The Croods Review

Certainly a feel-good movie, The Croods tells the tale of a Cave Family and their struggle to survive the continental drift.

What I found most interesting about this animated film is the fact that, while there was a love interest, that was not the focus of the movie. For me that was a selling point. It is refreshing to see a story in which the main focus is a family connection, more specifically, between a father and daughter.

Another great selling point is the animal creations, from meat eating bird flock to a multipurpose sloth, each creature and plant is unique and original. I also have to add how cute I found all of the animals, except maybe the “Piranhakeets”. Those freaked me out.

The relationship between Grug and Eep is one that I think most of us can relate to. A protective father and a rebel teenage daughter is nothing new, but when you add a prehistoric set it definitely seems that way. Furthermore, the ideas of shoes and hugs that Guy and Grug come up with bring a dash of comedy to the movie that I found delightful.

The aerial shot of the environment are breath taking, particularly in the way they are so colourful and paradisiac.

This movie certainly left me wanting more, and I recommend it to anyone who has not yet watched it. If you like animated movies this is a good one.

Saving Mr Banks Review

First of all I have to mention how amazing it was (for me) to watch Tom Hanks play such an iconic figure as Uncle Walt. I would also like to mention that this is my own personal intake on the film, the rest of you are welcome to disagree as you please. Now that that is out of the way, the review can begin.

The two main actors gave a magnificent performance, with Tom Hanks’s head strong Disney (or should I say Walt) and Emma Thompson’s emotional, albeit equally strong willed Pame- pardon me, Mrs Travers. It was easy to enter the world of the movie and follow the turbulent journey of the Travers and, later, Disney.

The movie’s emotional ups and downs took me with them, as I found myself crying and laughing, or sometimes a mix of both.

Although I was not expecting the film to have quite such a serious tone to it that is not to say that this is a negative factor. In fact, I thought Colin Farrell’s performance as Mr Travers was moving, in more ways than one. Between feeling sorry for his wife and angry with him for not thinking more of his family I would say there is quite an emotional turmoil throughout the film.

The ending, although not what you would call a fairy-tale ending, is still satisfactory, after all the writer gets what she wants when “Mr Banks” is redeemed. I could not help but think, however, that as a child you do not really focus on Mr Banks’ redemption so much as you do as an adult. In adulthood is when you realize that this father of two has decided to centre his life on his children more than his work (or in Mr Travers’ case [based on the film] his drinking), and thus he is saved.

My favourite scene is when the Sherman brothers are performing the first musical scene, where Bert sings comical poems. Now since Mrs Travers showed aversion to the word “responstable” they show themselves reluctant to reveal another, now famous, little musical piece: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

I also enjoyed recognising lines from Mary Poppins, such as Mr Banks’ “I always know what to say,” said by Mrs Travers. The question is which came first?

I feel it is my duty to take this opportunity to say how disappointed I am that Mrs Travers was able to meet Uncle Walt and visit Disneyland with him, while a tremendous fan of his such as myself was not even born in his lifetime. Needless to say I shall be having a rather long and serious conversation with my parents (in fact, they are just lucky I am not suing them).

After watching this marvellous telling of Mrs Travers dealings with Disney, I can say two things with certainty:

1. “Mr Banks” was certainly saved and
2. The Disney Company is certainly lucky Mrs Travers has passed on, or Saving Mr Banks would certainly not be out yet.