7 Favourite Animated Films

If you know me, you know how much I love animated movies. I have probably watched every DreamWorks/Disney movie out there, and I continue to watch anime and other new animated films that keep coming. From old movies like Bambi to Ralph Breaks the Internet, I love all of them! But, here are seven modern-day animated films that I absolutely love! 

1. Inside Out

One of the most brilliant movies ever, teeming with innovation and a fresh perspective on something that all of us know and experience every day. The importance and necessity to balance all emotions is something that we all struggle to do even as we grow up. It made me teary-eyed, and melted my heart. It is one of the most refreshing, thought-provoking, inventive feel-good film I've watched. The screenplay and the sequencing is brilliant, and the visuals and animation needs no more say than "Disney-Pixar".

2. Big Hero 6

I love the movie! It is F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! Actually, none of the characters are evil, and there is no real villain in the whole story. I bet you could never ever find characters more lovable and huggable than my Baymax! Trust me and watch it.

3. How to Train Your Dragon

This is a film with some spectacular visuals, and Hiccup is such a warm character. As you are drawn into the world of dragons and Vikings, be prepared to be thrilled, entertained, and absolutely charmed!

4. Zootopia

My dad, brother, and I went to the theatres to see when this released. And, this is one of the fewest-of-few movies where my dad definitely didn't mind animals talking! If you need translation: that means it was crazy good! Also, tip: the credits roll, don't shut your laptop. There's a gazelle that'll thrill you with her voice! Probably the only movie where people stayed for the credits (apart from Marvel movies), thanks to Shakira! If you're still skeptical about watching this movie, I have one thing to say: try everything!

5. The Incredibles

Classic. Unforgettable. Heart-warming and kickass- all at the same time. I love Jack-Jack. I love the Incredibles!

6. Whisper of the Heart

Whisper Of The Wind is a romantic tale of self-realization of the protagonist's abilities, purpose, and dreams. It rides high on the small but vividly mesmerizing world of Shizuku as she travels through her adolescene in style- with love, confidence and a vision of spectacular dreams. The musicality of this anime film is captivating, and ensues a sense of calm and peace. From the creators of Spirited Away, this is another classic, and a must-watch for all age groups!

7. Minions  

This is probably the most favourite. I love everything about Minions. I love the idea, conception of the idea, the screenplay, the execution, the flawless masterpiece that enthralls you in a happy bubble. What's not to love about it! If I weren't a grown girl, I'd have probably run around the house screaming gelatooo after the film. Please do yourself a favour and watch it if you haven't!

There are so many more that I love, but a list of seven can only have seven! Which is your favourite animation film? Let me know in the comments!

Haircut Episodes with Mr. Bean

What comes to my mind when I first think about a haircut, especially cutting my own hair? Mr. Bean. Mr. Bean has done it all. And, the confidence I have on myself is the confidence I have on Mr. Bean. Well today, I tried to cut bangs by myself (and it turned out fine), but all I could think of was the two crazy Bean episodes- one from the animated series, and the other where Rowan Atkinson performs.

Have you seen that episode in the animated series of Mr. Bean where he decides to cut his own hair? Well, that was the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about trying to chop my hair. And, that's not exactly a great first thought! The episode is titled The Haircut. Well, you don't know whether this one encourages or discourages you to get an eccentric cut. Because, one it shows how wrong it can go, and two it shows that people actually love wrong styles which seem to be done on purpose!

Do you remember the other episode in the Mr. Bean played by Rowan Atkinson, where he tries to cut other people's hair. In that episode, he cuts the hair of a small boy by tracing the perimeter of an inverted bowl that he places on the boy's head, and chops off the entire pony tail of a man who just wants his split ends trimmed. The episode is called Haircut Bean. 

Mr. Bean is the best. This is one show we can never get tired of watching and re-watching. I spent 20 minutes watching those episodes today, and what a laugh! Also, what a scare! Anyway, I successfully trimmed by split ends and also cut my bangs, without Bean-level-experiences. 

Miss watching Bean? Has it been years? I have given the links to both the episodes! Have a fun Thursday!

Ralph Breaks The Internet

Movie: Ralph Breaks The Internet (Wreck It Ralph 2)

Genre: Animation

Directed by: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston

Written by: Phil Johnston, Pamela Ribon

Music by: Henry Jackman

Vanellope von Schweetz is bored of driving around the same old tracks, and being the same old star racer in her game, Sugar Rush. There is a new plug-in to the surprise of all the game characters in the arcade- 'WiFi', but they are strictly forbidden to enter that zone. In a misfire when Ralph creates a new track for Vanellope to make things interesting for her, a desperate human player of Sugar Rush at the arcade turns the steering wheel a bit too much trying to control Vanellope in the game, who had ditched the original track to explore the new one by Ralph. 

Sugar Rush is an old game, and the human girl finds out that the only one final steering wheel available is on eBay. The owner of the arcade decides to unplug the game as the steering wheel for the game is much costlier that what the game makes in a year at the arcade. Ralph and Vanellope decide to enter into the Internet through the WiFi zone so that they can buy the steering wheel from eBay and save Sugar Rush.

I'd have loved to say that is all the movie is about, but that's not all. The first half of the movie was extremely entertaining, with some very relatable and hilarious personified depictions of what we come across on the internet while browsing like pop-ups, suggestions during search results, advertisements, 'trending' videos, and several other things. But, towards the latter half of the film, it slid into what was more a fight and insecurity about friendship. That was still fine. Towards the very end, it was just Ralph and Vanellope taking turns and competing to be sad for not being a good friend to each other. 

Those who have watched the absolutely brilliant and fun first part Wreck-It Ralph: you'll know the premise in which the theme of friendship has been used in this movie. However, it was plainly weird sentiment rather than any concrete story or plot towards the end. Even with such an interesting and promising start, and steady build up of what seemed like a nice storyline, Ralph Breaks the Internet somewhere lost its story towards the end, and held on to a single point, leaving other factors hanging. 

It was an okay film, but nowhere close to the amazing Wreck-It Ralph. So, if you are watching it after the first part, don't carry over your expectations from there!

Whisper Of The Heart

Movie: Whisper Of The Heart (Mimi o Sumaseba)
Directed by:  Yoshifumi Kondō
Written by: Hayao Miyazaki
Music by: Yuji Nomi
Running time: 111 minutes

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong

Fourteen year old Shizuku Tsukishima lives a blissful life, nestling comfortably in the vast public library where her father works, and burying herself over a pile of books taller than herself all through the day. A curiosity is triggered in young Shizuku when she comes to notice a common name in the due slip in every book she takes- Seiji Amasawa had read every book she picked before she had read! The excitement to meet a match as well read as herself, pushes Shizuku to ask around about Amasawa while day dreaming about how soft and knowledgeable the boy must be. A curious, vagabond cat, called by different pet names in different households, brings these two together. Shizuku meets Baron, a mysterious cat doll, when she visits Seiji's grandfather's antique store. As she gets closer to Seiji, she discovers his dream of becoming a proficient violin-maker, and he confides his plan of pursuing it in Italy. 

Shizuku is bothered by one question she asks herself: when she is just as well read, knowledgeable and ambitious as Seiji, why does she not know what to do? Shizuku had often been praised for her budding writing skills, and her charming 'gift' for poetry. She realizes that she has no forethought about her future, and is just dazzled by the everyday life as she flits around one day after another. The transformation of Shizuku, determined to make her life more purposeful, and 'test' herself, is what makes the enchanting tale.

Whisper Of The Wind is a romantic tale of self-realization of the protagonist's abilities, purpose, and dreams. It rides high on the small but vividly mesmarising world of Shizuku as she travels through her adolescene in style- with love, confidence and a vision of spectacular dreams. Whisper Of The Heart is born out of Shizuku, and she portrays herself to be a sweet yet strong person, with an understanding of the world that is beyond those of her age, and with a spirit akin to a warrior. 

On Shizuku's accomplishment, we find ours in the movie. As her father proudly and lovingly whispers to his sleeping daughter: "ah, a soldier at ease!" The emotions of the movie are something dear to all of us, having gone through a similar phase sometime in our life and it triggers fond thoughts as we take a trip into our memory lane. Our heart melts as we see the support and warmth that Shizuku's family extends to her. In a time that set rigid rules, we see an accepting, loving, and understanding family who choose to trust Shizuku rather than discern her views. 

Whisper Of The Heart is absolutely heartwarming. The musicality of this anime film is captivating, and ensues a sense of calm and peace. From the creators of Spirited Away, this is another classic, and a must-watch for all age groups! I absolutely loved it!

I saw myself in this scene, and couldn't help but break into a wide smile that was quite difficult to wipe off!

Inside Out

Movie: Inside Out

Directed by: Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen

Written by: Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley, Pete Docter

Running time: 94 minutes

Eleven-year old Riley and her parents move from their home in Minnesota and shift to San Francisco when Riley's father gets a new job there. Riley is controlled, like any of us, by her emotions and their memories. Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust and Fear, work around tirelessly in Riley's brain to try and ensure that Riley has a "happy day". And, when they learn that the family is moving, they struggle to keep up Riley happy. 

Joy, the one responsible to make Riley feel happy, is a little too ambitious in the beginning, wanting all and most memories to be joyful. Joy puts down Sadness and keeps her at bay from coming to Riley. However, this lands them in trouble, as Joy and Sadness get sucked out of Brain Headquarters in a mishap, and land in the mazes of long term memory- far, far away from the active brain HQ. Now, with them removed, Riley can feel neither sadness nor joy, and her life is solely controlled by fear, disgust and anger, who though function with good intentions cannot produce the results that Joy or Sadness can. With the absence of Joy and Sadness, Riley's core memories and islands of personality such as Family Island, Friendship Island, Goof-ball Island, Honesty Island start falling apart. 

Left alone with Sadness, Joy comes to the shocking realisation that sometimes allowing someone to feel sad is what lets them be joyful later. She understands the importance of not neglecting any emotion. On an adventurous expedition back to the Headquarters, Joy and Sadness work together, and finally reach on time to save Riley from her thoughts of running away from home. Joy gives Sadness a free hand over Riley to set things alright, and to get back happiness in her. And, since then, Riley's memories are not overpowered by just Joy, but lets in other emotions, and has a beautiful mix of all.

One of the most brilliant movies ever, teeming with innovation and a fresh perspective on something that all of us know and experience every day. The importance and necessity to balance all emotions is something that we all struggle to do even as we grow up. It made me teary-eyed, and melted my heart. It is one of the most refreshing, thought-provoking, inventive feel-good film I've watched. The screenplay and the sequencing is brilliant, and the visuals and animation needs no more say than "Disney-Pixar".

A beautiful, wonderful film that everyone needs to watch!

Big Hero 6

Movie: Big Hero 6

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Animation

Directed by: Chris Williams

Produced by: Roy Conli

Based On: Big Hero 6 by Steven T. Seagle

Music by: Henry Jackman

Hiro Hamada, a fourteen year old and an expert robot builder, gets crazy about “bot fights”, fighting with robots. His brother, Tadashi Hamada, takes him to the Nerd Laboratory in the University, and shows the work of his nerd friends. Hiro gets stunned by the projects that Tadashi’s friends were working on. Finally, Tadashi shows Hiro the project he has been working on. He introduces Baymax, the healthcare robot, who can identify emotions, pains and feelings, and keep people away from danger. Hiro loves all these projects!

Hiro gets convinced that he somehow has to enter the University, and asks his brother the procedure. Tadashi explains to Hiro that to join the University, he would have to create something really awesome and display it in the exhibition while Callaghan is there.

Hiro thinks he can easily do that, but his mind is dry of ideas. Tadashi helps his brother, at that point, by literally “shaking him up” and asking him to “see in a new angle”. Just then, Hiro gets a brilliant idea. Tadashi and his friends also help Hiro gain confidence and prepare him to go on stage. The big day arrives. Hiro goes up on stage and presents his idea about “microbots”, tiny robots that work through the controller’s thoughts.

Hiro’s idea becomes a huge hit, and a man named Krei pushes Hiro to sell it to him. But Hiro refuses. He gets selected to go to the University. As they all celebrate, a fire breaks in when Callaghan is still in. Tadashi rushes in to save him, but the whole thing bursts into flames. People mourn for Tadashi and Professor.

Hiro gets depressed, and doesn’t go to the University even after the classes start. One day, while he takes he accidentally drops something on his toe, Baymax emerges from Tadashi’s room after hearing a cry of pain! Baymax attends to Hiro, and tries to improve his emotional status. While all this happens, Hiro finds out that somebody is misusing the microbots! Hiro and Baymax find out that a masked man is doing so!

Tadashi’s friends join Hiro to catch the man. They learn, to their shock, that it is Callaghan, the man whom they thought was dead!

Together, Hiro and Baymax, along with Tadashi’s friends from Nerd lab, catch Callaghan, find out the cause and solve the problem! They become the Big Hero 6!

I loved the movie! It was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! Actually, none of the characters are evil, and there is no real villain! The characters are totally lovable, and huggable! I loved Baymax, Fred(one of Tadashi’s friends), Tadashi and of course Hiro. They are all cool. The climax was really awesome.

Big Hero 6 is a movie that is a must-watch!

Rango

Movie: Rango

Genre: Fantasy, Animation

Directed by: Gore Verbinski

Produced by: Gore Verbinski, Graham King and John B. Carls

Based On: John Logan and Gore Verbinski

Music by: James Ward Byrkit

Rango is crazy pet chameleon who gets pushed into the desert after his “home” breaks. He meets another animal that directs Rango to the city of Dirt for water. Rango goes there and becomes the sheriff. People start believing in him to bring water to the town. He tries various things, but does not succeed. He forms a team and they all go in search of water. They chase a group of animals taking a water can, defeat them, but find that there is no water in the water tank. They come back disappointed.

That is all I saw. I didn’t sit back to watch the full movie. For some reason, I totally didn’t like the movie. The animation and the effects were all good, but… I didn’t like the story or the characters.

Puss In Boots

Movie: Puss In Boots

Genre: Fantasy, Animation

Directed by: Chris Miller

Produced by: Latifa Ouaou and Joe M. Aguilar

Based On: Brian Lynch

Music by: Henry Jackman

Puss in Boots, the talking cat, is busy hiding as he is labelled “wanted” in his home, San Ricardo. The police are searching for him, but he manages to stay hidden. Puss goes behind the magical beans which is in the possession of the cruel Jack and Jill. While he almost takes the magical beans, he meets a competitor- Kitty Softpaws- who is extremely swift and sly.

They start fighting, and both end up not taking the magical beans. Kitty Softpaws leads Puss to Puss’s old friend who betrayed him- Humpty Dumpty. Even after a lot of arguments, Puss refuses to partner with Humpty to steal the beans.  

Kitty Softpaws tries convincing Puss, on her own, but Puss only goes back to the past, again and again. Puss goes on to tell Kitty about how close Humpty and he had been, and how Humpty had betrayed him and lured him into stealing from the bank of San Ricardo! Just then, Humpty appears and apologizes to Puss, begging him to give another chance. Puss agrees saying that if they do find the golden eggs on top of the beanstalk, he would like to repay the people of San Ricardo.

They agree, and also successfully steal the beans from Jack and Jill. They sow the beans and the legendary beanstalk takes them to the Giant’s castle. They find the golden goose and the golden eggs. They bring the golden goose back to San Ricardo.

Back in San Ricardo, Puss is shocked to find that Humpty had arranged for the arrest of Puss. He also gets to know that Kitty softpaws, Jack and Jill and everybody else that he met were working for Humpty! He is thrown into the jail in San Ricardo. From his jail-mate Andy Beanstalk, the original Jack from the “Jack And The Beanstalk”, he finds out that the Great Terror is the mother of the golden goose! Puss breaks free from the jail with the help of Kitty Softpaws, who comes back to save him. He reaches out to Humpty, brings out the good in him, and they unite to restore the golden goose back to its mother. But it is too late, and the Great Terror comes to San Ricardo. They take the goose out of San Ricardo to prevent damage and give the golden goose to the Great Terror. The golden goose is sent off safely, but Humpty Dumpty falls from the bridge that breaks, and dies. The police still search for Puss, but Puss becomes the hero of San Ricardo!

He is still on the run but with a partner- Puss In Boots and Kitty Softpaws!

The movie is superb, especially the climax! I love all the characters. It was a good watch!

Turbo

Movie: Turbo

Genre: Fantasy, Animation

Directed by: David Soren

Produced by: Lisa Stewart

Story by: David Soren

Music by: Henry Jackman

Theo, the garden snail, loves racing, and is inspired by Guy Gagné’s words, “No dream is too big, no dreamer too small”! Theo is scoffed at by all his snail friends. Chet, Theo’s brother, is worried. One day, while the snails are on their duty of collecting over-ripe tomatoes, one of it falls into the lawn. Theo goes forward to get back the tomato, but just then the land mower starts, which means that the snails are in DANGER. Theo imagines himself to be a racer, and imagines the land mower as his competitor in the race. In this version of Theo’s race, the tomato becomes the goal! Theo almost gets crushed, but his friends save him.

After that, Theo wanders off on his own to see the city cars, and accidentally ends up ON a racing car. He gets sucked inside, and the fuel goes into him. After his small accident cum adventure, he returns to his group. To his glad surprise, he finds himself acting like a car! His eyes become the headlights, his mouth becomes the radio, his shell becomes the engine! And, he is able to zoom around at top speed like a racing car!

But he literally creates destruction for his snail friends because of his unusual, nature-defying speed. The leader of the snails throws Chet and Theo out of the group. Just when Chet is getting mad on Theo, a crow attacks Chet and carries him off. Following this there is a fight between three crows for the snail while Turbo follows the flying birds on the road at top speed. He saves his brother from the crows. But they are taken away by a man named Tito, who sells Tacos with his brother Angelo at a restaurant.

In the snail racing contest between Tito and his friends, Theo tops, and becomes a favourite among the snails, and Theo even joins the group of racing snails! The only people against the whole thing are Chet, Theo’s brother, and Angelo,Tito’s brother. But, Theo and Tito, decide to enter Theo into the upcoming racing competition - Indianapolis 500 or the Indy 500! Tito convinces the rest of his friends to invest money, and Theo gets in through to the competition, in which his idol- Guy Gagné- is also part of!

For the sake of the championship, Theo officially becomes “Turbo”! The racing starts. Theo does very well! But Guy Gagné is wicked and breaks Theo’s shell, which is actually the engine. So, Turbo becomes a normal garden snail again. But he wins the championship in a snail way, following the advice of his brother, Chet- tuck and roll! He wins the Indy 500, much to the anger of Guy Gagné! The Tacos man’s and his friends’ life change for the better.

The film is awesome. I like it so much. My favourite characters are Tito, his group of friends, and their snails. I also like Chet, Turbo, and Guy Gagné!

It was real fun watching the garden snail zoom through the race track!

Ratatouille

Movie: Ratatouille

Genre: Fantasy, Animation

Directed by: Brad Bird

Produced by: Brad Lewis

Story by: Jan Pinkava, Brad Bird and Jim Capobianco

Music by: Michael Giacchino

Remy, the rat has an indispensable taste for gourmet, anything related to food. His greatest wish is to cook, create and relish, instead of stealing, which is what the rats usually do. In the clan of rats, his father is the chief, and has laid the rules perfectly clear: none of the rats are to go too close to human company. Remy defies the rules of the clan, and takes lessons from the neighbouring house’s television on which the show of the greatest chef of Paris, Gusteau, is aired regularly. Remy learns a lot from the master chef and tries out different things, carefully so as to not wake up the owner of the house.

But one day, he takes his brother Emile with him, and explores the kitchen making Emile stand in guard. But the owner wakes up and starts shooting at the rats. The whole clan of rats get into trouble. While running for their lives, Remy goes back to the house to take a book of Gusteau’s titled “Anyone Can Cook”. But Remy loses the rest of his family and friends, while doing so. He finally reaches a dark place, unhappily. He sits sadly thinking he has lost everything. He becomes hungry, but doesn’t know what to do!

He then starts exploring, and finds that he has reached the top of Gusteau’s restaurant! He goes into the kitchen, and sees that a young boy called Linguini has been employed as the garbage boy by the current master chef and owner- Skinner. The boy, without the knowledge of anybody, spoils the soup that it boiling near him, thoroughly, by adding random ingredients.

Shocked to see this, Remy moves quickly and corrects the soup, adding a little of his own inventions. But Linguini, the garbage boy, sees the rat busy working at the soup, and is astonished. By this time, the master chef Skinner sees Linguini fiddling with the dish, and is extremely angry.  When the soup is served by mistake to the customers, they think it is fabulous, and Linguini gets the popularity!

Linguini and his little chef Remy, work out an understanding, and Remy creates many wonderful dishes through the hands of his human friend Linguini, making his dream come true.

But Skinner the old master chef is jealous at the growing popularity of Linguini. Also, he finds that Linguini is the late Gusteau’s son, which means that Linguini is the rightful owner of the restaurant of Gusteau’s! Worried that this might come out, he grows very mad, and acts peculiar! Also, he comes to know of Remy, the rat-friend chef of Linguini.

The climax is amazing! Remy is captured by Skinner, but his family saves him, without the knowledge of Skinner! Anton Ego, the restaurant critic, who doesn’t believe in Gusteau’s motto- Anyone Can Cook- finally comes to Gusteau’s because of the growing popularity. Remy manages to come back to the aid of his friend Linguini, and they serve the simplest and the most plain dish to Ego- Ratatouille! Ego is flabbergasted! He congratulates Linguini and tells him that it was the best Ratatouille dish that he has ever had in years. They tell him the truth- that a rat prepared the dish, and the whole story behind it comes out.

Gusteau’s gets closed. But, Remy, Linguini and Colette, together start another famous restaurant- La Ratatouille- that serves for both the rats and the humans!

It is a very nice movie! I loved it. Especially the scenes where Remy controls Linguini by pulling his hair, and they practice to cook that way is amazing! It is must-see movie!

Monsters, Inc.

Movie: Monsters, Inc.

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Directed by: Pete Docter

Produced by: Darla K. Anderson

Story by: Pete Docter, Jill Culton, Jeff Pidgeon and Ralph Eggleston

Music by: Randy Newman

In the city of Monstropolis, the city of monsters, several monsters work as scarers of children, so that they can derive the screams of children that powers the city. Star scarer Sullivan, fondly called as Sulley, and his best buddy, Mike Wazowski, top the records in the number of scares, inviting jealousy from their counterpart Randall Boggs.

Randall Boggs tries to kidnap a girl, and accidentally Mike and Sulley come in the possession of the girl. They get terrified as the monsters have always been informed that the touch of a human child can kill then. So, the CDA- the Child Detection Agency- had been formed to detect human children. Sulley and Mike try to protect the child, who is lively and not afraid one bit. But Randall Boggs also keeps trying to kidnap the child.

The child, who is named as Boo(because she keeps saying that) by Sulley, creates all sort of trouble for the two star monsters. While trying to escape, Boo and Sulley discover a secret passage formed by Randall that leads to the place where they get to know of Randall’s horrible plan.

Finally, they go to Waternoose, the CEO of Monsters, Inc., and explain the situation hoping that he might help. But to their shock, they find Waternoose part of the conspiracy teaming up with Randall Boggs! They get kicked off to the Himalayas, and the child is taken away from them. But, Sulley and Mike come back, and rescue Boo from the hands of the capturers.

Then the climax comes, which is really very nice. The bad guys get defeated and they are arrested. The Monsters, Inc. stays on but with a new role. Monsters make children laugh and power is derived from laughter rather than screams!

That was a very nice ending! I especially liked the parts where Sulley and Mike experiment with the kid but thinking that they might die if she touches!

The story is very nice. The animation was very good. I loved Boo and Mike Wazowski!

The movie is fun to watch!

Tangled

Movie: Tangled

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Directed by: Nathan Greno, Bryon Howard

Produced by: Roy Conli, John Lasseter, Glen Keane

Based on: Rapunzel by Grimm Brothers (a Russian Fairytale)

Music by: Alan Menken

A drop of sunlight becomes a golden flower with healing abilities. An old witch uses this flower to stay young forever. But the Queen has fallen ill, and so, the soldiers take this flower to the Queen, and the Queen becomes healthy again. Soon the Queen gives birth to Rapunzel, the young princess, with long golden hair. The angry witch takes the baby girl to a lonely hidden tower and raises her there. The witch will stay young as long as Rapunzel’s golden hair stays.

Rapunzel grows with the witch believing her to be “mother”. Every year, she notices that on her birthday, lots of lanterns light up the sky, coming from the city. She dreams of going to the city and exploring places beyond the tower. But, the witch does not allow her, saying “mother knows best”.

One day, the witch leaves the tower promising to return in three days, when young Rapunzel meets a “WANTED” thief- Flynn Rider. He has come into the tower to hide from the soldiers of the kingdom from which he had stolen a crown. She hides the crown, after she beats Flynn Rider unconscious with a saucepan! After he regains consciousness, she makes a deal with him- he takes her to see the lanterns, and then she will give him back the crown. Flynn agrees. He takes her through the forest to the city. On their way, Rapunzel turns enemies to friends with her charm and innocence. But, the witch spots Rapunzel dancing in one place, and she is enraged. When royal soldiers find about the presence of Flynn Rider in the inn, they immediately try to capture him. But Rapunzel and Flynn, with the help of their friends from the inn, escape.

At this time, Rapunzel heals Flynn when he is hurt with her golden hair’s  healing power. Flynn admits to Rapunzel that his name is actually Eugene, and Rapunzel starts calling him Eugene. They successfully go to the city, but the witch follows them closely with two other men waiting to kill Flynn Rider. Rapunzel finally sees the sky lit up lanterns and gives Eugene the crown. But Eugene, realizing he didn't want to steal anymore, gives off the crown to the two men waiting to kill him. They send him off to the royal soldiers who take Flynn to the guillotine for the beheading. The witch takes Rapunzel back to the tower.

Flynn is saved by the royal horse- Maximus- which became his friend when he was with Rapunzel. It takes him to the tower so that he can save Rapunzel. Meanwhile, Rapunzel finds out that she is the lost princess for whom they were lighting the lanterns every year. She talks to the witch about it, but the witch ties Rapunzel with chains.

When Eugene comes to save her, the witch cuts him almost killing him. Rapunzel promises the witch that she would do as the witch says for the rest of her life if the witch let her heal Eugene. The witch lets her near Eugene. But as Rapunzel tries to heal, Eugene cuts off her hair with a knife, thus defeating the witch. The witch tumbles out of the tower and turns to dust.

Rapunzel cries when Eugene dies. Her tears cure Eugene, and he comes back alive. They go to the palace together. There is a happy reunion with the KIng and the Queen. The whole kingdom celebrates. And, finally, Eugene and Rapunzel marry to live happily ever after!

I love the movie. Maximus and Pascal (Rapunzel’s pet chameleon) are my favourite characters. I like the songs in the movie. All the characters are charming and nice. I loved the part when Rapunzel thinks she has to defend herself, and attacks the undefeatable, most “WANTED” thief Flynn Rider- with a saucepan!

It was fun to watch the movie.

The Incredibles

Movie: The Incredibles

Genre: Animation, Action

Directed by: Brad Bird

Produced by: John Walker

Story by: Brad Bird

Music by: Michael Giacchino

Bob and Helen try to lead a civilian life, chucking their former identities- Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl- because of the government’s non-cooperation. They have three kids- Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Being the children of superheroes the kids also have super powers. Dash can run really really fast, and Violet can vanish and also create magnetic fields. But, the children are asked not to use their super powers, and lead a normal life.

Everything goes well until one day when Mr. Incredible gets an invitation to destroy a robot called Omnidroid. The man accepts the job immediately, waiting to use his superpowers. He lies to his wife and children about the mission, and goes on with it. But there, he gets into trouble.

Helen finds out when Mr. Incredible gets into a fix, and becomes Elastigirl to go and help him out. On her way, she finds that Dash and Violet have also accompanied her without her knowledge. They all go and try to help out Bob- with their superpowers.  

Syndrome, the villain, locks them up in the abandoned island, and goes to the city to prove himself to be the real hero. The Incredibles escape, go to the city in a rocket and save the day from evil Syndrome.

When Syndrome tries to capture the young baby Jack-Jack, they all look helplessly. But Jack-Jack proves himself to be the son of superheroes as he exhibits his fire and form changing power(even as an infant) to escape from Syndrome. Syndrome gets defeated. All ends happily, and the Incredibles settle for their normal life.

The family decides to become superheroes and save the city when trouble comes again!

I loved the infant Jack-Jack! He was so cute and lovely. The climax was awesome! I liked the movie very much. It simply has unforgettable characters!

Chicken Run

Movie: Chicken Run

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Directed by: Peter Lord and Nick Lord

Produced by: David Sproxton, Peter Lord and Nick Lord

Story by: Peter Lord, Nick Park

Music by: John Powell, Harry Gregson-Williams

Chickens from cruel Mrs. Tweedy’s farm, encouraged by Ginger, a leader-chicken, try to escape from the fenced farm through various methods. When Ginger tries to think of newer ideas, she meets a circus rooster named Rocky that lands on Tweedy’s farm in mid-flight. Thinking that Rocky knows to fly, Ginger retains him in the farm, protecting him from the circus people who come in search. She makes a deal with him- she will protect him from the circus people and he has to teach all the hens in the farm to fly, so that all of them can escape from Mrs. Tweedy.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Tweedy gets bored of making minor profits from the egg-farm business, and decides to start making chicken pies that will earn her more money. The hens in the farm come to know of this and they frantically practice flying. But it doesn’t work out. They find out that Rocky cannot fly,and that he was simply thrust into the air. Finally, Ginger gets an idea. All the chickens work hard- together- and create a huge aircraft. Fowler, a senior rooster pilots the craft and they all escape, leaving Mrs. Tweedy fuming and almost making a pie out of her! It all ends happily.

The movie was okay. I wouldn’t say I love it. But there were a lot of funny scenes and the climax was pretty good.