Disney Animated Movie Review: **^ Oliver & Company (1988)

 Oliver and Company was made during the time when disney had sort of lost their way.  Several of their movies were not up to their usual quality, and Oliver and Company is one of them.  This is a take on Olive Twist with a cat as Oliver and dogs as the other members of the gang.  There is a Bill Sykes and a Fagan.  Sykes and his two dogs are very much the bad guys as they are true criminals.  Fagan for his part is more a wantabe criminal but has too much heart.

Billy Joel plays the Dodger, Joey Lawrence plays Oliver.  The other dogs are voiced by Cheech Marin, Richard Mulligan, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Bette Midler.  The girl who takes Oliver in is played by Natalie Gregory, Fagan by Dom Deluise and Sykes by Robert Loggia.

Movie Review: ***^ The Super Mario Brothers Movie (2023)

 Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are plumbers in Brooklyn.  They get sucked through a pipe to mushroom land.  They go separate routes.  Mario meets Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) who takes him to Princess Peach's (Anya Taylor-Joy) castle.  Luigi ends up in the dark kingdom which is under Bowser's (Jack Black) control.  Bowser has threatened Princess Peach that she must marry him or he will destroy her kingdom.  Mario and the princess team up to rescue Luigi and confront Bowser.  They recruit Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) and his army to help.  They are taking a short cut, but Bowser expects this and ambushes them.  The rainbow road is partially destroyed and Kong and Mario fall into the ocean and are swallowed by an eel.  They escape and get to Peach's castle during the wedding ceremony between Peach and Bowser.  The wedding thwarted Bowser launches a rocket against the mushroom kingdom.  Mario diverts it into a pipe where it explodes and sucks Bowser and everyone to Brooklyn.  Bowser is terrorizing Brooklyn until Marion and Luigi use invincibility stars to defeat Bowser and his minions.  Peach uses a blue mushroom to shrink Bowser who is captured in a bottle.

This is the first animated feature to gross over $1 billion.  There must be many, many Mario players who were immediate fans.  The movie follows the game fairly well.  The movie is a project from Nintendo and Illumination.  

In Theaters: ***^ The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

 This is a movie more enjoyable to kids than adults.  It is very much like playing the game, at least in terms of the music and some of the graphics.  However it does add a plot.  Rosalina, Prince of the Star land (Brie Larsen) is captured by Bowser's son (Benny Safdie).  His goal is to free his father so they can rule the universe together.  She appeals to her long forgotten younger sister, Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy for help, and she turns to Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day).  They want to use Rosalina's star power to power their doomsday weapon.  This movie is about sisterly love, as well as brotherly love.  And finally father an son love.  However it is when Bowser (Jack Black) realizes his circle includes his friends too that things begin to change.

Movie Review: **** Zootopia 2 (2025)

 This is a fun animated movie about the animal police forc, and the too rookie police officers, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman.). There is also the Beaver who helps them, Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) and the snake they are trying to save, Gary De'Snake (Ke Huy Quan.). And then of course there are the bad guys, the lynx family, Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg) who is sort of a bumbler, but then maybe not.  The rest of the family is much more gruesome.  

This makes for a nice story.  The rest of the police think they are crazy when they tart to defend a snake, but the movie reveals there really is a conspiracy going on.  

DC Animated Movie: League of Super Pets

 Krypto/ Superdog (Dwayne Johnson) joins forces with a bunch of pound animals who have gotten super powers, while those with super powers have lost them thanks to a villain guinea pic, Lulu (Kate McKinnon).  In this way she has captured all the supers, and plans to free Lex Luthor (Marc Maron).  Krypto had let his guard down for a moment as Superman was involved with Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde) and he feels left out.  However Krypto and his friends seem to defeat Lulu several times, but then she keeps coming back stronger and stronger.  The movie doesn't know when to end.  Finally Krypto has to travel around the sun and bring the sun's powers to bear on Lulu.  He would have died had not the pound dog, Ace (Kevin Hart) saved him.  Other notable voice roles, Keanu Reeves as Batman and John Krasinski as Superman.  It seems all the super heroes have a bet emulating them, Wonder woman, Batman, Flash etc.

This plat is a bit more far fetched than even a super hero movie, but it seems to make its point, that all creatures are worthy of friendship and love.   

Marvel Animated Movie Review: *** Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)

 This animated movie review is similar to "The Avengers" (2012).  However some the the characters fighting the aliens are different.  Bruce Banner (Michael Massee) is in charge of an experiment to replicate the serum that mad Captain America.  They find the Captain (Justin Gross) frozen in the Arctic and bring him back to life.  Nick Fury (Andre Ware) is trying to assemble the Avengers.  Among others he asks Iron Man (Marc Worden), Janet Pym/The Wasp (Grey DeLisle), Black Widow (Olivia D'abo) Giant-Man/ Hank Pym (Nolan North), and Thor (David Boat).  Dr Betty Ross (Nan McNamara) helps Bruce Banner.  They were once partners but Banner is too unstable.  

The aliens are very formidable, but the team finally comes together.  And Banner takes the super serum, releasing The Hulk, trying to improve his control.  It doesn't work but he helps destroy the aliens.  He then begins attacking the avengers, until they are able to administer his medicine he had been neglecting.  

Not as exciting as "The Aengers" but entertaining.  

Animated Movie Review: **^ Micky's Christmas Carol. (1983)

 A Disney short cartoon version of A Christmas Carol.  The interesting thing is the different Micky Mouse characters taking on different roles.  Scrooge McDuck is Scrooge, Micky Mouse is Cratchit, Donald Duck is the nephew Fred.  Goofy is the ghost of Marley, the giant is Christmas present, Jiminy Cricket is Christmas past.  Daisy Duck is Belle.  I really goes fast so each ghost only presents one scene.  It sort of skips are being able to see the change in Scrooge.  

DC Animated Movie Review: *** Superman: Doomsday (2007)

 In this Superman (Adam Baldwin) dies, a lot of times.  He faces a being from Krypton, made as a super warrior.  In killing the creature he too dies.  But that is not the end.  Lex Luthor (James Marsters) wanted to kill Superman and he feels cheated.  So Superman is restored by Lex Luthor who then kills him with red sun and kryptonite.  In the meantime  Luthor clones Superman.  The new Superman is not the same however.  He does not have qualms about killing others in keeping Gotham safe.  Luthor mentions he has a fail safe, so the new Superman finds the lead line Kryptonite ball in his head, and removes it.  In the meantime Superman does come back to life as his body heals itself.  He goes to face the cloned Superman before he is fully healed.  The cloned Superman destroys all the other clones Luthor has made, and leaves Luthor under a pile of rubble.  It is only with Lois Lane's (Anne Heche) help that he is able to bring done the cloned Superman.

DC Animated Movie Review: ***Superman/ Batman: Public Enemies (2009)

 This movie asks the question, What would the world be like if Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown) became president.  It doesn't go well for Luthor's enemy Superman (Tim Daly), and also Superman's friend, Batman Kevin Conroy).  It seems every superhero in the world has been sent to bring Superan in.

In the meantime a meteor from Krypton is heading toward earth.  Luthor says he will handle, but a nuclear missile fails to alter its course.  He then tells people he will stop it but in reality does nothing.  So a few people will die. However Batman and Superman are planning on intervening.  But Luthor comes out in an Iron Man type suit.  The other super heroes are starting to see through him.  

Animated Movie Review: ***^Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)

 Adding Harley Quinn (Melissa Rauch)  to Batman's (Kevin Conroy) team makes for an interesting movie.  Quinn is such a loss cannon.  Quinn is the Joker's ex girlfriend.  She has served time in prison and turned a new leaf.  Batman and Nightwing (Loren Lester) recruit her because Poison Ivy (Paget Brewster) is making havoc.  She has teamed with Floronic Man (Kevin Michael Richardson) and they intend to change all creatures to plant creatures, forcing everyone to be green.  However nothing they do can turn Floronic Man from his goal.  Quinn does Poison Ivy in with her tears and big eyes.  But Floronic Man is different, until they realize he is a plant and susceptible to fire.  

Animated Movie Review: *** Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)

 There is a new actor in town, Batwoman (Kyra Sedgwick) .  She is attacking Penguin's (David Ogden Stiers) organization who are smuggling weapons to outside the country.  He is preparing for a big shipment.  Batman (Kevin Conroy) and Robin (Eli Marienthal) Are trying to figure out who Batwoman is, even though they have the same aims to a degree.  But in truth there are three women who make up the Batwoman.  Kathy Duquesne (Kimberly Brooks) is the daughter of Carlton Duquesne (Kevin Michael Richardson), Penguin's security.  Penguin's henchman Bane (Hector Elizondo) destroyed the business of detective Sonia's (Elisa Gabrielli) parents, and the tech geek, Rocky (Kelly Ripa) is struggling because Penguin framed her fiancé and he is in jail.  All three are motivated to take down the Penguin.  But it doesn't happen without th efforts of all three, and Batman and Robin.  Alfred (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is valways present and always supporting Batman.  

I enjoyed this animated feature.  Each of the women had their own talents and they worked well as a team.   

Animated DC Movie Review: ***^ Batman The Dark Knight Returns, parts 1 and 2 (2012, 2013)

 Batman (Peter Weller) has been retired for ten years.  However he doesn't like the way things are going in Gothem, so he decides to return to crime fighting, even though he is now in his 50s.  The minions have formed a gang of young people, with a devious leader who is strong and wants to face Batman.  They are committing crimes against people for the fun of "slicing and dicing."  In the meantime Harvey Dent, Two-Face (Wade Williams) has been treated and his face restored (but mentally he still sees it as ugly but now matching).  Batman has to stop his evil intentions.  

But still the minions are waiting and threatening a general attack on the city.  Batman confronts them, but the leader is able to defeat him and send him packing.  He is saved by his new Robin (Ariel Winter) a young woman.  There Alfred, (Michael Jackson) the butler, helps but him back together and reminds him that brawn for brawn he is going to lose.  He has to use his intelligence.  

So after Batman is healed enough, he invites all the minions to a place where he chooses to fight, in the mud which will work to slow the head minion down.  He then proceeds to slowly take him apart, and in doing so wins the respect of the minions.  Part One ends with the minions becoming smaller gangs of vigilantes, following Batman's example.

The Joker (Michael Emerson) enters part two.  His psychiatrist arranges for him to be on a TV talk show.  Commissioner Gordon (David Selby) retires, and the new commissioner is out to get Batman.  Joker of curse, kills his psychiatrist, and then all the people in the studio and the host with his laughing gas.  He seems to really like killing.  Batman has to fight the police to get away, making is so he is too late to save anyone.  Robin again helps him get away.  

Batman is being blamed for troubles in Gotham, and the president recruits Superman (Mark Valley) to fix the problem, even killing him if necessary.  In the meantime the Russians and USA are at odds fighting over an island, and Superman's intervention turns the battle in the USA favor.  

Batman traces the Joker to a carnival.  He makes the tunnel of love a tunnel of murder.  However Batman finally catches up to him, and Batman is witnessed killing the Joker.  The police are hard on his tail now.  Batman barely escapes again, with Robin piloting the Batcopter.  

Russia retaliates with a nuclear weapon, which although diverted by Superman, still explodes injuring SUperman and causing all electronics to go out on the sea coast, including Gotham.  Chaos ensues, but Batman, with the help of the minions is able to restore some sense of order.  

Superman is still coming for Batman.

This movie is very exciting.  Here we have a Superman vs Batman battle.  

At the Movie: ***Pets on a Train (2025)

 This is an animated movie to which I took Grand kids.  The Badger Hans (Frantz Conviac) betrays the Raccoon Falcon (Damien Ferrette) to get even with the police dog Rex (Hervé Jolly) is basically what happens.  Hans takes control of the train and sets it on a high speed collision course.  Inside of that there ar many animals challenging themselves to overcome.  Grandkids liked it overall, even Bronny who hadn't like the previous Pets movies.

Animated Movie Review: ***Monster House (2006)

 This sho is strange.  We watched it as a preview for family movie night and flunked it as it is too scary for the little kids.  The house is truly the monster.  There is a cranky old man who lived in the house till he had a coronary and died.  I don't know if the house absorbed his energy or if the old man was trying to keep people safe from the house by being cranky.  I guess somehow his wife became the house; but it keeps grabbing things, and pets and people.  Definitely not good for the kids.  

Steve Buscemi as Nebbercracker the grumpy old man.  Mitchel Musso as DJ the neighbor, Sam Lerner as Chowder his friend and Spencer Locke as Jenny the new girl who joins the team to fight the house.

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Animated Movie Review: ***Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

As Miles Spider-Man (Shameik Moore) enters the spider-verse searching to defeat Spot (Jason Schwartzman) who is a creation from the spider-verse collapsing and goes from place to place through holes or spots he makes in the universe, he is joined by Spider-Man Gwen (Hailee Steinfield).  However Spider-Man Miguel (Oscar Isaac) is upset as they have disrupted the spider-verse.  He also informs him all captains in whatever universe must die to keep the balance.  Miles' father has just been made captain.  Miles is determined to go home to protect his father, and 100s of other Spider-Men are determined to stop him.  This movie creates lots of chaos with confused universes.  Miles wasn't meant to be a Spider-Man as his spider came form a different universe.  In the mist of all the confusion from the different universes, each with its own pattern and colors, the show ends with a "to be continued."

Not my favorite Spider-Man and sometimes it is overwhelming to the senses.

Animated Movie Review: ****Robots (2005)

 A movie about what happens when profit is your bottom line rather than helping people.  Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent) is intent on melting all the old bots so as to make a money.  Her son, Rachet (Greg Kinnear) has become head of the Robot factory, Bigweld Enterprises taking over for the inventor Bigweld, (Mel Brooks).  Rachet is evil and arrogant and takes pride in sending robots to the scrap heap which his mother runs.  They are going to be so rich; until Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) and his friends arrive.   Rodney is intent on seeing Bigweld to share his inventions.  However Bigweld has been put to pasture playing with dominoes.  So Rodney decides to take on Gasket and Rachet with his friends.  Sometimes you need some good friend to stick to your dream.  Halle Berry portrays Cappy, a business executive who sees merit in Rodney's ideas.  Robin Williams plays Fender, Rodney's friend, and discovers the real motive of Gasket and Rachet.  Robin uses his voice talents to bring the character to life.  And Amanda Bynes portrays Piper who is Fender's sister.  She and Cappy play a big part in defeating the robots of Rachet.

fun show showing us a different world, very human like but robots.