Tag: robin williams

R.V (2006) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 1h39
Release 09.06.2006
Director Frank Coraci
About Bob Munro rents an RV and takes his dysfunctional family on a road trip to the Colorado Rockies. However, midway he realises that the brakes of the vehicle aren’t functioning well.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

Baby Josh Hutcherson is really adorable to watch as the youngest of the Munro family on a typical family vacation film. It’s a perfectly great performance for a kid actor, but the novelty here is watching it knowing how much of a successful career he’s had.

There is a charm to the exploration of the family unit and Bob’s attempts to reconnect, while not really being all in himself. It all builds towards a really heartfelt final act.

Jeff Daniels and Kristen Chenoweth truly steal every single scene they’re in. Yeah, I have a true soft spot for Daniels, but I honestly couldn’t think of anyone better going up against Robin Williams.
Kristen Chenoweth is just a consistent charm and what I love most of all is her quirky brightness that actually compliments Cheryl Hines’ much more straight laced matriarch.

The Bad

I love Robin Williams, I honestly do. However the ‘parent’ role like the one he has in R.V have the heavy cringe moments like the ones when he’s trying to be ‘cool’. I almost wish that Robin Williams had the Gornicke role as Jeff Daniels would have perhaps given the exasperated patriarch a little more balance.

Other films have been there, and done that before. The Great Outdoors, Vacation, We’re the Millers, Cheaper by the Dozen 2. They’ve all covered this ground, clashed with other families and destroyed vehicles or property in funnier ways than this toothless, groan-worthy option.

The Ugly

There are way too many toilet and poop ‘jokes’ of varying levels of grossness. The worst one involves the disastrous evacuation of the septic tank. After the third or fourth toilet joke, don’t be too alarmed if you’re nauseated; I certainly was.

Final Thoughts

I can think of worse films to watch, but I certainly won’t be in a rush to see it again. It certainly wouldn’t make any of the actor’s top 5 performances. Well, except for maybe JoJo who seemed to decide after 2006, acting wasn’t for her.

Film Review: Aladdin (1992)

Length: 1Hr 30

Rating: U

Release: 17th November 1992

About: When street rat Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds that the evil has other plans for the lamp — and for Princess Jasmine. But can Aladdin save Princess Jasmine and his love for her after she sees that he isn’t quite what he appears to be?

First things first

This was my birthday movie for 1992. My neighbour went to see it just before Christmas and invited me, but I was a tool and turned the offer down under the argument of ‘it’s my birthday movie’. I was very surprised when my dad picked this to watch, but I suspect it’s because he wants to watch the new one that’s about to be released and can’t get to the cinema.

The Good

• Robin Williams marked a change in animation. Yes, Angela Lansbury had leant her vocal talents to Mrs Potts the year before, but she had always been part of the Disney stable and I would argue her box office potential. Williams brought about the start of employing box office stars to headline animations. What a choice it was?! There’s been so much talk about the upcoming live-action release and that’s centred around the casting of the Genie. How can anyone replace someone who made the role iconic?!

• It’s not only Williams’ familiar tones that we all love, it’s his humour that has adults and children alike belly laughing. The imitations and nods to pop culture are perfect and make sure that adults feel invested in the film too.

• The music is delightful and I think I prefer it to The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. It has a happy beat, reminiscent of Jungle Book that you will always hum for hours after finishing the film. My personal favourite is Prince Ali. The only shame is that the songs are front heavy and we only get a brief reprise and reworking of Prince Ali at the climax.

• My favourite characters will always be Abu, the monkey and the carpet! I love the humour gained from both. I would say the Carpet is the precursor to BB-8; cute but sassy.

The Bad

• There are a few scenes that are using the high tech computer graphics. Only problem is, that what was high tech in 1992 no longer looks the case. As a result, the escape from the cave of wonders and some of the palace doesn’t blend as well with the rest of the traditional animation. It is perhaps why it’s not long before the Mouse House trade in traditional methods for a consistent computer created approach.

The Ugly

• It’s very Hollywood and very white washed. While the story is, without a doubt, perfect this was one of the animations in Disney Vault that should be given the makeover treatment. The animations are perhaps ‘culture neutral’, however when you see that most of the voices are produced by white Americans, it’s hard to deny it’s a little questionable. It’s certainly enough for me to feel a little uncomfortable and welcome the new live action.

• (Side bar): I find it quite interesting how many people of ethnic origins are voicing white characters in animations. I’m not sure where I stand on this; should it go with the ‘no straight actor should play a gay character’? It’s something I want to consider further, but surely if I’m offended by Anthony Hopkins black facing Othello, this is of a similar ilk?

Final Thoughts

Casting aside, this is a perfect animated classic; funny, action packed and with a good hearted protagonist.