I know this is out of character for the blog: reviewing something so new, but this show is so good must be enjoyed...NOW!
Gravity Falls is a new half-hour animated show from the Disney Channel. Beautifully drawn and cleverly written, it is easily my favorite show of this year.
The show follows the misadventures of Dipper and Mabel Pines while they spend the summer with their eccentric Grunkle (Great Uncle) Stan. Grunkle Stan owns the Mystery Shack, a touristy roadside attraction filled with various obscurities which often lead to supernatural shenanigans.
Unlike other shows like Adventure Time, which seems to revel in its being weird for the sake of weird, Gravity Falls has a more guided weirdness about its writing. Usually only one element of each episode has a tinge of paranormal all the while sprinkling the background with objects that refer to previous episodes. Almost like Arrested Development in that way.
Also what stands Gravity Falls out from other shows of its ilk is that each show is one story. Most cartoons are broken up into two 15 minute short stories. I'm not sure if it really needs to be that long but this format does allow for deeper exploration of minor characters and story. It is also pretty formulaic and each episode ends like Scooby-Doo with a villain swearing revenge on the two heroes.
If you are a fan of animation then all you have to see is the opening theme from the show.
The frame work is amazing. It has become really hard to watch an episode of Family Guy after seeing how good this is drawn.
If you can only catch one episode make it #4 'The Hand that Rocks the Mabel.' It has singing, adorable characters and an over-the-top story.
If I haven't sold you, I know that just did! Go DVR it now!
Showing posts with label animation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animation. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
LTTP: Tangled
I am a strong believer in the fact that if you want to know a person you look their shoes. However, if you really want to know someone, ask them one question: What is your favorite Disney movie and why?
What you learn from this question can be immeasurable. If the person says they don't have a favorite, you can derive that A: The person is lying to cover up the fact that they do have a favorite Disney movie and are insecure. This is not a person worthy of your time. B: They actually don't have a Disney movie. In this case, they've had a terrible childhood and are probably emotionally damaged.
Secondly, they have to answer 'why' and 'Ummm like, I dunno... just cause!' is not a real answer. If an adult cannot develop a cognitive reason as to why they like something as simple as a Disney movie, then you really shouldn't be hanging out at the special Olympics.
Whats's that? What is my favorite Disney movie?
I'm glad you asked. 2010's Tangled. Why? Here's why and then some.
Admittedly, I didn't know about Tangled until about 6 months after it was released. I had heard about it online from people praising its genius. I never turn down a Disney movie but I went into the viewing with a few doubts. First off, I was shaky on the idea that it is a musical Disney movie. I have nothing against musical movies but I had been trained by the past few years of Pixar dominance that a good kid's movie doesn't have to have musical numbers. Secondly, I hate to confess but, the fact that it wasn't Pixar had me rooting against it from the start. The last movie Disney computer animated without Pixar was Bolt and that was instantly forgettable.
I realized I was wrong from the very beginning of the movie. The plot is laid out in a 5 minute opener that defines the villain; her motivations and her out of control hubris. This is followed by one the best songs in the movie. At that point in the movie I was hooked. All the characters are developed and interesting. Not to mention that character design is superb.
Just look at these guys...
Just from looking are they good guys or bad guys? If you're still not sure, they are called the Stabbington Brothers.
It is this kind of simple visual rhetoric used throughout the movie that makes it so good.
How good is the music, really? Good enough that I bought the soundtrack on iTunes. First off, I never buy movie OST's and secondly, I never buy music of iTunes. That's how good.
Also this....
Don't lie, you cracked a smile during that and it is probably stuck in your head now. If you didn't like it you should go get help, you are most likely the emotionally scarred person we talked about earlier.
I think I have said enough. Go see this movie. Love it. Share it with your children, they are the future, they deserve the best.
What you learn from this question can be immeasurable. If the person says they don't have a favorite, you can derive that A: The person is lying to cover up the fact that they do have a favorite Disney movie and are insecure. This is not a person worthy of your time. B: They actually don't have a Disney movie. In this case, they've had a terrible childhood and are probably emotionally damaged.
Secondly, they have to answer 'why' and 'Ummm like, I dunno... just cause!' is not a real answer. If an adult cannot develop a cognitive reason as to why they like something as simple as a Disney movie, then you really shouldn't be hanging out at the special Olympics.
Whats's that? What is my favorite Disney movie?
I'm glad you asked. 2010's Tangled. Why? Here's why and then some.
Admittedly, I didn't know about Tangled until about 6 months after it was released. I had heard about it online from people praising its genius. I never turn down a Disney movie but I went into the viewing with a few doubts. First off, I was shaky on the idea that it is a musical Disney movie. I have nothing against musical movies but I had been trained by the past few years of Pixar dominance that a good kid's movie doesn't have to have musical numbers. Secondly, I hate to confess but, the fact that it wasn't Pixar had me rooting against it from the start. The last movie Disney computer animated without Pixar was Bolt and that was instantly forgettable.
I realized I was wrong from the very beginning of the movie. The plot is laid out in a 5 minute opener that defines the villain; her motivations and her out of control hubris. This is followed by one the best songs in the movie. At that point in the movie I was hooked. All the characters are developed and interesting. Not to mention that character design is superb.
Just look at these guys...
It is this kind of simple visual rhetoric used throughout the movie that makes it so good.
How good is the music, really? Good enough that I bought the soundtrack on iTunes. First off, I never buy movie OST's and secondly, I never buy music of iTunes. That's how good.
Also this....
Don't lie, you cracked a smile during that and it is probably stuck in your head now. If you didn't like it you should go get help, you are most likely the emotionally scarred person we talked about earlier.
I think I have said enough. Go see this movie. Love it. Share it with your children, they are the future, they deserve the best.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)