Partly Cloudy (2009); animated short film family comedy

Poster artwork for the family animated short film Partly Cloudy.

Baby Buddies by Linh

Perhaps Pixar Animation Studios is starting a trend where an animated feature is preceded by a cleverly humourous and at times emotive short film.

The phenomenal Wall-E followed the animated short film Presto, which is about a neglectful magician and his mischievous and vengeful rabbit. Presto was well received and it seems we may be seeing more animated shorts from Pixar in the future.

PECK PICKS UP: Gus has another bundle of joy for Peck in the animated short Partly Cloudy. Image: Pixar Animation Studios.

This time, Disney and Pixar’s latest animated film Up follows the quirky Partly Cloudy. It is a six-minute short that puts a playful spin on the childhood myth of storks delivering babies, and in particular, where the storks get the babies. The storks travel all around the world to drop off a baby wrapped in a white cloth after picking them up from clouds that create the babies out of thin air.

It’s not only human babies produced in this way but also baby animals.

PLUCKY: Peck reassures Gus that he's ready for anything in the animated short Partly Cloudy. Image: Pixar Animation Studios.

Partly Cloudy tells of a friendship between a grey cloud named Gus and his stork friend called Peck. While other white clouds create cute human babies, kittens and puppies, Gus floats at the bottom of the hierarchy and is responsible for creating more dangerous animals.

After fashioning babies such as a snap-happy crocodile, a rambunctious ram then a passive porcupine, Gus presents Peck with a cloud shaped like a baby shark. Frightened and exhausted, Peck flies over to the white clouds.

The short film shows the fragility of friendship; despite the prickly situations and other differences, two best friends can stick by each other.

Partly Cloudy is almost a perfect prelude to the animated feature Up which carries similar themes.

LONESOME CLOUD: Gus feels abandoned and sad in the animated short Partly Cloudy. Image: Pixar Animation Studios.

Director: Peter Sohn

Voice Cast: Tony Fucile, Lori Richardson

Producer: Kevin Reher

Original Music:  Michael Giacchino

Film Editor: Jason Hudak

Running Time:  6 minutes

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Baby animals are delivered the same way as human babies in the animated short Partly Cloudy. Image: Pixar Animation Studios.

Kung Fu Panda (2008); animated family film review

Poster artwork for the animated comedy family film Kung Fu Panda.

Panda With Po-tential by Linh

Kung Fu Panda is Dreamworks latest venture into CGI (computer-generated imagery) animated family entertainment and its star-studded cast of vocal talent is a definite drawcard. Besides the CGI, the film is impressive in its use of comic timing and character idiosyncrasies to highlight humour and fun throughout.

The film's story is set in ancient China in the Valley of Peace, where a chubby and clumsy Panda named Po works in his father's noodle shop. Po dreams of becoming a Kung Fu Master who fights alongside his idols, The Furious Five (Tigress, Viper, Monkey, Crane and Mantis). In order to fulfill an ancient Chinese prophecy, Master Oogway calls for a competition to determine the next Dragon Warrior to defend the city against the ruthless Tai Lung. Po unexpectedly is chosen and he must work harder than he's ever worked before to learn the art of Kung Fu, and protect the city from an oncoming threat.

The affable and huggable Jack Black voices the cuddly and good natured Po (Panda) and is an instant favourite with the audience as he starts from scratch to become the next Kung Fu hero. Po's childlike mannerisms and determination to conquer his quest to fulfill the prophecy endears him to all. 

Dustin Hoffman gives a stern but solid vocal delivery as Master ShiFu (Red Panda), the one who must train Po to become the Dragon Warrior. ShiFu is at first reluctant to waste his time on a fat, lazy Panda, but realises he must put his prejudices aside to fulfill the ancient prophecy and save the city. 

Master Oogway (Tortoise)is voiced by Randall Duk Kim, and is the wisest and most elite of Kung Fu masters. He is the Yoda of the film spurting words of wisdom and encouragement when Po loses hope and confidence in himself.

The Furious Five comprising of Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen) and Crane (David Cross), provide some of the comic relief and drama as Po struggles to learn the skills necessary to fight Tai Lung.Together the quintet are a powerful force to be reckoned with, and individually they are equally formidable.

Ian McShane lends his voice to the vengeful former student of Master ShiFu, Tai Lung (Snow Leopard) who has escaped from his imprisonment to earn what he believes is his destiny to be the next Dragon Warrior. His fight scenes with Po are both hilarious and compelling as the animated Kung Fu action sequences delight and beguile.

Kung Fu Panda is wonderfully entertaining for the entire family, with its brightly coloured and stylised drawings and brilliant animation. There's a message for everyone in the film - believing in yourself to achieve your dreams is one for younger audiences, while the more mature can heed the message of turning your weaknesses into your strengths to overcome life's obstacles.

ANIMATED AWESOMENESS: Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Po (Jack Black), ShiFu (Dustin Hoffman) and Tai Lung (Ian McShane) in Kung Fu Panda.
Image: Paramount Pictures/Dreamworks.

Director: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne

Writers: Jonathan Aibel (screenplay), Glenn Berger (screenplay), Ethan Reiff (story), Cyrus Voris (story)

Voice Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong, Dan Fogler, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kyle Gass, J.R. Reed, Melissa Cobb, Tanya Haden, Mark Osborne, John Stevenson, Stephen Kearin

Producers: Melissa Cobb, Jonathan Aibel, Lorne Orleans, Kristina Reed, Bill Damaschke, Glenn Berger

Cinematographer: Yong Duk Jhun

Original Music Composer: Hans Zimmer, John Powell

Film Editor: Clare Knight

Running Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Enchanted (2007) – animated/live action musical comedy film review

Poster artwork for the animated/live action comedy musical film Enchanted.

Fairytale Fun by Linh

Disney has returned to its roots yet has added a touch of reality to its usual animated magic.

In its latest family film offering, Disney's Enchanted combines comedy and musical animation with live action in a wonderful juxtaposition of fairytale 'happily ever after' and cynical New York style endings. In its opening scenes, Enchanted encompasses all the typical Disney animated flair which is reminiscent of its classic hand drawn animation films, but the fantasy continues in a different form when the animated characters enter the real world of modern day New York as real people.

Amy Adams stars as the fairytale Princess-to-be, Giselle, whose only wish is to marry the dashing Prince Edward whom she believes is her one true love. Amy Adams' portrayal of Giselle embodies all the Disney heroines including Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, yet she succeeds in making Giselle a uniquely extraordinary character. Amy Adams shines in all her musical numbers, in particular the big production song That's How You Know with a reggae beat and a touch of cheeky brass accompanying her dulcet vocals. In Happy Working Song her vocal expression is euphonious as she dances and sings while cockroaches, pigeons and rats help her clean the house. 

ENCHANTMENT: A hand drawn animation scene from the film Enchanted. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Patrick Dempsey of television's Grey's Anatomy fame, provides the romantic interest who is unusually unromantic. Patrick Dempsey's character represents the realities of life, who unflinchingly dismisses fairytales as nonsense until he is touched by Giselle's irresistible charms.

James Marsden plays the vapid and vain Prince Edward with plenty of charm whose chivalry knows no bounds. James Marsden sings with vocal brilliance in the duet True Love's Kiss with Amy Adams, brings romance and passion to That's Amore and is believable as the fairytale Prince.

Susan Sarandon is the venomous and evil Queen Narissa whose only goal is to eliminate any competition to her reign in the Kingdom of Andalasia. Susan Sarandon is deliciously wicked and quite frightening in both animated version and live action as the Queen.

Topping and tailing Enchanted is the actress who has enchanted a generation of film goers with her familiar distinctive vocals - Julie Andrews, whose narration is fittingly eloquent.

Alan Menken's canorous musical composition combined with Stephen Schwartz's well-pitched lyrics make the score of Enchanted an aural pleasure.

Enchanted is a brilliant film for the entire family and anyone who likes the magic of Disney with a twist.

MUSICAL MUSINGS: Amy Adams as Giselle and Patrick Dempsey as Robert in a scene from Enchanted.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

Director: Kevin Lima

Writer: Bill Kelly

Cast: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Susan Sarandon, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, Julie Andrews (narrator), William Huntley, Courtney Williams, Judy Kuhn, Paige O'Hara, Tonya Pinkins, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jodi Benson, Elizabeth Mathis, Marilyn Sue Perry, Kevin Lima (voice), Jeff Bennett (voice), Emma Rose Lima (voice), Teala Dunn (voice), Fred Tatasciore (voice), Margaret Travolta (voice)

Producers: Barry Sonnenfeld, Barry Josephson, Christopher Chase, Erza Swerdlow, Sunil Perkash, Susan Ringo, Marcia Ross, Ron Rocha, Todd Y. Murata, John Papsidera, Doug Short

Cinematographer: Don Burgess (Director of Photography)

Original Music Composer: Alan Menken

Film Editors: Stephen A. Rotter, Gregory Perler

Production: Stuart Wurtzel (Production Designer), John Kasarda (Art Direction), George DeTitta Jr. (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Mona May

Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes