Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts Tres

[Lee]

Another huge problem with Lone Ranger is that Disney knew they had a flop, pulled out several times, and STILL went through with it.

I disagree.
Nothing in the film I saw would have led me to believe it would flop. Quite the opposite.

I understand the budget and script concerns, I'm sure those were valid.
But based on the finished product, I don't see any reason that they should have expected it to flop. Certainly it had as much chance at success as PotC did. Difference being, nobody seemed to have a preconceived grudge about Pirates.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The Grand Bohemian is a fantastic hotel (it was a privately owned boutique hotel before Marriott came in to manage the place), and Downtown Orlando is NOT a ghost town after 5pm. But whatever. So Orlando isn't as cool as your major metropolitan homeplace. I have a suggestion.....

Anyway, I love people who come from well established metropolitan cultural centers and then go to someplace like Orlando looking for that eclectic LA feel.

You are looking for "local culture" in a town that was less than 60K people 40 years ago. Temper your expectations.

The whole "I want to Orlando and it wasn't New York City" thing gets old and seems a bit arrogant and ignorant to me.

 

[TP2000]

I understand the budget and script concerns, I'm sure those were valid.
But based on the finished product, I don't see any reason that they should have expected it to flop. Certainly it had as much chance at success as PotC did. Difference being, nobody seemed to have a preconceived grudge about Pirates.

I think when Disney served Subway as the lone catering option at the premiere party two weeks ago, that was a pretty big clue that they knew it wasn't headed in a good direction.



In 90 seconds Mr. Pace from Subway pretty much sums up what is wrong with the movie industry and why Disney just wasted hundreds of millions of dollars, but I don't think he realizes that.

 

[JimboJones123]

I disagree.
Nothing in the film I saw would have led me to believe it would flop. Quite the opposite.

I understand the budget and script concerns, I'm sure those were valid.
But based on the finished product, I don't see any reason that they should have expected it to flop. Certainly it had as much chance at success as PotC did. Difference being, nobody seemed to have a preconceived grudge about Pirates.

1. Hammer who?

2. Putting on Blackface and Whiteface to play Redface? Who's idiotic idea was that?

3. Depp's stock as tanked. Not to mention yet another team up with Carter. Her Q rating is horrible.

4. The movie it most resembles is Wild Wild West, which is not an endorsement.

5. The unrealistic and overstylized visuals were just too silly.

6. Jerry's movies are not the most well liked.

7. Audiences are tired of bloated budget empty action movies.

8. The target audience rarely goes to movies opening weekend.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Another huge problem with Lone Ranger is that Disney knew they had a flop, pulled out several times, and STILL went through with it.

Depp made it pretty clear that if he didn't get to play Tonto he likely would be playing Sparrow again.

 

[WDW1974]

So, guess what Spirit just wandered on in from The Lone Ranger?

Ready for some comments sure to push this baby over 300 pages and likely inflame the fanbois right down to their very loins?

Pull up a chair, grab some tequila and let's go.

Point blank like a fake Hollywood gunshot between the eyes, this film nailed what should have been a huge Hollywood Blockbuster and the start of a franchise. Yes, I am NOT kidding. I liked it. Like it a lot. Liked it more than 90% of what I've seen this year. Liked it more than half the PoC films ... liked it more than Alice in Wonderland ... liked it worlds more than the depressing, dark and overhyped Man of Steel.

TLR is, to quote the friend I went with (who loved it and is soooo much more critical than I am) ''it was a quintessential summer film''. I couldn't agree more.

So, before I delve into it too deeply (warning, will try and keep spoilers out, but they may seep in), there is all of that bad press, terrible reviews and fanboi angst (like hating this is somehow cool and gonna get back at Iger for generally running much of Disney in ways they don't agree with), let's just get one thing out front and into the open: @Lee was right. I don't say it often. Neither does Mrs. Lee. But I hear he has used the word sabotage to discuss the campaign of hate this film has engendered and make no mistake, he's nailed it.

Just like John Carter was destroyed to suit Rich Ross's agenda, one he ultimately paid the price for because really would you rather have Rich Ross in your company or John Lasseter, this film has been sabotaged.

The likely goal ... well, you'll have to wait for my next post. Coming shortly.

 

[71jason]

TLR is, to quote the friend I went with (who loved it and is soooo much more critical than I am) ''it was a quintessential summer film''. I couldn't agree more.

If you didn't like the final 20 minutes--a visually-perfect gunfight with horses and trains and the William Tell Overture turned up to 11--then I really don't know what you expected to see in a modern-day Lone Ranger flick. It was never going to be Unforgiven, nor should it be. I think "quintessential summer film'' nails it.

 

[WDW1974]

So, who sabotaged it? Was it the Bilderbergs and the miltary industrial complex/shadow government/NSA? Nah, they're just busy keeping all of us little mice running around in their mazes.

let's look at who gets harmed if this film tanks. It isn't Bob Iger. He's teflon. Look at the good will he's generated with Wall Street. Look at the shareholder 'value' (or alleged value) he has added. He can simply crow (like the dead bird on Tonto's head) about Iron Man 3 and Monsters U and how neither would have been part of the company if not for him and did you see the trailer for Thor 2 (I did, looks like typical superhero crap that is over supplying the market). It can't be Alan Horn as he came in as Studio Head when it was more than half finished. It can't be Dick Cook or Rich Ross because they're long gone.

So, who bites the silver bullet?

Simple. The Bruckheimer, Verbinski, Depp trimumvirate. They get pushed down a peg and the next time Disney or any other compant negotiates with them all of the billions they've made will be regarded as old news. They'll just get the horse manure line of what Ranger did. It's stupid really. But Hollywood likes to show who's in charge and there are folks from Disney to Fox to Paramount to UNI to Warners that are grinning from ear to ear because there's nothing like having the upper hand with talent.

I have no idea of Disney sabotaged their own film. But this wouldn't be the first time. Just the first time in say 14 months. But Disney had to see there was a problem developing and they didn't get out ahead of it. To be fair, Paramount was willing to do liekwise with World War Z ... they had problem seeing it flatline as the pundits wanted to make Brad Pitt less of a commodity BUT the difference was he got out ahead of it himself. He personally willed that film to success when the goal was to see it go down in flames as well.

But I'd like to talk about some of what I liked about the film and more about the very weak criticisms that were tossed at this film ... that's in the next post.

 

[maxairmike]

If you didn't like the final 20 minutes--a visually-perfect gunfight with horses and trains and the William Tell Overture turned up to 11--then I really don't know what you expected to see in a modern-day Lone Ranger flick. It was never going to be Unforgiven, nor should it be. I think "quintessential summer film'' nails it.

This post just pushed me over the line to wanting to go see Lone Ranger...heck, I may even go tonight! Something about setting things to cliche but awesome music just puts me over the moon, and that description has me grinning ear to ear with the music running through my head and some ridiculous visuals. Kind of like every time I hear the 1812 overture I picture a fireworks finale, and when it actually happens in real life I sit there grinning ear to ear (sometimes laughing, like with SeaWorld's 4th display). Yep, time to check the time listings!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Can't wait to hear. While we're waiting, anyone want to comment on the newest extension of the Disney PrincessTM(R)(C)SM brand?

I wish to God this was fake. This fall, DCP is launching Disney Princess Palace Pets. Top row L - R: Ariel's kitty Treasure, Rapunzel's pony Blondie, Snow's bunny Berry. Bottom row L - R: Cinderella's puppy Pumpkin, Belle's puppy Teacup and Aurora's kitty Beauty. Not pictured is Mulan's panda, Blossom.

I can't even.

 

[willtravel]

OMG

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Can't wait to hear. While we're waiting, anyone want to comment on the newest extension of the Disney PrincessTM(R)(C)SM brand?

I wish to God this was fake. This fall, DCP is launching Disney Princess Palace Pets. Top row L - R: Ariel's kitty Treasure, Rapunzel's pony Blondie, Snow's bunny Berry. Bottom row L - R: Cinderella's puppy Pumpkin, Belle's puppy Teacup and Aurora's kitty Beauty. Not pictured is Mulan's panda, Blossom.

I can't even.

This is why I can't go back to Walt Disney World.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Can't wait to hear. While we're waiting, anyone want to comment on the newest extension of the Disney PrincessTM(R)(C)SM brand?

Saw that elsewhere, and thought about posting, but didn't think too many would care.

Does it suck? Yes, but once again it's Disney not caring about how it portrays its own movies in marketing as long as the stuff sells, regardless of how irrelevant or degrading it is. And then they wonder why they can't maket PatF, Rapunzel (renamed Tangled at the last minute in English speaking countries), The Snow Queen (now Frozen) to broader audiences or sell Sleeping Beauty video units to families with only boys. Short-term greed always wins with Disney.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Can't wait to hear. While we're waiting, anyone want to comment on the newest extension of the Disney PrincessTM(R)(C)SM brand?

I wish to God this was fake. This fall, DCP is launching Disney Princess Palace Pets. Top row L - R: Ariel's kitty Treasure, Rapunzel's pony Blondie, Snow's bunny Berry. Bottom row L - R: Cinderella's puppy Pumpkin, Belle's puppy Teacup and Aurora's kitty Beauty. Not pictured is Mulan's panda, Blossom.

I can't even.

Sweet Lord Jesus, WHY?!?! This is a whole new low and the worst part is the castle in the back looks like SBC.

This looks worse than the lame, unnecessary sequels Disney likes to make of their classics. This is just pathetic.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I wonder if a single person at TWDC sees a problem with the Palace Pets? Or do all the execs think, "This is great!."

 

[Nemo14]

Steve, can we please have the "hurling" smiley back for this?

 

[Irie]

I saw the LR on the 4th and loved it. I don't understand the hate for the movie. Should it win an Oscar? No, but it was completely enjoyable and a fast 2 1/2 hours. When it was over I was wishing for more.

 

[IHeartArt]

Can't wait to hear. While we're waiting, anyone want to comment on the newest extension of the Disney PrincessTM(R)(C)SM brand?

I wish to God this was fake. This fall, DCP is launching Disney Princess Palace Pets. Top row L - R: Ariel's kitty Treasure, Rapunzel's pony Blondie, Snow's bunny Berry. Bottom row L - R: Cinderella's puppy Pumpkin, Belle's puppy Teacup and Aurora's kitty Beauty. Not pictured is Mulan's panda, Blossom.

I can't even.

If any of you start watching this you are officially banned from coming back on this forum. Even ironically. Even if you're watching it with your kids. Just...

Just

EDIT: I am shocked and ashamed at myself for having 100 messages on this forum. I'm becoming one of you.

 

[ChrisFL]

Steve, can we please have the "hurling" smiley back for this?

Seriously, this makes Beverly Hills Chihuahua almost reasonable

 

[WDW1974]

So ... about those criticisms:

Let's start with this idea that was put out by critics and taken up by bloggers and even Disney Lifestylers that this film was too violent.

My reaction is that's a laughable point. Really. Lone Ranger is violent in the same way the Star Wars and Harry Potter and Avengers and Man of Steel etc are violent. There is almost no blood and gore. I was waiting for some good old fashioned heart feasting, after reading one breathless critique after another. Well, you'd almost have to read that it happened because it is off-screen and even in implication can easily be missed. Any of you seen the PG-rated Indy and the Temple of Doom? Remember that 'wittle scene where a live dude gets his beating heart ripped out and displayed?

For folks who think there was too much violence in TLR, I'd simply compare it to any of this summer's action tentpoles. The PG-13 rating? Honestly, I think that was overdoing it ... PG would be just fine. The violence was largely bloodless and the tone of the film was such that it shouldn't have been taken any more seriously than the typical Star Wars or superhero flick. I absolutely don't get people acting like this was a Tarantino special (I'd like his take on Ranger, but that's another story!)

It's almost like that rating served to scare people to start with. Maybe Thor 2 and Star Wars (whatever the next episode is ...56) should be PG=13 too because you damn well know the body count will be high. Did folks think The Lone Ranger was supposed to be a historical or documentary piece and not a summer action yarn?

Funny how the quite well-done device of telling the story thru a 100-year-old Tonto's eyes with a boy that looks to be about 10 when people might say the movie's too damn violent for 10-year-olds. I'd simply ask what UNIverse are they living in.

Then there's the absurd notion that Depp is simply doing a riff on Captain Jack as Tonto. I didn't get that at all. But the man is a star, so when you see a film with him, you are viewing him performing ... much like say a Tom Hanks or a Harrison Ford.

Again, this film should be huge with the very demo Disney has failed to capture. Young boys. The film had action and comedy and large set pieces and non-bloody 'splosions and shoot-outs. It also should have been able to capture so many of Disney's bread and butter flagwavers from the Heartland. This is an all-American tale lensed magnificently in our beautiful west with entertaining characters. It boggles the mind that this movie isn't the No. 1 film by a landslide right now (and I don't care how nice a film DM2 may be -- it's next on my list -- some folks won't see animated films just because they're ignorantly viewed as simply kids fare).

The saddest thing is they could have had a franchise here. Now, that I have the origin story, I want to see where John Reid and Tonto go from here and that is about as likely to happen as WDW is to lower prices.

And it's all weak criticism that reads like corporate talking points in reviews and blogs and gets passed down to the individual in this social media era. No, the general public isn't tired of Depp. No, Depp's performance wasn't offensive to Native Americans. No, people didn't stay home because they're fanbois who are afraid of Helena (in a relatively small role here). No, people aren't upset that a film supposed to be set in Texas was mostly filmed in Utah. No, people aren't tired of action films ... if they were Man of Steel would have flopped as it deserved to do.

I walked out of ths film with a big smile on my face. And my theater (about 70% full) all seemed to enjoy the film quite a bit with laughing and cheering. That didn't happen at Man of Steel. Maybe it happened at Iron Man 3, but I missed that.

More to come in a bit.