Penguins

Year: 2019

Director: David Fowler
Starring: Steve the penguin, lots and lots of other penguins, Ed Helms (narrator)
Tagline: For Steve, his adventure isn't all black and white

Synopsis: Disneynature presents a documentary about adelie penguins in Antarctica.

Review

Penguins are adorable.  Do you really need any reason other than that to go see this film?  They are adorable when they are waddling, when they are tobogganing, and when they are swimming.  They are adorable when they are elegant and stately.  They are adorable when they are clumsy and stumbling.  Penguins are adorable.

The story line of the documentary follows one penguin in particular.  The filmmakers named him "Steve."  Throughout the story, we follow Steve as he makes his way to the nesting grounds, finds a mate, and helps raise his chicks in the unforgiving Antarctic environment.

There are lots of fun moments throughout the film.  Steve is a bit of a clutz.  He's also good at getting himself a little lost.  One of my favorites moments is when Steve makes an accidental detour through a colony of (much bigger) emperor penguins.

There were some points where the narration got a bit cheesy.  But for the most part, it was fun and informative.  Mostly I learned that adelie penguins go through a lot to survive, and through even more to successfully raise their chicks.

The film is rated G.  The whole family can enjoy this documentary.  I believe one nameless penguin does fall victim to a leopard seal.  That's the circle of life ... sorta.

Penguins is a fun, lovable documentary.  It's also beautiful, because nature -- even at its most frigid -- is beautiful.  I recommend seeing this on the big screen to fully appreciate that beauty.  Also, stay through the credits to watch behind the scenes footage of the filmmakers out there recording all those penguins.

Quotable Quotes

• "Don't panic." -- Steve, repeatedly to himself and later to his chicks
• "I just got beat up by a baby." -- Steve, after an altercation with an emperor penguin chick

Shazam!

Year: 2019

Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Djimon Hounsou
Tagline: Just Say the Word

Synopsis: Orphaned 14-year-old Billy Batson finds himself thrust into the world of superheroes when a wizard gives him superpowers whenever he says the name "Shazam."

Review

When I saw the first trailers for Shazam! I wasn't sure what to expect.  It seemed like it could possibly be fun.  The premise of a 14-year-old finding himself in the body of a superpowered adult is intriguing, but it could also be super annoying.

I'm pleased to report that Shazam! is super fun and a welcome new take on the superhero genre.

The key to the film is Zachary Levi, who portrays Shazam (well, "Captain Marvel" ... but that's complicated due to all sorts of legal reasons and that other comic book studio).  He basically has to portray a 14-year-old, but what it would be like to be 14 in a grown up body.  Levi nails it.  He's likable and charismatic with the right amount of naivete.  Also perfect is Asher Angel, who portrays Billy Batson in his normal form.

Mark Strong does a great job as the villain.  We get as much villain backstory in Shazam! as we do hero backstory.  Knowing Dr. Sivana's backstory makes him a much more intriguing (and threatening) villain.

Shazam! is very funny, especially as Billy is trying to figure out his new powers.  He has no idea what he's doing and Freddy isn't the best of coaches. 

It was also fun to see how the movie tied into the larger DC universe.  Shazam and these characters inhabit the same world as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman.  The story doesn't make a big deal out of that.  It's not a huge plot point.  But there's just enough of it to tease possible future crossovers.

But for as funny as the movie is, where it really shines is in the relationships; they are the heart of the story.  Billy is an abandoned kid looking for his mom.  Instead, he finds himself in yet another foster home.  It takes becoming a superhero to teach him what matters most in life.

The film is rated PG-13 and is more intense than I was expecting.  The seven deadly sin monsters are quite creepy and violent.  There was also a fair amount of swearing, mostly the S-word.  And a character gives "the finger" to a few characters.  I'd say this one is definitely not for the younger kids.

Shazam! is another example of DC getting its act together and rolling out films that are true to their roots and also fun.  Shazam! is fun.  It's the wish-fulfillment side of superheroes.  And it's about finding the hero within yourself.  Be sure to stay through the credits.  There's a mid-credits stinger (which, like me, you may need to Google to understand) and a very funny post-credits scene.

*** Spoiler Section ***

I'm glad I didn't know anything about Shazam/Captain Marvel going into the film.  It made the climax so much more rewarding.  There was foreshadowing of course, so it wasn't a complete surprise.  But not knowing exactly how things would play out to win the final fight made it more fun.

As for Shazam the wizard?  Yeah, he's a pretty terrible recruiter.  Not very good at working with kids, motivating improvement, or explaining things.

Originally, Henry Cavill (Superman) was supposed to make an actual cameo.  But his schedule didn't work for when they needed to film.  I think it is actually funnier to have Superman show up but not see his face or hear him say anything.

Quotable Quotes

• "Hey, what's up?  I'm a superhero." -- Shazam
• "Say my name!"  "Billy!"  "Not that name." -- Shazam and his foster siblings
• "Are you making some, like, big, evil-guy speech right now or something?  You're like a mile away from me and there's traffic and cars and stuff.  All I see is mouth moving." -- Shazam to Dr. Sivana

Dumbo

Year: 2019

Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins, and a (CGI) baby elephant
Tagline: A beloved tale will take you to new heights

Synopsis: Dumbo, a baby circus elephant, goes from laughing stock to center ring when it is discovered his oversized ears allow him to fly.

Review

It has probably been at least 25 years since I saw the animated Dumbo.  I remember not liking it as a kid and never found a reason to watch it again.  Having Dumbo separated from his mom was rather traumatic.  And those pink elephants on parade when Dumbo accidentally gets drunk?  Yeesh!

So, I went into this live-action Dumbo with low expectations.  And although it is by no means a great film, it was more enjoyable than I expected.

The relationship between Dumbo and his mom is still the heart of the story.  We don't get as much from her.  She's portrayed as a more realistic elephant.  But Dumbo's attachment and longing for her are endearing and hold the story together.  "Baby Mine" is still there, but sung by a member of the circus troupe.

Also still there are those pink elephants on parade.  But this time they are bubbles, and part of a choreographed bubble show.  It's still a little weird, but it fits with the story.  Dumbo simply watches the bubbles in awe.  Earlier in the film there is even a joke about "no booze for the baby" elephant.

Rather than have Dumbo's friend be a mouse, this time around the little elephant is befriended first by two children and then the rest of the circus performers.  Having little Dumbo find encouragement from two motherless children does work within the story.  But the humans aren't particularly strong characters.

The human characters all felt rather flat or stock.  The characters we were supposed to like were likable enough.  The characters we weren't supposed to like were clearly unlikable.  In fact, Michael Keaton's V.A. Vandevere was downright obnoxious.  He was the most over-the-top part of the movie.  And that's saying something for a movie with a flying elephant.

The film's saving grace is the little elephant himself.  Dumbo is pretty adorable.  He ends up loyal and brave but starts out feeling alone and scared.  His longing for his mom is touching.  And each time he takes flight, it is suitably thrilling.

The film is rated PG for some intense scenes (intense for little ones that is) and one almost cuss word (his kids purposefully interrupt him).

Dumbo is by no means a great film.  But it was more enjoyable than I expected.  The titular elephant is indeed quite cute and lovable.  He really does carry the movie.  The humans are ... serviceable.  I'd say it is worth seeing via Redbox or on Netflix.  It's worth seeing an elephant fly.

*** Spoiler Section ***

I liked the way the film wrapped everything up.  The climactic rescue was clever enough and once again showcased Dumbo's loyalty and bravery.  It also had the right amount of humor.  It was also nice to have all the human characters have a fresh start in the all new Medici Family Circus.  And it was nice to see Dumbo and his mom find their way to other elephants.  Mostly it was cool to have Dumbo flying through a jungle rather than a circus tent.

My question, though, is how did they afford any of that?  I'm guessing it takes a sizable amount of money to send two elephants from New York to India.  Even if the ship's captain didn't charge them for the ride, there would still be the cost of feeding them all those weeks.  And then where did Max get the money to restart his traveling circus?  Did Alan Arkin's character just decide to give Max a few thousand dollars after buying him that hot dog?

Seriously, where'd all the money come from?

Quotable Quotes

• "Is that a monkey in your desk?" "Just for emergencies." -- V.A. Vandevere and Max Medici
• "Fly, Dumbo.  Fly." -- Milly Farrier