Which Disney Attraction Movie? About This Page:

[mattjs]

Watch it there capy, I liked the Tower of Terror movie [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . Though I don't think I'd admit that anywhere but here and to my wife who long ago accepted my Clark W. Griswold ways (God bless her).

Now...ToT certainly isn't gonna win any awards but I'm pretty sure they made it as a straight to video/Disney Channel movie. Which, for me, gives it license to be goofy in a "Johnny Tsunami" kind of way. And I don't neccessarily think that's a bad thing. In fact, where appropriate, I actually think it's OK (and sometimes better) to get some low budget stuff in the mix too.

Case in point, when I first heard about Bears/Pirates/HM I figured they'd just follow the ToT model which (based on those awful "Bears" previews) I still think would have been the better way to go.

I guess I don't see em as serious movies, but more as attraction pre-pre-shows that make the rides a little more fun and help to fill the time between trips. And by making them big budget, theater release movies I think Disney has uneccessarily raised the bar on the concept. Still though, I'm confident HM and Pirates will turn out to be good ones.

In terms of Disneys overall TV/Film work these days, I do think they went through a bit of slide for awhile there. Nowhere more apparent than the woeful line-up and ratings at ABC. But, I think there are signs that things are coming around. There's a concerted effort to right the ship at ABC by getting back to a core of family based entertainment. I guess we'll see with this years line-up, though it might take more than one season to turn it around.

Moviewise, I thought The Rookie was phenomenal. A "G" rated movie adults could love. Monsters, Inc. was a success and Lilo & Stitch is a genuine hit with a back to basics animation look. And this week it'll be very interesting to see how Reign of Fire fares aginst the competition (opens Thursday I think).

So, in my incredibly uneducated film and TV oppinion, overall I'm pretty optomistic/happy with the Disney of 2002. Admitedly though, my taste in TV and movies is pretty suspect at best. Or, at least that what my wife tells me [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 07-08-2002, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: mattjs ]

[capy]

Matt - absolutely no disrespect intended, and I openly admit an anti-Guttenberg bias... You're right, too; I'm sure that Disney also intends them to be viewed as pre-pre-show films, meant as not -so-subtle "suggestive" hints to the viewing public to go visit the real attractions at their local Disney resort. Well ... mostly: DL no longer has a Country Bears attraction (which I mourn... love dem b'ars!)

I guess I'm ultimately irritated by their trying to augment these fully-contained, fully-realized attractions by trying to elaborate on or even re-tell the story. It's kinda like re-making a classic; why bother, except to make a quick buck?

I agree, too, about "Lilo & Stitch" - I loved it: light, funny, sweet, warm, tres cool and fluffy. All of their PIXAR efforts were tremendous (although SKG's "Ice Age" was also quite good (or was it Warner Bros.?)) And yes, "Reign of Fire" is (ahem) hotly anticipated... I've even been avoiding the previews for that one! (Speaking of which: seen the new Harry Potter trailer? Phenomenal! A property Disney should've pursued intensely. Oh well... maybe for the best they didn't...) My criticism with Disney's animation group is aimed at their TV and direct-to-video divisions, not their film group on whom I couldn't possibly lavish more praise.

I'm a Disney freak - but a critic, too. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[mattjs]

I'd say we're pretty much in agreement. In the sense that, why bother making it into a big theater movie with big name stars and directors.

As a direct to TV/video I think they're kinda fun. As a theater movie though, I'm looking for a lot more. It's a higher standard, and one that I don't think was neccessary. We'll see though. Hopefully they'll be great.

As far as Harry Potter goes, I'm devastated this isn't in Disney's portfolio. Just got around to seeing the first one a couple weekends ago and was blown away. And can you imagine the rides they could have come up with? What a lost opportunity.

[ 07-09-2002, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: mattjs ]

[Shell_of_the_South]

My 3 kids and I went to see Lilo & Stitch and saw the Country Bears trailer. I was thinking "this looks stupid" while they were saying "Mom, that looks funny". So maybe that was the audience they were shooting for.

I didn't see much resemblence to the attaction except that there were bears in it.

[wdwlovers]

Since I am not a huge Country Bears fan, I will wait for that movie until video. Haunted Mansion and Pirates I can't wait to see. I think Eddie Murphy is so funny and I love J. Bruckheimer. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Jolin]

hmm you're right there's absoultely no resemblance to the attraction- dem bears is just wearing modern clothes, strumming hillybilly instruments with a brand new drum set- agh that lost the charm- however for the other 2 attractions that remains to be seen.

also the TOT movie were pathetic- I just like to see the scenery- did you know they filmed in the actual lobby? well and the outside [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] they just removed the ropes and laid down red carpet put plants front of the doors that we come through [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] however if you just watch it for an "taste of Disney" it's very good in that respect. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
As for Harry Potter it lacks an certain disney charm because it's an kinda dark story involving evil wizards and death- especially in the 4th book- it just doesn't have that "happy ever after" feeling. so I certainly can understand why disney didn't go after that.

[ 07-11-2002, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Jolin ]

[TINKN]

While I love the bears, the movie looks dreadful.

I like the TOT movie too. Although if I wasn't a Disney nut it would probably be on my don't care if I ever see it again list.

Hope the other movie turn out well.