Some of the most intoxicating circus acts I have had the good fortune to see are among the highlights of Santa’s Magical Kingdom, which has reappeared in Melbourne in the lead up to the festive season for an eighth time. The word “wow” doesn’t do them justice – they are that good. The experience is…
All work and no play makes Christopher Robin a dull boy. AA Milne’s world is brought to life in this combination of live action and animation. Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), the young boy who shared countless adventures with his stuffed animal friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, is now grown up. He lives in London…
The worldwide hit Paddington became the most successful non-US studio family film of all time. The sequel (predictably, Paddington 2) continues the story of the young Peruvian bear who came to London in search of a home. Having found that home with the Browns in Windsor Gardens, life is set for Paddington. While searching for the…
Theatre is full of surprises, little gems of productions that take you on unexpected journeys and make audiences think about life and the universe differently. Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories is one such gem. Marketed as suitable for ages 8 – 108, the production is certainly engaging and delightful, but parents do need to know…
The animated Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is the first feature film based on the popular series of children’s’ books. Written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, the series has sold over 70 million copies worldwide. It centres around George Beard (voiced by Kevin Hart) and Harold Hutchins (Thomas Middleditch). They’re best friends and overly…
Colourful characters, a great soundtrack and elements of The Voice are my immediate reflections when considering Sing, the latest animation from the studio that brought us Despicable Me, The Lorax and Minions. It is the first collaboration between writer/director Garth Jennings (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and the founder and CEO of Illumination Entertainment,…
Disney seem intent on remaking live action versions of their back catalogue of animated classics, and we’ve had the likes of The Jungle Book, Alice In Wonderland, Cinderella and even Beauty And The Beast undergo this treatment. For the most part they have been very successful and put a new spin on familiar stories. And…
One of the most complex and sophisticated animated features I have seen, Zootopia pits a high achiever rabbit alongside its natural predator, a cool and wily fox. The studio has a long and storied legacy of talking animals – from Mickey Mouse’s debut short, Steamboat Willie to Bambi, Dumbo, The Jungle Book and The Lion…
Eight years after he first hit the screen, the clumsy, plump, black and white panda Po (voiced by Jack Black) is back with a new test of strength and resilience in Kung Fu Panda 3. He’s been living large and loving life as the Dragon Warrior, until his teacher Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) presents him with…
A cavalcade of big Aussie names has lined up to voice a quintessential Aussie animated adventure for the kids. Ryan Kwanten is Blinky Bill, Toni Collette voices a pair of gossipy emus called Sheryl and Beryl, David Wenham is a manic frill-necked lizard and Deborah Mailman Blinky’s kind, sensible mum. Richard Roxburgh has a vocal…
