Disney Movies

I watched several Disney movies released in 2016 on Netflix recently, and for the most part I enjoyed them.

Finding Dory has some amusing moments, and I like the interaction between the characters, but Finding Nemo is superior.  I don’t care about seeing Finding Dory again.

I like the remake of Pete’s Dragon, although as is usually the case I prefer the original.  Live action remakes usually won’t measure up to the animated original.  The movie was filmed in New Zealand, and the scenery is gorgeous. The beautiful setting alone makes Pete’s Dragon worth seeing.  The interaction between Pete (Oakes Fegley) and the dragon is well-done, as are the performances of Robert Redford as Meacham and Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace.  The message (don’t ruin the environment and don’t exploit living creatures) is good, but there is nothing new or outstanding here.   This movie isn’t one I’d be interested in watching more than once.

The Jungle Book retells the familiar story of the man-cub Mowgli (Neel Sethi) who is raised in the jungle by a pack of wolves.  The visual effects are very well done, and I like the interaction between the characters, specifically Mowgli (Neel Sethi), Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley) and Baloo (voice of Bill Murray and an excellent choice for the character).  However, the Disney animated film is superior. Although I did like this film, The Jungle Book isn’t a movie I’d care about seeing more than once. 

Adam West

I was saddened to hear about Adam West's passing.  I loved the Batman show from the 60s when I was a kid.

Adam West

Logan

The year is 2029, and mutants are nearly extinct.  James Howlett, AKA Logan and Wolverine, is now a chauffeur in Texas.  His healing powers are fading, and he has to deal with chronic pain.  He is also caring for Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who suffers from Alzheimer’s, which makes his telepathic powers unstable.  He is asked by Gabriela Lopez (Elizabeth Rodriguez), a nurse who works for the biotech corporation Alkali/Transigen, to take her and a young girl, Laura (Dafne Keen) to a safe haven in North Dakota.

They are attacked by mercenaries along the way, and Logan barely escapes with Laura and Professor X.  Logan discovers Laura is very much like him, and in fact has been cloned from his DNA by Alkali/Transigen.  Together, Logan, Laura and a small group of mutants battle the corporate bad guys.

I did like this movie.  Jackman’s performance as Logan coming to terms with his mortality is thoughtful.  I like the interaction between Logan and Laura, and how Logan cares for Professor X. This movie is a bit more somber than previous X-Men movies, but there is a lot of action, and the idea of biotech corporations experimenting with DNA to make clones isn’t that farfetched.    

Logan is enjoyable.