#remaking an older post of mine to be more inclusive | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

that-shamrock-vibe · 4 years

Text

Disney+ What To Watch: My Top 10 Favourite Modern-Day Disney Classics

#3. Lilo & Stitch

Of all the movies I have talked about so far, this movie is the one that has shocked me the most with how much I enjoy it and how high it is on this list.

At first, the only real good takeaway from this movie is Stitch as a character, with both how cute he is and the surprising take on the traditional fish out of water story.

However, as I have gotten older and been able to decipher the hidden and deeper meanings of these movies, I have to say the true meaning of family that runs throughout this movie is very heartening and very true to life particularly for a Disney animated movie.

Especially when you consider that this movie came out during what could be known as Disney’s second “dark times” after the 80s where the Renaissance had finished and Disney was trying to go in a different direction with very mixed results, this is definitely the shining beacon in the murky waters of Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, Home on the Range and especially Chicken Little.

Not only is the animation styling unique to the movie and, a lot like Moana and Princess and the Frog, animates Hawaiian natives in the styling of how they actually look so that they can’t look like any template design for any ethnicity. But the way in which this movie incorporates land, sea and outer space and makes them all feel like land, sea and outer space.

Lilo & Stitch is not shy of delving into the real-life struggles of depicting how a family in these sisters’ position live and get by. Nani struggling to find work because she spent her formative years as the guardian of her young sister, Lilo having a very damaged upbringing because she lost her parents young and, because she is an outsider who sees the world differently to everyone else, she doesn’t fit in with the other girls her age. She seeks solace in the fact there is a fish who controls the water and must be appeased but also recognises that she is troubled.

It’s then clearly fitting that a recently created alien crashlands in their neighbourhood and crosses paths with them. Stitch is like Olaf in the sense that because he has only just been created he has no real morals or ethics and, because he is an experiment designed for destructive purposes, has very high anger management issues.

However, what I love is as much as the movie focuses on Lilo and Nani’s relationship and particularly Nani’s struggle to keep them together, it also explores Stitch wanting to feel like part of a family and the parallels to the famous story of the Ugly Duckling.

Honestly one of my favourite parts of this movie is the “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” montage when David is trying to cheer up Nani and Lilo and all Stitch wants to do is be involved and be a part of the fun. Honestly one of the sadder moments are when they’re making sandcastles and Stitch sees the three of them enjoying the fun and tries to emulate it himself...I can relate rather a lot to looking in from the outside.

I mentioned that a recurring theme with this list would be outsiders and both Stitch and Lilo are definitely outsiders, but this movie shows how that’s not exactly a bad thing as them being outsiders is what brought them together and by the end of the movie it is essentially a family of outsiders but more functional a family than most traditional nuclear ones.

Stitch is adorable, not only does he have that newborn innocence but because he doesn’t really talk until towards the end of the movie and mostly communicates in noises...very relatable by the way...he is even more likeable because of the fact we effectively see him mature throughout the movie so that by the end, when he stands up to the Grand Councilwoman, not only does he earn that moment but again it is just so cute that he can talk like a human and, I know others have tried but, no one can do his voice like Chris Sanders.

I don’t know why but, watching the movie on Disney+ for the first time since getting my dog, makes me compare my dog to Stitch and how my dog would act if he was more anthropomorphic or of alien origin like Stitch,

Lilo and Nani were very well established in terms of their sisterly bond, it is clear that Nani works her butt off in order to not only provide for the two of them but also to ensure they stay together. I mean the fact that Nani reduces herself to working at that fake luau place just to makes ends meat speaks volumes to how much she cares about her sister.

But I also enjoyed whenever they argued or quarrelled because, at the end of the day, they’re still sisters and sisters fight. Siblings fight, regardless of if one is the primary care giver or not and the fact you see the explosive rows, the fallout and the two of them making up afterwards just shows a fully-realised family unit.

It’s also a strong statement to the sisterly bond that Nani doesn’t give in to her “womanly urges” and gets with David despite the many, many times he offers. Yes, it maybe would make life easier to have another source of income and immediate support network in the family, as established at the end when they actually get together, but throughout the movie the amount of times he asks and she rejects is all for legitimate reasons. They’re under scrutiny from social services so adding a new relationship at this point would not be good.

As for our alien antagonists, this was the first time that Disney Proper animation had featured aliens in their movies, because Toy Story was 1) Pixar and 2) Featured toys not actual aliens.

But I really enjoyed these aliens, while they are all clearly of different species, not knowing the species and simply focusing on who they are as characters was really fun. the Grand Chairwoman looked like an authoritarian figure, both Jumbaa and Gantu looked menacing Jumbaa looked goofier than Gantu so of course Gantu was the bigger threat than Jumbaa.

Pleakley is a revalation for Disney Animation and yet it’s played up more for laughs then anything else. It’s not just that he enjoys dressing up like another somewhat famous alien from American Dad! but the fact he specifically enjoys dressing like a woman...Disney had it’s very first transsexual character on their hands and yet he’s never been promoted as strong LGBTQ+ representation for Disney.

I absolutely loved the inclusion of an Elvis Presley soundtrack to this movie. The fact you’re combining a Hawaiian setting and a sci-fi space theme with the music styling of Elvis is very clever and it works so well. Also Gareth Gates’ version of “Suspicious Minds” is still a favourite of mine.

One thing that always sticks in my mind was the lead up to this movie particularly in the ad campaign of having four teasers beginning with iconic scenes from the four most iconic Disney movies of the past decade being hijacked by the at the time untested new character followed by different snippets of his own movie before releasing a full trailer.

It is one of the best examples I know of a successful PR campaign as it gained a lot of interest for the movie.

I also really really enjoy the longevity of this franchise. As I said, this movie resides in that Post-Renaissance era which was very hit and miss for fans, but the fact that we not only got three direct-to-home sequels as well as a progressive spin-off series akin to the Aladdin and Hercules animated shows. But I have seen that there are other recent animated shows about the titular characters and Lilo & Stitch is even getting a direct-to-digital live-action/CG-hybrid remake...who would’ve thought this movie would have such strong legs.

If for no other reason, I can whole-heartedly say that Lilo & Stitch is a reason I am thankful for Disney+ as it has re-energised my fondness for this movie, I mean I always loved Stitch and always will, but over the years I have managed to revitalise my love for the movie on multiple levels.

So what do you guys think? Post your comments and check out more Disney+ What to Watch Top 10s as well as more Top 10 Lists and other posts.

#disney #disney+#disney plus #disney+ what to watch top 10s #disney+ what to watch #my top 10 favourite modern day disney animated movies #my top 10 favourite modern day disney classics

4 notes · View notes

entergamingxp · 4 years

Text

DualShockers’ Favorite Games of 2019 — Scott’s Top 10

December 27, 2019 2:00 PM EST

2019 for me was filled with tons of games from different genres, and even though it was hard to pick 10, here are my favorites from 2019.

As 2019 comes to a close, DualShockers and our staff are reflecting on this year’s batch of games and what were their personal highlights within the last year. Unlike the official Game of the Year 2019 awards for DualShockers, there are little-to-no-rules on our individual Top 10 posts. For instance, any game — not just 2019 releases — can be considered.

Greetings and glad tidings, Shockerians? DualShockese? Sorry, I’m new, but yes it is the time of the year once again to share with the internet the video games that left a particularly large imprint on us throughout the past 365 days. My name is Scott White, and let my list be my humble debut on this fantastic site and introduction to you fine readers.

2019 treated audiences to titles that have been long desired, from Kingdom Hearts 3, Death Stranding, and of course, the Resident Evil 2 remake. The time between these behemoths was filled with other stellar titles from indie studios to large developers, rounding out the year and making it one with far too many games and myself with far too little free time for them all. However: I did play a bunch, so let me tell you about some of them!

As a brief note for readers: the first nine games I will list are in no particular order, but the final entry on this list will be my favorite of the year and noted as such.

Forager

What was a random suggestion on my Steam page turned into my go-to chill game of the year. With a bright and vivid cartoon pixel art style, Forager crafted its way into my heart. I found something incredibly peaceful and rewarding as I bought up the various islands faster than a land baron who struck oil, and worked to create my autonomous empire. With my army of drones collecting precious ore and gems, while my furnaces burned non-stop crafting new items, I could sit back and admire my work.

With the inclusion of many other indie darlings that you can dress your character up as (Shovel Knight, baby!) and flow of constant updates and additions from the single-man development team, Forager is a game that I keep coming back to, being charmed all the while.

Katana Zero

I have to say, I wasn’t expecting a dark narrative dealing with such heavy topics as PTSD, drug addiction, or child soldiers when I started playing Katana Zero. My sight zeroed *wink wink nudge* in on this game after watching the trailers with the neon visuals, the samurai who deflects bullets and mows down enemies, and the time-warping mechanic. What I ended up getting was so much more, and made me fall in love with this game.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Katana Zero.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Yes, it’s an older game, but FighterZ has still been one of the games I’ve had the most fun with in 2019. With the drops of some of my friends and I’s favorite characters, my usual crew of friends were hopping into the lobbies and hurling beams at one another more than ever. With the recent release of the final Season 2 character with Dragon Ball Super’s Broly, there’s still no word on a Season 3 of new characters. You can count on it though, that if we do get another round of characters, there is a good chance you will see Dragon Ball FighterZ on my list next year, too.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Dragon Ball FighterZ.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age — Definitive Edition

Fact: Dragon Quest XI was one of my favorite games of 2018. Also fact, Dragon Quest XI S easily adds enough content and goodies to warrant being included on my list for 2019 too. With the addition of the orchestral track, new outfits, and a new game with the 2D version of XI included with all of its unique content, I gladly jumped back into the role of The Luminary. Any fans of RPGs and that own a Switch need to get this game.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age — Definitive Edition.

Daemon X Machina

As a longtime fan of From Software’s non-Soulsborne franchise, Armored Core, the lack of complex mech customization action titles as of late left me rabid for this game when it got announced. Fast-forward a couple of demos and a release later, Daemon X Machina fills the void left by AC’s disappearance this generation. The tense combat mixed with a visual style that separates it from the pack is just *chef’s kiss* muah. The added fact that I can now run around as Geralt of Rivia in a giant robot is just icing on the cake.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Daemon X Machina.

Resident Evil 2

Growing up, the Resident Evil series was always one that I wanted to play, as the lore and concept behind it was so intriguing to me. Alas though, it contained a foe scarier than Mr. X and more crushing than Nemesis: the dreaded “tank controls.” The releases of the remasters had solved this dilemma of mine with Resident Evil 0 and the first game, and with the RE2 remake release, I got to finally experience Leon and Claire’s origin.

This game should be placed on a pedestal with a beacon shining on it that never gets extinguished as an example of how remakes should be done. By everyone. Forever. It is simply a suburb horror title that nailed this vibe. The first time I was being chased by Mr. X remains the most nerve-wracking horror experience of 2019 for me. Bravo Capcom, bravo.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Resident Evil 2.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

With magical whip in hand, I ventured forward into the night, vanquishing all manner of demonkind, skewering myself in the chest along the way to absorb the abilities of my foes. In a similar vein as Daemon X Machina scratched my mech itch, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night gloriously scratched my Symphony of the Night itch. Plus, David Hayter is a demon-slaying samurai, so that instantly gives it +120 bonus points.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

Kingdom Hearts 3

In the convening years between the releases of Kingdom Hearts 2 in 2006 and Kingdom Hearts 3 this year, I evolved from a senior in high school who had no idea what he was doing, to a full-fledged adult…who has no idea what he is doing AND paying rent! What a decade it’s been.

I may have grown out of the raging hormones and living with my parents, but it turns out I have not grown out of the wide-eyed reaction to seeing Keyblades, Heartless, and Sora+Donald+Goofy Co. teaming up and vanquishing evil with the power of friendship and deus ex machina. It’s far from a perfect game, or even a perfect Kingdom Hearts game, but when a game makes me tear up from the title screen, there’s no way I couldn’t include it on my list. I love this game, this series, and all the craziness that comes with them. I can’t wait to see what lore-f***ery comes with the upcoming Re:Mind DLC in January.

Check out DualShockers‘ review for Kingdom Hearts 3.

Randomizers

Not relegated to a single game, but more a family of fan mods, this year saw me really dive into retro game randomizers. These nifty mods mix all sorts of stuff up inside a game–chest contents in Zelda as an example–to create new experiences in each playthrough. Whether it was having Kent in Fire Emblem rocking as Bard or Yoshi being King of Figaro with his twin brother Master Chief in Final Fantasy 6, these mods stole a lot of my time this year.

My Favorite Game(s) of the Year: Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 1-3

Spending more than 250 hours with a cast of characters, experiencing their world, their struggles and triumphs this year, I’ve found myself completely enraptured by this series of RPGs. Imagine the materia system from Final Fantasy VII, the social bonding and links from the later Persona titles, and blend them together with a constantly expanding narrative, and you have Trails of Cold Steel.

I felt I had to include these games as a single entity on my list. So many moments of these games left me aghast; they lifted my spirits with hope and pained my heart with loss. This is a series that needs to be experienced by more people. I can only hope that 2020 will see the localization of the end of this saga with Cold Steel 4.

Check out the rest of the DualShockers staff Top 10 lists and our official Game of the Year Awards:

December 23: DualShockers Game of the Year Awards 2019 December 25: Lou Contaldi, Editor-in-Chief // Logan Moore, Managing Editor December 26: Tomas Franzese, News Editor // Ryan Meitzler, Features Editor December 27: Mike Long, Community Manager // Scott White, Staff Writer December 28: Chris Compendio, Contributor // Mario Rivera, Video Manager December 29: Scott Meaney, Community Director // Allisa James, Senior Staff Writer // Ben Bayliss, Senior Staff Writer December 30: Cameron Hawkins, Staff Writer // David Gill, Senior Staff Writer // Portia Lightfoot, Contributor December 31: Iyane Agossah, Senior Staff Writer // Michael Ruiz, Senior Staff Writer // Rachael Fiddis, Contributor January 1: Ricky Frech, Senior Staff Writer // Tanner Pierce, Staff Writer

December 27, 2019 2:00 PM EST

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2019/12/dualshockers-favorite-games-of-2019-scotts-top-10/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dualshockers-favorite-games-of-2019-scotts-top-10

0 notes