With the Easter spring break period happening, I have been trying to keep my head low as the parks are packed and the roads around Central Florida are jammed (by Florida standards). So I have been sitting around my FanBoy secret hideout thinking about what I am looking forward to from The Walt Disney Company for the rest of 2011. In no particular order….
1. Pirates 4: I don’t think I have ever been this interested in a Pirates film before. While I have seen them all opening weekend, this one seems to have a lighter tone that fits the franchise well. I am glad to franchise is moving forward trying to leave behind some of the complicated mythology that can bog down an aging franchise. I hope this is a great rebirth for Pirates and look forward to this and many further adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew. I also like the way the marketing has been handled on this film. It should get exciting as we get closer to the release date.
2. Thor: Currently with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, and with both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter giving good reviews, this will be the test to see if Marvel Studios can breath life in to superheroes other than Iron Man. The success of Thor and Captain America will determine how Marvel Studios proceeds after Avengers and Iron Man 3. Should be interesting to see.
3. Destination D: Walt Disney World: Historically, Disneyland has gotten the lion’s share of nostalgia due to it being 16 years older than its sister park. But now Walt Disney World is getting up there and folks are starting to yearn for a more historical look at the Florida Project. Even some recent merchandise such as the retro-Epcot Center line and t-shirts featuring the Orange Bird are trying to capitalize on this trend. Now our friends at D23 are launching the first ever historical convention of its size focused on the past of the Walt Disney World Resort. Should be fun to take a look back.
4. Cars 2: I liked Cars, but I LOVE the trailer for its sequel. The action showcased in the trailer seems to be a nice contrast to the down-home feel of the first film. The key for the film will be if it can strike the right balance of humor and “espionage action” that makes the film work as a buddy comedy and as a thriller. We will see when Cars races in to action on June 24.
5. Star Tours: The Adventures Continues: In many ways, Star Tours 2 is the sleeper of new Disney theme park attractions. It is overshadowed by the extreme makeover of DCA in California and the Fantasyland expansion in Florida. That being said, I am just starting to get excited about my voyages in to the world of Star Wars that finally extend beyond the forest moon of Endor. While I don’t expect this attraction to rival Harry Potter, I am curious to see how much of a splash this attraction will make in the social media age. Will it have buzz?
6. The Muppets: The Muppets have laid low since Disney acquired them in 2004. (Though their version of Bohemian Rhapsody did score over 20 million views on YouTube.) Now their biggest test comes this Thanksgiving when they have the chance to prove they can carry a movie again. If the film is a phenomenal (do-do-do-do-do) hit, expect to see the Muppets get the franchise treatment. If it under-performs, it could prove that it isn’t easy being green if you film doesn’t bring in the green.
7. D23 Expo: Disney nirvana once again comes to the Anaheim Convention Center. While not perfect, the first D23 Expo was an amazing gathering of all parts of Disney and Disney fandom. I can’t wait for the next edition this August, but there are questions. Can they cram everything in to three days? Will Rich Ross be the showman Dick Cook was? Will the enthusiasm continue for the second time? I can’t wait to find out the answers.
8. Captain America: Of Marvel’s big three, I love Captain America the most. I think it is his combination of patriotism and the fact that I resemble Steve Rodgers prior to him being given the super-soldier serum. I also love WWII Cap, and a little bit saddened that he will have to be frozen and revived in the modern day so he can be in the Avengers. There are so many classic Captain America stories to tell; perhaps we can go back and visit in “flashback”.
9: Winnie-the-Pooh: Here comes the test. Can Disney revitalize a Pooh franchise that has been exploited to death by bringing it back to its roots? I hope so. I am one who was not very fond of Pooh until I popped in the DVD of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and I discovered this charming little tale filled with wit and whimsy. I realized that the bad versions of Pooh had stunk up the entire franchise for me. (Yes, I went there). The trailer seems to be in the right direction. I just hope someone will notice this film as it tries to compete with the final chapter in the Harry Potter franchise. Good luck silly old bear! You will need it.
10: Fork and Screen: Soon I will be able to have food brought to me, while I watch a movie on the big screen. Need I say anything more? May 16 can not get here soon enough.