Reviews Archive for James R Whitson

Free Birds

Free Birds may not be the main course on our animated menu this year. But with a fun story and some hilarious performances it’s no canned cranberry sauce either.

Planes

Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign because there’s more turbulence than high flying in this should-have-gone-straight-to-home-video release.

Turbo

If you can buy into the concept, or are under ten years old, Turbo might be a fun ride. For the rest of us, the film is less fast and furious and more of a race to the bottom.

Despicable Me 2

Laughs — and minions — aplenty. But other than that Despicable Me 2 is an ultimately bland and forgettable hour and a half at the theatre.

Monsters University

Monsters University is that rare follow-up that perfectly expands and enhances the world created in the original film. And best of all, it’s so funny it’s scary!

The Croods

Though you might not naturally select it based on the ads, The Croods might surprise you. Full of fun, stunning to look at, and filled with heart, DreamWorks’ latest is a step up the evolutionary ladder.

Escape From Planet Earth

Escape From Planet Earth, the first theatrically released film from Rainmaker Entertainment, isn’t out of this world. But it’s no black hole either.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

Neither good nor that bad, the latest Ice Age film will leave you… not caring… and wondering if the franchise is drifting now and maybe needs to be allowed to melt away.

Brave

Brave may not be as epic as audiences have come to expect from big budget animated features, but in all the ways that count it hits the target.

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

The latest Madagascar will leave you wanting better especially if this is the end of the series, but it does deliver the expected laughs.

The Lorax

My name is the critic, I speak for the people. We’re tired of the morals in films writ so feeble. Unless Hollywood can better the plot, we’re not going to buy tickets. We’re not.

Tangled

Disney is finally able to untangle itself from the story problems of its recent past with this beautiful and very enjoyable retelling of the Rapunzel classic.

Megamind

Megamind may be uneven, but the humor saves the day. DreamWorks makes what could have been a bad film look so good!

Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 is that rare second sequel that tops its predecessors. At times a laugh out loud comedy and an edge of your seat thriller, all tied together with a moving storyline that will touch both young and old.

Shrek Forever After

Despite a few bumps along the way, Shrek Forever After is a fine and fitting final outing. Things have wrapped up fairly happily ever after for fans of the franchise.

How To Train Your Dragon

DreamWorks’ How To Train Your Dragon is a high-flying adventure with humor, a solid story, amazing visuals, and an unexpected amount of heart — it easily ranks as one of the studio’s best.

The Princess and the Frog

While not the fairest one of all, The Princess and the Frog shines enough to prove wrong anyone who thought that traditional animation was a dying art and that the movie musical croaked years ago.

Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

With a surprisingly action-packed Dawn of the Dinosaurs, the Ice Age franchise may not yet be extinct.

Up

Up soars to exciting (and hilarious) heights.

Monsters vs Aliens

Be afraid. Be very afraid of Monsters vs Aliens.

The Tale of Despereaux

The ingredients in The Tale of Despereaux never come together in this boring and rambling film.

Delgo

Delgo flies higher than expected in this epic film.

Bolt

Bolt may not be fully awesome, but Disney is definitely back on a roll after some misfires earlier this decade.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

DreamWorks should have sent the Madagascar sequel Back 2 The Drawing Board.

WALL-E

Words fail to convey just how wonderfully unique WALL-E is.

Kung Fu Panda

DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda is strong. Unlike some of their past efforts, this one is not even a little bit frightening.

Horton Hears a Who!

While not faithful 100 percent, Horton Hears a Who! is close enough to Seuss’ original to be a perfectly fun film.

Bee Movie

Jerry Seinfeld’s Bee Movie has some fun moments but just isn’t buzzworthy.

The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie is definitely not the “Best. Movie. Ever.” But it does deliver the laughs.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is simply one of the best animated films ever made – a feast for animation fans, especially when compared to the fast-food fare we’re served from other studios.