Michael's Movie Grade:A-
Review: While more "safe" than Inside Out, this is still an excellent film in it's own right. Peter Sohg, a Pixar animator since Finding Nemo, makes his first feature film a great worthwhile movie, and I am happy to see what he does in the future.
The best thing about this film is the interactions with the characters, and it's respect for it's audience. It never cops out, and treats it's audience like they have minds in their heads. It is not afraid to have quiet nice scenes that never feel they have to over-explain anything to it's audience. One scene with Spot and Arlo talking about their families is simply fantastic, and very beautiful. This film has many moments like this that make the film well worth watching.
The film has a fantastic folk music score, and as a folk fan I love it. It is truly lovely, and I recommend staying through the credits just to listen to this music.
Though some may have problems with Arlo's design (I didn't), the animation is beautiful of the type we have grown to except from Pixar.
While this lacks the experimentation and originality of Inside Out, it shouldn't be judged by that but instead enjoyed as the great film it is.
But don't go away we have a short to review...
Michael's Movie Grade: A
Review: Sanjay's Super Team is an excellent semi-autobiographical film about the film's director Sanjay Patel's childhood. It is touching and sweet, as well as having excellent animation. The relationship between the father and son is sweet. The character design is fantastic. This is a personal film and you can see watching it why this short was so important to the director.
-Michael J. Ruhland
