Home on the Range

Mr. Toad · Post by **Mr. Toad** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:43 pm

Was it the burps that got the PG rating?

Squirrel · Post by **Squirrel** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 2:17 pm

I went to the first showing here (at 12:35).

The art was colorful (the desert backgrounds), bright (the farm), but for me ... too angular. But that's a personal preference. It looks different than the past couple of Disneys, though, so it's a nice variety/look. And it does seem to fit the setting.

The story was fine, but I felt it moved too quickly. This isn't really a spoiler, but I'll white it anyway: Like, mere moments after Maggie arrives at the farm, they're given the bank statement, and then they're off. I would've liked to have spent more time getting to know the place, and the secondary characters (the ones that stayed behind when the cows struck out for town). So, I wish it would've had a bit more time, to flesh things out. Deepen it.

Voice-work and script were good. I like Judi Dench, so it was nice to hear her as Mrs. Calloway (who I already have my plush of!

) The score, I thought, was excellent. Well-done by Alan Menken. At times, to me, it sounded a bit like Copeland (which would make sense; and Copeland's my favorite composer, so I like that). The score was equally lively and fun and touching throughout. The songs aren't the best Disney songs, but pleasant. "Little Patch of Heaven" is pretty cozy. I also liked "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again," played during the rainstorm.

The humor was more on tune with The Emperor's New Groove (than, say, Lilo & Stitch). Zany-like. From Lucky Jack's mishaps to the cows stumbling into a dance hall. I could say more, I suppose, but I'm still thinking it over. I'll most likely be back tomorrow, for another viewing; to better appreciate it, and because any anticipations will be out of the way. However, I didn't like it as much as Brother Bear, or Lilo & Stitch, to compare it to more recent Disney fare. I wanted to like it more, to love it, wanted to attach to it ... but found I really didn't (or couldn't; I don't know).

So, for me, I say ... it was good. It was entertaining, but not much beyond that. I was borderline 2.5 or 3 stars, but I'll probably end up with 3 stars (because of my fondness for Disney animation), and because, it's not bad. I liked it. I just didn't love it.

quiden · Post by **quiden** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 2:30 pm

Well thanks to this site http://kids-in-mind.com/ I have decided to take my kids to see home on the range. It's a good site that gives a very detailed description of everything that could be possibly offensive or profane. Everyone who might be concerned about any movie they want to see should check there.

Mermaid Kelly · Post by **Mermaid Kelly** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 2:59 pm

quiden wrote:Here's my case-in-point about my concerns for having my kids see a PG rated movie. Shrek has many funny things in it that the kids got, and some that they didn't, I don't mind that because that humor was sophisticated, not nasty, but there were a few nasty parts that I really didn't appreciate. My example is when Farquad is sitting in his bed with a drink in one hand and his other hand over his lap having the mirror show him Fiona over and over again. As the "camera" gets closer to Farquad you see a bulge under his sheet around his groin area and he looks down at it and quickly lifts up his sheet to hide it and looks embarrassed (the point being that Farquad got an erection). I think that this is totally inappropriate content to put in a movie that will appeal to kids regardless of whether or not they get it!

Haa haa I remember that part! That was so funny!

goofystitch · Post by **goofystitch** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 3:43 pm

I really liked "Home on the Range" and was surprised that this film has a lot of heart. I am a huge fan of "Seinfeld" so the best parts for me where the two references to it. One of them was the duck in the first scene at Patch of Heaven. Everyone is dancing, but the Duck is doing an extra special dance that Seinfeld fans will recognize as being done by Elaine. The other reference was a cameo by Patrick Warburton who played Putty on the show and was also a voice in "The Emporor's New Groove." The comedy in this film was a little on the silly side, but it didn't play like the other comedy animated features we've seen as of latley. It really was more of an adventure film than a comedy. My favorite character was the cow voiced by Lilly Tomlin. I think you'll understand what I mean if you go see it. My final reaction is that it's not the best way for Disney to have ended their traditional animation line, but I think this film will become a classic sometime down the road. Just not today. And also, there is nothing at the end of the credits, so don't waste your time sitting through them unless you want to read all of the names.

goofystitch · Post by **goofystitch** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 3:50 pm

I saw "Home on the Range" and I seriously think it was PG because of burping. The cow voiced by Roseanne burped a lot in the begining of the film. The only other thing that could have made it PG was the horse when he fought 4 men, but that was done in a very slapstick animation style, so I doubt it. The "Their real so quit stairing line" wasn't used the way it is shown on the trailors. The line is actually one of the first in the film when Maggie is introducing herself. She bends over to eat some grass and says it. It is not the way it looks on the trailor with the camera focused between her legs. A lot of the clips shown in the trailor were edited together in such a way that it almost makes the actual scenes in the film feel weird because it's not how you thought it would be. If you are really that worried about your kids being harmed by this film, then don't take them, but I found nothing wrong with it. Also, with regards to comments about Disney's ability to edit out the elements that made the film PG, is burping really so offensive that it should be removed from the film? And aren't we trying to preserve the originals? Isn't that why people are upset about the DVD treatment of "Saludos Amigos?" And isn't that why
we buy the Treasures sets?

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 4:09 pm

Added my take on it to the original post.

Squirrel · Post by **Squirrel** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:19 pm

I think part of what helped it get a PG was those bulls, and the, "Maybe you can help us..." routines.

Sublimedo · Post by **Sublimedo** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:20 am

Well I went to the first showing today at downtown disney... While its not really the note I would expect disney 2D to end on( I personally think it would have been nice to have ended it on Brother Bear, with HOTR being released before), its a really really fun and great film. The artwork, coloring, and animation is beautiful. I didn't really like much of the 3D animation they used but it didnt take away from the film. I found the humor to be pretty good and ,IMO, sort of different from Empreror's New Groove(though their intros were pretty similar). The plot itself sort of dragged during certain parts but overall its a great and fun story. Also, i didnt think this film really deserved its PG rating, it really could/should have squeaked through w/ a G.

goofystitch · Post by **goofystitch** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:55 am

I don't think that children would have understood that the bulls wanted to date the cows. They would probably think the voices are funny and laugh at it. And while the bulls do stalk the cows, It wasn't in a threatening manner and I don't think it would make kids want to stalk someone anymore than the scene in "Monsters Inc." where Mike and Scully are at the stop and go light and the scine reads "Stalk" and "Don't stalk."

Joe Carioca · Post by **Joe Carioca** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:00 am

Hey people, what was the reaction of the audience? And how crowded were the theaters?

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:24 am

wait.... burping is a reason for PG!??!?!..... all kids burp... part of growing up ... you drink a coke, you burp, mom gets upset, you have fun... do we seriously need parental guidance to morally support our children when farm animals burp???

And I had already noticed in the trailer, that the "quit starring line" was edited together in some way. The way you describe it, it really doesnt seem harmful. So that has me thinking Disney wanted this movie to be PG, so that a lot of parents will not take their kids... wich mean a 2d bomb... wich means "see, it is a flop because it was handcrafted!".. sigh, it is a spiral going... down

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:30 am

Joe Carioca wrote:Hey people, what was the reaction of the audience? And how crowded were the theaters?

Good point, I meant to include that.

My theater probably seated close to 300, and it was 40% full - not too bad for a 12:30 PM showing on Friday for a family film. I didn't hear a lot of reaction throughout the movie, but everyone clapped at the end, so I guess they enjoyed it.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:37 am

I honestly think the reason for the PG rating was just the slapstick violence. That may be in many G-rated Disney films, but HOTR was absolutely full of it. The characters were constantly getting beat up or being knocked out. It may have been done in a comedic way, but that's the only thing that seemed to warrent 'PG'. That "they're real" quote couldn't have been the only reason, and the issue with the bulls hitting on the cows seems too slight.

FilmMkr · Post by **FilmMkr** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:54 am

I saw it Friday @ 1 in the afternoon. The audience was a little less than 50% full of little kids and their mothers. Around half way through the movie the kids were dancing along with the music, especially during the "Home on the Range" reprise. Judging from my audience, middle age women REALLY love this movie. So if they tell enough of their friends, it could be a real hit. Like a girls night out kind of movie. Someone did the "one person clap" after the Yodel song, which I'd never witnessed before. The kids were really into the movie and there were applause at the end. So it was a real crowd pleaser at the showing I went to.

My thoughts:

It's beautiful to look at.

The scene in the bar could have used a little more crowd direction. It looks like the characters are just jumping around for no reason. The computer animation is useless in places. One shot that really sticks out is a view of the farm. It reminded me of the ENG playstation game. If it didn't have the crap CG it could pass for an older movie.

I kept waiting for the topical references and there really weren't that many. In fifty years, it will just be a duck dancing funny and a ox(?) with a funny voice. Grace's holistic references, not really sure how those will hold up (I'm not even sure how well they hold up now). I kept waiting for the groan inducing Matrix kick from the previews, but didn't see it. There's a similar scene but I think they slow it way down in the commercial. I don't know, is it still in there?

Like Brother Bear, I think it relies to heavily on violence for humor. For every hit that's funny there's probably 3 that aren't. In a word EXCESSIVE.

The trailer for Shrek 2 came on before the movie.....and Donkey really steals some of Buck's thunder, especially since Donkey does one of the exact same gags as Buck when he turns into a horse. Buck is just a higher strung Donkey, which I guess is really just a higher strung mushu...he's still funny though, and I really like him. He also uses the same tough guy posturing schtick as Koda (raging ball of fur), so whatever.

Despite all that the movie is hilarious and I had a great time. It's WAY too short. The movies not comparable to other classics, because the story's just not there. If you're looking for Beauty and the Beast, or the Lion King, nah, this isn't it.

If you like the Looney Tunes shorts, you'll get a lot out of this movie.

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:08 am

oops... HOTR flopped, lol... it made only 4 million (estimated) on friday, wich would lead to a 15-17 million 3day opening weekend. That would mean less than Brother Bears huge 19 million 2day weekend.. so lets just moo-ve on to Chicken Little

bring on the CG classics with stories that are just as bad lol

Mermaid Kelly · Post by **Mermaid Kelly** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:11 am

I saw the last showing last night, 9.30. My mom and I practally had the whole theater to ourselves!

I really liked the movie, beforehand I bought three plush cows, and a Home on the Range shirt because I knew I would love it.

Maggie is such a great character! All three cows have very distinct personallities, and the movie has wonderful music (for anyone who hasn't heard the sing-along dvd or soundtrack).

slight spoiler (highlight it if interested!)
I just LOVE how Maggie gets to wear Mrs C.'s hat at the end! That shows that Mrs. C. is really warming up to Maggie and they are becoming great friends!

I loved the movie and am already highly anticipating a dvd! (August, maybe!

)

DVDFreak · Post by **DVDFreak** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:35 am

I opted to see HellBoy last night, instead of Home on the Range. That movie was alright, and based on the reviews that people have given for Home on the Range, it sounds like a movie that I'll just wait to buy on DVD.

Joe Carioca · Post by **Joe Carioca** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:48 am

PatrickvD wrote:oops... HOTR flopped, lol... it made only 4 million (estimated) on friday, wich would lead to a 15-17 million 3day opening weekend. That would mean less than Brother Bears huge 19 million 2day weekend.. so lets just moo-ve on to Chicken Little bring on the CG classics with stories that are just as bad lol

Again, I'm not surprised...
Yeah, it is a shame, but you know what, it won't change anything. All the artists who worked on the film were fired already, production of 3D films is in full swing, and so is the production of the creep'quels (if you don't like "cheapquel"

). Well, at least it will be good to the folks at Disney India.

Well, let's hope it will have good word-of-mouth. Remember that was the way "TENG" scaped from being a flop (and it was because of Disney, that didn't trust in the movie's potential).

Mermaid Kelly · Post by **Mermaid Kelly** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 11:02 am

Joe Carioca wrote: production of 3D films is in full swing, and so is the production of the creep'quels (if you don't like "cheapquel"

WAIT A SEC, are you saying that the sequels from now on are going to be 3D

????

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