THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (2010)

I just simply love it! Welcome to the world of Studio Ghibli! If you are familiar with thiz famous studio in Japan, by any chance you must have seen “My Neighbor Totoro” (1988), “Princess of Mononoke” (1997), “Spirited Away” (2001) or my favorite anime “Ponyo” (2008). Hayao Miyazaki is the mastermind behind those respectable masterpieces. Thiz time he hands over the directing to his experienced Key Animator, Hiromasa Yonebayashi. 14-year-old Arrietty, mother and father are four-inch-tall people who live in another family residence. The family fulfils their daily needs like bread, sugar, tissue and other things by borrowing them. There is a heart-kinded boy named Shou, just moves into the house and something is going to change forever. The voice Actors are Mirai Shida (Arrietty), Tomokazu Miura (Pod, the father), Shinobu Ohtake (Homily, the mother) and Ryûnosuke Kamiki (Shou). In UK version, the character Arrietty is voiced by Saoirse Ronan. Our mood has been set up to feel the tenderness from the very first moment, the car driving to the house is beautifully described with uplifting music, it reminds me of the opening scene in “Spirited Away”. The classic hand-drawn animation is at its best. Thiz movie is just like all the other Studio Ghibli productions, it’s filled with beauty, elegance and plenty of lovable characters. The details is unbelievably accurate, the sunshine, the rain, the wind blowing, everything is well-crafted. Thiz movie is not an ordinary animation but it’s actually a drama in animated form with more mature standpoint. There are a lot of hearts there. See all over every scene, we will have very friendly experiences and down to earth feelings. You will easily find sensitive humanity theme behind it. If nowadays most people go with Pixar. Myself, I’m always looking forward for Studio Ghibli productions. I saw you, Arrietty! And I kind of loved it!

Stars : 7,5/10
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Jonny Fendi



"From the moment I saw you, I wanted to protect you."

TANGLED (2010)

I have a friend who asked me, “Is thiz movie worth watching?” I said, “Go and find out yourself. It is Disney, isn’t it?” Not every year, Disney introduces us to their new Princess. It is going to be a magical time of your life, get ready to be part of the history. Do you remember how wonderful is Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora the Sleeping Beauty, Ariel the Little Mermaid, beautiful Belle and the Beast, Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan and last year’s Princess Tiana and her Frog”? It is the time! For long-haired Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) to get out from her hidden tower, to leave her ruthless mother Gothel and has some adventures along with her Prince, err.. I mean runaway bandit, Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi). It is also for the first time, Princess Rapunzel will face unfriendly outside world, but don’t worry, she’s got her frying pan to protect herself and escorted by a very cool chameleon, Pascal and the white horse with dog’s capability, Maximus. The song “When Will My Life Begin” reflects that great adventure spirit. The Directors are Nathan Greno and Byron Howard who have ever worked together in dog’s tale “Bolt” (2008). But I think the person who deserves high appreciation for bringing thiz German fairy tale comes to live is no other than Alan Menken. Menken is the regular Disney’s genius Composer who can always provide delightful classic elements into every piece of his magical music or Score. The storyline is so smooth and dynamic. Yeah it is predictable, but at least you could enjoy the joyful comedy, it is always fun to watch how Rapunzel and silly Flynn Rider tease each other. And even though without dialogue, the animal characters which are the chameleon Pascal and the horse Maximus perform successful funny slapstick. For the visual pleasure, the picture is beautifully rendered to a higher level, you will be amazed by how realistic each texture and detail it has been made, the hair, the grass bit by bit. The most powerful scene is “The Floating Lanterns Scene”, when finally Rapunzel and Flynn are in a boat right outside the castle, waiting for the glow flying lanterns to be released. In that romantic moment, you can feel the pure sincerity and so much loves between them through their innocence face expression and breathtaking interaction with the background song “I See the Light”. That scene simply gives you goosebumps and could easily bring happy tears in your eyes. It is very rare that there is a movie that could touch my heart. Thiz one is definitely the one. Usually, if someone asks me, “Who is your favorite Disney’s Princess?” Most of the times, I would answer, “Cinderella!” But after thiz movie, maybe I would give a different answer. By the way, I always love the girl with the long hair ^_^ Disney certainly knows best!

Stars : 8,5/10
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Jonny fendi



"Haven't any of you ever had a dream?"

TOY STORY 3 (2010)

I always believe that “Toy Story” in 1995 was the first brick of Pixar’s grandiose castle. 15 years go by, Pixar becomes more stronger and creative, not just in technology innovation but also for the story. Now, for carrying their important icon in “Toy Story 3”, of course they will bring out the best of them. Two earlier prequels, including “Toy Story 2” in 1999 was directed by John Lasseter. But for thiz reunion, the Director is replaced by Lee Unkrich, the former Co-Director from “Monster, Inc.” (2001) and my favorite Pixar of all-time “Finding Nemo” (2003). It tells 17-year-old Andy will go to the college soon, now all his beloved toys are in jeopardy. They face a dilemma which is the toys will be given away to charity or being dump in attic. The familiar characters almost share in equal proportion, whether the cowboys Woody (Tom Hanks) and Jessie (Joan Cusack), the space ranger Buzz (Tim Allen), the fussy Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, the dumb dinosaur Rex, the follower Slinky Dog, the pinky piggy Hamm and three little green Aliens, plus introducing new foe, strawberry-scented huggin’ bear called Lotso with his vicious gang. In overall, thiz movie is filled with well-arranged story and fun dialogue. From the opening scene, the adventure already rolls with explosive action scenes. The storytelling is very fast, there is almost no breathing room. I almost think that thiz movie is just similar to the prequels before. But something more happens, the ending shocks me. The power of thiz movie is definitely on its 15 minutes of ending (Spoiler Alert!), when Andy passes all his toys to neighbor’s kid, Bonnie. He introduces one by one his toys and plays with her. That heartwarming scene is so touching. The ending has made thiz toys a winner. Once again, Pixar takes us to a new height with its winning theme, to infinity and beyond!

Stars : 7,5/10
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Jonny Fendi



"We've done our duty. Andy's grown up."

SHREK FOREVER AFTER (2010)

What is the first reason that makes you go to see Shrek? For me, I expect cheerful atmosphere all over, that simple! In thiz fourth installment of Shrek, everything becomes darker and gloomier. I think the key factor that made Shrek franchise so successful all these times is Andrew Adamson. Adamson was the Director of two early ones “Shrek” (2001) and “Shrek 2” (2004). And he also contributed writing credit in “Shrek the Third” (2007). Thiz time to continue thiz three years occasion without his involvement, Shrek is just about get into the nightmare. The directing is handed to Mike Mitchell. Mitchell is previously known as the Director of “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” (1999) and “Sky High” (2005) which are not animation features. The story tries to reset everything from the beginning. It tells Shrek (Mike Myers) travels to the past and faces the new alternate universe, where Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) is a warrior, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) now is a fat lazy cat, and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) doesn’t even know Shrek at all. All happens because of a bad intention of a new villain named Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) who has an ambition to rule Far Far Away Kingdom. Thiz character is not developed well. The only funny moment is only when he eventually changes his silly wig. It’s not comparable to Lord Farquaad’s character in the first “Shrek”. If we look back the Shrek series in overall, it has been already downhill since the second one. The first “Shrek” was amazingly fun, “Shrek 2” was still impressive and we had ever thought that “Shrek the Third” would be a real forever after. I describes thiz one as no need extension. However, Shrek movies always are filled with joyful Soundtracks. Unless they have a fresh idea, they can continue thiz franchise, but if they don’t, please just left thiz franchise behind for a little while. The thing is they don’t realize that they may kill thiz franchise forever after. One thing is for sure, thiz one really becomes a “Cat-tastrophe” and “ri-Donkey-lous” movie.

Stars : 5/10
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Jonny Fendi



"You know, I always thought I'd rescued you from the Dragon's Keep."

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2010)

What is so special about animation? Since all the camera angles, character expressions and body languages are fully controllable by the filmmaker, the result is all animation movies are fun to watch. So it’s very hard for me to criticize it. Thiz kind of movie depends on the whole divisions without exception. The credit does not just belong to Director. Thiz movie is directed by Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” (2002) creators, Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders. The characters are voiced by Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill and America Ferrera. A Viking boy named Hiccup (Baruchel) is learning how to become a warrior. One day, instead of vanquishing the dragon as he told to, they end up being friends. The dragon character which named Toothless has a unique figure but still lovable. Yes, it’s entertaining but still on standard formula. The story relies on what I called “Zero to Hero” formula. The main character is mostly described as a nerd type and later becomes a savior for his people. The best part of thiz film is the flying scene which is so thrilling and exciting. Yes, it’s another CGI animation. Yes, it’s another feel good movie.

Stars : 6/10
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Jonny Fendi



"I bet he's really frightened right now... what are you gonna do about it?"