Mooky wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 12:47 pmLooks as nice as you'd expect a 2020s fantasy movie to look, but it being a shot-for-shot remake also begs the question, why exactly? "None of that cartoony stuff, here's a REAL movie for you." This kind of hurts more than the Disney remakes because it's coming from an animation director that also directed the original animated trilogy.
I wouldn't be so harsh on him. If the studio had already decided they were going to go through with a live-action remake and they gave him the chance to be the one to direct it, it's understandable why he took it. They would have done it with or without him and he didn't want anyone else to take his creative child and mess it up. He was being protective of it. I think a lot of the directors of the original animated films at Disney would have jumped at the opportunity to direct their respective remakes had they been given the chance. Disney just never offered them the position.
In a recent Instagram post, DeBlois defended Astrid's casting, but also touched upon the movie itself and stated that it's actually not a shot-for-shot remake. Called those teaser shots "key moments" that are meant to honor the original. This makes me slightly more optimistic about the whole thing.
After all the clips I`ve seen, it seems like it`s going to be a carbon copy of it`s predecessor. Cause the scenes seems almost identical to it`s animated counterpart. But it`s still very remarkable how Toothless looks essentially the same.
Edit: I saw the remake earlier today and I must say that I liked it. Sure, like expected, it was even more of a carbon copy of it`s predecessor than most of the Disney remakes. But frankly, since I was one of those who thought the original was good, but not great, the remake was pretty much on the same league. However, what I liked about it, were the visuals. Who were great. And despite how they looked somewhat animated, the Viking settings felt more authentic than it`s animated counterpart. Mason Thames was fine enough as Hiccup, as he certainly looked the part, despite how none of the acting from the young actors were anything special. Nico Parker was fine as Astrid.
Either way, the cast was essentially more woke and therefore eclectic. The extended scenes after the prologue felt different enough to make the remake distinctive. However, the good scenes from the original were as good as in the remake. But my gripes with it is how Toothless` cartoony design felt a little out of place and therefore looked misplaced with the humans. I also disliked how Hiccup`s mother was apparently killed by dragons (which was a similar device for The Little Mermaid-remake, which was apparently not explored). However, the climax was the only part that frankly dragged a bit. But overall, a fine enough remake, despite how it was essentially retreading familiar ground.
I bought and watched this a couple of weeks back. Like L&S, it was nearly an exact re-creation, and consequently was fantastic because of it. I think the only moment the film didn't quite carry off was the final scene of Hiccup waking up without his leg. The original was much better there, but otherwise very good film!
Also like L&S, the steelbook cover was a letdown. At least I was able to get a 4k version that wasn't the steelbook though... At least, I hope I did. I can't remember right off, need to check.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
I can't remember right off, need to check.