Onward is a solid and heartwarming adventure about brotherhood and the importance of believing in yourself
Even though over the years we have come to expect nothing but perfection out of Pixar, (Which is kinda harsh from my perspective even though it unfortunately makes sense) I believe it is still worth noting that movies like this one give the impression that the beloved animation studio wants to keep enchanting us with stories that are relatable, creative and tug hard at your heart strings.
The movie pretty much does all that is listed and then some. The world is unique combining our modern day world with a dungeons and dragons like twist, The chemistry between the brothers is beyond enjoyable and the story does it's very best to give audiences something adventurous but also something though provoking as well
Although I personally wouldn't put it up there with other Pixar Originals like Inside Out, Wall.E, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and ect.... I still believe that Onward is still one of the better movies Pixar has put out in a while and definitely stands on it's own merits as a great family adventure that has something for everyone
All I can say now is, Pixar, I'm super excited to see what you come up with next.
Seriously, Why does this film rarely get brought up when discussing movies made by Tim Burton. (Even Corpse Bride gets more Recognition than this) In my opinion, this is one of his greater films in recent years. It harkens back to the director's golden days while delivering a heartfelt story with a dark and creepy edge that parodies and honors the horror genre.
It's stop motion animation is nothing short of AMAZING, I love how it all is in black and white and set in a sort of 50's Serbia. The character designs are all distinct and visually appealing and of course, Danny Elfman's Score is lovely and bonkers as per usual. Every year I watch this movie every Halloween and it keeps getting better and better with every viewing.
It's honestly a shame that this movie doesn't get the love that a lot of other well-known Tim Burton movies do. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely no "The Nightmare Before Christmas" but it's still a Lovely, Ernest and Occasionally Horrific movie that is way better then most everyone gives it credit for
This is the type of show that makes me wish there was more like it. Over the Garden Wall is Cartoon Network’s first ever mini series that is rich with loveable characters, well crafted storylines and hauntingly beautiful autumn atmosphere. Every Fall I look forward to coming back to experiencing the trip into the unknown again and again.
This movie is probably the most specific movie that Pixar has ever made. It may not be able to speak to everyone as the pop culture references may catch younger viewers off guard and the tone and style may hit more to home for millennials than older crowds, but Turning Red still carries the spirit and creative energy that Pixar is most well known for. Its simple but its effective, It's also a time capsule for early 2000s culture but in a great way, if this kind of premise was given to an incompetent director it could have been so easy to make this pandering and annoying but Domee Shi understands that the audience deserves to have a charming story that has likable characters and interesting dilemmas. If Shi is planning to make any more movies after this I would love to see them, especially if the animation is reminiscent of her art style. I may not love this movie as much as Domme Shi’s short Bao, but this movie is another winner from Pixar Animation Studios.
Full review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/turning-red-2022
While I don’t think that Shrek necessarily deserved the Oscar for best animated feature (Honestly Monsters Inc should have won because of how much more timeless it is) It’s still not hard at all to see why this movie is still being referenced and quoted to this very day. This movie is a product of its time but it’s a really good product of its time and that’s thanks to its subversive story that defies a lot of expectations, humor that will delight kids and adults with how edgy the material is, great characters that are both funny and sometimes delightful, and animation that may be dated but will nonetheless transport you to a different kind of a fairytale world. This movie is perfect for those looking for a mean-spirited but also fun take on traditional fairytale tropes, especially those who need a break from watching traditional Disney flicks.
As a Brony myself I have to admit that even though I love this show, I do have to acknowledge that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea since it’s technically a show mainly made for little girls, and that’s okay. However, there is no denying that My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is such a sweet and endearing show with lovable characters, unexpectedly good world building and just an all around sense of innocence that really brings out the childlike wonder inside of us. Is it always perfect? No. but is it charming as heck? Absolutely Positively!
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/paw-patrol-the-mighty-movie-2023
Like the previous film, it’s mainly targeted at a young audience. Still, it had many cute and endearing elements that even a grown man like myself found totally irresistible, from Skye’s sweet story of being the smallest pup to the strongest pup to the surprisingly well-executed villain Victoria Vance. Even seeing the pups being their cute selves while using their new-found super abilities for the time they are on screen is so much fun. True, the storytelling is far from unique as it is cliched and predictable. Also, some celebrity voice actors seemed wasted in their minor roles. Despite all of that, this is quite a fun and cute film that I have no problem admitting I kinda liked, even if I’m not necessarily a Paw Patrol fan.
(Final Grade: B)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/home-alone-1990-1
Some of what I am saying is pure nostalgia, but “Elf” is a near-perfect Christmas movie that always manages to put me in the holiday spirit no matter my mood. Its high-energy story, lovable characters, impressive visuals and cinematography, and subtly sweet music score make this an undying classic with everything a Christmas geek like myself could ever want out of a Christmas-themed movie. Sure, the rest of you can love your “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story,” and even Die Hard Christmas films, and I can understand why cause I love them too. To me, though, Elf will always and forever be my favorite out of all the well-known Christmas classics, and I will keep watching this film every holiday season every year for the rest of my life.
(Final Grade: A)
Before watching this movie, I didn’t know if Encanto was gonna do anything that remarkable or interesting seeing as Disney was coming from a strut of sequels that weren't awful but weren't as good as their originals. This film still proves that Disney can still make great original movies that have heart humor and musical vibrance. While I do have a few nitpicks with the storytelling and maybe one or two of the songs not being as good as the others, Encanto is nevertheless the best film Disney has put out since Moana and the reception from critics and audiences proves that. I don’t expect that I’ll be putting this in my top 10 favorite Disney movies, but this was still a movie that is way better than it had any right to be and chances are I may return to revisit the adventures of the Madrigal family for many more times to come.
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/encanto-2021
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/mrs-doubtfire-1993
Despite getting a mixed reception from critics at the time, Mrs. Doubtfire has become a staple in ’90s family entertainment and has captured the hearts of so many people young and old. I still love this movie even if reality can get the best of it sometimes. Chris Columbus talks to audiences about divorce in entertaining but heartfelt ways that show that just because divorce is a reality, it doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to live with it in a balanced manner. This is my favorite movie from Chris Columbus as it makes excellent use of comedy, character development, stunning cinematography, and utilizing Robin Williams tablets to the max. If you haven’t watched this movie yet, I recommend that you watch it. It's a great movie to laugh along with but also to feel emotionally connected with as well.
(Final Grade: A)
While Garfield the Movie is not the first movie to try the CGI/Live-Action idea out, it was one of the movies that brought that idea into popularity as it would make room for similar movies to follow such as 2007’s Alvin and the Chipmunks and 2011’s The Smurfs. Despite poor critical reviews the movie would go on to be a hit at the box office making 75,4 million nationwide. This movie used to make me smile as a kid. While some aspects of the film like the music and Bill Murray as Garfield did make sitting through the movie worth it, everything else from the storytelling to the side characters was all wrong for a movie trying to represent the Garfield name. This is an unfortunate case where the nostalgia goggles have come off my head and revealed to me how mediocre this movie really is.
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/garfield-the-movie-2004
Tarzan is a great way to close out the Disney Renaissance. While it’s true that there are some issues here and there, they still can’t bring down what is ultimately an outstanding piece of work from Disney Animation. It’s mostly well put together story, likable characters, beautiful animation, and spellbinding music make this another win from the house of mouse.
Madagascar is not a timeless classic, but it’s not that bad of a movie either. Sure the dated plugged product placement and random pop culture references are not in any way excusable, but what the film lacks in storytelling more than makes up for in charming and lovable characters, interesting animation, and a surprisingly great compositional score from Hanz Zimmer. This film is a guilty pleasure in my eyes, even though I am starting to realize that there are many better-animated movies that do have more engaging stories and more appealing animation. This is a movie I do have a soft spot for, even if there are other Dreamworks movies that I would prefer to watch over this one.
Much like Hilda herself, this well-put-together and downright charming movie is a must-watch for fans of the series, though it is required to see what happens at the end of season 2 to understand what is going on. Although I do have some nitpicks, the good stuff is just too good to ignore. Here is to hoping there will be a third season in the works because I believe we haven't seen the last of Hilda's adventures yet.
If you’re a fan of shows like Adventure Time or Gravity Falls then Hilda will no doubt be the best show to watch as it’s incredibly charming, well written, and beautifully animated. Even the problems I do have with the show are only limited to nitpicks because the show is truly amazing in how it handles its story in each and every episode.
This is a must-watch for Star Wars fans both young and old. It harkens back to Star Wars’ glory days while also pushing the envelope for new ideas for stories and world-building. Jon Favreau along with his amazing crew has done it again and I can tell you that I’m looking forward to viewing the next chapter of what’s to come of this solidly crafted piece of genius.
While I will admit that it isn’t my favorite cartoon of all time, Adventure Time is still an impressive show with a unique visual style, Colorful and Memorable characters and plenty of fun and Adventure at every turn. I can’t deny what an impact it has made for Cartoon Network and just Cartoons in general. Nothing more to say except, Thanks for the Adventure!
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/antz-1998
I don’t like this movie. I won’t act like Pixar’s A Bug’s Life is perfect. Still, it at least had colorful, memorable characters and a better-paced story, even if it was cliched. Antz had a lot going for itself as it wanted to tell a more grim, ambitious, and adult-animated story. I’m not against that, but if the characters and story are messy and not as well thought out as they should have been, then that is a sign that Dreamworks wanted to outdo Disney rather than try to tell a good story on its own. The opening with Z talking to a therapist is a solid start, and the animation is admittedly even more ambitious than A Bug’s Life. Unfortunately, I found the characters forgettable, and the story was trying too hard to be edgy. I’m happy for those who enjoy this movie, but this movie does not hold up for me looking back years later. It's not Dreamworks’s worst, but it's a poor start to their lineup. However, I am thankful that after this, they will try to make bigger and better films than what is shown here.
(Final Grade: C)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/a-bug-s-life-1998
Ironically, I believe Pixar’s most underrated movie is their most overrated. Now, that does not mean I think it's an awful film in any way or form. The story is a mixed bag, but the colorful characters, impressive animation for the time, and Randy Newman’s Killer Soundtrack make this movie fun enough to experience. This movie has a dedicated fan base of people who love this movie just as much as the other well-known Pixar films. I think other lesser-known Pixar movies deserve more of a following than this. Still, A Bug’s Life is a film that I don’t mind putting on every now and then, even when there are some storytelling elements I can’t necessarily get behind. It’s not my favorite, but it is a decent enough film that offers a flawed but fun story with many pros and cons.
(Final Grade: B-)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/robot-dreams-2023
Robot Dreams is a slice-of-life story with beautiful animation, endearing characters, and storytelling moments that are irresistibly cute and charming but can also turn a corner and punch the audience in the gut with sustaining emotional depth. I had a smile on my face from beginning to end, except for when the film needed to be emotional and thoughtful. It may be too early to tell, but this film is a contender for one of the best animated features I’ve ever seen. This movie makes me glad that I am a movie reviewer and an animation lover. This film is a perfect example of how animation can be a medium to tell stories without dialogue or big-name celebrities. It's the kind of film that makes me wish there were more like this one. It is meant to be fun and make you think while caring about characters with raw emotional depth despite being drawings on a screen. I love this movie, and it may just be one of the best-animated films that came out in a year full of excellent animated features.
(Final Grade: A)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/bolt-2008-1
This is one of my favorite animated Disney movies ever and may arguably be one of the best fairytale princess movies ever created. This movie is amazingly fabulous, considering that it’s Disney’s 50th animated feature, thanks to lovable characters, an engaging story, magical animation, and songs that will either make you sing along or be awe-inspired. Tangled was a massive success for Walt Disney Animation Studios, and its popularity eventually led them to create a sequel series for Disney Channel, which I have to admit is not bad at all. To me and many others, Tangled is an animated classic. It looks like that title won’t be said any different any time soon.
(Final Grade: A)
Full Review: www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/shrek-2-200kjkk
Let me make it clear and say that "The Super Mario Bros Movie" is far from a perfect movie. Its not a movie meant to challenge you or leave you something deeper to think about by the time you stop watching the film. It's a film that is meant for audiences to have as much fun as possible while reminding fans of Super Mario why they fell in love with the video games in the first place. This is not a game changer for Illumination, but it is the most fun I’ve had with an Illumination film since Despicable Me 2. Given their track record before this movie came out surly is saying a lot cause most of their films beforehand haven’t been awful, they just have been disappointing. The story is still pretty basic, but the likable characters matched by their talented cast and beautiful animation with the occasional expertly orchestrated music track make this movie a dream come true for Mario fans just like myself. I frankly didn’t care that this film was just “Mario references the movie,” This is honestly what video game adaptations strive to be and Nintendo made a right enough call to give Illumination a shot to bring Super Mario to life.
(Final Grade: B)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/turning-red-2022-1
Even though over the years, we have come to expect nothing but perfection out of Pixar (Which is kinda harsh from my perspective even though it, unfortunately, makes sense), I believe it is still worth noting that movies like this one give the impression that the beloved animation studio wants to keep enchanting us with stories that are relatable, creative and tug hard at your heart strings. “Onward” is the same and deserves to be more loved as much as many of the best Pixar offerings, even if it may not be the strongest when compared to movies like “Inside Out” or “Coco”. If “Frozen” was the touching tale of two sisters then “Onward” is the touching tale of two brothers. This movie deserves a second chance after being sadly tossed aside during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has an unsteady but emotionally resonated story, great characters, excellent animation, and a surprisingly good soundtrack. It may be a B-level Pixar flick, but it needs more attention and love from critics and audiences worldwide.
(Final Grade: B+)
Full Review: www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/willy-wonka-the-chocolate-factory-1971
It’s incredible to think that a movie made in the 70s would be just as loved and cherished now as it was when it was first released. That is a sign that this movie is more than just nostalgia clouding people’s minds; “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” proves that outstanding creativity and timeless storytelling can live on through multiple generations of moviegoing audiences regardless of when the movie was first released. While it’s far from perfect, the things this movie got right, such as the memorable visuals and well-defined characters people can love or love to hate, are outstandingly done not just by 70’s standards but by modern filmmaking standards of today. The filmmakers have undoubtedly created a world of pure imagination that will live on in children and adults everywhere. It well deserves its reputation and holds up just as much now as it did back then.
(Final Grade: B+)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/the-magician-s-elephant-2023
Unfortunately, this movie has been forgotten for a reason. It's not impressively bad, but it's not good, either. This is a very “meh” type of film; I will give credit that sometimes the animation can be impressive in a few scenes and the overall heart is in the right place. Still, this movie suffers from bland storytelling, one-dimensional characters acting like they are more than they already are, and a confusing tone that can never decide what direction the story wants to take. Animal Logic is set to create other animated movies in the future. The studio’s first outing with Netflix didn’t go so well for me and for many audiences across the globe. This is far from an awful film, and I still would encourage Animal Logic to keep moving forward to create bigger and better films like they did in the past. Sadly, The Magician’s Elephant isn’t one of their greatest.
(Final Grade: C)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/paw-patrol-the-movie-2021
This is a movie meant for the younger crowd. As far as movies like those go, it was an enjoyable time. It is not a movie I would watch repeatedly, but a harmless movie that I don’t need to think too hard about and a film that gives me an excuse just to enjoy cute characters being their innocent selves. I am impressed that PAW Patrol the Movie succeeded in being harmless and fun instead of juvenile and grating for a movie based on a pre-k show on Nick Jr. There are much better films targeted at a family audience that offer just as much for adults as they do for kids. Still, this movie is decent enough, and I wouldn’t mind watching it again, even if that rewatch is sometime in the distant future.
(Final Grade: B-)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/finding-nemo-2003-1
Thanks to its empowering and groundbreaking message, “Soul” has become one of my favorite movies of all time, matched by Pixar’s incredible storytelling with memorable characters, outstanding animation, and music that will never leave your mind after watching. This movie came to me when I needed it most. Even when its release date was pushed around because of the COVID-19 pandemic before finally appearing on Disney+ on Christmas in 2020, the wait was worth it to see a movie made out of love and passion from an animation studio I’ve adored since childhood. It is the kind of movie that will remind you why Pixar was even a legendary studio in the first place. While there will still be plenty of unnecessary sequels and stuff like that, as per any studio, it is excellent to know that movies like this remind us to live fully and appreciate the little things in our lives.
(Final Grade: A+)
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-2023
Before this movie, I only knew bits and pieces of the Ninja Turtles Franchise. After seeing Mutant Mayhem, this film not only became one of my favorite movies of 2023, but it also managed to transform me into a Mega Ninja Turtles fan who is curious about what else the franchise has in store. That is how much I adored it. It has a youthful and colorful story that brings a new perspective to our ninja turtles characters. Character arcs are well thought out, and personalities are as big and bold as their voice cast. The animation is heavily inspired by movies like Into the Spiderverse and The Mitchells Vs the Machinces to create a unique style that not only pays tribute to the Turtle’s comic origins but also gives the franchise a much-needed visual facelift. Let‘s also not forget that the music score is stellar as Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross create fresh new music compositions that are modern but also very fun and lively. I have some problems with how the movie ends, but that is only a minor nitpick in the grand scheme of how great this movie truly is. Fans of the Ninja Turtle franchise and newbies will all have so much fun. This is one of the best movies Nickelodeon has ever put out, and it makes me hope for another great Ninja Turtles movie in the form of a sequel to this brilliant film.
(Final Grade: A-)
Full Review: www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/the-bad-guys-2022
I will say that this movie isn’t quite as good as the hype suggests, but this is without a doubt one of the best original movies Dreamworks has put out in a long long time. There is a lot to love about this movie from its fast-paced and smart storytelling, likable characters, unique animation that is some of the best the Dreamworks studio has given us, and a cool music score from Daniel Pemberton. Sure, some of the jokes are aimed more at kids and there are times the storytelling can lose some of its sharpness from the writing, but that's a small price to pay to witness an experience that is unlike anything you’ve seen from the animation studio thus far. With all the pointless Dreamworks sequels that are slated to come out in the future, I would love to see a sequel to this movie if at all possible. I hope this movie continues to get more and more success because this is a film from Dreamworks that is legit good and may prove that we may be entering a new era of Dreamworks movies.
(Final Grade: B+)
Directors Don Hall, Carlos Lopez Estrada, and more really poured their hearts out into this movie, and while there are some lingering issues still hanging in the final product, Raya and the Last Dragon brings the Walt Disney Animation Studio back on track after hitting the dirt with movies like Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen II. Would I call it the best-animated movie Disney has made in a long time? not necessarily. However, I was overall impressed by how Disney went to some pretty far lengths to make a movie that has difficult subject matter and a more serious tone compared to many other well-known Disney films. Did it all work? To some people not really, but in all honesty, I would much rather have a Disney film that’s still pretty good even if not anywhere near a masterpiece in the long run.
Full Review: https://www.jake-s-entertainment-reviews.com/movies-and-televison/raya-and-the-last-dragon-2021
