'Strange World' Disney's 2022 Animated Film

[GimpYancIent]

It could be Strange World is in the discount theaters. We used to call them the dollar theaters. They always show old movies you can buy on DVD for years. They were good places to go on dates since no was in the theater. It was cheap and dark.

Hmmmmmmmm......

 

[LittleBuford]

It could be Strange World is in the discount theaters. We used to call them the dollar theaters. They always show old movies you can buy on DVD for years. They were good places to go on dates since no was in the theater. It was cheap and dark.

I’m puzzled by the puzzlement. Unless the claim is that Strange World is taking another film’s spot (which I don’t think anyone is arguing), why wouldn’t it still be running in multiplexes with screens to spare?

 

[Rich T]

It could be Strange World is in the discount theaters. We used to call them the dollar theaters. They always show old movies you can buy on DVD for years. They were good places to go on dates since no was in the theater. It was cheap and dark.

The dollar theaters were a huge part of my high school and college social life and film education in the late 70’s. The best ones changed their offerings every night, and they printed up monthly calendars you could pick up at local record stores. These independently-owned venues (usually housed in decades-old downtown movie theaters) introduced my friends and me to countless classics, cult films and foreign movies, as well as last-chance screenings of more recent releases. At one dollar for two feature films, you had nothing to lose by taking a chance on a film you’d never heard of.

In the days before cable and home video, the dollar theaters were invaluable. Their operators were unsung heroes of the time.

 

[Heppenheimer]

I’m puzzled by the puzzlement. Unless the claim is that Strange World is taking another film’s spot (which I don’t think anyone is arguing), why wouldn’t it still be running in multiplexes with screens to spare?

Because multiplexes want bodies in seats who will then buy overpriced snacks and drinks, which is how the theater actually makes money. If there's not enough broad-interest movies out right now to fill every auditorium in a multiplex, then the theater can continue to show it with little additional costs to the themselves. But, if Strange World being shown in that auditorium means another, more potentially popular film isn't being shown, than that's a lost opportunity cost to the theater.

My gut feeling, having worked in a movie theater as a teenager and with some residual understanding of how they operate, is that they're probably showing Strange World in the smallest auditorium during matinees, with another movie that appeals more to teenagers or adults (like maybe a horror movie nearing the end of its theatrical run) occupying the same auditorium in the evenings. There's probably a trickle of families that will still watch it as an afternoon outing, and since continuing to show the movie now imposes no real additional cost to the theater, they will elect to keep the movie going during slow times just to keep some popcorn money coming in. Not that you can compare the popularity of The Lion King to Strange World, but the theater I worked at kept the former playing for months as a matinee after its summer peak because they could still get a small flow of people in the auditorium during slow times.

 

[LittleBuford]

Because multiplexes want bodies in seats who will then buy overpriced snacks and drinks, which is how the theater actually makes money. If there's not enough broad-interest movies out right now to fill every auditorium in a multiplex, then the theater can continue to show it with little additional costs to the themselves. But, if Strange World being shown in that auditorium means another, more potentially popular film isn't being shown, than that's a lost opportunity cost to the theater.

My gut feeling, having worked in a movie theater as a teenager and with some residual understanding of how they operate, is that they're probably showing Strange World in the smallest auditorium during matinees, with another movie that appeals more to teenagers or adults (like maybe a horror movie nearing the end of its theatrical run) occupying the same auditorium in the evenings. There's probably a trickle of families that will still watch it as an afternoon outing, and since continuing to show the movie now imposes no real additional cost to the theater, they will elect to keep the movie going during slow times just to keep some popcorn money coming in. Not that you can compare the popularity of The Lion King to Strange World, but the theater I worked at kept the former playing for months as a matinee after its summer peak because they could still get a small flow of people in the auditorium during slow times.

All of this is consistent with what I was trying to say in my post but apparently failed to convey.

 

[Phroobar]

I also saw Puss in Boots. I have to agree with @Rich T review. That series has always been consistently well made and looks great. Just like Illumination, Dreamworks has a formula they keep with Shrek and Puss n' Boots franchises. You know what you are getting and it's aways a good time. Disney on the other hand, has gotten a little "big for their britches" and needs to go back to what works for them - Princess fairytales with songs. Their non-musical stuff really lacks. Rewatched, the Black Cauldron and I keep thinking this would be better with some musical numbers. (and if they kept Katzenberg out of editing room)

 

[LittleBuford]

I also saw Puss in Boots. I have to agree with @Rich T review. That series has always been consistently well made and looks great. Just like Illumination, Dreamworks has a formula they keep with Shrek and Puss n' Boots franchises. You know what you are getting and it's aways a good time. Disney on the other hand, has gotten a little "big for their britches" and needs to go back to what works for them - Princess fairytales with songs. Their non-musical stuff really lacks. Rewatched, the Black Cauldron and I keep thinking this would be better with some musical numbers. (and if they kept Katzenberg out of editing room)

I'm glad Disney hasn't always stuck to the princess formula. Some of my personal favourites—Alice in Wonderland, Robbin Hood, The Sword in the Stone, The Emperor's New Groove—fall well outside that genre.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Disney didn't become the company they are today by producing formulaic content.

Animated movies were a revolution. Walt Disney completely changed what an amusement park could be.

Sticking with princess fairy tales exclusively would go against what makes a creative company great.

There's room for everything. Strange World was "meh" to me but the last thing I want is for Disney to take zero chances.

Also, nothing lasts forever. Princess movies might wane in popularity over time. We're seeing a bit of fatigue towards the MCU.

 

[Rich T]

I also saw Puss in Boots. I have to agree with @Rich T review. That series has always been consistently well made and looks great. Just like Illumination, Dreamworks has a formula they keep with Shrek and Puss n' Boots franchises. You know what you are getting and it's aways a good time. Disney on the other hand, has gotten a little "big for their britches" and needs to go back to what works for them - Princess fairytales with songs. Their non-musical stuff really lacks. Rewatched, the Black Cauldron and I keep thinking this would be better with some musical numbers. (and if they kept Katzenberg out of editing room)

While I agree with the “too big for their britches” part, I definitely do not want Disney to just stick to “singing princess“ films. That path will lead to stagnation. Zootopia and The Lion King were two of the biggest hits, financially and critically, in Disney’s history. The problem with Strange World isn’t genre, it’s in whatever’s going on at the studio that allowed a good idea like Strange World to proceed through production into final release without addressing its many script issues. What’s going on? The film needed someone to come in and fix the writing, and—with millions upon millions of dollars at stake—that didn’t happen.

When I, off the top of my head, compare Strange World to Puss in Boots: TLW, this is the first thing that comes to mind:

Puss in Boots TLW: Fresh, sharp, spontaneous
Strange World: Overworked, overthought

I’m sure a TON of story meetings and rewrites went into PIBTLW, but the film still feels spontaneous and surprising.

Strange World FEELS like a film that was written and approved by a committee of compromise.

That’s what Disney Animation has to fix.

 

[Phroobar]

While I agree with the “too big for their britches” part, I definitely do not want Disney to just stick to “singing princess“ films. That path will lead to stagnation. Zootopia and The Lion King were two of the biggest hits, financially and critically, in Disney’s history. The problem with Strange World isn’t genre, it’s in whatever’s going on at the studio that allowed a good idea like Strange World to proceed through production into final release without addressing its many script issues. What’s going on? The film needed someone to come in and fix the writing, and—with millions upon millions of dollars at stake—that didn’t happen.

When I, off the top of my head, compare Strange World to Puss in Boots: TLW, this is the first thing that comes to mind:

Puss in Boots TLW: Fresh, sharp, spontaneous
Strange World: Overworked, overthought

I’m sure a TON of story meetings and rewrites went into PIBTLW, but the film still feels spontaneous and surprising.

Strange World FEELS like a film that was written and approved by a committee of compromise.

That’s what Disney Animation has to fix.

Did you see The Sea Beast? It was a Chris Williams movie (Moana) that was actually pretty good. The writing and animation are very good. The monster reminds me of Toothless. It blows away SW. There is something even Netflix is doing right that Disney isn't.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Finally watched SW. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Its a one and done.

Not to derail this thread but what has me surprised is the movie Megan. I don't think anyone predicted its success. I don't do freaky/scary movies so I'll never see it but it sure is doing well.

 

[Phroobar]

Finally watched SW. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Its a one and done.

Not to derail this thread but what has me surprised is the movie Megan. I don't think anyone predicted its success. I don't do freaky/scary movies so I'll never see it but it sure is doing well.

For a killer doll movie, it was really good. She needs to meet up with Chucky. They could have their own killer doll cinematic universe. M3GAN, Chucky, Annabelle, Blade from Puppet Master, Fats from Magic and Billy all team up to again the clown doll from Poltergeist.

 

[LittleBuford]

Not to derail this thread but what has me surprised is the movie Megan. I don't think anyone predicted its success. I don't do freaky/scary movies so I'll never see it but it sure is doing well.

Derailment is par for the course in this thread, so don’t apologise! The trailer for Megan was totally bonkers and had me in stitches. I am glad it’s proving a hit and look forward to seeing it.

 

[Rich T]

Did you see The Sea Beast? It was a Chris Williams movie (Moana) that was actually pretty good. The writing and animation are very good. The monster reminds me of Toothless. It blows away SW. There is something even Netflix is doing right that Disney isn't.

I’ve been meaning to watch that one—Will see it this week.

 

[Rich T]

Finally watched SW. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Its a one and done.

Not to derail this thread but what has me surprised is the movie Megan. I don't think anyone predicted its success. I don't do freaky/scary movies so I'll never see it but it sure is doing well.

I won’t see it either, but it’s got a great concept. Seems like the dark horror flip side of Spielberg/Kubrick’s A.I.

 

[DKampy]

Not to derail this thread but what has me surprised is the movie Megan. I don't think anyone predicted its success. I don't do freaky/scary movies so I'll never see it but it sure is doing well.

There was pretty good news all around for the BoxOffice. Not only did the box office greatly exceed expectations for Megan and Avatar…but The Tom Hanks movie “ A Man Called Otto” also did better than expected with over 4 Million in only about 600 theaters… with 97% approval rating legs could be pretty good especially with it being an adult crowd pleasing movie and going wide this week. As well as Puss in Boots keeps churning along at a good pace…probably due to word of mouth… hopefully this is a good sign of the theaters recovering

 

[Rich T]

Another comparison between Strange World and Puss in Boots the Last Wish because both begin with a near-superhuman hero pulling off incredible, death-defying rescues.

In Puss In Boots TLW, Puss is quickly stripped of his confidence, pride and invulnerability, rendering him mortal and very aware that he could die for real at any time. This makes every action sequence that follows all the more involving.

In Strange World, Yaeger retains his near-superhuman strength, skills and reflexes throughout the entire movie. There’s never a moment when you really believe that he or any member of his family is truly in danger.

There is no suspense in Strange World. Puss in Boots TLW, on the other hand, had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of its final act.

Comparing the two films, I’m astonished that the supposedly silly, lightweight Dreamworks comedy ended up being the one with the most emotion, depth, character development and suspense.

 

[Heppenheimer]

I'm glad Disney hasn't always stuck to the princess formula. Some of my personal favourites—Alice in Wonderland, Robbin Hood, The Sword in the Stone, The Emperor's New Groove—fall well outside that genre.

I will die on the hill of "The Emperor's New Groove" is Disney's Most Underrated Animated Movie". It goes outside their usual comfort zone- only one real song, a far more angular character design than usual, and has a silly, madcap almost classic Merry Melodies sense of humor- even though the plot itself is a fairly routine buddy comedy. I really don't understand how positive word of mouth to push this movie into better financial performance.

So, I don't want Disney to stick to singing princesses either. But on the other hand, given their spotty track record, I don't want them to jump back into sci fi again for awhile, until they've really worked out a good story with better characters.

 

[Ghost93]

I will die on the hill of "The Emperor's New Groove" is Disney's Most Underrated Animated Movie". It goes outside their usual comfort zone- only one real song, a far more angular character design than usual, and has a silly, madcap almost classic Merry Melodies sense of humor- even though the plot itself is a fairly routine buddy comedy. I really don't understand how positive word of mouth to push this movie into better financial performance.

So, I don't want Disney to stick to singing princesses either. But on the other hand, given their spotty track record, I don't want them to jump back into sci fi again for awhile, until they've really worked out a good story with better characters.

The Emperor's New Groove is too popular to be underrated. It wasn't a box office hit, but did very well on home video and is beloved by younger millennials and older Gen Z.

 

[LittleBuford]

I will die on the hill of "The Emperor's New Groove" is Disney's Most Underrated Animated Movie". It goes outside their usual comfort zone- only one real song, a far more angular character design than usual, and has a silly, madcap almost classic Merry Melodies sense of humor- even though the plot itself is a fairly routine buddy comedy. I really don't understand how positive word of mouth to push this movie into better financial performance.

I couldn’t agree more. Yzma alone is worth the price of admission. Her visit to Pacha’s house cracks me up every time I watch it.