Toon Talk: The Wild
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Like Lion King, the animation strives for realism over cartoonishness, but modeling the characters so close to their natural counterparts backfires the minute they open their mouths to speak or do some other unnatural behavior, like dance like Michael Flately. Characterizations range from the tritely dull to outright stereotypes, as with a flock of Middle Eastern pigeons and an Italian alligator duo straight out of Brooklyn. The story goes nowhere fast and with little laughs, but I will give the film credit for (mostly) laying off the pop culture references and crude humor so often employed in the genre. But even that doesn’t do much to elevate The Wild above the stampeding pack of Pixar wannabes. We’ve simply seen it all before, and in much better packaging.
Toon Talk Rating: D
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In this ‘Toon Talk’ feature, I will briefly highlight a recommended film or DVD, outside of the Disney universe, of similar interest to the main subject. Leonine Life Lessons A classic example of true-life adventure stories on film, Born Free (1966, Columbia) is based on the memoirs of Joy Adamson, who along with her husband, raised the orphaned lioness cub Elsa to adulthood, later helping her re-acclimate to the wild. A straight-forward, almost documentary-like approach, helps raise this moving film above the typical cute critter flick. Features John Barry’s memorable score and iconic theme song, both Oscar-winners. Directed by James Hill and starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers. DVD available from Columbia/Tri-Star Home Video. |
Coming Soon in Toon Talk:
- A rebellious gymnast learns to Stick It in the new sports comedy from Touchstone Pictures (April 28).
- A group of Florida teens fight to save a flock of endangered owls in Hoot (New Line, May 5).
- Its soccer time in another Touchstone sports flick, Goal! The Dream Begins (May 12).
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-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logos by William C. Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics,
http://www.cafepress.com/MagicBear
Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted April 17, 2006