I have to admit I didnt like the movie as much as I hoped. After the Incredibles, my expectations from director Brad Bird were ridiculously high. This film felt to light hearted for him. It felt like a light mid-afternoon snack when what I want from him was a full course meal. Put it this way; its about as a good as a flick about rats in paris saving a young chef and his restaurant can get. The material seemed to not have enough scope for Bird to get to where he really shines. It was too Cinderellaesque, too Disney. The villain in this case is a food critic? How life threatening is that? I never felt the suspense and thrilling wonder I got from Incredibles because there was never any real danger and you knew how it was gonna end(any movie where the central hero is an animal(s) guarantees the animal will save the day for the humans).
I enjoyed it and it has its charms but I knew it was (for me anyway) slightly doomed from the onset; there's something about a humanized animal/doll/etc story that will always reek of disney-gimmick IMO. I'm always consiously aware of and annoyed by it even when its relatively well done like in Finding Nemo or Toy Story (I couldnt even bring myself to go see Cars for that very reason; talking cars? it seemed too silly). I just dont see why Brad felt the need to contribute to the overridden onslaught of "animals that talk" animated films when his greatest and distinguishing strength is bringing out the very human elements of humans.
Truth is I'll go see ANYTHING this guy will dish out because hes like the Mozart of comp-animated storytelling. But seriously, his next flick better be Incredibles 2.
BTW
Check out "The Iron Giant" for a REAL dose of Bird's ingenious storytelling and innovative animation. Its a slightly older film thats animated in regular 2D but kicks every comp-animated film's ass up and down.
I'm voting for Turning off your brain ignoring the absolutely terrible dialogue and what they make my child hood hero do and go see......... Transformers again and give it another review.
Possible spoilers in general from here on in:
I agree the little decepticon with the hand to his head was lame, I agree Optimus apologizing for the garden is terrible, I AGREE that bumblebee peeing on humans is friggin shameful. But come on watching Optimus Prime slice a robot's head off will do it for me every time. Turn off that brain muscle and drool your way to cinema Nirvana.
