The Sequels that Never Were, But we wish they had made: Top 5 countdown #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Coming in at Number 1 on my list of the Sequels that never were list, but we wish they had made.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit needs a sequel.  It kills me that this movie never got a sequel, because it hands down my number 1 choice of movies that should have, but never did.   This movie was a true classic and the only reason it never got a sequel is due to legal and rights issues that are too complex to figure out.    A sequel was talked about numerous times and it is the first question that Robert Zemeckis is asked whenever he is promoting a movie.   It was animation meets film noir detective story.  It included classic cartoon characters from Disney, Warners and many other studios.   I would love to a sequel of this classic and it happened to be Russ's top pick as well.   Rather than go on and on about this film and why it needs a sequel ---instead check out a blog I did awhile back on my Disney page about a screening of the film I went to last year.

Here is a blog I did awhile back about a special screening I went to at Disneyland

http://braddisneylandblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/roger-rabbit-25th-anniversary-

screening.html

Here is our recent podcast where we discuss wanting a sequel to this and many other films.      Find out what else made my list as well as what made my co-hosts lists in a fun discussion.

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/super-fantastic-terrific-show-4-sequels-never/

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Maleficent 2014 8 out of 10

Maleficent 2014  8 out of 10

Brief thoughts 

The Acting

Angelina Jolie was perfect as Maleficent.   I’ve never been a big fan of her in general –but her look and acting in this movie were spot on.  She was meant to play this part and I think this role will probably be my favorite performance of the year.  She was able to play all aspects of her character well.  She was menacing one second and thoughtful or curious the next.   King Stephen however didn’t seem up to the task and was not a good match for Jolie’s performance.  They really needed someone stronger in that role.

The Visuals

The look of the movie was stunning.  Maleficent’s world was truly a magical one and the scenery was gorgeous on the screen.  From the Castle scenes to the Magical Moors –what was put on the screen was dazzling as the magical creatures came to life on screen.

The Story

The story itself was good, but not great.  I knew going in that the story was going to depart from the classic animated movie and that Maleficent wasn’t going to be purely evil.   I wonder if maybe a more classic look at the original story may not have been a better approach however.   Angelina Jolie did such a great job with character that I would like to see more of her darker side.  Don’t get me wrong the story as told in the movie was done well—I guess I just brought my own expectations and ideas of what I would like to see into the movie with me.   Going in...... it was probably my most anticipated movies to see this year after catching the 4-D preview at DCA that I just think it couldn’t live up to my lofty expectations,  still a solid 8 out of 10

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Captain America: The Winter Solider 2014 9+ out of 10

Captain America: The Winter Soldier  2014   9+ out 10

I thought the first Captain America was pretty good....but it was nowhere near how good this sequel was.   I always thought Captain America was kind of a cheesy comic book character.  They was a really bad Captain America movie made back in the early 1990's that made me think of him as a really goofy character.   I really wasn't into the Red Skull as a villain because it reminded me too much of that cheesy 1990's movie.   Well Comic book movies and Captain America have both come a long way.  Post Avengers this Captain America is actually kind of kick ass and this movie is excellent and almost on the same level as the Avengers.   Marvel Studios and Disney have created a great dynamic universe that is a joy to watch.  The intermingling  of all the characters in this universe and directly with the now  excellent Agents of Shield TV show that is directly effected by what happened in this film is exciting.  I've never been a big comic book fan --but what Marvel/Disney are doing is truly epic.

Rundown

1.   Great Story:

Captain America: The Winter Solider had an excellent political thriller plot line that was both action packed and interesting.

2. Great Action sequences: 

A great car chase with the bad guys trying to kill Nick Fury and a kick ass battle at the end were among the great sequences in this film

3.  Great Special Effects:  

  The Hovering aircraft carriers at the end were epic

4.  Great Cast :  

The cast that in addition to Chris Evans as Captain America included  Sam Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Redford was top notch and the addition of  the new character the Falcon was also great. 

The only thing that probably kept it from being a 10 out of 10 is that once you assembled the Avengers ---it is hard to see an individual film of this magnitude and not wonder why those other heroes aren't involved in such an important plot....  I was surprised at how much I like Captain America: The Winter Solider-----it may be early in the year --but this could be the best movie of 2014

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The Lone Ranger 2013 9 out of 10

Pictures I took from the DCA  before the Premiere in the parks.

The Lone Ranger 2013  9 out of 10

It is a shame that the Lone Ranger isn't doing that great at the box office, when compared to it's budget.   The film was a fun and exciting adventure of a movie.  Johnny Depp once again nailed it with his performance as Tonto making the movie really enjoyable.  It was basically a Pirates of the Caribbean version of The Lone Ranger, which isn't surprising since it was made by the same group of people.  I'm not sure if it's lackluster box office is a result of a modern audience just not connecting with the character of the Lone Ranger?   Maybe the modern audience doesn't even know who the Lone Ranger is or maybe they just don't care to see this character from old radio dramas on the big screen?  Maybe the Hollywood western is truly dead?  But pirate movies were dead before Pirates of the Caribbean took over and dominated at the box office so who really knows.   The trailers for the movie made it one of the must see summer movies for me, so I don't know why so many other people weren't lining up to see it.   Despicable Me 2 (the first of which was just alright in my opinion)--killed it at the box office.  

The movie itself was a fun ride that included a heavy dose of humor (kind of like the tone set in the Mummy Franchise).   

The plot was good and the over the top crazy action sequences were a blast (literally at times).  The finale  in particular was incredibly fun.  The train scene played out to the classic Lone Ranger music and reminded me of the mine cart scene from Temple of Doom taken to the next level.  Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp had  great on screen chemistry as Tonto and the Lone Ranger and I would have been up for a sequel had the movie performed well at the box office.    

My advice ignore the box office results and go see this fun, entertaining, roller coaster ride of a summer movie.

Animated movie # 5: Secret of the Wings 2012 9 out of 10

Secret of the Wings 2012   9 out of 10.

This was a strong entry in the Tinkerbell  Disney Fairies movie series of direct to DVD films.  This movie are totally cute and sweet and little girls and their parents can appreciate them as quality family entertainment together .  The visuals in this installment were beautiful,   as we get to journey into the Winter Fairy realm.  The Disney Fairies series has been able to expand and explore the world of Fairies over several films building a mythology for the world in which the Fairies live --while having interesting villain less films that kids love.  This tale of Tinkerbell finding her sister in the Winter Fairy land  (they were born of the same laugh--too cute) was a wonderfully written and executed adventure and in a year of lackluster blockbuster films that have disappointed I was totally surprised about how much I enjoyed this cute little movie while watching it with my step daughter.

Labeled by many as just a cash grab when the series was announced  (and I'm that element exists to a degree) Disney has actual created a wonderful and imaginative Fairy world with a colorful animated palate.    If you have little girls and haven't seen this movies yet ----check them out.