A brand-new trailer, poster and trailer stills are now available for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ action-packed adventure “Strange World.” Opening in U.S. theaters this Nov. 23rd, the feature film introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures. “Inspired by classic adventure stories," said director Don Hall, “‘Strange World’ is an original animated adventure/comedy about three generations of the Clade family who overcome their differences while exploring a strange, wondrous and oftentimes hostile world.”
The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who longs for adventure; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. “Strange World” is helmed by Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”).
Thor: Love and Thunder begins with Gorr (Christian Bale) who has just lost his daughter. He goes to confront his God in hopes of receiving his eternal reward but is laughed at. Gorr takes the god-slaying Necrosword and kills his God and vows to kill all others. Here on Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is dying of cancer but Mjolnir calls to her and transforms her into the "Mighty Thor." So, "Mighty Thor" along with Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (voiced by Taika Waititi) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) seek out Gorr The God Butcher.
The combination of drama, action and humor create a feeling that this film is all over the place and that's a good thing. The situational humor is a welcome shift from the typical MCU movie but still contains all of the action and adventure we know and love from the MCU. Production design and special effects are first rate! This film also marks the first time "The Volume" was used in a Marvel film. Taika took the groundbreaking high definition room used in The Mandalorian to bring Thor: Love and Thunder to life. Cast performances are great but Bale is the stand out here.
Video:
The 4K streaming video is crisp and clean as to be expected from Disney. Skin tones, clothes and environments all look natural. Colors are vibrant, blacks are inky and just another outstanding effort by Disney on their movie transfers!
Audio:
The Dolby Atmos 5.1 soundtrack is good but not great. It is very flat, timid and even reserved in terms of reference volume. This is surprising considering the great 80s music and 80s inspired score. Turning up the volume way past normal helps. Dialogue is clear and well positioned but it is still a strain to hear and disappointed overall by the reference volume.
Bonus Features*
Gag Reel –Take a look at some of the fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew ofThor: Love and Thunder.
Audio Commentary –Watch the film with audio commentary by director/writer Taika Waititi.
Featurettes
Hammer-worthy: Thor and The Mighty Thor– Trace Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman's journeys to becoming Thor and The Mighty Thor, respectively. Watch as the costars speak about the preparation behind embodying their legendary roles and describe how they combine their unstoppable forces.
Shaping a Villain–This featurette introduces Love and Thunder’s primary antagonist, Gorr the God Butcher. Shining a light on the man who brings the character to life, this piece highlights his recruitment and process. Then fellow cast and crew reveal personal anecdotes.
Another Classic Taika Adventure– This piece looks back on Taika Waititi’s journey taking over the Thor franchise and reinventing the God of Thunder. Revisit the moment Taika was announced as the new custodian of Thor and follow Taika through the production ofThor: Love and Thunder.
Deleted Scenes
Looking for Zeus–Thor, Valkyrie and Korg run into a few characters while seeking an audience with Zeus.
Wasting Time –Star-Lord and Mantis convince Thor to help their cause.
A Safe Vacation–A nonchalant Thor chats with a panicked Star-Lord and Mantis in the middle of chaos. An explosion thrusts Korg into the scene.
Fighting For You–Zeus gifts Thor a special tool after overhearing a heartfelt conversation.
Conclusion:
Thor: Love and Thunder combines the familiarity of the MCU while still having Taika's unique style. You get the dramatic and action sequences one expects from the MCU but the humor takes the forefront. The 4K digital download offers top quality video, flat audio and a good amount of bonus content. Still highly recommended to add to your collection.
Disney+ released photos from tonight’s special launch event in Hollywood for “Andor,” its upcoming original series from Lucasfilm.StarsDiego Luna, Genevieve O’Reilly, Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, Fiona Shaw and Ben Bailey Smith were joined by filmmakers Tony Gilroy, Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Michelle Rejwan, Toby Haynes, Benjamin Caron, Dan Gilroy, Beau Willimon, John Gilroy and Nicholas Britell for a walk down the red carpet.
“Andor,”aspy thriller from Lucasfilm filmed over two 12-episode seasons, takes place five years before the events of “Rogue One: AStar WarsStory.” The era featured in “Andor” is filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him intoa rebel hero. “Andor” presentsStar Warsfrom a different perspective, focusing on everyday people whose lives are affected by the Empire. The decisions they make have real consequences, and the stakes for them—and the galaxy—couldn’t be higher.
The series stars Diego Luna, Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Fiona Shaw and Faye Marsay. Toby Haynes, Susanna White and Benjamin Caron direct specific episodes, and Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan executive produce. Tony Gilroy is also the creator and showrunner.
With action, adventure and suspense filmed against a cinematic landscape, the first three episodes of season onepremiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 21.
Disney+ released the teaser trailer and key art for MICKEY: THE STORY OF A MOUSE from Disney Original Documentary. The announcement comes out of D23 Expo in Anaheim, which launched the official kick-off to the 100th anniversary celebration of The Walt Disney Company. The feature documentary will premiere globally on Disney+ on November 18 – Mickey Mouse’s birthday. MICKEY: THE STORY OF A MOUSE is directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol) and produced by Academy AwardⓇ-winner Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor), Meghan Walsh, and Chris Shellen. The documentary was executive produced by Caitrin Rogers, edited by Jake Hostetter, Aaron Wickenden, cinematography by Antonio Cisneros, sound design by Lawrence Everson, and music by Daniel Wohl. The film had its World Premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival earlier this year and also screened at this year’s Sun Valley Film Festival and Newport Summer Film Series, among several others.
As one of the world’s most beloved characters, Mickey Mouse is recognized as a symbol of joy and childhood innocence in virtually every corner of the globe. Dreamed up at a low point in Walt Disney’s burgeoning career, Mickey became an overnight sensation when he starred in the first sync-sound animated short, “Steamboat Willie.” Through the decades that followed, the character evolved into strikingly different versions of himself that reflect both his creator’s remarkable career and dramatic societal shifts in the nation he came to represent. Director Jeff Malmberg and Academy Award-winning producer Morgan Neville (who previously teamed up for“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”) examine the cultural significance of the nearly 100-year-old cartoon mouse. The documentary also features an exclusive animated short film, “Mickey in a Minute,” created by the legendary hand-drawn team from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“Ninety-four years ago, Walt Disney created a mouse that would become one of the world’s most beloved characters,” said Marjon Javadi, vice president of Disney Original Documentary. “We are excited for the world to see Mickey Mouse in a way they’ve never seen him before. Our award-winning team of filmmakers captures Mickey’s journey through the years and reminds us why he has had such an impact on us.”
MICKEY: THE STORY OF A MOUSEfeatures legendary Disney animators Eric Goldberg, Mark Henn and Randy Haycock, as well as animation artist and Disney Legend Floyd Norman. Art historian Carmenita Higginbotham, director of Walt Disney Archives Rebecca Cline and archivist Kevin Kern are also featured in the film. With exclusive archival footage and interviews, the film examines the ongoing artistic and cultural significance — as well as the controversies — surrounding the nearly 100-year-old cartoon mouse.The film features a brand new Walt Disney Animation Studios hand-drawn animated short, “Mickey in a Minute,”and documents its animation process by Eric Goldberg, Mark Henn and Randy Haycock.
“Mickey Mouse is a symbol we see every day of our lives" director Jeff Malmberg says. "We all know Mickey, but he means different things to different people. We felt like Mickey deserved a documentary that was joyful but also honest. I'm glad that Disney allowed us to delve so deeply into the evolutions and meanings of the world’s most famous mouse."
Jeff Malmberg is a documentary filmmaker whose debut film, “Marwencol,” won more than two dozen awards, including the SXSW Grand Jury Award. It was recently selected for the Criterion Channel and named a Cinema Eye Decade Film as one of the 20 best documentary films in the last 10 years. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship for his second film, “Spettacolo,” a Critics’ Choice nominee for Best Documentary. Malmberg edited Morgan Neville’s documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” which was released by Focus Features. Most recently, he was nominated for a GRAMMY® for co-directing and editing “Shangri-La,” a four-part series for Showtime about Rick Rubin and the creative process.
Jeff Malmberg is directing MICKEY: THE STORY OF A MOUSE with Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville producing under his company, Tremolo Productions. Chris Shellen and Meghan Walsh are also producers. Caitrin Rogers serves as executive producer. Marjon Javadi is vice president of Originals for Documentaries and Docuseries for Disney Branded Television/Disney Original Documentary.
Disney Original Documentary previously announced upcoming projects “Goodbye Yellowbrick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and The Years That Made His Legend,” “Madu,” “If These Walls Could Sing,” the untitled film on Jim Henson, and the Oscar® short-listed documentary short “Sophie and the Baron.” Critically acclaimed “Mija” will premiere on Disney+ on Sept. 16, 2022.
