When I hear Zack Snyder directing a film, I think of ‘300’ or ‘Watchmen’; action based, graphic novel inspired films that are full of visuals and sounds so intense your body feels every detail. Then I see that instead of a live action film, an animated feature, I get a little skeptical and proceed to forgo the film altogether while it was in release. Now I sit back at home to see this animated story at home and am left stunned. Not in a bad way but rather upset I did not see this film in its full glory on the big screen.

Snyder and Warner Bros. have teamed up with Village Roadshow and Animal Logic to bring to the screen the stories of Kathryn Lasky. Adapted by John Orloff and Emil Stern, ‘Legend of the Guardians’ will take you into the kingdom of the owls.

A young owl, Soren and his brother Kludd are ambitious owls who have been taken from their tree hallow. They find themselves with the Pure Ones; owls bent on taking over the owl kingdoms. Soren does not like this new place and with another young owl, Gylfie, need to escape. Believing in and following his gut, the two young ones set out to find the Guardians whom his father always spoke of. While searching for the path, they come upon an unlikely pair in Digger and Twilight. The newly formed band continues their quest to find the Guardians and bring them to thwart the plans of the Pure Ones.

Kathryn Lasky has created 15 books to date on the Guardians and has the first three brought to the screen by Stern and Orloff. The story they have weaved sets up a wonderful look into the lives of owls. The mirroring of human existence draws you into the story and yet still shows the raw spirit of these animals.

Snyder has brought his sight for breathing life into the story in a way many have not been able to do. Going from live action to animation is a tough transition in some cases and easier in others. Working with actors live on a set is easy in that you can yell ‘cut’ and do the scene over. Then again you may have an actor who can pull out a ‘prima donna’ and there goes your day. In animation you need to be more focused on the issue of several animators work on one character. So you better know what you want before they finish or you could have many people on your case. Snyder does the transition smoothly and works his magic very few have been able to do.

Working with these very talented individuals, Snyder has orchestrated a film for all to see. Much like the owls themselves, the artist ranged from the wise to young; such long time animators as Simon Ashton to new bloods Tohru Patrick Awa and Cecile Dubois-Herry. Along with a talented array of artistic visionaries, they have created an eye caching film that leaves your mind in an uplifting feel of air. From the smooth flight of these noble birds to the effects of flying thru a monsoon, the animation is breathtaking.

The detail Snyder has thrust upon them has raised the bar, especially in regards to the background and visual effects animation. Such details you can come to expect when doing a live action film but not so detailed in animation for something that may be seen for a fraction of a second. The visual effects alone are quite amazing when you feel as though it is filmed using a high speed camera and can see every drop of water that creates a water spiral or the breath of the flames in the forest fire. Bravo to work well done.

Bringing to life the characters to the big screen is a talented group of veterans with a couple new comers. Such notable actors as Sam Neill (Jurassic Park series, Daybreakers) as Allomere, Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Warriors Way) as Ezylryb, Helen Mirren (The Queen, Inkheart) as Nyra, Hugo Weaving (The Matrix series, V for Vendetta) as Noctus and Grimble, David Wenham (Public Enimies, 300) as Digger, Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, Dead Silence) as Kludd, along with journeymen Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace series, Happy Feet) as Twilight, and Joel Edgerton (Whisper, Smokin’ Aces) playing Metalbeak,  have lent their vocal skills to a wonderful film. New comer Emily Barclay has stepped in to playa lead voice role as Gylfie alongside Soren voiced by Jim Sturgess (21, Across the Universe).

With such a diverse choice of voices and styles of acting it is tough to say who stands out in this film. All do great bringing the inflection needed to get you lost in the film and forget the animation and enjoy the story.

If anything were to fault in the film it would be that of the title song, “To the Sky”. It is far from the 30 Seconds to Mars song used in the trailer, which fit the context of the film to a tee. The song used is by Owl City is bright and overly hokey for my taste.

Since this is a Blu-Ray review I should delve into what’s in store for the buyer.

The compilation includes the Blu-Ray along with DVD/Digital Copy discs. This is becoming a standard now among several studios to combine all three formats.  I enjoy the ability to have the digital copy but have consistently had issues after during the download process and have to contact WB’s customer service to get a new password. Once you do get it downloaded it is great to have available, especially if you have children and travel a lot.

The Blu-Ray is presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, for English, French, Spanish and Portuguese as well as the corresponding subtitles.

One issue arose while enjoying the film. During the first 20 minutes or so of the film some audio quality was present. The mixing of the background music and speech of the characters was either muddled or over balanced. It eventually was corrected for the rest of the film.

The special features include:

Maximum Kid Mode- Soren acts as a guide of what is in the movie versus reality in the wild. This way to watch the film is fun to educate younger audiences about where some of the owl tales get their real life start.

Legend of the Guardians: Rise of the Guardians- A animated short told by Sorens’ pa. The short is just that, short. The way it is shown feels as if it was cut from the original film and thrown in as an extra.

To the Sky, music video by Owl City- Enough was said earlier.

4 Artwork Galleries- Detailed sketches, watercolors and test used for the making of the film.

True Guardians of the Earth- A presentation with Digger and Rico Rodriguez, of the hit show ‘Modern Family’, taking you inside the true world of owls and how they exist with humans.

New Looney Tunes cartoon: Fur of Flying- This is the first new cartoon with the beloved Wile E. Coyote and that pesky Road Runner. Okay, yes I am biased and love Wile E. Why does that Road Runner have to always have the upper hand? I mean, come on don’t you feel a little sorry for the coyote. That darn bird is always… I apologize for my rambling. It is a fun animated short and foray into the computer animation realm for these tow longtime enemies.

Whether you rent or buy this lovely gem of a film, you
will be happy. It delves into the heart of the young and pulls out the spark of life. Love all who are close to you and never stop learning.

Never stop learning. That is a take away from this film. Soren learns first of the Guardians as legends a kind of folk learning. Then when all seemed lost an older owl takes him under his wing and helps him to learn on the fly, literally. Once out he takes his knowledge of the Guardians and seeks them out with the help of his new family. Learning by doing, hence keep learning. Once he finds the Guardians, an owl takes him under his wing and teaches him the wise ways… you see where I am going. We are never too young or old to learn new things. Some may even say you die a little when you stop learning. I enjoy writing these words knowing that someone will be correcting my English or punctuation (wink, wink) but I take it as a learning experience. Now yes I may come across as upset at the time I’m told. Remember, I am still learning. I will apply the new lesson in the next writing. And keep doing so till I get it right. It is an important lesson to never stop learning. No one person can know or do everything. And when you have a supportive family and friends behind you the sky is the limit. Fly high.

Thank you to Alejandra Meleldez for her input on the review and watching this enjoyable film.

[P.s. I’ll be waiting for those tips.  ;-) ]

If you would like to follow news, happenings or events please follow me on Twitter @SCThrillsMarc. See you there!

Charlestown is one square mile area community in Boston MA that produces the most bank robbers per capita than any place in the world. Stepping in the directors’ seat to tell the story of those who rob and the people of this neighborhood is one of Boston’s own, Ben Affleck (State of Play, He’s Just Not That Into You). Using the novel “Prince of Thieves” by Chuck Hogan and the film ‘Heat’ as his influences, Affleck is stepping up his game as an actor, writer and director.

Doug is cool, calm, collective and about to pull off a bank robbery with 3 of his closest friends, Jem, Gloansy and Desmond. Something’s different this time. They take the bank manager hostage when they leave. Doug, being the brains, reassures the young woman, Claire, she will be okay. During their escape they drop of Claire, unharmed, and head home to Charlestown. After all is said and done the crew blows of steam partying and ‘cleaning’ the money while FBI agent Adam Frawley investigates the robbery. While ‘watching’ Claire, Doug becomes enamored with her and begins a relationship that will test his ties to his friends, his ‘job’ and his past.

Taking part in a movie in more than one capacity is tough for anyone let alone three. Affleck does a phenomenal job as an actor, director and writer with the help of fellow scribe Aaron Stockard (Gone Baby Gone) and new writer Peter Craig. The three collaborated to bring the true nature of this little neighborhood to light. Not just the bad elements, the good people who have lived there for generations. Robbing may have become a trade but it is still the people that make Charlestown what it is an unforgettable place.

Making us feel the realness of Charlestown were not just Hollywood types but those that grew up right in the middle of it. Boston raised Affleck played the lead Doug MacRay alongside the love interest Claire played by Rebecca Hall (Dorian Gray, Frost/Nixon). The head strong, ‘not going back to jail’ friend, Jem played by Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker, Take), wheelman, Gloansy, is portrayed by Bostonian Slaine (Gone Baby Gone) and techie, Owen, played by Charlestown native Owen Burke, are the crew Doug hangs and works with. Other prominent actors include Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) as Jem’s drugged out sister and Doug’s one time girlfriend Krista. Playing the heavy, Fergie is the journeyman actor Pete Postlethwaite (Inception, Clash of the Titans) and countering as FBI agent Frawley is John Hamm (Mad Men).

Burke is not the only Charlestown native to be lit up on the silver screen. Affleck held casting for several smaller roles to be portrayed by those who live in this tight nit group of individuals and families. Dennis McLaughlin caught Affleck’s eye with his broodiness that he was cast as Fergies’ muscle, as was Daniel Woods and his charm placed himself in the uniform of a Boston PD officer. This is just a sample of those who the production team, especially Affleck wanted to involve; those that have lived and still live in what many believe a birthplace for bank robbers.

From the first shot on film to the end I do commend the Special Effects and Stunt teams. The amount of skill and artistry these teams put into each chase, each gun battle is above par. Besides how many effects people have been able to say the shot the heck out of Fenway Park? 

Being able to step into different shoes during the process became ever so smooth a transition for Affleck as told by the many actors and production crew during the making process. It is all available for you to view in the Blu-Ray extras.

The Blu-Ray is packed with the DVD/Digital Copy disc. This will be extremely helpful if you want to watch the film on your media player when you are in Boston and want to trace the steps of the action.

Presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in English, French and subtitles for both as well as Spanish give you a good choice for viewing either the theatrical or extended cut versions of the film.

Having not seen the theatrical version I chose to watch the extended. There was some good and bad to that choice. It is an excellent film but having not seen the film it was a little hectic to keep looking up in the left corner to see the ‘camera’ icon to let you know you were seeing an extended cut. This also led to some drastic differences of the two films, not to mention inconsistencies. 

The extended cut offered a more in depth look into the relationship between Doug and Claire. The romance of this action movie needed to be balanced out, hence the cuts in the first place. As noted it provided some odd inconsistencies. In one extended scene Claire asks Doug about his parents, to which 15 minutes after this in the theatrical version part she asks him again as if we would have forgotten she just asked him that.

Overall though the extended cut was a bit long and drawn out and not clear in direction. It would have faired better if someone from continuity sat with Affleck and the editor and pointed out holes or just added them as deleted scenes in the features section. As I go back to watch this film it will be the theatrical version only.

The Blu-Ray offers several options and features to view:

Theatrical and Extended Cut versions with commentary by Ben Affleck- Perhaps I should go back and watch it with the commentary and see if Affleck can catch all the hiccups.

Filming in his hometown Segments include-

‘The Cathedral of Boston’ which looks into all the production company had to do in order to film at the famed Fenway Ballpark. 

‘Nun’s with Guns’ features a scene break down of filming in the north end near which the real bank robbery the scene is depicting happened.

‘Pulling of the Perfect Heist’ takes us behind another real bank robbery that took place in the same bank they used to film. With a little help of a local born retired FBI agent, the production team pulls of stunning visuals that some people who lived thru the event were taken aback by its accuracy.

‘The Town’ is Affleck’s thank you to the town many have given up on, Charlestown. The people and places are chronicled. The shoot was so real as to employ many who lived in the area either in front of or behind the camera.

With such a diverse group working together, you can not help but be pulled into its gritty drama. Well acted, written and portrayed on the screen.

The story itself delves into, do we make who we become or are we made into it. Is it the people and places around us that show us what we are or do we show everyone what we are? I believe it’s a little of both. When we are young we are surrounded by those who care for us, depending on how gives us the mental insight as to whether we are to continue in this life following the same or break out and go anew. It is one of life’s moral dilemmas. Light and darkness have their ideas of family and only you can make a conscious decision to break the mold or create on
e. Believe in yourself first and foremost, then and only then can you live a long, truly happy life.

Thank you to Alejandra Melendez for her input and quick eye and ear to details.

If you would like entertainment news, updates, happenings and events in So Cal, follow me on Twitter @SCThrillsMarc. Se you there!

Like so many people, I saw Christopher Nolan’s latest masterpiece Inception during it’s opening weekend in the theater.  It quickly rushed to the top of my favorite movies, and one of the my first thoughts upon exiting the theater was that I couldn’t wait for the sure-to-be spectacular Blu-Ray release.  Not only was I eager to revisit the film again and again, but for the first time in a long time, I was genuinely excited to discover how some of the mind-blowing special effects were achieved.

Well, Warner Bros. has finally released a 3-Disc set, including a DVD of the film, and two Blu-Ray discs.  The first Blu-Ray contains the film itself, and the option to view it in “Extraction Mode.”  This is a feature in which the film will periodically switch to a behind-the-scenes documentary pertaining to the sequence you are currently viewing.  You can also choose to view all of these segments isolated from the film.

There are a lot of great segments in this feature, and I was thrilled to find that most of the sequences I was curious about got a closer look.  For example, there is a segment detailing, in full, how they achieved the infamous hallway fight featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  Much like 2001: A Space Odyssey, this sequence was shot on a 360 degree rotating set.  I assumed it was something like that, but to actually see the sequence being shot from the outside of the set was amazing.

However, they don’t just focus on the obvious big set-pieces.  There are also moments in the film that seem more subtle, but in reality, required just as big an undertaking.  Whether it be the impossible stairs, the flooding of the castle, or even the gravity-defying maneuvers around the hotel room, almost any moment you would be curious about gets a feature.

The second disc is nothing but special features.  There is a pretty cool one called “Dreams: Cinema of the Subconscious,” hosted and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  I don’t usually care for “educational” features that peripherally relate to a film’s theme but not to the film itself.  However, this one was really fascinating.  It explores all aspects of dreams, and does so in a fast-moving, creative way.  There is a lot of great insight from several scientists in the world of dream study, and even some interesting analysis from Christopher Nolan, Leonardo DiCaprio, etc.  It’s obvious in watching this feature that it isn’t simply a marketing tool, but a project that Gordon-Levitt was genuinely interested in making, and a topic that everybody involved was interested in exploring.

The other big feature is a motion comic that serves as a prequel to the film.  It’s an interesting experiment, but honestly, I’d have rather just read an actual comic.  The story was interesting enough, but it was kind of slow moving (literally), and I found myself getting bored, wishing I could just read ahead.  Rounding out the disc are several selections from Hans Zimmer’s brilliant score (there is no justice if he doesn’t get at least an Oscar nomination), all presented in 5.1, as well as concept art (I wish there was more), promotional art (some great pieces I had never seen before), and the brilliantly cut together trailers and tv spots.

A masterpiece of modern filmmaking, Christopher Nolan has topped himself in every way.  It works as cerebral drama, all-out action, completely original sci-fi, etc.  He has combined genres on such an epic scale, this is one of the few Summer blockbusters that I would classify as art.  It really doesn’t get much better than this.

The first (and best) part of the Rush Hour trilogy has arrived on Blu-Ray.  Released in 1998, this is the film that introduced the world to the comedic pairing of stuntman extraordinaire Jackie Chan with self-proclaimed “motor mouth,” Chris Tucker.  In telling the story of two cops with nothing in common, forced together on a case, it was apparent that this film wouldn’t be breaking any new ground.  The concept of mismatched partners is obviously an old one.  Coming after the likes of Lethal Weapon, Tango and Cash, etc., the only way this film could work is if there is terrific chemistry between the leads.  And in this case, there is.

Going into this film, I was impartial to Jackie Chan and I strongly disliked Chris Tucker.  Of course, I respected Chan’s physicality, but I still wasn’t on board with him as an actor.  And as far as I was concerned, Tucker’s gratingly obnoxious schtick not only ruined The Fifth Element for me, but his film Money Talks is one of the very few movies I’ve actually walked out on.  I just didn’t get Tucker’s appeal.  But somehow, when put together, they both became instantly likeable.  Everything about this production is by-the-numbers, but I still really enjoyed seeing these two interact with each other.

The interplay between them feels natural, and never once does it feel like they are forcing the comedy.  While a lot of the humor is racially motivated, a lot of it is genuinely character-driven.  This is why I feel the film works.  The plot mechanics are irrelevant.  This is a movie about these characters and that’s it.
The Blu-Ray is presented in 1080p High Definition, and the picture looks great.  Because Chan infamously does his own stunts, the camera will often linger on an action sequence, giving the viewer the opportunity to revel in Chan’s movements.  Previously, I had only seen the film on a worn-out VHS, and it was nice to see the image cleaned up, and really be able to focus on what was happening.

As far as the extras are concerns, there is quite a lot of material, but it’s not all that great.  There is a commentary by director Brett Ratner, who is obviously a fan of the film, as well as his student film “Whatever Happened to Mason Reese?”  I hate to put down a student film with obviously good intentions, but this was just awful.  Featuring one of the most genuinely unlikeable characters I’ve seen in a long time, I couldn’t wait for this to end.

There are also a couple of music videos, the trailer, and an isolated score commentary.  However, the big feature is a documentary running just over 40 minutes called “A Piece of the Action: Behind the Scenes of Rush Hour.”  Broken up into several mini-segments, this is a combination of interviews and actual behind-the-scenes footage.  Unlike most of these features, it feels strongly under-produced, and serves as more of a fly-on-the-wall type of feature.  While I usually enjoy these, this one is unusually boring.  They seem to capture the most miniscule, incidental moments, and linger on them.  I found myself growing bored very quickly.

Overall, it’s a strong disc on a technical level, but a mediocre one for the extras.  The pairing of Tucker and Chan helped this to be a much better movie than it should have been.  Unfortunately, the mediocre sequels became a lot more slapstick and the jokes much more forced.  However, as a stand-alone film, I strongly recommend this one.  You won’t see anything new, but you’ll have a great time.

A fun, modern-day adventure follows Dave (JAY BARUCHEL), just an average college student, or so it appears, until the sorcerer Balthazar Blake (NICOLAS CAGE) recruits him as his reluctant protégé and gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic. As he prepares for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern-day Manhattan, Dave finds it is going to take all of the courage he can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE.

The film begins in 740 AD where we meet Merlin’s  three apprentices — Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage), Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina), and Veronica Gorloisen (Monica Bellucci). During the fall of Camelot, Horvath joins with Merlin’s mortal enemy Morgan le Fay but Merlin and Blake are able to stop them before they can raise an army of the dead.

Merlin grants Blake immortality while tasking him with finding the Prime Merlinian (the person who will inherit Merlin’s powers) as they are the only person who can permanently defeat le Fey. Over the next millennia Blake imprisons Morganians, (sorcerers who try to release Morgana), including Horvath, into new layers on the Grimhold while conducting his search.

The film looks visually impressive. The details are spectacular, befitting a movie so dependent on special effects. What really stands out are the blues and reds that are on display when the wizards battle, those particular colors really pop. The black levels are crisp and defined and never wash the actors out.

The movie is very flashy and nice to look at, but the story is just lacking. I thought Baruchell was great as the apprentice and was the right amount of nerdy geek to play the part. Cage was doing more of his crazy stuff which he’s been doing for a while and while it worked, it’s nothing we haven’t seen before. I enjoyed Molina, good guy or bad guy he’s is excellent in whatever role he portrays, but the script needed more than just a loose concept that seemed to fill in as the movie progressed.

Bonus Features: Go behind the scenes and on location to learn all about the making of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Blu-Ray:
Magic In The City
The Science Of Sorcery 
Making Magic Real 
The Fashionable Drake Stone 
The Grimhold: An Evil Work Of Art 
The Encantus 
Wolves & Puppies 
The World’s Coolest Car 
5 Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
And more!

DVD / iTunes:
The Making Of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (DVD only) 
Deleted Scene: Balthazar Recruits Dave 

A surprisingly funny romantic comedy, Going the Distance tells the story of what happens when a new couple is forced to make things work from opposite sides of the country.  After spending six weeks together in New York, circumstance forces Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (Justing Long) to maintain a relationship with her back in San Francisco.  The film provides an honest examination of this situation, and although I’ve never personally been in a long-distance relationship, I’d imagine it would be a lot like this.

For the most part, this is a pretty light-hearted film, but there are times when the filmmakers do a really good job of conveying the frustration of the situation.  The film is relatively predictable, and it follows the path one would expect it to, but it does so in an entertaining way.  There is a great ensemble of people in this film, with Jason Sudeikis from Saturday Night Live and Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia doing very funny work as Garrett’s best friends.  Christina Applegate is also terrific as Erin’s sister.

Overall, I would say that I was pleasantly surprised by the film.  Long and Barrymore have believable chemistry together, and the way things play out feels very natural.  The humor is relatable, seldom delving into slapstick, and all of the performances in the film feel like the way real people would talk and interact.

I don’t expect much in the way of extras when it comes to films like this, but these ones were particularly bland.  With features ranging from “How to Have a Perfect Date,” to “A Guide to Long-Distance Dating,” I don’t know who they were making these for.  It’s not like anybody is going to watch one of these segments for advice on these issues, so I’m not really sure what the point was.  Bringing absolutely no insight into the film itself, these features were basically the stars sharing their thoughs on these concepts.

There is also a commentary track from director Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), a music video from a band in the film called The Boxer Rebellion, some deleted scenes and a look behind the scenes of the soundtrack.  However, the only extra I really enjoyed was “The Cast of Going the Distance: Off the Cuff.”  Unlike deleted scenes that are simply cut for whatever reason, these are extended takes of sequences that did make it into the film.  It’s obvious that there was a lot of improvisation on set, and these segments are a testament to just how funny and creative the actors are.  Some of them go on for a really long time, and it feels like an extended look at these characters just having a conversation.  I’m sure while they were filming these, they knew that this material wouldn’t make it into the fim, and yet they kept it going, staying commited to the moment.

Overall, if you’re looking for a good romantic comedy, this would make a great choice.  It doesn’t pander to the audience like so many other films in this genre.  The characters feel refreshingly real, and the script is very funny.  Give it a try, it’s better than it looks.

An ode to the simple complexities of youth, Rob Reiner’s Flipped works thanks to the sincerity with which he treats the material.  I find that movies about “young love” tend to look down on the characters from an adult perspective.  However, Reiner obviously respects his characters, and this respect allows him to create a beautifully charming story that truly is (cliche as this may be), “a film for the entire family.”

Set in the 1950’s, Flipped tells the story of Juli and Bryce, neighbors and friends, who find their relationship tested through the years.  Flipped is the story of their friendship from the second grade forward.  The film itself is a little episodic, but in telling these mini-episodes, we as an audience are able to see the bigger picture that makes each of them such a vitally important figure in the other’s life.  Throughout the film, we see the same events play out from each of their own perspectives.  Mentally, Juli and Bryce are seldom in the same place at the same time.  And yet, their relationship feels natural.  Even when fighting, it’s hard to imagine one without the other.

The only real complaint I have about the film is the use of voice-over.  In order to convey each character’s perspective, the entire movie is filled with narration.  I don’t mind a little bit here and there, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film use this device to this degree.  After awhile I found myself getting used to it, but it was a little off-putting for awhile.

Other than that, the film completely works.  This is a truly innocent and sweet film, and you can’t watch with any cynicism.  Somehow, the film’s charms worked on me, and I was able to lose myself in the simplicity of the era.

Presented in 1080p High Definition, the picture looks fantastic.  While this isn’t a special effects film, per se, there are effects to be found, especially in the long shots of the town.  It’s all very painterly, and in these scenes, the colors really stand out.  These moments are rare, but the fantastic presentation of these images on the Blu-Ray captures the emotion of these sequences beautifully.

The extras on the Blu-Ray are relatively underwhelming.  The first one is called “The Difference Between a Boy and a Girl.”  This is a short feature that has interviews with the young stars of the film.  They seemed to have a lot of fun making the film, and this feature really captures the chemistry they share off-camera.  However, it’s not that compelling in regards the actual production of the film itself.

The next extra is the “Anatomy of  a Near Kiss.”  This is a short, but fun, segment, showcasing the filming of a sequence in which the two young stars are forced to almost kiss.  Not only is this a key moment in the film, it turns out that it was a nerve-wracking moment for the actors as well.  It was cute seeing these kids forced into this awkward situation.  Not that compelling as a behind-the-scenes extra, but fun just the same.

The last two extras are pretty much a waste.  One involves Callan McAuliffe, the actor who played Bryce, demonstrating how to make a volcano at home.  The last extra involves Madeline Carroll, the actress who played Juli, demonstrating how to properly raise chickens and hatch eggs.  These features come from a sequence in the film where they have competing science fair projects involving (you guessed it) a volcano and hatching eggs.  In theory, I get why these segments were included, but I can’t really picture anybody wanting to watch them.  Overall, these weren’t necessary.

This is the type of movie that adults and kids can enjoy together.  Most kids movies these days seem to have a darker edge to it, and that barely exists here.  Bryce’s father has a  bit of a dark streak to him, but this is barely an element of the film.  Other than that, this is a cute, fun little movie that is really hard not to like.

DISNEY’S THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS is an exciting and uplifting movie from director Robert Vince about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas in the tradition of Disney’s classic holiday tales.  This big city adventure for the whole family reveals the how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began.

DISNEY’S THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS comes with a stocking full of fantastic bonus features, including:

· An interactive Animated Pop-Up Book – ‘Buddies’ puppy star Rosebud reads a holiday story featuring new canine friends from The Search For Santa Paws
· Sing-Along Mode – colorful lyrics added to the film’s song sequences, so audiences can sing along to the film’s fantastic new songs.
· Music Video – tween favorite Debby Ryan (Disney Channel’s Suite Life on Deck) performs a great new arrangement of ‘Deck The Halls.’
· Deleted scenes
 
The film follows in the tradition of Disney’s classic holiday tales with a heartwarming story about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas.  An exciting prequel, the movie allows kids of all ages to discover how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began – as it is the inspiring original film (in a timeline it precedes 2009’s Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws).

In the movie, when Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City.  But after Santa loses his memory, it’s up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn (America’s Got Talent’s Kaitlyn Maher), her new friend Will (The Game Plan’s Madison Pettis) and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.  Do you believe in Santa Paws?  Experiencing this sure-to-be holiday classic, full of fun, adventure and a carrying the timeless messages of the holidays, with surely delight the entire family!

The production itself is of decent quality.  The Search for Santa Paws also looks and sounds great and there is no indication that this is a straight to video release.  The quality is what you would expect from a first-rate theatrical transfer.

This is a truly touching Disney movie. The little girls in the foster home are precious and the dogs are absolutely adorable.  The movie teaches kids the real meaning of Christmas and friendship and to appreciate what they have and to never stop believing in the magic of Christmas, which is a lesson that even adults need to learn.

Walt Disney’s A Christmas Carol is one intense rollercoaster ride intended more for an intelligent adult audience than past adaptations.  Robert Zemeckis director of such greats as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Back to the Future has done a wonderful job at the retelling of this holiday classic.  Every scene is absolutely gorgeous and the graphics just stunning!  This is no Polar Express, which is also directed by Zemeckis.  Instead the film retains the powerful themes and dark scenes more true to Charles Dickens original story.  The story is not dumbed down for a younger audience, which may lead to several problems for this Disney picture.  Nonetheless, Walt Disney’s A Christmas Carol is truly astonishing in every aspect except you may want to leave the young children at home.

Zemeckis has decided to write a script with more realism to the time period with much dialogue that will be over children’s heads.  The beginning is quite slow unless you can really follow everything that’s being said.  Scrooge is introduced well as Zemeckis spends a decent amount of time getting to know Scrooge’s true character.  Much of the dialogue is witty and smart, but it won’t be the dialogue the audience will be focusing on.  The imagery is far more overpowering than anything else in the film.

The animation from the beginning is jaw-dropping.  I was astonished by every scene, every action sequence and every close-up of every character.  I would have completely forgot I was watching an animated movie if it wasn’t for the effects being so amazing causing me to constantly be in awe of every bit of footage being projected.  All the shots are incredibly beautiful and grand.  No detail was spared here.  It was when we take our first flight through the snow covered city rooftops that I found myself totally immersed in the film.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol truly has it all from emotion, comedic relief, breathtaking scenery, amazing acting/voice-acting, and great action to create the best adaptation of this story I have ever seen. To all of those that are skipping this because it’s either Disney or an animated film, HUMBUG.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol is available in Disney Blu-ray 3D on an exclusive 4-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo
Pack (Blu-ray 3D Disc™, Blu-ray Disc™, DVD and Digital Copy). 

Bonus Features:
BLU-RAY 3D Disc includes an exclusive 3D bonus feature, plus all the Blu-ray and DVD features:

Mr. Scrooge’s Wild Ride –   In this 3D bonus feature, director Zemeckis and the cast explain how 3D made the Dickens novella come to life.   The feature explores how 3D technology brought a whole new dimension to the story, from the Ghost of Christmas Past whisking Scrooge through time, to the look and feel of the characters in 19th Century London.    

BLU-RAY features include all of the DVD features plus:
Behind The Carol: The Full Motion Capture Experience – A feature length picture-in-picture viewing mode takes the audience behind the scenes of motion capture filmmaking. 

Countdown to Christmas Interactive Calendar – 25 days of holiday surprises extend the holiday cheer, as  viewers come back to discover what each door holds. 

Deleted Scenes – Six deleted scenes on the Blu-ray Disc.

DVD features include:
Capturing A Christmas Carol – Actress Jacquie Barnbrook hosts a journey through the creative process of Disney’s A Christmas Carol.

On Set With Sammi – Follow Sammi Hanratty, one of the film’s young stars, as she shares a kid’s eye view of an “anything but average” day on the set.

Deleted Scenes – Three deleted scenes on the DVD.