May 20th, Friday 2005
Walt Disney’s Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

I HAVE WATCHED Star Wars Episode III.

I must say, it was a very impressive show, and the CGI of the movie was close to flawless, but let’s just say I was terrible unconvinced by the Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader crossover. I was however still captivated by the Jedi mythology. I like the idea of a ‘knight’ being able to carry out enormous tasks all by himself and his powers and knowledge. Of course, not to mention I drooled at the fight scenes between Yoda and the Sith Lord.

This week, we veer back to main storyline and bring the focus back to Yoruki, Machiko and Junko. Remember they had a DVD recording of his duel with Joan. Well, we are about to know how they plan to use that DVD.

By the by, I was a little upset that the BIG Disney production for this year is NOT an animation but a real-life fantasy hit based on C.S Lewis' beloved fantasy series: “The Chronicles of Narina” Of course, all of you should know that CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien are colleagues back then in Oxford University... and both became renowned fantasy writers whose works influenced countless other fantasy novels.

My contention is that Disney, is will always be a mogul in the animation industry. However, lately, Disney animation had been a little disappointing to say the least. In fact Pixar is now calling the shots of the animation industry. It influence is so great that Disney is considering to scrap ALL 2-D animation and produce ONLY 3-D animation. To me this is a rude and uncalled for shock. Disney is the last surviving Bulwark for the world of 2-D animation. I am certain that both 2-D and 3-D animation has its winning points, and there is no need to scrap 2-D animation for good. For doing that is like surrendering hands down to the already very strong and influential Japanese Animation Industry. 2-D anime, despite being in 2-D mixed with 3-D effects are not showing any signs of weakening, but in contrast, getting even more popular than ever. The medium, whether 2-D or 3-D does not really matter, what matters is engaging story-telling and the passion the storyteller tells his story to the audiences. Disney, lacks no talent, but it lacks strong, powerful and enchanting story lines… which is a sore pity.

Now, it wants to take on the real-life movie industry. I have seen the trailer for Narnia, and it was good, and excellent hybrid between the warmth of Harry Potter and the majesty of The Lord of the Rings. Children, parents, literature students will have a lot to love in this movie. Not to mention that one of the protagonist in the movie is a LION! Yes, which reminded me hella lot of The Lion King, and it is every bit a convincing and POWERFUL looking Lion, man, it is like Simba in flesh. You can tell that I am all excited. By the way, I won’t be telling you what the story is, I think you SHOULD read it for yourself, it is easy to read and it is hell a lot of fun to read! (Come on IT’S Fantasy!)

Despite the fact that I am impressed by the standard of Narnia, it is not enough for me to get over the fact that it is NOT animation that Disney is cashing in its resources. I really hope that those guys over at Disney would somehow have a Renaissance, and awaken all the creative cells that had been lying dormant for so long! Please Disney do your Thing! Don’t let Dreamworks, Blue Sky and Pixar trample you all over. Then again, maybe it takes Narnia, and the success of it to remind Disney that it is still the powerhouse for creativity.


Wataru

 

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