Gearing up for the December 13, 2013, release of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), fans got the chance to meet new cast members joining the highly anticipated second film in “The Hobbit” Trilogy, including Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace and Luke Evans, as part of a global fan celebration that was held on Monday, November 4, at 5:00 pm EST, and simultaneous times around the world. At each of the satellite-linked cinemas in four host cities—Los Angeles, New York, London and Wellington—Jackson and members of his cast and filmmaking team gathered with fans to show exclusive footage from “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and answer questions in front of a live audience, as well as offer a few surprises.
CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper, who served as special host for the entire event, was based in New York, where he welcomed Richard Armitage, the film’s Thorin Oakenshield, and Orlando Bloom, who returns to the role of Legolas from “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. Evangeline Lilly, who joins the cast as a new Elf warrior, Tauriel, will be based in Los Angeles. London hosted new cast member Lee Pace, the film’s Elf King Thranduil; Luke Evans, who joins the cast as Bard the Bowman; and Andy Serkis, a member of Jackson’s filmmaking team and the first film’s Gollum. Peter Jackson joined the celebration from Wellington, New Zealand.
Each cinema was connected by satellite, allowing audiences to participate in a simultaneous Q&A among participants in all four host locations. Additionally, in cities across the globe—including Brussels, Belgium; Hamburg, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Mexico City, Mexico; Miami, Florida, USA; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Sydney, Australia; and Toronto, Canada—fans were invited to gather at select cinemas to be among the first to see the extended footage debut and watch the festivities unfold live.
To celebrate the release of Saving Mr. Banks and the upcoming 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has dedicated the entire winter issue of its flagship magazine, Disney twenty-three, to our beloved nanny. The publication, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23, includes exclusive interviews with Saving Mr. Banks stars Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, and Bradley Whitford, as well as director John Lee Hancock. It takes readers behind the scenes of the making of this spectacular new film, which opens this Christmas and looks at the creation of Disney’s Mary Poppins and the sometimes combative but respectful relationship between the character’s creator, P.L. Travers (Thompson), and Walt Disney (Hanks).
Disney twenty-three’s Winter issue also offers a look inside the fascinating life of P.L. Travers, with a personal reminiscence by her friend, author Brian Sibley, whom she once told, “I don’t feel for a moment that I invented her. I feel visited by her.” And original film composer Richard M. Sherman, visual consultant Tony Walton, and choreographers Marc Beaux and Dee Dee Wood offer exclusive insight into the creation of the 1964 Disney classic, which will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary next August.
Also included in the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three:[unordered_list style=”bullet”]
A first-person account of the creation of the stage musical Mary Poppins from Disney Theatrical Productions president Thomas Schumacher
“Elements of Fun,” looking at 50 years of unique “Mary merchandise”
An in-depth look at the film’s groundbreaking special effects
A walk down the red carpet for the Mary Poppins premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
[/unordered_list]
All D23 Members are invited to visit www.D23.com, where the fan club is kicking off its year-long celebration of Mary Poppins’ 50th anniversary with a unique video reconstruction of the Mary Poppins world premiere, containing five minutes of never-before-released material. Although the original telecast of the event appears to have been lost forever, this 22-minute segment includes audio from the premiere’s two separate interview locations, combined with all the surviving color film and black-and-white newsreel footage—re-creating the excitement and glamour of this stellar premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on August 27, 1964.
Other features planned for D23.com’s online celebration include:[unordered_list style=”bullet”]
Extensive Mary Poppins galleries, including a look at the film’s breathtaking matte paintings.
An interactive map of the Walt Disney Studios with photo locations from Saving Mr. Banks
Rarely heard audio files from the making of Mary Poppins
An in-depth Mary Poppins production timeline
A look at the sodium screen/traveling matte process, which gave the film its unique visual look
An exclusive interview with Mary Poppins visual consultant Tony Walton
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Also in the Winter issue, D23 Gold Members will receive a reproduction of the ticket mailed to invitees for the Mary Poppins premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Directors Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee as well as Producer Peter Del Vecho during a press conference to learn more about Disney’s newest Animated film “Frozen,” coming to Theaters in 3D on November 27.
Chris Buck made his directing debut on the 1999 Disney animated blockbuster “Tarzan,” and is back at the helm for this new production. Buck began his career with Disney in 1978, and has made important contributions as an animator, supervising animator, character designer and director. He also worked on a Sony Pictures Animated film “Surf’s Up” in 2007, which garnered an Oscar Nomination.
Jennifer Lee, joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in March 2011 as one of the screenplay writers of this year’s hit arcade adventure “Wreck-It Ralph,” is also a writer of the “Frozen” screenplay and co-directs the comedy adventure. Lee’s screen adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “The Acts of King Arthur and His Nobel Knights” is being produced by Troika Pictures. Lee was excited to work on “Frozen” with such talented Cast and Crew.
Peter Del Vecho (Producer) joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1995 and came to the studio with a wealth of production experience in theater. As the production manager of “Hercules,” Del Vecho was responsible for guiding a production team of 300 artists. He also served as the associate producer of the 2002 animated film “Treasure Planet,” which received an Oscar nomination for best animated feature. In addition, he was the associate producer of the 2005 animation adventure “Chicken Little.”
Q: Tell us the origin of the story behind Frozen. Has it changed?
The Original Pitch was about a snow queen type person and is still inspired by Hans Christian Anderson. It’s about character that has a frozen heart and some other person would warm that heart up. It was also about two women but they were not sisters, after making them sisters they had that emotional bond between them in the story and everything, everybody go it. They can understand how these two sisters if they break apart, they want them to get back together.
Q: When you were voice Casting, did you look for people who can sing as well as act?
Yes. Part of it was that when you hear those voices you knew that they just belonged. Even the male parts are all great singers.
Q: Can you talk about the tone of the film?
We always wanted the film to be entertaining. People are funny and do awkward things. You care about their journey which feels like real life. The humor helps you get through it, which makes it big and epic. As Filmmakers its always difficult to find the tone. It’s usually all over the place. It’s our job to find the balance to keep the audience entertained.
Q: Can you talk about your challenges?
Some of the challenges was that we originally had a later release date, and was asked if we can release the film in 2013 which made it a compressed schedule. The greatest challenge was that we kept pushing on the story even it that meant holding up on production. And we found that balance. We owe a lot to the story and production crew. We also had to re-animate scenes and the animators had to push themselves to meet the deadline. A challenge on every movie, is to always to give the rest of the artists a good story. Because everyone was working well together, to make this movie come to life.
Q: How do you deal with upholding the pressure of Disney Princesses? By the same time making them different?
We didn’t have any pressure to make them a Disney Princess or Queens. We were free on this film. When people see the whole film, them being princesses has to do with those responsibilities. It makes Disney happy to make them princesses. In the whole development of the story, we never thought of them that way.
Q: Was the film originally going to be hand-drawn vs. CG?
Yes, it was going to be hand-drawn, but that was years ago. But as time went on and the success of Tangled and the CG of the characters was incredible we went that route. It was more of the environment of the Ice and Snow that made our decision. To do that in CG it would be make it look amazing.
Q: Can you talk about Olaf? What was the idea in creating him?
Olaf has changed a lot, he was originally a guard, the first one that was created. Olaf become a little more integral to the plot he also represents innocent love. He has a lot of personality of little Anna as well.
We want to thank the Directors and Producer for taking the time to chat with us. We had a great time at the Disney Animation Studios learning about this amazing film. And don’t forget to catch “Frozen” coming to theaters November 27!
Disney Interactive is releasing the winners of the “Disney Movie Challenge” for Toy Box creations that best capture the look of some of Disney’s most iconic films. Check out the latest episode of the new web series, “The Disney Infinity Top 5 Toy Box Countdown,” for a look at the winning submissions.
Winning submissions include:
– Swiss Family: Explore the treehouse, swim in the grotto and fend off the pirate invasion on the beach.
– 100 Acre Wood: Find 10 hidden Winnie the Poohs in the 100 acre wood.
– The Pride Lands: Inspired by Disney’s classic The Lion King, explore the wild Pride Lands and climb the Tree of Life.
– Fantasia: Visit Yensid’s magic work shop. Fetch water and prove your magic prowess against 100 enchanted brooms!
– Tangled Hunt: The queen has fallen ill! Players will need to find the Golden Flower in time to save the day.
When you’re ready to submit your Toy Box for consideration, follow these directions: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U
· Bring up the Pause Menu and select “Online/Multiplayer.”
· Then select “Toy Box Share” > “Disney’s Toy Boxes” > “Submit to Disney.”
· Follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to give your Toy Box an original name and description. Choose carefully – they will be shown to everybody if your Toy Box is featured.
iPad
· Bring up the Pause Menu and select “Toy Box Share.”
· Then select “Disney’s Toy Boxes” > “Submit to Disney.”
· Follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to give your Toy Box an original name and description. Choose carefully – they will be shown to everybody if your Toy Box is featured
How to download new Toy Boxes:
· Select “Toy Box” from the Disney Infinity Main Menu
· Select “Toy Box Share” and “Disney’s Toy Boxes.”
· There will be a list of all the featured Toy Boxes for players to download.
Most teenage students at some point were afforded the chance to read Orson Scott Card’s critically acclaimed world-wide best seller, Ender’s Game. I for one had elected to read it while studying literature in middle school and although at the time, may not have been in a position to appreciate fine literature like Ender’s Game (I skimmed most of the chapters and read just enough to pass the weekly tests) I still remember from what I read that it was a fantastic story. Since then I have picked up a hobby for reading, and this title is among those on my list to sit down and read through thoroughly. That all being said, I was pleasantly surprised with the film adaptation.
The movie picks up the action right from the opening scene where we see the first attack on earth from a formidable enemy known simply as “the formics”, an insect-like alien race bent on colonizing and consuming earths water supply.
After a long war, the earth and the human race are victorious in taking the formics down but at great cost. In an attempt to defend the earth from future attacks, an academy is created to train young children through rigorous tasks in zero-gravity, virtual simulations, and physical and mental competitions against one another. Among those newly accepted is Andrew Ender Wiggin, a child unlike any other with a genius intellect and unparalleled strategical tactics that nearly always make him victorious against his typically much larger opponents.
Ender’s confidence and brilliance move him forward in the ranks, but at the cost of being despised by his fellow cadets. He is soon isolated away from them only to realize he is a tool in a much larger set of schemes and games than he had realized.
Asa Butterfield (Ender) is immediately likable as the title character. It took only a few scenes for the young actor to show his skills on screen and truly step into the role of Ender Wiggin and establish a strong connection with the audience. Asa is accompanied by the likes of Harrison Ford who plays Colonel Graff, the officer responsible for enlisting Ender into battle school, and Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham, a legend and war hero. The latter of which does not make an appearance until late into the second half of the film, but rest assured, Ford and Kingsley both carry their weight in the movie. Adding to the more well known names, the movie has a few familiar faces in lesser roles such as Abigail Breslin and Hailee Steinfeld among others, all of whom really solidify the movie into a strongly cohesive and well-rounded group of characters that fit nicely into the movies premises.
This may sound somewhat crazy, but this may very well have been the first time I was quite literally on the edge of my seat for the entire duration of a film. Not since Marvel’s Avenger’s have I had this much fun going to the theater. In questioning myself if I was the only one who felt this way, I looked around to notice my fellow theater patrons all covering their mouths during intense moments and biting their knuckles in anticipation with what would come next in following scenes.
A few of the more impressive pieces to take note of in the movie were the battle rooms and usage of zero-gravity. Most of the characters competed in a wide-open room where they were tested in combat against teams in the absence of gravity. It was absolutely stunning to watch these scenes play out and Asa’s execution of his character in each and every one of these scenes could quite possibly put him on the hot list for future movies to come. Having not heard of the young actor prior to the announcement of his casting, his fine work in Ender’s Game will surely not be the last we see of him.
With all the above said and done, my final note is that if you do get around to seeing this film, see it in IMAX if possible. You’ll be glad you did. This could be the perfect movie-going experience complete with fun, excitement, suspense, well-written dialogue, and just the right amount of humor.
Here is the Official Trailer in case you missed it:
Disney Interactive is bringing Disney Infinity’s Jack Skellington to retailers everywhere following an exclusive run at GameStop stores nationwide. Just in time for Halloween, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town is ready to show off his unique charm to Disney Infinity players just days before All Hallow’s Eve.
In order to celebrate the character’s wide availability, Disney Interactive has also released a special video (above) showing Jack Skellington attempting to scare his fellow Toy Box inhabitants including Mr. Incredible, Buzz Lightyear and Sulley before seemingly meeting his match with Vanellope Von Schweetz.
Jack Skellington is now available for an MSRP of $13.99 at all participating retailers. Or get yours now in our Online Store!
Marvel’s Avengers Academy is now accepting new recruits for training onboard the Disney Magic for a multi-day experience that transports kids to an elite facility for super hero training.
Calling Disney’s Oceaneer Club its new seaward home, Marvel’s The Avengers make their presence known in an epic way. Young heroes are transported to a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division)—a technologically advanced remote command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training.
Throughout the base, displays featuring some of the equipment that helps to make The Avengers earth’s mightiest heroes—Iron Man’s high-tech suit of armor, Captain America’s shield and Thor’s hammer—inspire super hero “recruits” throughout their academy missions.
Become Iron Man
Inside Marvel’s Avengers Academy, young hero hopefuls will get to virtually wear one of Iron Man’s suits during a simulated training experience on a video screen display. With a little help from J.A.R.V.I.S. (Just A Rather Very Intelligent System), the simulation gives recruits the opportunity to test out the suit’s repulsor system and flight mode—just like Iron Man.
Trainees begin by virtually suiting up, piece-by-piece in the armor, and testing their agility in the suit. Then, recruits practice accuracy with the repulsor system blasting targets—this fully interactive experience is complete with lighting effects, immersing the young heroes in the experience. The training simulation concludes with a fast-paced flight test to get kids used to jetting around in the suit—a skill that they may find handy in the future.
Avengers Assemble!
The fun continues with Become a Hero. When the kids enter the high-tech S.H.I.E.L.D. base at Marvel’s Avengers Academy, they are briefed by Director Nick Fury on the constant presence of fearsome villains—and the need to train new recruits to keep the world safe from evil. The kids learn that Hydra continues to be a nefarious force that The Avengers continue to battle all over the world.
After Nick Fury signs off, kids are put to work building super-suits of their own by constructing masks, capes, chest plates and repulsor rays to reflect their own super powers. Once their hero suits are ready, the real work begins—skills training to learn telepathic powers and target practice with their repulsor rays.
By the end of their first day, recruits are well on their way to active duty hero work when the training is interrupted by a surprise appearance of one of their favorite Marvel super heroes—Captain America himself. Checking-in on the training, Captain America teaches the group the “Avengers Assemble” call sign so they can truly step into the role of The Avengers.
On Day Two of Marvel’s Avengers Academy, recruits report for more training of their super-skills, when S.H.I.E.L.D. intercepts an urgent transmission—Super-villain Red Skull has planned another elaborate diabolical plot to turn a “certain sea vessel” into a deadly weapon. With The Avengers on assignment on the other side of the globe, it becomes clear that it’s up to the newest recruits to formulate a plan to save the planet.
Recruits realize the task may be harder than they thought when things take a turn for the worse—they soon find that their own Youth Activities counselors have been put under an evil spell that the kids must break. With time running out quickly, kids will need to use their super hero powers and creative reasoning to work together to find a solution to thwart Red Skull’s evil plans so that they can save the Avengers and prevent the Disney Magic from takeover.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club, open to 3- to 12-year-old children, is a completely re-imagined area that transports little ones to the magical realms of brave super heroes, adventuresome toys, fanciful fairies and Mickey Mouse’s club for creativity and fun.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact your travel agent.
If my lifetime of movie watching has taught me anything, it’s that with enough dedication and hard work, you can be anything that you want to be. I was happy with that life view, having been successfully indoctrinated into the rah-rah feel good camp of self-worth. Leave it to Pixar and their newest film, Monsters University, to subvert this world view, reinforcing the notion that maybe, just maybe, you won’t end up achieving your dream, no matter how desperately motivated you may be.
I’ve come to expect some pretty heavy thematic material from Pixar, but this one felt particularly welcome at this moment in time. We live in a world in which children receive participation medals and are force-fed delusions of superiority in everything that they do. It’s refreshing to see a kid’s film teach that not everybody is cut out for everything, just because they want it. Of course, this material is wrapped in an incredibly entertaining story, one that is far more inviting than the wacky ad campaign would have you believe.
As everyone knows by now, the story is a prequel to Monster’s Inc., showcasing how Mike and Sully met, became friends and ended up where the first Monsters began. Hyped as Pixar’s answer to college movies such as Revenge of the Nerds, there is quite a bit more going on under the surface than we were led to believe. Mike’s passion to become a Scarer is the driving force of the film, with his determination juxtaposed against Sully’s lackadaisical attitude towards the entire Scare industry. Sully’s father is an infamous Scarer, and his plan is to coast on the family name. It was a masterstroke of storytelling to set the film up this way, playing off our prior knowledge that things don’t go the way Mike intends. Yet somehow, they still manage to create a rooting interest for Mike to end up where we know he never does.
In Mike’s attempts to dominate at the Monsters University scare school, he quickly finds himself kicked out of the program, aligned with the “nerds” of the school, and forced to compete in a series of competitions with his biggest threat, Sully. This is the narrative through-line of the film, and in bringing it to life, the filmmakers have expanded on the Monsters world in an incredible way. At the time, the first film felt revolutionary in their depictions of various Monsters, but we see now just how varied and incredible the world of Monstropolis really is. The design work alone is so immersive, the film truly feels like a real location. Whether slimy, furry, or whatever, all manner of creatures are on display. The film is an absolute visual treat.
Even the university is immaculately designed with visual cues throughout that we are in an alternate reality. It is easy to believe that this is a world designed for and by monsters, and there is no denying the artistic achievement that Pixar has accomplished here. I was really afraid that the film was going to feel like a cash-grab, but it is really anything but.
New to Blu-Ray, Disney has released a packed set of extras to flesh out the world of the film. In a creative nod to the film itself, all of the features are labeled as is they are various college curriculum. Campus Life is a fascinating insight into the day-to-day workings at Pixar, Story School is an analysis of breaking down the story, Monthropology is a fascinating look into the design process in regards to the various monsters, etc. I especially enjoyed this last one as it illuminated the developmental process that led to the creation of one of my newest Pixar favorites, Dean Hardscrabble. A cross between a centipede and a bat, this character is a perfect addition to the world, bringing just the right amount of fear to a kid’s film about monsters.
Other extras include a fascinating look at the recording of the score, a feature on color and lighting, deleted scenes, set flythroughs, an art gallery, and on and on. They have also included the gorgeous short film that screened before Monsters University in the theatres, the Blue Umbrella. The most photo-realistic animation Pixar has ever produced, this is a must-see film for anybody interested in just how far the medium has come. The story isn’t the most compelling thing they’ve ever done, but it’s a wonder to view.
I can’t recommend this set enough. I was hugely surprised by just how much emotion was packed into this film. The last third goes in directions I never expected, and the story is a perfect lead-in to Monsters, Inc. Having strongly disliked Cars 2 and only somewhat enjoyed Brave, I am thrilled to have liked this film as much as I did. Despite the technical jumps, this is old school Pixar and a perfect reminder that they really are the best at what they do.
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.
Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1941, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is produced by Kevin Feige, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, and stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp and Hayley Atwell, with Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is presented by Marvel Studios. The executive producers are Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Alan Fine and Stan Lee.The film releases April 4, 2014, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Words of Wonder, the exciting Facebook game where players need to match letters, complete words and overcome a variety of challenges, has launched today on the App Store and Google Play from Disney Interactive. With more than 9 Million people creating words in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish worldwide on Facebook, players can now download Words of Wonder on their iOS or Android device to begin a new game or continue the early levels from Facebook.
In Words of Wonder players journey to a storybook universe where they need to use the power of words in order to restore color and animation to the magical pages therein. With their trusted owl guide, Watson, travelers use their intelligence and dictionaries to create words, overcome obstacles and complete the story to reclaim the Words of Wonder.
Features:
· More than 70 levels at launch with regular content updates
· Play a single game across Facebook and mobile devices
· Players match words to overcome ever increasing challenges
· Unlock new power-ups and gameplay advantages to help defeat each level
· Play with friends to see how they progress and beat their high scores
· Help the magic owl Watson break the curse and save the storybook world
Enter Words of Wonder by downloading the game at http://bit.ly/1dmygvi for iOS and soon Android devices!
With the original DuckTales having sold over a million units each for the Nintendo Entertainment System and GameBoy in September of 1989, it became Capcom’s highest-selling title on both platforms. So it makes sense that an HD version would come around eventually. But even so, after 24 years is it really something worthy of picking up again or even for the first time? We reviewed it for the Xbox 360 to let you know.
Gaming has come along way since 1989 and of course gamers have too. The latter are not focused on 2D side scrolling like they used to (sorry Sonic, Mario, Mega Man). But even with those aforementioned titles, each one has at some point received many various RPGs and numerous revamps taking them in exciting new directions. There is no doubt that Sonic and Mario are icons within their own right worldwide. This is where DuckTales’ Scrooge comes in, and we are going to find out whether or not a polished new look will help the game stand against time and an ever-growing continuously evolving demographic of gamers.
Upon turning on the game, right away it feels like its classic ’89 predecessor. The music and titles screens start off sounding like they would if you loaded up the original on your NES, then it shifts to beautiful HD visuals and music that sound like it would be heard from an orchestra at a Disney park on the streets while you and your family walk around with self-named Mickey ears and a churro.
The very first thing we noticed is that the background set visuals look great. This is seen immediately before the player takes control of Scrooge McDuck who is racing to his bank to stop the dastardly Beagle Boys from robbing what Scrooge refers to as “acres of cash” in his vault. We felt like we were watching a cartoon on a Sunday morning before taking over Scrooge and trying to save Huey (the red t-shirted nephew) from a Beagle Boy by the name of Baggy who has him concealed in a cage. Baggy Beagle is easily dispatched with the help of on-screen prompts and Scrooge awkwardly abandons the adolescent Huey in a bank full of thieving criminals to continue going after his beloved money.
Though it is true that the 2D characters and their hand-drawn design pay homage to the original and look as if they really were in a cartoon, their movements felt a little heavy which would have been the same were we playing the game on an original Nintendo console.
Not too far ahead, after utilizing Scrooge’s pogo jump to reach the next floor level in the bank, Burger Beagle has entrapped Dewey (the nephew in the blue t-shirt). Again, with a couple of well-placed pogo-jumps, Burger Beagle is easily taken out and Scrooge continues while this time leaving a relieved and safe Dewey behind.
You’ll take out a few nameless Beagle Boys along the way, all of which can be taken out with a simple pogo-jump. Then again we were playing on Easy Mode which almost seems like it would be too easy for just about anyone.
Finally, Scrooge comes across Louie, his nephew favoring green, who is also held in a cage by Bouncer Beagle. A few more Scottish words here and a couple of pogo jumps there is all that you’ll need to avoid deadly laser beams from the ceiling to release Louie and move forward.
Even on Easy mode we still took a small bit of damage, with nearly nothing to heal Scrooge until the very end of the level. Of course if you are playing on Easy, you probably wont need it anyway.
Big Time Beagle awaits Scrooge at the end in his office where a final boss fight takes place. Even on Easy this can be a little tricky due to the constant movements of Big Time. Again with the pogo-jumps and a few well-placed cane swings, Big Time is taken down and the game opens up for more of the same antics, same gameplay and very similar level designs.
Okay, let us recap.
The game plays remarkably like the original with high-definition visuals and updated character sprites. The audio is not too bad, but with characters not moving their mouths at all during dialogue exchanges, it doesn’t quite feel authentic, something only hardcore gamers looking to pick up a few spare Gamer Points should worry about. It feels as though young kids will likely be playing this title, but probably wont notice or even care.
The controls and gameplay do not change much, which is to be expected on a remastered version of something that came from 1989. The levels are what you would expect, simple and to the point, with mechanics of taking out enemies not being simpler. With a couple hours to kill, beating the whole game should be relatively painless, if you can stand the music for that long.
All things said and done, the game looks nicer than the original, plays like the original, and adds some nice dialogue from familiar Disney voice actors. Kids will get a kick out of it, but probably not for long due to its constant repetitiveness. Adults with want them to turn the volume down low or on mute, or recommend them playing something a little more entertaining to watch.
While we find that some games were great for their time, and others we just had to have redone for the modern era, DuckTales does not deliver the same excitement as it once did in the late 80s early 90s. Perhaps it was best that we reminisce what once was with DuckTales and try not to focus on an attempt to cash-in on an old classic.
With varying and more exciting titles going for less than $20, DuckTales Remastered is likely to be a game that will be overlooked and likely ignored while adults reminisce about the joy of the original of 1989.
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Marvel Entertainment today announced the launch of the Marvel Creativity Studio Stylus and App, created by eKids, exclusively for iPad. The app delivers a creative space for kids to learn to draw, color and animate their favorite Marvel Super Heroes and villains from Avengers Assemble, The Ultimate Spider-Man and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., while the stylus adds special and enhanced play value.
“The Marvel Creativity Studio is an innovative way for fans of all ages to learn how to draw some of Marvel’s most popular Super Heroes while allowing them to use their imagination to feel like they’re part of the action,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global franchise licensing and commercialization at Disney Consumer Products. “Leveraging the comic drawing history of the Marvel brand with the innovation that eKids brings to the table – or in this case, tablet – this product delivers a fun experience with endless play value.”
App and Stylus features include:[unordered_list style=”bullet”]
Professionally illustrated coloring pages, where you can add your own flare with tons of drawing tools and an extensive color pallet
Use of the stylus to unlock special tools including the ” Reveal” tool to flawlessly color the page like a pro
An interactive grid system that includes specialty drawing aids such as side-by-side drawing canvas, trace lines and unique “Drawing Scope” – allowing artists of all levels to successfully learn how to draw these characters
Build and animate action scenes with character stickers, sound effects, speech bubbles and backgrounds
Create your own custom stickers and add them to animated scenes[/unordered_list]
In addition to the launch of the Marvel Creativity Studio Stylus and App, the Disney Creativity Studio App has received a content refresh with more drawing tools to use, so kids can now create drawings of even more of their favorite Disney characters including Disney Junior’s Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins and Jake and the Never Land Pirates, as well as Monsters University and Disney Princess characters.
The Stylus – which includes unlimited access to all content and future updates – is available at mass retailers. A deluxe version with a limited edition zippered carry case is available exclusively at Apple Retail Stores and from the Apple Online Store; both retail for $34.99. The Marvel Creativity Studio app is FREE and may be found at www.appstore.com/MarvelCreativityStudio. The Disney Creativity Studio App is also FREE from the App Store or at www.AppStore.com/DisneyCreativityStudio.
