellar voice cast, this film achieves the great honor of living up to the standard that all "Disney & Pixar" films do, is that they are all wonderful in their own way and that they each improve on every single feature that is released. I have no doubt that Scanlon's work here will be best regarded as one of the most adventurous and ambitious films yet. It is beautifully animated, just like the studio's prior entries, and undoubtedly their most adult-themed story so far.
With an all-star cast led by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt who team up once again for a film that is not part of "Marvel", but for their first film at "Pixar". They are quite a comedic duo. They each pull off being very likable and charming in this film but while also showing audiences thee reason we fall in love with the films that "Pixar & Disney" make, its because they get actors that star in their films to have great chemistry. The same goes for this film, Holland and Pratt have exciting chemistry which makes the film all the more enjoyable.
Starring alongside the two, are Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and Octavia Spencer. Louis-Dreyfuss plays the mother of Pratt and Hollands characters. Her part in this film is just as emotional as the two and she gives the film an extra kick to be just as entertaining as the two leads. While Spencer also plays a somewhat minor role, she is able to charm her way on the screen just as effectively as the rest of the cast.
Scoring the film, are Mychael and Jeff Danna. With a film that is as magical as it is exciting and emotional, the duo is able to create a score that is as light and medieval as stories with this nature have. The sibling composers are able to charm audiences with a score that is as lighthearted and delicate as the film overall.
Like I said earlier. this film is the most adult-themed film from the studio to date. Its emotional levity is what ultimately drives this film throughout the escapades of the characters and the mature nature of this film overall. I am sure that this film will impact audiences of all demographics because of the film's ability to connect audiences to a very emotional story.
If there is one film that Disney & Pixar make that is both their most emotional and beautifully animated film this far, it is this film. And if there is any film that is made for adults, it is also this film. What this film does is indescribable too few words its that emotionally gripping. This film is yet another outstanding entry into the studios of both "Disney & Pixar". I have no doubt this film will enchant emotional audiences for ages to come. It is their most ambitious film yet and I cannot wait to see how future films from the studios compare to this one as far as emotional intensity is concerned.
Poster courtesy of Disney and Pixar
Rate: A
Director: Dan Scanlon
Starring: Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Octavia Spencer, Lena Waithe, and John Ratzenberger
MPAA Rating: PG (for action/peril and some mild thematic elements)
Runtime: 1 Hour & 42 Minutes
Synopsis: Teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley embark on a magical quest to spend one more day with their late father. Like any good adventure, their journey is filled with cryptic maps, impossible obstacles, and unimaginable discoveries. But when dear Mom finds out her sons are missing, she teams up with the legendary manticore to bring her beloved boys back home.
