I'll give you that, definitely. But that hardly makes a difference to its core audience. It's a hit regardless.Sotiris wrote:The animation in Sofia the First is abysmal. At least Jake & the Never Land Pirates is more visually appealing. Proof that low-budget 2D looks better than low-budget CG.
Sofia the First
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RyGuy
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I agree that the animation isn't great. But in terms of whether or not the show is abysmal, Disney wasn't aiming to impress Disney fans or adults here. The show is aimed at preschoolers. My 5 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old absolutely love the show. We have bought just about every piece of merchandise associated with the show between Christmas and their birthdays to squeals of joy.
I don't think the show is idiotic by any means. The songs are catchy, the morals are good (as a parent I absolutely would be proud if my kids were as kind and giving as Sofia) and I enjoy watching the show with my kids. I can't say the same about Jake and the Neverland Pirates (even though the animation is better, I find the show to be rather boring).
While we can all bemoan the thought that Disney is "dumbing down" for the preschool audience, I prefer to think of it as Disney creating a feeder program. My 2 year old can't sit still long enough to watch Wreck-It Ralph because her attention span isn't that long. She can, however, and does sit still for Sofia the First.
The older two started out on Jake and the Neverland Pirates when they were 3 and 2. It wasn't long before they wanted to watch Peter Pan and then all the DACs. They're such Disney fans these days that they begged me to take them to see Brave and then Wreck-It Ralph in the movie theater multiple times (I think I saw each film 6 times in the theater?).
So empirically speaking (at least in my family) Disney's strategy seems to be working even though we would all agree that these shows are not as well developed thematically or visually as we would expect from a DAC.
I don't think the show is idiotic by any means. The songs are catchy, the morals are good (as a parent I absolutely would be proud if my kids were as kind and giving as Sofia) and I enjoy watching the show with my kids. I can't say the same about Jake and the Neverland Pirates (even though the animation is better, I find the show to be rather boring).
While we can all bemoan the thought that Disney is "dumbing down" for the preschool audience, I prefer to think of it as Disney creating a feeder program. My 2 year old can't sit still long enough to watch Wreck-It Ralph because her attention span isn't that long. She can, however, and does sit still for Sofia the First.
The older two started out on Jake and the Neverland Pirates when they were 3 and 2. It wasn't long before they wanted to watch Peter Pan and then all the DACs. They're such Disney fans these days that they begged me to take them to see Brave and then Wreck-It Ralph in the movie theater multiple times (I think I saw each film 6 times in the theater?).
So empirically speaking (at least in my family) Disney's strategy seems to be working even though we would all agree that these shows are not as well developed thematically or visually as we would expect from a DAC.
RyGuy hits it in the head. The show has been designed for young audiences and their families, not the standard die hard Disney fan (though as one myself, I can't get enough of it).
Of course, I disagree with the comments made before, but it is a matter of personal preference. I disagree that Sofia and the rest of the characters are bland and lack personality. Yeah, the characters are a bit dumbed down from the typical cartoon show because this is a preschool show after all. But they still manage to be fun and lovely. Sofia is just adorable, and she feels very natural in her role. She acts and sounds a lot like a child would, and it is her interactions with the other characters that make the show so enjoyable.
I LOVED it when Sofia gave Cedric a gold star after he helped her out. That was so sweet of her. That's the other thing about the show: Sofia is such a great role model, perhaps moreso than her older Disney Princess kind. I like that she doesn't let gender roles define who she is, much less her princess status. She makes mistakes but tries to make up for them and is even willing to take the fall for her siblings if it means they can be happy. I like how that element was handled in the show, that a lie is still a lie, even if it was done with good intentions.
One of the reasons I loved the Slumber Party and Trolls episodes were their morals. In Slumber Party it is about being yourself, while Trolls was about hearing the other side of the story before creating a conclusion. Considering how much people are giving up individuality to fit in these days and are quick to jump to conclusions, that's a great thing for families to see and learn.
The other characters are just as fun. I admit James is kind of meh, but he has a lot of fun moments (like his whole fanboy-gasm over the circus on the last episode). Amber is a fantastic character, being able to be haughty without being too over the top that she is unlikable. She has a lot of funny moments, like when she tried to keep the king and queen away from the broken picture. Speaking of which, the king is also fun, and even the queen gets some fun lines (like "I say it to the kids all the time!"). And lest we forget Cedric, a villain so campy and so over the top he is gaining his own fanbase. And I like that the show doesn't go out of its way to treat him like a huge villain (a la Crocker on Fairly Oddparents), and they give him a break and even a chance to redeem himself.
The songs are GREAT. That stunned me when I first saw the episodes as usually, I feel the songs on these shows are so mind numming, repetitive and obnoxious it scares people away. Yet, Sofia manages to have really fun songs a la Disney's animated classics. They are quite catchy without being overbearing and serve a purpose in the story.
As for the animation, not gonna lie, I feel most people are putting it down because they have a huge bias against CG animation. Sofia the First is far from THE best looking CG show ever, but it is pretty good, especially when you compare it to the likes of the new TMNT series as well as the Kung Fu Panda series (though Dragons is really nice looking). Plus, the show proves that we have come a long way since the early to mid 90s when CG was a novelty and we got the worst.
Dare we forget that these were considering breakthroughs...
(not saying the show is bad, it was awesome, but pretty low on the CG quality spectrum).
Sofia the First succeeds in that it doesn't try to be super realistic, nor too stylized. It establishes a balance between the two, so the look is very pleasing. The only issue I have with it is that at times the character design doesn't always seem to work well with 3D, such as some of the trolls on some angles, and especially James. But considering this is budget, TV CG animation it looks great. Compare it to the Octonauts and Doc McStuffins and the show is a looker.
But I can see how it isn't everyone's cup of tea, it is a show designed for an audience in mind. Yet, I think it transcends a lot of ideas as to what pre-K shows can be. Heck, it goes beyond what a standard "franchise" show is and entertains while teaching lessons. I definitely approve of Sofia, which surprises me since I came in expecting nothing out of it.
Of course, I disagree with the comments made before, but it is a matter of personal preference. I disagree that Sofia and the rest of the characters are bland and lack personality. Yeah, the characters are a bit dumbed down from the typical cartoon show because this is a preschool show after all. But they still manage to be fun and lovely. Sofia is just adorable, and she feels very natural in her role. She acts and sounds a lot like a child would, and it is her interactions with the other characters that make the show so enjoyable.
I LOVED it when Sofia gave Cedric a gold star after he helped her out. That was so sweet of her. That's the other thing about the show: Sofia is such a great role model, perhaps moreso than her older Disney Princess kind. I like that she doesn't let gender roles define who she is, much less her princess status. She makes mistakes but tries to make up for them and is even willing to take the fall for her siblings if it means they can be happy. I like how that element was handled in the show, that a lie is still a lie, even if it was done with good intentions.
One of the reasons I loved the Slumber Party and Trolls episodes were their morals. In Slumber Party it is about being yourself, while Trolls was about hearing the other side of the story before creating a conclusion. Considering how much people are giving up individuality to fit in these days and are quick to jump to conclusions, that's a great thing for families to see and learn.
The other characters are just as fun. I admit James is kind of meh, but he has a lot of fun moments (like his whole fanboy-gasm over the circus on the last episode). Amber is a fantastic character, being able to be haughty without being too over the top that she is unlikable. She has a lot of funny moments, like when she tried to keep the king and queen away from the broken picture. Speaking of which, the king is also fun, and even the queen gets some fun lines (like "I say it to the kids all the time!"). And lest we forget Cedric, a villain so campy and so over the top he is gaining his own fanbase. And I like that the show doesn't go out of its way to treat him like a huge villain (a la Crocker on Fairly Oddparents), and they give him a break and even a chance to redeem himself.
The songs are GREAT. That stunned me when I first saw the episodes as usually, I feel the songs on these shows are so mind numming, repetitive and obnoxious it scares people away. Yet, Sofia manages to have really fun songs a la Disney's animated classics. They are quite catchy without being overbearing and serve a purpose in the story.
As for the animation, not gonna lie, I feel most people are putting it down because they have a huge bias against CG animation. Sofia the First is far from THE best looking CG show ever, but it is pretty good, especially when you compare it to the likes of the new TMNT series as well as the Kung Fu Panda series (though Dragons is really nice looking). Plus, the show proves that we have come a long way since the early to mid 90s when CG was a novelty and we got the worst.
Dare we forget that these were considering breakthroughs...
(not saying the show is bad, it was awesome, but pretty low on the CG quality spectrum).Sofia the First succeeds in that it doesn't try to be super realistic, nor too stylized. It establishes a balance between the two, so the look is very pleasing. The only issue I have with it is that at times the character design doesn't always seem to work well with 3D, such as some of the trolls on some angles, and especially James. But considering this is budget, TV CG animation it looks great. Compare it to the Octonauts and Doc McStuffins and the show is a looker.
But I can see how it isn't everyone's cup of tea, it is a show designed for an audience in mind. Yet, I think it transcends a lot of ideas as to what pre-K shows can be. Heck, it goes beyond what a standard "franchise" show is and entertains while teaching lessons. I definitely approve of Sofia, which surprises me since I came in expecting nothing out of it.
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Sotiris
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pap64 wrote:As for the animation, not gonna lie, I feel most people are putting it down because they have a huge bias against CG animation.
Sure. Because anyone who would criticize the animation of a CG product must have a "huge bias" against CG. I strongly disagree. The animation is undeniably awful. The fact that there are worse-looking CG shows out there doesn't somehow make the animation in Sofia the First any better. It's irrelevant. Did I argue that it has the worst animation ever for a CG show? No.pap64 wrote:Sofia the First is far from THE best looking CG show ever, but it is pretty good, especially when you compare it to the likes of the new TMNT series as well as the Kung Fu Panda series
For the record, I find that the animation in TMNT and in the Kung Fu Panda series is better than that of Sofia the First (not that there's a huge difference but it's there nonetheless).
At times? I think you mean always.pap64 wrote:The only issue I have with it is that at times the character design doesn't always seem to work well with 3D, such as some of the trolls on some angles, and especially James.
It entertains AND teaches lessons?pap64 wrote:Yet, I think it transcends a lot of ideas as to what pre-K shows can be. Heck, it goes beyond what a standard "franchise" show is and entertains while teaching lessons.
That's never been done in a preschool show before! 
Don't get me wrong. It's cool if you like the show. I've watched it. It's tolerable for a preschool series but I honestly think that people here are exaggerating about the show's merits while refusing to acknowledge its flaws.
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Sotiris
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SWillie! wrote:Do you think there are flaws beyond the animation quality though?
Well, one could argue that most of the songs are not memorable, that the characters are two-dimensional, the plots are uninteresting, or that the narrative is awkward and sloppy but for a preschool show it's more than decent. It's certainly understandable though how older children or adults would not like it.
When does it matter? Does it ever matter?SWillie! wrote:I think the fact that it's animation is not good doesn't matter in this case.
I wanna to watch it online.pap64 wrote:And how, if you don't mind me asking, does that relate to each other? You are making it sound like you can't watch any episodes online because Direct TV blocks it. Or are you trying to say that because you have Direct TV you rather see it on TV but you miss it.bradhig wrote:I can't watch any episode on line because we have direct tv. I keep missing the episodes on tv.
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Super Aurora
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first episode is now on their website:bradhig wrote:I wanna to watch it online.pap64 wrote: And how, if you don't mind me asking, does that relate to each other? You are making it sound like you can't watch any episodes online because Direct TV blocks it. Or are you trying to say that because you have Direct TV you rather see it on TV but you miss it.
http://disney.go.com/disneyjunior/sofia ... -episodes/
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Disney's Divinity
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Re-the animation topic: Just because a 2 year-old can't recognize the difference between good and bad, doesn't mean the words lose their meaning. I personally wouldn't care about Sofia the First even if it was a gorgeous 2D show, but I don't see why anyone should be up in arms to defend a pre-schooler's show just because someone points out how undeniably ugly it is. That's the main reason I've never seen anything of this show beyond a commercial.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ "Elizabeth Taylor"
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Meghan Trainor ~ "Still Don't Care"
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dvdjunkie
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Some of the negative preachers here are forgetting that Sofia the First is a show exclusively made for 3-7 year-old pre-schoolers, and each show contains a problem with a solution - or a moral - and my five-year-old grand daughter thinks that, in her words, "it's just beautiful, I want to be Sofia!"
I do agree that the songs are not very memorable, but again we aren't three-year-olds. Although I will admit to watching the show with my grand daughter and I have the first five episodes saved on my DVR, so she can watch them any time she wants.
I do agree that the songs are not very memorable, but again we aren't three-year-olds. Although I will admit to watching the show with my grand daughter and I have the first five episodes saved on my DVR, so she can watch them any time she wants.
The only way to watch movies - Original Aspect Ratio!!!!
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I LOVE my Blu-Ray Disc Player!
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Sotiris
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Belle will make a cameo in Sofia the First in an episode called "All Croaked Up" which will air on Disney Jr. in September 2013.
Ariel will make a cameo in Sofia the First in an episode called "The Floating Palace" which will air on Disney Jr. in November 2013.
Aurora will make a cameo in Sofia the First in an episode called "Holiday in Enchancia" which will air on Disney Jr. in December 2013.
Source: http://www.amazon.com/Sofia-First-All-C ... 423180232/Sofia is chosen to sing the Enchancian Anthem at the annual Harvest Festival. After she becomes a bit too boastful, Sofia's magical amulet bestows a curse on her, leaving her all croaked up! Based on a special episode featuring Princess Belle airing on Disney Junior in September 2013!
Ariel will make a cameo in Sofia the First in an episode called "The Floating Palace" which will air on Disney Jr. in November 2013.
Source: http://www.amazon.com/Sofia-First-Disne ... 423163907/Sofia meets Princess Ariel in this adorable mermaid tale! During her family vacation on a floating palace, Sofia befriends a mermaid, and through their friendship, helps save the mermaid's kingdom and brings their two worlds together. Based on the Disney Junior movie event featuring Princess Ariel airing in mid-November 2013!
Aurora will make a cameo in Sofia the First in an episode called "Holiday in Enchancia" which will air on Disney Jr. in December 2013.
Source: http://www.amazon.com/Sofia-First-Disne ... 423183967/A snowstorm prevents King Roland from returning home in time for the holidays. Sofia leads her family on a brave expedition to find him, and shows Amber that spending the holiday with loved ones is better than any present. This festive storybook includes sparkly holiday stickers and a special appearance by Princess Aurora! Based on a special episode airing on Disney Junior in December 2013!
Last edited by Sotiris on Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Super Aurora
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That's a damn long way to go.
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Sotiris
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PR: Disney Junior Orders Second Season of Sofia the First
http://www.toonzone.net/2013/03/disney- ... the-first/
http://www.toonzone.net/2013/03/disney- ... the-first/
Last edited by Sotiris on Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Super Aurora
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Also next new episode, "Blue Ribbon Bunny", will be on March 15 at 9:30am EST.
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bruno_wbt
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Sofia meets Princess Ariel in this adorable mermaid tale!
During her family vacation on a floating palace, Sofia befriends a mermaid, and through their friendship, helps save the mermaid's kingdom and brings their two worlds together. Based on the Disney Junior movie event featuring Princess Ariel airing in mid-November 2013!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
During her family vacation on a floating palace, Sofia befriends a mermaid, and through their friendship, helps save the mermaid's kingdom and brings their two worlds together. Based on the Disney Junior movie event featuring Princess Ariel airing in mid-November 2013!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
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Super Aurora
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seems majority of these Disney princesses meets episodes will be happening in latter half of this year.
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