20. The Legend of Tarzan
Synopsis: Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back
to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining
encampment.
Starring: Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson
Director: David Yates
Release: July 1
Every generation of filmmakers wants to put its own unique spin on the timeless story of Tarzan the Ape Man. Ever since the early days of Hollywood, Tarzan has been a staple in American cinema. In the summer of 2016, this new generation will take a crack at reinventing the legend once more with The Legend of Tarzan. David Yates, the director of the final four Harry Potter films, certainly is more than capable of breathing new life into this storied franchise thanks to his ability to combine genuine human emotion with great spectacle. The cast he has assembled is also top-notch. Judging by the trailer, Skarsgard looks perfect playing the titular character and with Robbie, Waltz, and Jackson supporting, odds are this movie will be one of the most buzzed about throughout the entire year. Watching a Tarzan adaption is a right of passage for any movie lover, and on July 1, seize this new chance to witness the tale unfold.
19. The Girl on the Train
Synopsis: Follows the story of a woman named Rachel, who goes on a
train to London. She witnesses the "perfect" couple, Scott and Megan.
But one day, havoc ensues this couple, and Rachel becomes involved in their
drama/ murder mystery of Megan Hipwell.
Starring: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Edgar Ramirez, Justin Theroux
Director: Tate Taylor
Release: October 7
By simply looking at the synopsis for this film, I was actually fairly surprised that this movie made it on this list because it just doesn't sound like something I would be exciting for on the surface. However, upon further investigation, by looking at the cast list, the director, and the acclaim of thousands worldwide who have read the novel, I cannot wait for October 7. The combination of Emily Blunt and Rebecca Ferguson is something to excite any movie fanatic like myself. Blunt is one of the most overlooked actresses of our day, blossoming into one of this generation's best actresses, and Ferguson is coming off the giant success of Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation, a film in which she was the highlight. To see them in the same film will be something to behold. Plus, director Tate Taylor has proven himself to be a dynamite filmmaker with such films as The Help and Get on Up, and this story looks to be one that is right up his ally. The talent on display here alone is something I cannot wait for.
18. Alice Through the Looking Glass
Synopsis: Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and
travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter
Director: James Bobin
Release: May 27
In 2010, Disney's live action Alice in Wonderland outperformed even the most lofty expectations from a box office standpoint. While critically it was met with a mixed response, one thing was certain: we would go back to Wonderland once again. Admittedly, I was a fan of the first installment mainly because of my adoration for the 1951 animated classic, but also because these fantastic actors are simply having a blast bringing these outrageous characters to life, none more so than Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. The actors are why I cannot wait for this sequel. Additionally, though, director James Bobin successfully brought The Muppets back to prominence due to his spectacular directing job on their 2011 musical, so who's to say he can't bring Alice and company to brand new heights? I say he can, and that's why I am really pumped for this one.
17. La La Land
Synopsis: A jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress in Los Angeles.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, JK Simmons, Finn Wittrock
Director: Damien Chazelle
Release: July 15
Not much is known about this film, but what is known is something to be excited about. First of all, it's a musical starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. I have always had a bit of an obsession with musicals, and to be able to see Gosling and Stone not only act phenomenally as we're accustomed to them doing, but serenade us as well is something I am truly pumped for. Secondly, we have the reunion of JK Simmons and Damien Chazelle, the dynamic duo who brought us one of my personal favorite films of the modern era, Whiplash, which earned Simmons an Academy Award. Chazelle is heralded as the next big thing in Hollywood among directors, and this summer, we'll get to see how he follows his masterful debut. Finally, did I mention that it was a musical starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone? That alone should get just about anyone excited.
16. Star Trek Beyond
Synopsis: Unknown at the time of this writing.
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana
Director: Justin Lin
Release: July 22
The unbelievable JJ Abrams crafted two superb films chronicling the adventures of the crew of the Enterprise, and now, Justin Lin gets a crack at continuing the legacy. He is more than capable of taking the torch from Abrams from an action point of view as Lin is best known for directing three Fast and Furious installments. Hopefully, that ability will bring a great dynamic to the Star Trek franchise. Other than the cast and crew, we don't really know a whole lot about this new installment, but based off the first trailer, we will be in for quite a ride. I am anxious to see what Lin brings to the table in following Abrams and his films. Maybe we may even boldly go where no man has gone before with Star Trek Beyond.
15. Zootopia
Synopsis: In the animal city of Zootopia, a fast-talking fox who's
trying to make it big goes on the run when he's framed for a crime he didn't
commit. Zootopia's top cop, a self-righteous rabbit, is hot on his tail, but
when both become targets of a conspiracy, they're forced to team up and
discover even natural enemies can become best friends.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk
Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Release: March 4
Given the title of this blog page, it shouldn't be that complicated to figure out why I am exciting for the next animated feature from Walt Disney Studios. The animation icon took 2015 off to focus on pushing two Pixar films, but in 2016, Disney is back with not one, but two original animated features, the first of which being Zootopia. The first glimpses we have seen of this fictional animal world have been filled with hilarity and colorful characters, and if the recent success of Disney animated films is any indication, we are in for a real treat on March 4. Plus, Byron Howard and Rich Moore have already proved themselves to be more than capable of creating a classic Disney film since they are best known for giving us Tangled, a modern day Disney masterpiece. Throw in an excellent voice cast and we might be anticipating yet another instant hit for Disney.
14. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Synopsis: The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret
community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his
book in school.
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterston
Director: David Yates
Release: November 18
The Harry Potter franchise is a landmark for cinema for a variety of reasons. From the cast literally growing up before our very eyes to the progression of visual effects throughout the series, there will never be another series quite like JK Rowling's tales. In 2016, we will get to once again return to a world full of wizards and witches with this highly anticipated prequel to the worldwide phenomenon. Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne should hit this role out of the park, and as I mentioned when discussing The Legend of Tarzan, director David Yates knows how to make a great Harry Potter film. However, what makes this film even more intriguing is that fact that Harry Potter author JK Rowling is penning the screenplay herself. Clearly, without her, we wouldn't even have this world, yet alone this movie, so for her to be so behind this one is all that I need to be excited for November 18 to come.
13. Untitled Matt Damon/Bourne Sequel
Synopsis: Unknown at the time of this writing.
Starring: Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Stiles
Director: Paul Greengrass
Release: July 29
It is rather rare for me to put a film that is yet to have a title, plot description, official still, or a trailer so high on a list like this, but I simply cannot wait for Matt Damon to be Jason Bourne again. Who knows if this one will even be released in 2016 or not, but I'm hoping we get it sooner rather than later because the prospect of Damon reteaming with Bourne specialist Paul Greengrass is something to get excited about. Additionally, Alicia Vikander was the unquestioned star of 2015, so to see her take on a high profile franchise role is extremely thrilling. On top of that, Tommy Lee Jones is in this movie, so it's just destined to be great, right? Matt Damon is coming off what was perhaps a career best performance in 2015 with The Martian, and in 2016, he's (hopefully) returning to his career best character. For me, that's all I needed to know for me to be anxiously awaiting July 29 to come around.
12. The Jungle Book
Synopsis: An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the help of a
pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther.
Starring: Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johannson
Director: Jon Favreau
Release: April 15
This one was actually on my most anticipated for 2015 as well, but due to some rescheduling, The Jungle Book was pushed back to 2016. Even though Disney has made me wait even longer for this live action twist on the classic tale, that has never dimmed my excitement to see Mowgli and company on the big screen. The talent behind this film is truly first class, led obviously by the extraordinary cast but also by Jon Favreau (best known for directing Iron Man). Favreau's passion for this movie is evident and that alone gets me pumped and ready to go for April 15, but beyond that, the first trailer was superb, showcasing the films diverse characters and stunning visuals while also ensuring the spirit of the Disney animated classic lives on. Plus, who doesn't want to hear Bill Murray sing "The Bare Necessities"?
11. Moana
Synopsis: A young woman uses her navigational talents to set sail for
a fabled island. Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary
demi-god Maui.
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Auli'i Cravalho, Alan Tudyk
Director: Ron Clements and John Musker
Release: November 23
Directors Ron Clements and John Musker are legends in the world of Disney animation, having directed The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, and The Princess and the Frog in their illustrious careers. In 2016, Disney wisely brings them back to helm their next princess musical, Moana. That truly is enough for me to be excited, but then, The Rock joined the cast. Johnson playing a demi-god is just about as perfect of a casting choice as one can make. He seems genuinely thrilled to be in this film, which therefore makes me genuinely thrilled to see it. Disney has always had a knack for finding diamonds in the rough, and newcomer Cravalho should be yet another welcomed addition to the legacy of Disney voice talent. Of course, we also remember the last time Disney released a film in late November. We actually still can't let it go.
10. The Circle
Synopsis: A woman lands a job at a powerful tech company called the
Circle, where she becomes involved with a mysterious man.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, John Boyega, Karen Gillan
Director: James Ponsoldt
Release: Unknown at the time of this writing
Oftentimes, I am attracted to movies solely based on the star power involved, and with The Circle, three of my favorite actors working today are all in one film ready to bring a very intriguing plot to life. Tom Hanks remains my favorite actor of all-time after turning in classic performance after classic performance year in and year out. Emma Watson is a talent to behold as evidenced by her tremendous work in the Harry Potter franchise, and John Boyega is coming off the immense success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where he (along with the incomparable Daisy Ridley) steal the show from start to finish. Director James Ponsoldt is best known for his ability to infuse solid drama with excellent dialogue in such films as The Spectacular Now and The End of the Tour. He should have no problem directing these fine actors in what should be a great film.
9. Finding Dory
Synopsis: The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her
loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family
along the way.
Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ty Burrell, Idris Elba
Director: Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane
Release: June 17
As evidenced by some of my previous posts on this blog, I am a humongous fan of Pixar, so anytime a Pixar release is scheduled on the calendar, I don't care what it is, I'm excited. In 2003, Pixar crafted one of their best films to date with the infinitely hilarious and heartfelt Finding Nemo, a film in which Ellen DeGeneres's Dory stole the show. Twelve years later, Pixar is giving the world a sequel to a film that actually deserves a sequel. Dory's family is something I think everyone is intrigued to learn about, and the voice talent on board to bring this deep sea adventure to life is special. In addition to the names listed above, Diane Keaton, Ed O'Neill, Dominic West, and Willem Dafoe lend their talents to Pixar's latest. The first trailer displayed Pixar's signature hilarity while also previewing the films potential emotion payoff as well. I am beyond excited to see what they do next.
8. Suicide Squad
Synopsis: A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains
to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency.
Starring: Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Viola Davis
Director: David Ayer
Release: August 5
Ever since Marvel teamed their greatest heroes together in 2012's The Avengers, DC Comics has been preparing their own cinematic universe featuring their greatest heroes. However, while we will certainly see Superman and company in 2016 and beyond, Suicide Squad provides an interesting and unique perspective to the superhero genre by focusing exclusively on a band of villains. Throughout comic book movie history, villains have always been what makes certain installments stand out (i.e. Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight and Ben Kingsley's Mandarin in Iron Man 3). However, can DC really expect us to cheer to this band of villains? It's a tall task, but they have the cast and crew to pull it off. Margot Robbie is Hollywood's next big superstar, and to see her bring Harley Quinn to life will be something to behold. Will Smith does great in everything, which means he'll be great as Deadshot. Jared Leto has some big shoes to fill as the Joker following Ledger's iconic performance, but he's more than capable of doing this role justice. David Ayer has the chops to direct a film like this too, and if you don't believe me, go check out End of Watch or Fury. This one should be tremendously different as it pertains to superhero movies, and anytime something fresh and bold like this comes along, I'm all in.
7. Passengers
Synopsis: A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and
transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in one of its sleep
chambers. As a result, a single passenger is awakened 60 years early. Faced
with the prospect of growing old and dying alone, he eventually decides to wake
up a second passenger.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne
Director: Morten Tyldum
Release: December 21
As I discussed before, movies sometimes make a list like this based solely on the star power involved. Over the past few years, Chris Pratt has quickly become one of my favorite actors in the business today thanks to his hilarious turn in the television hit Parks and Recreation as well as blockbuster turns in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. Jennifer Lawrence is a gem through and through. She may just be the best living actress in Hollywood today. Her work in such films as Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and The Hunger Games franchise is flawless. Therefore, the combination of Pratt and Lawrence alone allows Passengers to skyrocket up this list. The plot is an extremely interesting one as well and director Morten Tyldum is following up his excellent work in The Imitation Game. Science fiction is one of my favorite genres, and to see this talented beyond belief cast and crew bring such a unique and original story to the big screen is something I cannot wait to see.
6. The Magnificent Seven
Synopsis: Seven gun men in the old west gradually come together to
help a poor village against savage thieves.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Matt Bomer
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Release: September 23
As I stated rather recently, Chris Pratt is one of my favorite guys on the planet. If there is a possible way to dislike this guy, I'm fairly certain no one has discovered that way yet. Now in The Magnificent Seven, the remake of the classic Western, Pratt is teamed up with another one of my favorite actors, Denzel Washington, a combination that should produce great results on the big screen. Plus, director Antoine Fuqua can surely make a stellar film, helming such projects as Southpaw and Training Day, the latter of which won Denzel Washington an Academy Award. His visceral style of directing should be just what this gritty Western needs. I have always been a fan of Westerns, but in today's Hollywood, it's rare to see one released in the first place, yet alone with such a high profile cast. This is one I am dying to see.
5. X-Men: Apocalypse
Synopsis: With the emergence of the world's first mutant, Apocalypse,
the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan.
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac
Director: Bryan Singer
Release: May 27
I can't say enough about the newest cast of the X-Men films. The original cast featuring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, and many others were stellar, but this new group portraying the world famous mutants are stunning. X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past are two spectacular films, which means that my anticipation for Apocalypse is the highest I've ever been for an X-Men movie. One of the primary reasons is the fact that Oscar Isaac is bringing Apocalypse to life. Isaac is a name that if you're not already familiar with him, you should get to know his work because he is absolutely phenomenal in everything he does. To see him portray such an integral villain in one of my favorite franchises is something I cannot wait for whatsoever. Throw in the fact that McAvoy, Fassbender, and Lawrence are back in action alongside him and May 27 can't get here soon enough.
4. Doctor Strange
Synopsis: After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant
surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and
trains him to defend the world against evil.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director: Scott Derrickson
Release: November 4
Anything Marvel Studios churns out, I am on board immediately no questions asked, but anytime they promise to bring something fresh and unique to the big screen (i.e.- Guardians of the Galaxy), my already sky high expectations reach astronomical heights. There is nothing about Doctor Strange that is typical Marvel, and for that reason alone, I beg November 4 to come quickly. In what may be the most perfect casting choice Marvel has ever made, Benedict Cumberbatch looks to have been born to play Doctor Strange. However, in addition to Cumberbatch, Marvel has also rounded out their cast with what very well may be their most talented cast from top to bottom in their history. In addition to the names listed above, Mads Mikkelsen and Michael Stuhlbarg help in bringing this exceptional comic book to life. The passion for this film is remarkable and palpable, from the cast all the way down. Marvel promises something different, but I'm hoping for the same result: greatness.
3. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Synopsis: Fearing the actions of Superman left unchecked, Gotham
City's own formidable, forceful vigilante Batman takes on Metropolis' most
revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it
really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat
Doomsday quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known
before.
Starring: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Jesse Eisenburg, Amy Adams
Director: Zack Snyder
Release: March 25
Talk about an immense amount of pressure being placed on just one film. Operating in the opposite way that its rival Marvel built their cinematic universe, DC looks to build its own universe by introducing everyone at once and then giving each character their own film. The majority of my anticipation comes from the fact that I cannot wait to see if they can actually pull it off. If they can, this one will be wondrous for nerds all over the world just like me. To see arguably the two greatest characters in comic book history on the big screen together for the first time is exciting beyond belief. The first trailers we received have given me chills and have only grown my anticipation. Marvel was able to pull it off with The Avengers, and now, it's DC's turn, and as a self-proclaimed comic book movie nerd, I'll be there with my cape on ready to go.
2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Synopsis: Rebels set out on a mission to steal the plans for the Death
Star.
Starring: Felicity Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker
Director: Gareth Edwards
Release: December 16
Coming fresh off the tremendous success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it would've been quite easy for Disney to rest on its laurels and just wait for episode eight to come out in 2017, but instead, in 2016, we will all be treated to something never before seen within the Star Wars universe: a spinoff. We all love Star Wars as evidenced by the daily growing box office numbers, but in almost forty years, we've never seen a spinoff, and to me, that's something to be greatly excited about. Rogue One will take place in the time between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, and if you're a fellow nerd like myself, you know that a lot takes place in that time period that we never see, so to be able to see how all of that transpired should be a thrilling experience. Plus, the cast is sublime, led by Jones who is one of the best up and coming actresses in the business today. Here's hoping that Disney gives us something just as amazing as The Force Awakens.
1. Captain America: Civil War
Synopsis: Political interference in the Avenger's activities causes a
rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man.
Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo
Release: May 6
After my praise of Marvel throughout this post and my overall love for comic book movies, did you expect anything else to occupy this spot? Up until this point, the entire Avengers squad has been firmly united against a common enemy. With Civil War, not only are they all divided, but nobody really knows who the enemy actually is. Is it Cap? What about Iron Man? Is it the government attempting to interfere in the heroes's lives? These along with so many other questions are some of the reasons why May 6 is marked on my calendar. Beyond the storyline itself, to witness all of these fantastic heroes we already know and love on the big screen again will undoubtedly be a most thrilling experience, but then you tell me that we will get our first look at the Black Panther and the new Spiderman and my anticipation spikes to a new all-time high. Anytime a new high profile Marvel movie is on the schedule, you can bet that it will always be one of my most anticipated films of the year, and Civil War is absolutely no different.
Here's to a great 2016!
-Cody Fleenor
(Note: Source for all movie information- IMDB)
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
The New Cast Awakens
For as long as I can remember, I have been an avid Star Wars fanatic. I could watch the original trilogy every week if I had unlimited time on my hands, and the prequels, while extremely flawed, are still films that I watch on occasion. So for the past two years or so, I have been beyond anxious to see what director JJ Abrams would bring to the galaxy far, far away with episode seven, The Force Awakens.
I am writing this on December 23. The movie came out on December 18. I've already seen The Force Awakens twice and I will see it again at least six more times (and probably more than that).
Abrams and company pulled off the impossible in making an installment for the legendary franchise that is worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. It's simply that great. I got chills on at least twenty eight different occasions during both viewings and I fully anticipate getting even more chills as I go back to see it over and over again.
I was fortunate enough to see the first showing my local theater showed on the Thursday before opening day. I was surrounded by a sold-out theater full of Star Wars fanatics just like me and it was a night that I will truly never forget. Witnessing legions of fans from age six to sixty pile into a movie theater was a sight to behold. Every single one of us was anxiously awaiting the arrival of our beloved trio: Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker. We also couldn't wait to see Chewbacca, C3PO, and R2-D2 once more. For the night, we wanted to be transported back to the late seventies/early eighties and live in the glory days of George Lucas's fascinating universe. From the moment that John Williams's legendary theme began coming through the speakers, we could get a sense that we were in for a truly special evening.
*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS!*
Throughout the film, we lovingly welcomed back Harrison Ford's classic Han Solo along with his trusty sidekick, Chewbacca. We saw Carrie Fisher continue to literally be Leia. The droids were there and they were still awesome. It took him a while, but we finally got to see the last Jedi standing from the old Republic, Luke Skywalker himself. As each familiar face donned the screen, they were greeted by boisterous applause, adding to the truly incredible showing, and here's the phenomenal part about seeing these characters back in The Force Awakens: they all had their moment to shine. Ford, as evidenced by the trailers, was on screen the most along with Chewie each step of the way, and they both crushed every scene. It was so amazing to see Ford having a blast once again as everybody's favorite smuggler, and his rifts with his best Wookie will never cease to put a smile on any Star Wars fan's face. Fisher has some really nice moments towards the back end of the film and her presence should only increase in the coming movies. C3PO may have had the funniest scene in the entire movie for a diehard Star Wars fan like myself, and of course, Luke Skywalker wasn't on the screen as much as we thought he might have been, but he surely make his presence felt and will undoubtedly be very present in the coming films as well.
While it was an unforgettable experience seeing those characters I consider family in a sense, upon leaving the theater, I offered my praises to the original cast, but during the drive home with my sister and my dad, the topic of conversation wasn't about Han Solo or Luke Skywalker; rather, it was about the newcomers who absolutely stole the show. Daisy Ridley's Rey, John Boyega's Finn, Adam Driver's Kylo Ren, and Osacr Isaac's Poe Dameron quickly and seamlessly take the torch from the original cast and begin forging their own legend. This fact became even more apparent when I saw the film the second time. During my first viewing, I was just excited to see the old characters, but the reason I had to go see it again was because I wanted to know more and more about these fresh faces.
Years from now, we will not be remembering The Force Awakens exclusively because of Han Solo or Luke Skywalker. We will be coming back to JJ Abrams's masterpiece for Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren.
First of all, if you haven't seen Oscar Isaac before Star Wars, I strongly encourage you to check out his filmography and seek out his movies. He is the next big thing in Hollywood as far as I am concerned, and as Poe Dameron, he has never been better. Admittedly, I wanted to see more of Poe than we actually did, but I have no doubt that the upcoming films will feature him more prominently. He is a phenomenal talent, and the Star Wars universe is extremely fortunate to have him.
It was never going to be easy to create a worthwhile villainous successor to perhaps the greatest villain in the history of cinema, Darth Vader, but what Adam Driver did with Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens was something special. We get a sense of heartache and genuine pain during every line of Driver's dialogue. In maybe the most iconic scene of the new film featuring Ren and Han Solo, Driver is flawless in building hope within the audience that Ren may actually not be lost for good to the Dark Side before ultimately crushing that hope and fully embracing the Dark Side like never before by killing his father, Han Solo himself. His presence is dominating and his lightsaber is mind-blowing. I cannot wait to see what Driver does in future installments.
With Finn, John Boyega was able to give the audience a fresh and new vantage point never before seen in the history of Star Wars by giving us the character arc of a former Stormtrooper. Throughout the franchise, droids/clones/Stormtroopers have been glorified props on some occasions and simple minions to the Sith/Empire/First Order on their best day, but in The Force Awakens, we come to find out that the new generation of Stormtroopers are actual human beings with a soul, none with a more tender soul than Boyega's Finn. Boyega portrays Finn with hilarious tenacity, never truly revealing his motives while also remaining completely faithful to Rey and company. His character is something like we've never seen before, so it's appropriate that Boyega is something like we've never seen before. Finn is an instant legend, and so is Boyega.
Finally, we come to the star of a generation, Rey. Newcomer Daisy Ridley has taken the world by storm with her portrayal of one of the greatest characters in science fiction history. In fact, I would go as far to say that Rey is already one of the greatest characters in movie history period. While that is due in large part to Abrams and his writing team, Ridley ultimately deserves the lion's share of the credit. She's daring, fearless, and every single other adjective that relates to 'awesome.' In just one film, she has become one of my new favorite actresses. With Rey, Star Wars has an exciting future ahead as we will hopefully delve more and more into the legend of Rey. Personally, I am thrilled beyond belief to see Ridley do battle with a lightsaber again. She's already so well equipped with the powers of the Force. Imagine what training with Luke Skywalker will do for her potentially.
As the viewings continue to mount and the years go by, the allure and excitement of seeing the characters from the original trilogy will slowly fade. Isaac, Driver, Boyega, and Ridley will continue to bring fans back for more. Sure, we'll come back for Ford and Fisher too just like when we watch the original films, but when I watch The Force Awakens twenty years from now with my family, I know I'll be watching for this incredible new cast. Abrams created this masterpiece thanks in large part to some of the best casting in a film in movie history. My heart will forever belong to Star Wars, and after The Force Awakens, that looks to never change.
-Cody Fleenor
I am writing this on December 23. The movie came out on December 18. I've already seen The Force Awakens twice and I will see it again at least six more times (and probably more than that).
Abrams and company pulled off the impossible in making an installment for the legendary franchise that is worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. It's simply that great. I got chills on at least twenty eight different occasions during both viewings and I fully anticipate getting even more chills as I go back to see it over and over again.
I was fortunate enough to see the first showing my local theater showed on the Thursday before opening day. I was surrounded by a sold-out theater full of Star Wars fanatics just like me and it was a night that I will truly never forget. Witnessing legions of fans from age six to sixty pile into a movie theater was a sight to behold. Every single one of us was anxiously awaiting the arrival of our beloved trio: Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker. We also couldn't wait to see Chewbacca, C3PO, and R2-D2 once more. For the night, we wanted to be transported back to the late seventies/early eighties and live in the glory days of George Lucas's fascinating universe. From the moment that John Williams's legendary theme began coming through the speakers, we could get a sense that we were in for a truly special evening.
*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS!*
Throughout the film, we lovingly welcomed back Harrison Ford's classic Han Solo along with his trusty sidekick, Chewbacca. We saw Carrie Fisher continue to literally be Leia. The droids were there and they were still awesome. It took him a while, but we finally got to see the last Jedi standing from the old Republic, Luke Skywalker himself. As each familiar face donned the screen, they were greeted by boisterous applause, adding to the truly incredible showing, and here's the phenomenal part about seeing these characters back in The Force Awakens: they all had their moment to shine. Ford, as evidenced by the trailers, was on screen the most along with Chewie each step of the way, and they both crushed every scene. It was so amazing to see Ford having a blast once again as everybody's favorite smuggler, and his rifts with his best Wookie will never cease to put a smile on any Star Wars fan's face. Fisher has some really nice moments towards the back end of the film and her presence should only increase in the coming movies. C3PO may have had the funniest scene in the entire movie for a diehard Star Wars fan like myself, and of course, Luke Skywalker wasn't on the screen as much as we thought he might have been, but he surely make his presence felt and will undoubtedly be very present in the coming films as well.
While it was an unforgettable experience seeing those characters I consider family in a sense, upon leaving the theater, I offered my praises to the original cast, but during the drive home with my sister and my dad, the topic of conversation wasn't about Han Solo or Luke Skywalker; rather, it was about the newcomers who absolutely stole the show. Daisy Ridley's Rey, John Boyega's Finn, Adam Driver's Kylo Ren, and Osacr Isaac's Poe Dameron quickly and seamlessly take the torch from the original cast and begin forging their own legend. This fact became even more apparent when I saw the film the second time. During my first viewing, I was just excited to see the old characters, but the reason I had to go see it again was because I wanted to know more and more about these fresh faces.
Years from now, we will not be remembering The Force Awakens exclusively because of Han Solo or Luke Skywalker. We will be coming back to JJ Abrams's masterpiece for Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren.
First of all, if you haven't seen Oscar Isaac before Star Wars, I strongly encourage you to check out his filmography and seek out his movies. He is the next big thing in Hollywood as far as I am concerned, and as Poe Dameron, he has never been better. Admittedly, I wanted to see more of Poe than we actually did, but I have no doubt that the upcoming films will feature him more prominently. He is a phenomenal talent, and the Star Wars universe is extremely fortunate to have him.
It was never going to be easy to create a worthwhile villainous successor to perhaps the greatest villain in the history of cinema, Darth Vader, but what Adam Driver did with Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens was something special. We get a sense of heartache and genuine pain during every line of Driver's dialogue. In maybe the most iconic scene of the new film featuring Ren and Han Solo, Driver is flawless in building hope within the audience that Ren may actually not be lost for good to the Dark Side before ultimately crushing that hope and fully embracing the Dark Side like never before by killing his father, Han Solo himself. His presence is dominating and his lightsaber is mind-blowing. I cannot wait to see what Driver does in future installments.
With Finn, John Boyega was able to give the audience a fresh and new vantage point never before seen in the history of Star Wars by giving us the character arc of a former Stormtrooper. Throughout the franchise, droids/clones/Stormtroopers have been glorified props on some occasions and simple minions to the Sith/Empire/First Order on their best day, but in The Force Awakens, we come to find out that the new generation of Stormtroopers are actual human beings with a soul, none with a more tender soul than Boyega's Finn. Boyega portrays Finn with hilarious tenacity, never truly revealing his motives while also remaining completely faithful to Rey and company. His character is something like we've never seen before, so it's appropriate that Boyega is something like we've never seen before. Finn is an instant legend, and so is Boyega.
Finally, we come to the star of a generation, Rey. Newcomer Daisy Ridley has taken the world by storm with her portrayal of one of the greatest characters in science fiction history. In fact, I would go as far to say that Rey is already one of the greatest characters in movie history period. While that is due in large part to Abrams and his writing team, Ridley ultimately deserves the lion's share of the credit. She's daring, fearless, and every single other adjective that relates to 'awesome.' In just one film, she has become one of my new favorite actresses. With Rey, Star Wars has an exciting future ahead as we will hopefully delve more and more into the legend of Rey. Personally, I am thrilled beyond belief to see Ridley do battle with a lightsaber again. She's already so well equipped with the powers of the Force. Imagine what training with Luke Skywalker will do for her potentially.
As the viewings continue to mount and the years go by, the allure and excitement of seeing the characters from the original trilogy will slowly fade. Isaac, Driver, Boyega, and Ridley will continue to bring fans back for more. Sure, we'll come back for Ford and Fisher too just like when we watch the original films, but when I watch The Force Awakens twenty years from now with my family, I know I'll be watching for this incredible new cast. Abrams created this masterpiece thanks in large part to some of the best casting in a film in movie history. My heart will forever belong to Star Wars, and after The Force Awakens, that looks to never change.
-Cody Fleenor
Thursday, December 10, 2015
The Jurassic Pixar Predicament
The year 2015 was fortunate enough to see the release of not one, but two original films from the masterminds at Pixar: Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur. In the summer, Inside Out was met with rapturous praise and adoration as it was quickly hailed as a crowning achievement for the studio (currently 98% on Rotten Tomatoes). Not only did the emotions inside Riley's head captivate the critics; it also took the box office by storm, going up against the recording shattering Jurassic World while holding its own on its way to bringing in $850 million worldwide. By all accounts, Inside Out is a massive success.
Fast forward to November and audiences beheld the second film from the studio in 2015, The Good Dinosaur. While Arlo and company certainly garnered its fair share of supporters, the acclaim was much more subdued. Currently boasting a still strong 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, the general consensus from critics and audiences alike was that The Good Dinosaur was a middle of the pack effort by Pixar at best. The box office supports this claim as it is now being reported that Pixar may bring in its smallest receipt since A Bug's Life in 1998.
Personally, in regard to Inside Out, I consider it to be not only one of Pixar's finest films, but also one of the finest films in modern history period, animated or live action. Its brilliance is unrivaled and the story is refreshingly original from beginning to end. With The Good Dinosaur, while I did agree to an extent with the consensus that it ranks somewhere in the middle between the Pixar classics like Toy Story and Wall-E and the disaster known as Cars 2, I also left the theater wondering if The Good Dinosaur truly deserves that ranking or was it just a case of terrible timing for Pixar and the film. Could Pixar have benefited from waiting a few more months to release this film? What did the original idea for the film that was supposed to have been released in 2014 look like? Or was this Pixar meteor just doomed to miss the mark entirely? Essentially, what went wrong with The Good Dinosaur?
In order to fully get a grasp on this predicament, we must first trace the roots of The Good Dinosaur. Pixar had been working on this film for quite some time, and they had originally slated it to be released in 2014, ensuring that it would be released alone in 2014 and Inside Out would have 2015 all to itself. However, due to a directing change halfway through production due to creative differences between the studio and the director, Pixar decided they needed more time and pushed the release back to fall 2015 while the story received a complete remake. This was an unprecedented move for Pixar as they had never released two films in the same calendar year. They also left 2014 vacant, marking only the third year since 2001 that came and went without a Pixar release.
When the summer rolled in, Inside Out received the aforementioned praise. Anytime the words "masterpiece" or "instant classic" start being widely proclaimed and then accepted, you know you have something special on your hands. So when it was time for The Good Dinosaur, an unfortunate inevitability occurred within critic circles and audiences alike:
We wrongfully compared The Good Dinosaur exclusively to Inside Out without even knowing it.
We do this all the time throughout a year, which is why you see so many "Top 10 Movies of ____" lists every year (side note: I'll be releasing one of those in about a month or so). We compare movies like Ant-Man to Spotlight or The Martian to Brooklyn. Unfair as it may be, that's the nature of the beast when it comes to ranking movies. Unfortunately, Pixar cannot escape this fact either. It seems like every time a new Pixar film comes out, everyone feels the need to share with the world their rankings on where all the Pixar movies stands. I am not at all pointing fingers here, though, considering I released a list like that of my own just about a month ago from the time of this writing. Therefore, whether we consciously knew it or not, walking into the theater to see The Good Dinosaur, we were comparing it to Pixar's most recent effort prevalent on our minds, Inside Out.
Think about it this way. As I write this post, we are currently one week away from the highly anticipated release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As I gather with my fellow nerds at the Thursday night showing, it will be natural for all of us to compare episode seven to the original trilogy featuring Luke, Han, and Leia. They are all four totally different films, but we like to rank our movies, so we will all eventually conclude that episode seven was superior or inferior to one of the original three. That's what went down in theaters across the country as people began witnessing the journey of Arlo and Spot. Due to the fact that Inside Out was so well-received, The Good Dinosaur had to live up to those standards or it would have been deemed a failure by being simply mediocre. That'll also be the case with The Force Awakens. If comparisons to the prequel trilogy start showing up, failure has occurred for Lucasfilm because the lofty standard is the original trilogy.
To me, when looking at the overall reception and box office figures for The Good Dinosaur, it seems as if people are punishing Pixar for making a film that is just really good as opposed to being classical. Pixar has and will always continue to raise the bar in the animation business, a feat they accomplished mightily with Inside Out. However, with The Good Dinosaur, because the film did meet that bar, a disappointing narrative was written. In my opinion, I believe that The Good Dinosaur is an extremely well done piece of film-making by Pixar. In fact, I would even wager that if any other studio in the animation industry not named Pixar had made it, the reception would be quite different because it would have been hailed as a phenomenal film.
Now, I am not calling on everyone to change their opinion of The Good Dinosaur and take it easy on Pixar. That's what makes movies so awesome in that civil conversations can be had even when expressing an opinion. What I am advocating for is a repeat viewing whenever The Good Dinosaur is released on Blu-Ray. Allow for time to pass between Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur first and foremost. Then, when you insert the disk into your Blu-Ray player, don't compare this unique film to an entirely different unique film. Basically, let Inside Out be Inside Out and let The Good Dinosaur be The Good Dinosaur. I know that people will still feel as if Pixar created just a good film instead of a great one, but I've also got a feeling that people might just warm up to Arlo and Spot withtime. Nothing could have followed Inside Out, so rather than comparing The Good Dinosaur to it, let's allow each story to inspire and entertain us at their own level. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; all I'm asking is for you to not allow for your opinion to be set in stone after just one viewing. Let your opinion evolve. Who knows, you may just have a new favorite Pixar movie one day.
-Cody Fleenor
Fast forward to November and audiences beheld the second film from the studio in 2015, The Good Dinosaur. While Arlo and company certainly garnered its fair share of supporters, the acclaim was much more subdued. Currently boasting a still strong 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, the general consensus from critics and audiences alike was that The Good Dinosaur was a middle of the pack effort by Pixar at best. The box office supports this claim as it is now being reported that Pixar may bring in its smallest receipt since A Bug's Life in 1998.
Personally, in regard to Inside Out, I consider it to be not only one of Pixar's finest films, but also one of the finest films in modern history period, animated or live action. Its brilliance is unrivaled and the story is refreshingly original from beginning to end. With The Good Dinosaur, while I did agree to an extent with the consensus that it ranks somewhere in the middle between the Pixar classics like Toy Story and Wall-E and the disaster known as Cars 2, I also left the theater wondering if The Good Dinosaur truly deserves that ranking or was it just a case of terrible timing for Pixar and the film. Could Pixar have benefited from waiting a few more months to release this film? What did the original idea for the film that was supposed to have been released in 2014 look like? Or was this Pixar meteor just doomed to miss the mark entirely? Essentially, what went wrong with The Good Dinosaur?
In order to fully get a grasp on this predicament, we must first trace the roots of The Good Dinosaur. Pixar had been working on this film for quite some time, and they had originally slated it to be released in 2014, ensuring that it would be released alone in 2014 and Inside Out would have 2015 all to itself. However, due to a directing change halfway through production due to creative differences between the studio and the director, Pixar decided they needed more time and pushed the release back to fall 2015 while the story received a complete remake. This was an unprecedented move for Pixar as they had never released two films in the same calendar year. They also left 2014 vacant, marking only the third year since 2001 that came and went without a Pixar release.
When the summer rolled in, Inside Out received the aforementioned praise. Anytime the words "masterpiece" or "instant classic" start being widely proclaimed and then accepted, you know you have something special on your hands. So when it was time for The Good Dinosaur, an unfortunate inevitability occurred within critic circles and audiences alike:
We wrongfully compared The Good Dinosaur exclusively to Inside Out without even knowing it.
We do this all the time throughout a year, which is why you see so many "Top 10 Movies of ____" lists every year (side note: I'll be releasing one of those in about a month or so). We compare movies like Ant-Man to Spotlight or The Martian to Brooklyn. Unfair as it may be, that's the nature of the beast when it comes to ranking movies. Unfortunately, Pixar cannot escape this fact either. It seems like every time a new Pixar film comes out, everyone feels the need to share with the world their rankings on where all the Pixar movies stands. I am not at all pointing fingers here, though, considering I released a list like that of my own just about a month ago from the time of this writing. Therefore, whether we consciously knew it or not, walking into the theater to see The Good Dinosaur, we were comparing it to Pixar's most recent effort prevalent on our minds, Inside Out.
Think about it this way. As I write this post, we are currently one week away from the highly anticipated release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As I gather with my fellow nerds at the Thursday night showing, it will be natural for all of us to compare episode seven to the original trilogy featuring Luke, Han, and Leia. They are all four totally different films, but we like to rank our movies, so we will all eventually conclude that episode seven was superior or inferior to one of the original three. That's what went down in theaters across the country as people began witnessing the journey of Arlo and Spot. Due to the fact that Inside Out was so well-received, The Good Dinosaur had to live up to those standards or it would have been deemed a failure by being simply mediocre. That'll also be the case with The Force Awakens. If comparisons to the prequel trilogy start showing up, failure has occurred for Lucasfilm because the lofty standard is the original trilogy.
To me, when looking at the overall reception and box office figures for The Good Dinosaur, it seems as if people are punishing Pixar for making a film that is just really good as opposed to being classical. Pixar has and will always continue to raise the bar in the animation business, a feat they accomplished mightily with Inside Out. However, with The Good Dinosaur, because the film did meet that bar, a disappointing narrative was written. In my opinion, I believe that The Good Dinosaur is an extremely well done piece of film-making by Pixar. In fact, I would even wager that if any other studio in the animation industry not named Pixar had made it, the reception would be quite different because it would have been hailed as a phenomenal film.
Now, I am not calling on everyone to change their opinion of The Good Dinosaur and take it easy on Pixar. That's what makes movies so awesome in that civil conversations can be had even when expressing an opinion. What I am advocating for is a repeat viewing whenever The Good Dinosaur is released on Blu-Ray. Allow for time to pass between Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur first and foremost. Then, when you insert the disk into your Blu-Ray player, don't compare this unique film to an entirely different unique film. Basically, let Inside Out be Inside Out and let The Good Dinosaur be The Good Dinosaur. I know that people will still feel as if Pixar created just a good film instead of a great one, but I've also got a feeling that people might just warm up to Arlo and Spot withtime. Nothing could have followed Inside Out, so rather than comparing The Good Dinosaur to it, let's allow each story to inspire and entertain us at their own level. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; all I'm asking is for you to not allow for your opinion to be set in stone after just one viewing. Let your opinion evolve. Who knows, you may just have a new favorite Pixar movie one day.
-Cody Fleenor
Friday, December 4, 2015
Five Friday Favorites: Disney's Animal Kingdom Attractions
Like Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom is currently a park in transition with Pandora- The World of Avatar coming soon, but that doesn't diminish the fact that it is still a must-do during any Walt Disney World vacation. From the exciting sights to the truly unforgettable experiences, Animal Kingdom is always a highlight for me when I travel to Central Florida. For this week's edition of Five Friday Favorites, I count down my top five attractions at DAK!
Only one honorable mention for this list and it's Finding Nemo- The Musical. This thrilling stage show is an excellent staple of Animal Kingdom that is not to be missed. If you enjoy Finding Nemo (and let's be honest, everybody does, right?), you will love this show featuring superb puppetry on display and some catchy songs to compliment the already fantastic story. Disney always boasts the best of the best when it comes to live entertainment, and this musical is no exception.
Now, onward and upward to the top five!
5. Kali River Rapids
Everyone has probably experienced an attraction like Kali River Rapids in theme parks outside of Disney World, but what makes Kali River Rapids special is the message behind the attraction. Animal Kingdom is all about celebrating life and the beauty of nature, and those two themes are never more prevalent than when riding this ride that will leave everyone soaking wet from head to toe. To challenge every guest to take great care of the habitats around us while also entertaining the masses is something that Kali River Rapids achieves to perfection. Plus, if you just like to get drenched, you will be hard-pressed to find a water ride anywhere in the world featuring more water than on this attraction at Animal Kingdom.
4. Dinosaur
If you are like me, you want to experience something one-of-a-kind on every attraction at Animal Kingdom, and you cannot get a more unique experience than with Dinosaur. Based on the underrated and often forgotten Disney film of the same title, Dinosaur is an attraction that will stimulate every single one of the senses now matter how many times you experience it. I've been on Dinosaur quite a lot, and I still discover new hidden treasures upon every experience. Also, dinosaurs are just cool, and what better way to celebrate that coolness than by travelling back in time to roam where they roamed for a few minutes?
3. The Festival of the Lion King
Of all the stage shows at Disney World, The Festival of the Lion King is probably my absolute favorite. First of all, The Lion King is one of my favorites movies of all-time, so being able to sing those songs again with an extremely talented cast and the memorable characters is such a special experience. Additionally, the building and stage where you will find this show at DAK is so unique and so perfect for the show itself. Made in a theater in the round style, guests surround the stage on four sides, allowing the action to take place literally right before your eyes while also allowing for some cool cast/audience interaction. This show never fails to give me chills, and I anticipate that streak staying alive upon my next visit to Animal Kingdom.
2. Expedition: Everest
I will never forget my first time riding Expedition: Everest. My family and I were lucky enough to be vacationing at Disney World the same week that the forbidden mountain opened to the public back in 2006 when I was just eleven years old. Of course, as an eleven year old first experimenting with the idea of thrill rides and roller coasters, this attraction was the best of the best, and Expedition: Everest has maintained that status for me even to this day. Climbing to picturesque heights, this is one of the best thrill rides on the entire Disney property. The section of the coaster where guests are catapulted backwards to escape the legendary Yeti is exhilarating and one of the many highlights of a trip to Animal Kingdom.
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
I can confidently make the argument that if you could only do one thing at the Walt Disney World Resort, that one thing needs to be Kilimanjaro Safaris. It's as if Disney has quite literally brought a piece of the African savanna along with its diverse wildlife to Central Florida, and I can't tell you how cool it is to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, and so many more incredible animals living life just steps away from your safari vehicle. The amazing aspect of this attraction is that every experience is different. These animals are unpredictable, so you never know what you're going to see from time to time. That, to me, is beyond exciting and something I thoroughly look forward to during every vacation!
As you can clearly see, Disney's Animal Kingdom is so much more than a zoo. While it certainly is home to an abundance of animal life, there is much more to experience at DAK. I implore you to make time to visit this truly unique park. I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it.
-Cody Fleenor
Only one honorable mention for this list and it's Finding Nemo- The Musical. This thrilling stage show is an excellent staple of Animal Kingdom that is not to be missed. If you enjoy Finding Nemo (and let's be honest, everybody does, right?), you will love this show featuring superb puppetry on display and some catchy songs to compliment the already fantastic story. Disney always boasts the best of the best when it comes to live entertainment, and this musical is no exception.
Now, onward and upward to the top five!
5. Kali River Rapids
Everyone has probably experienced an attraction like Kali River Rapids in theme parks outside of Disney World, but what makes Kali River Rapids special is the message behind the attraction. Animal Kingdom is all about celebrating life and the beauty of nature, and those two themes are never more prevalent than when riding this ride that will leave everyone soaking wet from head to toe. To challenge every guest to take great care of the habitats around us while also entertaining the masses is something that Kali River Rapids achieves to perfection. Plus, if you just like to get drenched, you will be hard-pressed to find a water ride anywhere in the world featuring more water than on this attraction at Animal Kingdom.
4. Dinosaur
If you are like me, you want to experience something one-of-a-kind on every attraction at Animal Kingdom, and you cannot get a more unique experience than with Dinosaur. Based on the underrated and often forgotten Disney film of the same title, Dinosaur is an attraction that will stimulate every single one of the senses now matter how many times you experience it. I've been on Dinosaur quite a lot, and I still discover new hidden treasures upon every experience. Also, dinosaurs are just cool, and what better way to celebrate that coolness than by travelling back in time to roam where they roamed for a few minutes?
3. The Festival of the Lion King
Of all the stage shows at Disney World, The Festival of the Lion King is probably my absolute favorite. First of all, The Lion King is one of my favorites movies of all-time, so being able to sing those songs again with an extremely talented cast and the memorable characters is such a special experience. Additionally, the building and stage where you will find this show at DAK is so unique and so perfect for the show itself. Made in a theater in the round style, guests surround the stage on four sides, allowing the action to take place literally right before your eyes while also allowing for some cool cast/audience interaction. This show never fails to give me chills, and I anticipate that streak staying alive upon my next visit to Animal Kingdom.
2. Expedition: Everest
I will never forget my first time riding Expedition: Everest. My family and I were lucky enough to be vacationing at Disney World the same week that the forbidden mountain opened to the public back in 2006 when I was just eleven years old. Of course, as an eleven year old first experimenting with the idea of thrill rides and roller coasters, this attraction was the best of the best, and Expedition: Everest has maintained that status for me even to this day. Climbing to picturesque heights, this is one of the best thrill rides on the entire Disney property. The section of the coaster where guests are catapulted backwards to escape the legendary Yeti is exhilarating and one of the many highlights of a trip to Animal Kingdom.
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
I can confidently make the argument that if you could only do one thing at the Walt Disney World Resort, that one thing needs to be Kilimanjaro Safaris. It's as if Disney has quite literally brought a piece of the African savanna along with its diverse wildlife to Central Florida, and I can't tell you how cool it is to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, and so many more incredible animals living life just steps away from your safari vehicle. The amazing aspect of this attraction is that every experience is different. These animals are unpredictable, so you never know what you're going to see from time to time. That, to me, is beyond exciting and something I thoroughly look forward to during every vacation!
As you can clearly see, Disney's Animal Kingdom is so much more than a zoo. While it certainly is home to an abundance of animal life, there is much more to experience at DAK. I implore you to make time to visit this truly unique park. I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it.
-Cody Fleenor
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