We’re doing a sequel, the studio wants more, while they wait for Tom Hanks to make Toy Story 4.

First off there’s no short which is disappointing but hey no short is better than a 20 minute Frozen special am I right? Toy Story 3 was a great conclusion to the (once was) Toy Story trilogy but now we have a fourth movie which considering the other animated movies series that have four movies (I’m looking at you Shrek Forever After and Ice Age 4) this could’ve sucked.  Toy Story 4 has the same pros from other Pixar movies, great animation, great voice performances, and great music. So I won’t talk about those that much.

Toy Story 4 introduces Forky a Spork Bonnie made at Kindergarten orientation. He thinks that he’s trash instead of a toy which is kind of a creative idea. Tony Hale gives a lot of energy and genuine emotion into this character and I also like the way he’s animated. Forky is sort of like Bonnie’s security blanket which is integrate to the main theme of Toy Story 4 which is about purpose. Woody believes that he needs to protect Forky so he can have purpose but then in the end after helping Gabby comfort a lost girl decides to help lost toys find homes.

I have to admit that for possibly a concluding movie, Toy Story 4 doesn’t have that much stakes compared to the previous movies. In fact Woody and Forky could have just went back to the RV instead of looking for Bo in the shop and the movie would’ve been over. Also the climax isn’t really the most satisfying especially if this is the final one. Another downside is that the old characters like Rex and Hamm are sidelined and are there just because there from the previous movies. Considering that this might be the final movie they should’ve had more to do.

The ending while now as strong as Toy Story 3’s ending still feels like a good ending for the series. Woody deciding to stay with Bo to help lost toys is kind of fitting for his arc. The scene where the toys say goodbye is very emotional and the last line is very fitting. Toy Story 4 didn’t really need to exist but Pixar still put in so much effort and heart into this. I would say that this is my least favorite Toy Story movie but that’s mostly in comparison. Toy Story 4 is now the only good third sequel of any animated movie series and a funny and emotional conclusion to the Toy Story series that we will still watch for infinity and beyond.

Verdict:
+ Bittersweet ending
+ Forky
+ Theme of purpose
-No stakes
-Old characters sidelined

Score: A-

Pixar, please do not do Toy Story 5!

Rocketman was coincidently directed by Dexter Fletcher who did some uncredited directing on Bohemian Rhapsody. I haven’t exactly grew up with Elton John’s songs unless you count watching The Lion King (I’ll get to that later). Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody which showed  Freddie Mercury’s history and  how some of the songs were made, Rocketman is told kind of like a musical while showing Elton John’s history.

The musical numbers are really good mostly because Taron Egerton is an excellent singer or maybe it’s just that the songs are just that good. Speaking of Taron Egerton, there must be some prophecy that he would play Elton John because he’s been involved with that singer numerous times. He played Johnny the gorilla in Sing who sung I’m Still Standing (which he plays again here) and co-worked with the actual Elton John in Kingsman the Golden Circle. Taron Egerton did not disappoint when playing Elton John because he is perfect. He managed to put a lot of effort into his performance, he was especially great in the scenes that involved Elton’s personal life.

The movie does suffer from similar story bits as Bohemian Rhapsody. Both Freddie and Elton come from a small town, become famous but end up becoming jerks. Speaking of jerks, his parents are incredibly unlikable and unsupportive. It’s funny how the mother’s boyfriend who are usually douchebags in most stories is much more likable than the mother. Then there’s John Reid who’s far worse here than in Bohemian Rhapsody (I’m not kidding he was manager for both Queen and Elton John). He’s manipulative and almost causes Elton’s downfall. These characters made me so legitimately angry that I felt like flipping them off when they were on screen.

Rocketman is a nice look at one of the most famous singers ever. I do think that Bohemian Rhapsody is the better movie (maybe it’s because I like Queen more). Though to be fair if Rocketman came out before Bohemian Rhapsody than maybe I would’ve given this more praise. Still it doesn’t matter because anyone who loves Elton John and his songs will enjoy this.

Verdict:
+ Taron Egerton as Elton John
+ The musical numbers
– Similar story bits
– Unlikable characters

Score: B-

Aladdin is one of my favorite Disney movies. It has a great color scheme, great songs, and of course Robin Williams as the Genie. The 2019 remake is another in a bunch of unnecessary Disney remakes and much like Beauty and the Beast is pales in comparison but does have some good stuff.

The Genie this time is played by Will Smith. He does a fine job as the Genie even if he doesn’t have the same energy that Robin Williams had but still not a bad choice. Me personally I think John Mulaney would’ve been an excellent Genie. The original Jafar is a great villain, his design is great and is played wonderfully by Jonathan Freeman but here unfortunately he’s very disappointing. He just doesn’t look that intimidating or sinister and the attempted backstory they try to give him doesn’t go anywhere. He doesn’t even sing the Prince Ali reprise.

The original Aladdin has one of the best groups of songs in the Disney canon. Unlike the new Beauty and the Beast it doesn’t have that many new and pointless songs. Arabian Nights and One Jump Ahead are catchy and also have an Arabian feel to them which fits more with the location. The One Jump Ahead reprise however has a terrible beginning. The big and bombastic songs Friend Like Me and Prince Ali while not bad seemed very underwhelming in comparison. A Whole New World which is considered the best song in the original is definitely the most disappointing song. The new song Speechless is ok but nothing really new.

I know I keep comparing this a lot to the original but it just pales in comparison. One scene I think is one of the biggest examples of why the original is better is the climax. In the original Jafar turns into a giant snake and Aladdin fights him under the red sky, here he turns Iago into a phoenix and chases after them during the day time. The original also had a clever use of color scheme symbolizing good and evil and while it’s not used  much here it’s still shot very nice and looks like an Arabian city.

Aladdin really does feel like one of those stories that would only work as an animated movie because of the Genie’s fast paced performing and animation. I would say that it’s a little better than the Beauty and the Beast remake (probably because I prefer Aladdin over the original BATB). It’s still the same “Whole New World” we’ve seen in 1992.

Verdict:
+ Shot nice
+ Will Smith as the Genie
+/- The songs
– Marwan Kenzari as Jafar
– Scenes pale in comparison
Score: C