By: Nikoleta Morales
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”
If you have enjoyed and are a big fan of the Night at the Museum film parts one and two, you will definitely remember part three not only because of the great effects and hilarious moments in the movie but because it was Robin Williams’ last movie before he died. There is something about watching him play Theodore Roosevelt and the last words he says to Larry at the end of the movie that makes you realize that this is indeed the last memorable character that this iconic actor left for us. His last words in the movie resonate as if he knew he was speaking them for the last time. The glow in his eyes is so bright and yet something about it is so sad that you start to understand there was more to this brilliant actor that we ever knew about. He chose the right role to leave us with before his death.
In this part, upon learning that the museum’s magic is disappearing, night watchman Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) sets out on an epic quest to the British Museum in London to save his friends one last time. New funny moments with the chimpanzee, the cave men, the cowboy Jedediah, Octavius, Theodor Roosevelt, Sacagawea, and Larry come to life as they are on a quest to save the magic of the museum by discovering the secret of the The Tablet of Ahkmenrah. But little did they know they will encounter a surprising enemy in the British Museum the face of Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens). The movie is in theaters nationwide.
“Into the Woods”
If you have been a big fan of Disney, you might be a bit surprised by their new and upcoming musical movie “Into the Woods.” This holiday release movie is not the traditional happy-ending movie you would expect nor does it really fit the PG rating. It is very dark themed, a bit depressing, and more of an adult entertainment movie than for the younger audience. It dilutes and blurs the characters of Cinderella, the Prince, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk we have once known.
The movie was directed by Rob Marshall and written by James Lapine who didn’t take the traditional magical approach of Disney this time. The movie was adapted by Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award–winning Broadway musical of the same name. The one thing that makes the movie a must-see is not because of its plot, which tends to be not very well developed and lacking at times, but because of the cast and great performances by Meryl Streep (The Witch), Johny Depp (the Wolf) and Emily Blunt (The Baker’s Wife), as well as the special effects. Meryl Streep is the one that carries the movie the most and we get to see her in a role and light we are not used to seeing in a brilliant performance.
The Huffington Post writes that the movie’s “You are not alone” theme was adapted by President Obama’s speech of 9/11’s 10th Anniversary. The theme aims to relay a positive message, yet it shows destruction, death and darkness in what is meant to be a family friendly holiday movie that could resemble a real life tragedy, such as 9/11 with the plot of a women giant destroying and killing characters and their homes. The family tradition of Disney takes an unexpected turn in sliding in a president’s inspired speeches and adaptations of real tragic events.
Some of the characters, such as Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) don’t convey the traditional look of the known character. I didn’t see Cinderella in Anna Kendrick, which was a poor casting choice when it came to this part. Her acting wasn’t up to part nor were her looks when it comes to playing such an iconic Disney character.
In a lot of ways “Into the Woods” kills not only some of its characters in the movie, but also the image and view we have of the traditional characters we all know and love, as well as their stories.
As a big fan of Disney, I am disappointed to say that this time Disney failed in continuing the magical legacy by making a “kid” targeted movie that is dark, diluted and poorly plotted. The “Frozen” fever will not repeat itself in this one. “Into the Woods” comes out on December 25th.
