Best Animated Feature 2026 Oscar Race

Hello and welcome,

The Oscars are tonight!

I know my awards season coverage—and myself, for that matter—has been… well, nonexistent. Real life always seems to get in the way of talking about Hollywood patting itself on the back (I know, I wish it weren’t so). Apparently, my professors think homework is more important than tracking precursor awards.

Nonetheless, I can’t let the Oscars happen without giving you my thoughts on what will win this Sunday—or, more accurately, who I think will win. That’s as much a part of the Oscars for me as turkey is on Thanksgiving.

As what has become a tradition, this blog is dedicated to only one category: Best Animated Feature. However, if you want to know my predictions for all 24 categories (yes, it’s really 24), check out my new episode of “In The Mind of Mr. Bee.”

This year, the Best Animated Feature category for most of the season looked like a lock for one movie. With the other four, the only hope of winning would require a few highly unlikely scenarios—though some are more likely than others—but the race is not over until the envelope is opened.

As I have done before, I will talk about the movies from least likely to win to the most probable winner. With that out of the way, let’s begin.

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

I can see a small chance of an upset here, but it’s very small. The film has been nominated almost everywhere but has rarely won. Its only notable wins are the Utah Critics Awards and the LA Critics Awards. Those groups have a hit-or-miss record when it comes to predicting the Oscars, so I don’t think it will be Little Amélie or the Character of Rain’s year.

The newer Academy membership might help it a little, but probably not by much.

Arco

Both Arco and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain probably have an equal shot at winning, but I will give the edge to Arco because it won Best Independent Feature at the Annie Awards.

That award has only predicted the Oscar winner once. Last year may have been a fluke, or it may be the start of a new bellwether. Your guess is as good as mine.

Elio

One thing I have learned in all my years following and covering the Oscars is that it’s not wise to bet against Pixar. Out of the 24 years that this award has been presented, they have won 11 times.

At this point, Pixar basically has a reserved parking spot at the Dolby Theatre.

But I don’t think Pixar will add a 12th Oscar to their shelf this year.

The movie seems to be nominated everywhere, but without many wins—in fact, none. At the Annie Awards, it received 10 nominations but won nothing.

The odds are just not in Elio’s favor. But it’s Pixar, so you can’t completely write it off. And yes, before you ask, that’s the only reason I have it ranked this high.

Zootopia 2

It’s also not wise to bet against Disney Animation. Between Disney and Pixar hold the majority of the Best Animated Feature Oscars.

But it doesn’t look like it will be their year.

However, if there is going to be an upset, it would most likely be this one. The film has been nominated almost everywhere and even won the BAFTA. Of course, KPop Demon Hunters was ineligible there, and the BAFTA voters are often off in Britain doing their own thing, so their winners don’t always line up with the Oscars.

Another problem for Zootopia 2 is that the Academy doesn’t like sequels—unless your name happens to be Toy Story.

KPop Demon Hunters

Let’s be honest—this is probably going to win.

It has won or at least been nominated everywhere (BAFTA notwithstanding), including Critics' Choice, the Golden Globes, and the PGA. At the Annie Awards, it won 10 out of 10.

I just don’t see how it could lose.

I have seen three out of the five nominated movies, and if I were voting (assuming only these nominees), I would personally give it to Zootopia 2. It’s just that good—possibly even better than the first one—and it is the only movie in 2025 that I saw twice in theaters.

However, my Academy membership card must be lost in the mail.

Or maybe it’s stuck behind a Pixar Oscar somewhere… who knows.

Enjoy the Oscars tonight!

Goodnight, and Bee Happy!™

Mr. Bee

In The Mind Of Mr.Bee Episode 144 Mr.Bee's 2026 Oscar predictions

The Freaky Friday Effect #1 introduction

In The Mind Of Mr.Bee Episode The 97th Oscars Recap

Best Animated Feature 2025 Oscar Race

Hello and welcome,

The Oscars are tonight 

I know my awards season coverage has been… well, nonexistent on all of my platforms this year because, quite frankly, there are things in my life just a little bit more important than talking about Hollywood patting themselves on the back (I know I wish it weren't so)

 Nonetheless, I, of course, can't let the Oscars happen without giving you my thoughts on what will win this Sunday (or, more accurately, who I think will win). 

As what has become a tradition, this blog is dedicated to only one category: Best Animated Feature. However, if you want to know my predictions for all 23 categories, check out my new episode of “In The Mind of Mr. Bee”. 

 This year, the Best Animated Feature category for most of the season looked like it was between 2 movies, but late in the season, a 3rd is now in play. With the other two, the only hope of winning is a few highly unlikely scenarios that are worth going into.

As I have done before, I will talk about the movies from least likely to win to the most probable winner. With that out of the way, let’s begin: 

Memoir of a Snail  

To be honest, if this was the only Independent film in the race, it would have had a real hope of winning, but because you also have “Flow” in the race, it's being overshadowed. Unfortunately, it is doomed to “always be the bridesmaid never the bride”. 

Inside Out 2

One thing I have learned in all my years following and covering the Oscars is that it’s not wise to bet against Pixar. Out of the 23 years that this award has been presented, they have won 11, but I don't think Pixar will add a 12th Oscar to their shelf (at least not this year).  The movie seems to be nominated everywhere but without a lot of wins. At the Annies, it received 7 nominations however, it won nothing. The Disney+ spin-off show “Dream Productions” somehow did better by winning 2 (which got to make for some awkward conversations at the Pixar water cooler). Another problem for “Inside Out 2”  is that unless your name is “Toy Story”, the Academy does not like sequels,

The odds are just not in Inside Out 2's favor. 

Flow 

“Flow” is the little movie that could. It was a big upset at the Golden Globes, and it won 2 Annie’s, 2 for Writing (which is amazing for a movie with no dialogue) and Best Feature-Independent at the Annies. The Best Feature-Independent at the Annies has only been around for about 10  years and has yet to be a predictor for this Oscar, but there is a first time for everything. It also won a lot of critics' awards, but critics and whoever votes for the Golden Globes do not vote for the Oscars. It also failed to win any industry awards (except for Annies), like the PGA and BAFTA. However, to be fair, “Flow” is also nominated for Best International Film, and because of that, “Flow” still has a very good chance at taking the “little gold man”.  

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl 

 

1st off, the Academy seems to really like Wallace & Gromit. Back in the 90s, 2 out of the 1st 3 Wallace & Gromit shorts won Best Animated Short, and oh, by the way, the other one was nominated. On a side note, the short that won instead was “Creature Comforts”, which was also by Nick Park. In the 2000’s the 1st Wallace & Gromit movie “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” won in this category, and the last short “A Matter of Loaf and Death” was nominated. However, with of all that said, there are 2 problems with this line of thinking: #1 the Academy now is lot different from the Academy in the 90’s and 2000’s; and #2 as I said before unless your name is “Toy Story”, the Academy does not like sequels. So you may be asking, why do you have it at #2?  Well, it won 2 BAFTAs, Many people are writing it off as just a British movie winning at a British awards show, but I am not because it’s the only movie here other than “The Wild Robot” to win any industry awards 

The Wild Robot 

I am 75%  sure that this will win first off because it completely stole the Annies by winning every category that it was nominated in. For the 23 years that the academy has had a Best Animated Feature category, the Oscars and the Annies have only split 7 times, but splits have become a lot more common with 3 in the last 5 years. However, it has also won Critics' Choice and PGA. That's why I think it will win. But of course, there is still room for an upset, so we need to wait and see.

I have seen 3 out of 5 of the nominated movies, and if I were voting, honestly, I'm tied between “The Wild Robot” and “ Inside Out 2”. I am not sure who I would vote for; both are amazing movies that you should watch. However, the academy still has not invited me to join (how rude of them)!

Enjoy the Oscars tonight!

Goodnight and Bee Happy!™

Mr. Bee

In The Mind Of Mr.Bee Episode 131 Mr.Bee's 2025 Oscar predictions

10th Anniversary of Mr. Bee's Brilliant Movie Buzz Celebration

Best Animated Feature 2024 Oscar Race

Hello and welcome,


The Oscars are this Sunday.

I am happy to say my awards season coverage was a little more frequent than last year on other platforms, well at least in January, after that however life got in the way and my coverage became nonexistent. Nonetheless, I can't let the Oscars happen without giving you my thoughts on what’s going to win this Sunday (or more accurately who I think is going to win).




As what has become a tradition, this blog is dedicated to only one category: Best Animated Feature. However, If you want to know my predictions for all 23 categories check out my new episode of In The Mind of Mr. Bee, which I will soon upload to YouTube (If I haven't already).




This year, the Best Animated Feature category looks like it is between 2 movies, with the other 3 whose only real hope of winning is in being a theoretical chance of vote-splitting. As I have done before, I will talk about the movies from least likely to win to the most probable winner. With that out of the way let’s begin:




Robot Dreams



I do see an unlikely scenario where this wins. What it has going for it is that it is well-liked and it has already won a lot of awards this season including Best Feature-Independent at the Annies. However, there are a few problems with this line of thinking, #1, most of the awards it won are from Critics and critics do not vote for the Oscars. #2, the Best Feature-Independent at the Annies has only been around for about 9 years and has yet to be a predictor for this Oscar, but there is a first time for everything. #3, It has missed a lot of nominees at major award shows like the PGA and BAFTA.





Elemental



One thing I have learned in all my years following and covering the Oscars is it’s not wise to bet against Pixar. Out of the 22 years that this award has been presented they have won 11 but I don't think Pixar will add a 12th Oscar to their shelf (at least not this year). Elemental has been nominated but it has not won anything at the Annies. It did get a few nominations (which it did not win) but it was not nominated for the top prize of Best Animated Feature. In all the years since the Oscars and the Annies split winner the Academy they have never gone for a movie not nominated for the Annie (or vice versa). The odds are just not in Elemental’s favor.




Nimona



First off, it would be great irony to see this movie win over Elemental because of Nimona was originally at Blue Sky Studios which Disney shut down soon after they bought Fox,

But I don't see it taking home an Oscar tomorrow. First off, it has not won a lot of awards and most of the awards it has won are from Critics (again, critics do not vote for the Oscars) but it did win 2 Annies for Best Writing and Best Voice Acting for Chloë Grace Moretz, which is more than I can say for Elemental.




The Boy and the Heron


Miyazaki definitely has fans in the Academy and every time he has a movie out it has been nominated and my long-time readers may remember he got an honorary Oscar a few years back. But he has actually only won one time with that being for Spirited Away. This year, The Boy and the Heron has split the Best Animated Feature more or less evenly with Spider-Verse, with The Boy and the Heron winning the Golden Globe and the BAFTA as well as a few others and it won 2 Annies for Best Storyboarding and Best Character Animation.




Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse


First off, it completely stole the Annies, by winning seven out of seven awards, including Best Animated Feature! In 22 years the academy has had a Best Animated Feature category the Oscars and the Annies have only split 6 times. Spider-Verse has also won Critics' Choice and PGA. It is very hard for me to call it the front runner because The Boy and the Heron is strong but in my thinking if in doubt go with the mainstream which would be Spider-Verse,


I have seen 4 out of 5 of the nominated movies, and if I were voting, I would personally give it to Spider-Verse as it is not just the Best Animated Movie but also the Best Movie of the Year. However, the academy has not yet invited me to join (how rude of them)!

Enjoy the Oscars tomorrow! 

Goodnight and Bee Happy!™




Mr. Bee

Critics' Choice Awards 2024 review- Awards wrap Up #1

Best Animated Feature 2023 Oscar Race

Hello and welcome,


The Oscars are this Sunday.
I know my awards season coverage has been… well, nonexistent on all of my platforms this year because, quite frankly, there are things in my life just a little bit more important than talking about Hollywood patting themselves on the back. However, I can't let the Oscars happen without giving you my thoughts on what’s going to win this Sunday (or more accurately who I think is going to win).

As I have done in years past, this blog is dedicated to only one category and that is Best Animated Feature. However, If you want to know my predictions for all 23 categories check out my new episode of In The Mind of Mr. Bee which I will soon upload to youtube (If I haven't already).

Unlike past years, this category looks to be a lock for one movie. However, I think it is a little bit more competitive than the experts believe. As I have done before, I will talk about the movies from least likely to win to the most probable winner. With that out of the way let’s begin:




The Sea Beast

The one thing it has going for it is that it's directed by Chris Williams who is a former Disney animator who won an Oscar for Big Hero 6. However, former Disney animators don't have very much luck in this category after they leave Mickey. The Sea Beast has been a no-show at all the other major award shows, with the exception of the Annies, and it is worth noting that it did get a lot of nominations but failed to get 1 win. 

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

I could see a scenario where it wins but it’s unlikely. The first Puss in Boots was nominated in this category back in 2012 and lost. As far as this one goes has been nominated everywhere but has won 0 but did win 2 Annies (for Storyboarding and Editing). Oh, and it might be worth noting that in the over 20 years since this category was introduced, DreamWorks has only won twice (Shrek and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, respectively).


Marcel the Shell with Shoes On


If you want to do a long-shot prediction I would recommend predicting this one as it has been nominated everywhere and is only one of a very few movies that are a winner granted all from critics (critics do not vote for the Oscars). It also won the Annie for Best Animated Feature- Independent which has only been around for 8 years and has yet to be a predictor for this Oscar, but there is a first time for everything.

Turning Red

One thing I have learned in all my years following and covering the Oscars is it’s not wise to bet against Pixar. Out of the 21 years that this award has been presented they have won 11 but I don't think Pixar will add a 12th Oscar to their shelf (at least not this year) for a few reasons. Although it has won a few critic's awards (again, critics do not vote for the Oscars) it has lost everywhere else including the Annies where it won nothing Despite 7 nominations. The odds are just not in Turning Red’s favor


Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio


Let's be honest, this is going to win. It has won almost everywhere including all the industry awards and 5 Annies, including Best Animated Feature, but it's not over till it's over, but in all likelihood, the race is over. Do I need to say more?


As to who I think should get the Oscar, I have seen 4 out of the 5 movies nominated and if we remove Marcel the Shell it’s a close call. Between Turning Red, Puss in Boots, and Pinocchio, I will probably give it to Pinocchio because it’s a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll, but what a really great field.


Enjoy the Oscars tomorrow!


Goodnight and Bee Happy!™

Mr.Bee 

copyright 2020 Bradley Entertainment All rights belong to Mr. Bee and if anybody breaks this copyright they will have to spend ten years as my personal slave, and thanks for your understanding. 

image courtesy of Animation Magazine

Mr.Bee's 2023 Oscar predictions

my top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2023

my top 10 Movies of 2022

Christmas at the Disney parks on TV

Hello and welcome, 

Yes, I am alive (at least for the time being) but I have just been really, really busy. I was thinking recently about Disney, particularly about how they can do an advertisement and pass it off as entertainment, which is certainly not new. The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, in some form or another, goes back to 1983; it is not limited to Christmas Day, as I will talk about later.  Walt did it on a weekly basis and won Emmys. What I was originally going to do was a big essay on the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade however I have a problem in that I came up with this idea only about  2 weeks ago and the parade is almost 40 years old and I don't have enough time right now to watch that many parades, so that will happen next year. Today I will look at 3 specials that could be considered a prototype of the Christmas Day special. Before I move on, it is worth noting that specials like these are not big in the ratings for Disney Parks Magical Holiday Celebration which airs right around thanksgiving and averages 2 to 3m viewers but the ratings do not matter because it’s marketing and they get 2m eyeballs on their product (eg Parks, movie, etc).

 Oh, and I would be remiss if I did not mention that August was the 8-year anniversary of this blog.

Background

I have already reviewed probably the earliest example of this type of special and that is One Hour in Wonderland (if you want info on that you can read my review). Instead, I will give you a brief History of the Disney anthology series (and I mean brief because, believe me, I could talk about it all day). The series premiered in 1954 on ABC under the title Disneyland with Walt Disney himself hosting, in exchange for ABC to help finance Disneyland the theme park (for all of you keeping score it would be over 40 years before Disney bought ABC). Long story short, after an argument with ABC about color in 1961 Walt moved the series to NBC and it was renamed Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. After Walt died in 1966 the Host was eliminated and was renamed The Wonderful World of Disney. I could go on but that is all that is relevant to this blog. 

Holiday Time at Disneyland

This is a 1962 episode of the Disney anthology series with the plot basically being Walt showing Disneyland around the holidays and not just Christmas, but also Easter and the 4th of July (side note, in the 80s and 90s Disney, did specials on both). The special focused a lot on the 1959 expansion which included the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Submarine Voyage, and the Monorail. I was trying to figure out why they were focusing so much time on something that happened 3 years earlier, however, I believe that was the last major expansion up to that point. The special also featured a Christmas Parade remarkably similar to what we see on Christmas Day every year, overall it was good but unremarkable.

Christmas in Disneyland 

This is a 1976 episode of the Disney anthology series at that point in time  Walt had been dead for 10 years at that point but still 8 years prior to Michael Eisner became CEO in the time period Disney fans call the What Would Walt Do? era, the plot is an unimpressed Gramps (Art Carney), with his two grandkids in tow, who are preparing to leave Disneyland. His plan is quickly thwarted by a tour guide (Sandy Duncan) who devises a plan to prevent him from leaving. She then takes the three guests to the underground laboratory of Dr. Wunderbar (Art Carney Again), A few questions: What?  Was the laboratory there before the park and they built the park over it? Or did they build it after the park? Or is that where you keep Walt? Dr. Wunderbar offers Gramps a cash reward if he could resist being transformed from an unbeliever into a believer by midnight. (What, were you expecting a different time?). I think you can guess how it ends. There is a small world segment which is the most outdated part of the special.  

Snow White and the seven dwarfs appear a lot but I really don't know why I have a Theory that the special was initially planned for 1975 but was delayed and I say that because Snow White got a re-release in that year. Winnie the Pooh also makes an appearance but that is probably because The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was going to be released in 1977.  One character that you don't see a lot of today who makes an appearance is José Carioca. It might be because The Three Caballeros got a re-release in 77. Overall, the special is very cheesy and that's what I love about it.

Christmas at Walt Disney World 

This is a 1978 episode of the Disney anthology series. There is no plot or structure. Holiday Time at least had some structure thanks to Walt Disney hosting, but here we have nothing. It goes from one segment to the next, and it begins with 2 unfunny mimes going from LA to Orlando. There’s a Pinocchio segment, why Pinocchio? Well, Pinocchio got a re-release that year. There is a very unfunny Phyllis Diller segment, and a Sleeping Beauty segment. Why? Well, it was getting a re-release the next year. Finally, the only part that I can honestly recommend is the last segment with Andrea McArdle (AKA Broadway original Annie) singing Christmas carols. One thing of note is that Walt’s son-in-law and future/very short-lived CEO Ron Miller who is credited as an executive producer for the special and who at that time was the head of Disney’s movie division and a board member.

All of these specials do have some entertainment value (some in a so bad it's good way) but we can't deny the fact they are marketing. However, this is not meant as a criticism of Disney, in fact, it is more of the opposite, because I do like to watch these types of specials. For better or worse (probably worse) we live in a capitalist society and you cannot go anywhere without someone trying to sell you something. These specials are effective advertising. To be honest, after I watched Christmas at Walt Disney World (1978) I rewatched Pinocchio. Although I do enjoy these specials, I recognize why they are made. Just to let you know I have barely scratched the surface of this topic so I will come back to it at another time. 

Goodnight and merry Christmas, Bee Happy everyone 

Mr.Bee

Best Animated Feature 2022 Oscar Race

Hello and welcome,




The Oscars are this Sunday. I know my awards season coverage has been lacking on all of my platforms this year for many reasons including a long illness but I’m back to give you my thoughts on the Best Animated Feature category this year.


If you want to know my predictions for all the categories, including the ones that the Academy thinks are unimportant, check out my new episode of In The Mind of Mr.Bee which I will soon upload to youtube (If I haven't already).


I have seen all the nominees for Best Animated Feature this year and I just so happened to have reviewed 3 out of the 5 movies (for the 3 movies I have reviewed, I have a link for you).

As I did the last time, I will talk about the movies from least likely to win to the most probable front runner but bear in mind that all of the nominees have a small chance of walking away with the Oscar


Let’s begin:




Raya and the Last Dragon

Now at first glance, this looks like a front runner. It’s Disney Animation and between them and Pixar, they have the majority of the Best Animated Feature Oscars. However, there are a few problems with that line of thinking for one, there is both a Pixar and another Disney movie nominated this year and secondly, Raya is nominated everywhere but, as far as I know, has only won one and that is North Texas Film Critics Award whose track record when comes to predicting the Oscars while not awful is not the most reliable either and critics do not vote for the Oscars.




Flee


This is the 1st movie in History to be nominated in not just in Best Animated Feature but also in Documentary Feature and International Feature. Out of the categories, it is a nominee for, it will not win International Feature because Drive My Car is a lock, given that is also nominated for Best Picture. getting back to Best Animated Feature Flee has not won many Best Animated Feature Awards but it did win the Annie for Best Animated Feature- Independent which has only been around for 7 years and has yet to be a predictor for the Oscar, but there is a first time for everything. Most of the Awards it has won are for Documentary and that is where it has its best shot, but I think Summer of Soul will win that Oscar for Documentary. Unfortunately for Flee, it is likely that it will go home empty-handed.




Luca




One thing I have learned in all my years following and covering the Oscars is it’s not wise to bet against Pixar. Out of the 20 years the Best Animated Feature category has been around,11 years have been Pixar wins. With that in mind, I think Luca will not be the winner tomorrow, but if is in fact the Winner I will not be the least bit surprised.




The Mitchells vs. the Machines



Up until Last Week, I was wondering if this was like the Spider-Verse year after Mitchells swept at Annie's by winning 8 out of 8, including Best Animated Feature! just like Spider-Verse did, but there is one problem with that comparison in that Spider-Verse was winning everywhere else as well but not Mitchells although it did win the Critics Choice Awards (again, critics do not vote for the Oscars). However, the Mitchells vs. the Machines can still win because out of the years that the academy has had a Best Animated Feature category, the Oscars and the Annies have only split 5 times.



Encanto


I believe this is the Winner because the movie and music are a phenomenon ensuring that most academy members have seen the movie or at least heard the soundtrack. It has also won the BAFTA, Producers Guild, and, for what it's worth, the Golden Globe.


Now, I have seen all the nominated movies and, if I were voting, I would personally give it to Encanto and anyone that has read my review knows that I fell in love with that movie. Unfortunately, the academy has yet invited me to become a member (how rude of them)! It bears repeating that I won't be surprised if any one of these movies wins (ok, maybe Raya). Enjoy the Oscars tomorrow!




Goodnight and Bee Happy!™

Mr. Bee

Movie Monday Madness #10 Spider-Man: No Way Home

Vivo Mr. Bee’s Review

Hello and welcome,


2021 was a big year for Lin-Manuel Miranda. Back in June, we got the film adaptation of his 1st big musical In the Heights, and in November his feature directorial debut Tick, Tick... Boom! In the field of Animation is Encanto from Disney which came out for thanksgiving (or on Disney+ for Christmas). In between all that we have today’s subject which is Vivo from Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix (on a side note, if Miranda gets an Oscar for any of these movies mentioned, he will have an EGOT). With that out of the way, let’s begin




Background


The movie’s origins date back to 2010 when DreamWorks approached Lin- Manuel Miranda with a pitch of a film following the success of in the Heights, but due to a restructuring in 2015 the project was dropped (it was still pre-Hamilton but not by much). In 2016 Sony acquired the project from DreamWorks and fast-tracked it, with Kirk DeMicco directing, and it was going to be released theatrically back in June but on April 26 Sony announced the cancellation of the film's theatrical release and licensed the film to Netflix and release it in August (I bet you can guess why Sony did that).



Plot


In Havana, Cuba, Andrés (Juan de Marcos González) and his kinkajou Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda) play music together. Andrés receives a letter from an old friend Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estefan), informing him that she is retiring from her singing career and offers him a chance to reconnect in Miami, Florida. This gives Andrés the chance he hopes for to finally tell Marta how he feels about her through a song he wrote just for her. Vivo, happy with their life in Cuba, is reluctant to help Andrés and leaves in a huff. The next morning, it is discovered Andrés has died in his sleep. A funeral service is held in the plaza, with Andrés' niece Rosa (Zoe Saldana) and her daughter Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) who live in Key West, Florida. Ashamed of his earlier reluctance, Vivo vows to get Marta to hear Andrés' song. He stows away with Gabi and Rosa on their trip home and Gabi is thrilled when she discovers Vivo hiding in her stuff and when she finds Andrés's song she agrees to help Vivo deliver the song.



Opinion


To start off, the animation is excellent with every scene vibrant and flowing with creativity especially with the musical numbers which are the highlights of the film. As for the plot, it is true that the story is very predictable, however, it is not uncommon for a musical as often the story is just a vehicle for the music. Obviously, there has to be a balance and I think this movie has that.


As for the characters, for the most part, I like all of them. However, at first, I did Gabi not and I just found her annoying, but upon rewatching the movie, she grew on me. However I can not say the same thing about her song “My Own Drum,” although musically it’s not bad, I just don't care for that style of Music (ironically that’s the catchiest one in the movie). The rest of the songs are fantastic but would you expect anything less from Lin-Manuel Miranda? Overall, Vivo is a fun and entertaining musical and it is one of my favorites from Sony Animation (Spider-Verse is still my favorite). I give Vivo 4 and a half out of 5 stars.



Goodnight, and Bee Happy!™



Mr.Bee 

Encanto -Mr.Bee’s Review

Hello and welcome,

 

When Encanto was officially announced at Disney’s Investor Day a year ago I was won over right there and then. Think about it, it’s a Disney animated musical with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and one of the directors who also did Zootopia and Tangled so it is safe to assume high expectations. The only question is did it meet my expectations?  well let’s begin 

Background

  

In 2016  the then head John Lasseter had presented the idea to Lin-Manuel Miranda for a musical about Colombian culture and soon after that the co-Director of Zootopia Byron Howard and the screenwriter Jared Bush for Zootopia was on board to Direct.

  

Disney hired several cultural experts as consultants on the film which became the  "Colombian Cultural Trust." In 2018 the production team visited Colombia on a research trip. There was going to be a 2nd trip in March of 2020 but I think you can guess why that did not happen so instead the trip was virtual, on a side note in between that time Lasseter was replaced by Jennifer Lee.  

Plot 

The Madrigal family lives hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a wondrous, charming place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique magical gift with the exception of one Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). Because of that Mirabel is looked down upon by the other's but when she discovers that the magic is fading  Mirabel decides to take it upon herself to save Encanto.  

Opinion 

To start off, the animation is gorgeous and everything about it is excellent. I love that the house is its own character and the animators did a remarkable job at making the house expressive.  I also like the designs, particularly Mirabel whose design is very unique compared to the other Disney princesses/heroines. Mirabel is pretty yet not overly sexualized, oh and I may be wrong, but I think she is the 1st Disney heroine with glasses. Mirabel might be one of the most relatable Disney leads because we all feel different and looked down upon sometimes (usually not to that extreme). The other family members all have a moment to shine quite literally. That’s the trouble with a big cast of characters; only a handful can become two-dimensional characters without the movie being 5 hours long. The songs I'm sure are instant Disney classics. 

 

Overall Encanto did meet my expectations because I was hoping for a worthy addition to the Disney catalog and that’s what I got so  I’m proud to give it  5 out 5 stars if you have not seen it yet after you're done reading this go to Disney+ and Watch it. I  believe it is still playing in some theatres so you might still have the opportunity to see it on the big screen. 

Goodnight and Bee Happy™

Mr. Bee 

 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021) Mr.Bee’s Review

 

 Hello and welcome, 

Just to be clear, I’m not a fan of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise although it was very popular during my time in late Elementary and Middle school so it was unavoidable. I do have a basic understanding of the franchise (and I mean very basic)  because  I did watch the 1st movie (Live action) somewhere between my last year of middle school and 1st year of high school but all I really remember of it was thinking that was just ok. Given the fact that it has been almost a decade ago and heaven knows what I might think of now!  I still haven't read any of the books. With that out of the way, let’s begin.

Background

This movie has a very complicated development (almost like my 6th-grade year) but I will do my best. In 2012 Jeff Kinney, the author of the books, said an animated film based on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever was a good possibility. That movie soon became a half-hour TV special. In 2018 it became an animated series and that may have had something to do with the last Live-action film being a box office bomb.  When Disney bought Fox  2019 the series was going to be a Disney+  original and then it finally became a movie again. Oh, by the way, it is now based on the 1st book.  The rest, as they say, is history (did you get all that? there is going to be a test).

Plot 

Greg Heffley (Brady Noon) is about to enter middle school with his best friend Rowley Jefferson (Ethan William Childress) and he gets advice from his older brother on how to "survive" middle school and scares Greg in the process. The first day of school arrives and both Greg and Rowley are shunned by the majority of the students and that's about it for the plot if you can call it a plot. The movie basically follows Greg and Rowley through the 1st quarter I guess?

Opinion 

Let’s get this out of the way.  First off, Jeff Kinney’s art style doesn't translate well in CGI as all the characters look weird and some of them end up looking like filmmakers decision to go Dumpster diving at The Muppets Studio 

Let’s move on to the story, or more accurately, stories. I do like episodic nature and it does kind of work as a slice of life story. Now for the characters, Greg Heffley is supposed to be like Charlie Brown where nothing ever goes right for him. Charlie Brown however is very likable but now just Imagine if Charlie Brown had the personality of Lucy and that is what Greg is, a Jerk, and I really don't know why Rowley is friends with him.  I have another comparison to Peanuts which is one of the many things that works for Peanuts is that all the characters talk like little adults and the actual adults, who you never see, talk with "Wah Wa Wa Wah Wa Wa."  but here we have the opposite which does not work and what you now have is a lot of useless adults.

 

Overall, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a mean-spirited movie. I will be lying if I said I had a good time. I debated on my rating but it just barely escaped the Golden Garbage Can Award so that means that I give it 1 out 5 stars. If you like it great, but as for me I will rather go through middle school again,

 

Goodnight and Bee Happy™

Mr. Bee

The Boss Baby: Family Business -Mr.Bee’s Review

Hello and welcome, 

      It is no secret that I didn't like The Boss Baby (as in the 1st one ). To be fair, it is not the worst movie ever, but it is just bad, so I was not looking forward to reviewing the sequel, actually in fact I was downright dreading it, and that is part of the reason why I am just now reviewing it.  Also, My schedule has been a little crazy recently but I'm a man of my word so let’s begin  

Background 

To be honest, it is surprisingly not to find much of anything for background and the only things I found is that the movie was announced in May 2017 and Tom McGrath returned as director (can go IMB or I didn't know the beginning and/or end credits for that one). I could talk about the release date but if you're surprised that it was delayed and/or the way it was released (that being simultaneously in theaters and on Peacock) you have been living under a rock for the last 2 years and I highly recommended go back under the rock (oh, do you have enough room for 2?). So it’s best to go on  

Plot

 

Tim and Ted (James Marsden and Alec Baldwin, respectively) are now fully grown. Tim lives with his wife Carol (Eva Longoria) and their two daughters, 7-year-old Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt) and infant Tina (Amy Sedaris). As for Ted, he is a successful CEO who is never around for Tim. Tabitha is showing more grown-up behavior and one night, while Tim is wondering about the person his daughter is becoming, he hears something coming from Tina's room. He discovers that Tina is from BabyCorp like Ted was and she has been assigned to get Ted for a special mission. Tim refuses to call Ted, saying that he will never come. However, Tina leaves a fake voicemail for Ted persuading him to come. Tina introduces the brothers to a new formula that will allow them to turn back into children for 48 hours in order to infiltrate Tabitha's school and figure out what Dr. Erwin Armstrong (Jeff Goldblum) is planning.

Opinion

Despite all of the problems I have, the animation is not one of them, and for this movie, the same animation looks good but maybe a little too Cartoony for my liking, but I can't fault the Talent at DreamWorks. Some of the designs are pretty unique, particularly in the school. The humor is for the most part Juvenile, or should I say “Babyish” (sorry I couldn't resist), however surprisingly there are a good number of jokes I did laugh at. Now for the storyline, there was no way around it the story is a stupid convoluted mess and I really can’t say anything more. Now we move on to the characters. I don't really have much to say except that the father-daughter dynamic is very well-developed, but it did get a little weird (to say the least). Jeff Goldblum is as entertaining as ever.  The message basically is that you are only a child once so make the most of it. As a 20 something adult, I can get behind the message but I could have used a lot more subtlety.  

Overall, The Boss Baby: Family Business is not a good movie, but shockingly not a bad one. It is just meh, meaning that it gets a 2 out of 5 stars. It is, however, a massive improvement over the first movie. When the inevitable 3rd movie comes out I may call that one good but can't say for sure but I do know one thing, I’m no longer dreading it.  

Goodnight and Bee Happy™

Mr. Bee