We already knew that Marvel's greatest heroes would be assembling in Disney Infinity 2.0. But now we know that they will be joined by Princess Merida and the star of the number one movie in America, Maleficent in the Toy Box.
Are you excited?
Here are my first thoughts. I like seeing toys themed to them in the Toy Box mode. But I wish they were included in Play Sets. Really that is what I want more of after the huge hit the Lone Ranger set was in my home. Sets are fun for me!
Is Merida and Hawkeye going to have the same power sets? She seems to be showing off some martial arts and using her bow in a Hawkeye like fashion? Can you buy Merida and have her join the Avengers? Maybe she is the Kate version of Hawkeye?
I am honestly more excited about Marvel. But I think everyone could have guessed that one!
This week, Disney showed us more than a shield and let us all that will be coming with the next iteration of this game.
Okay, this is pretty exciting. And here is why I will be lining up in Fall to buy 2.0.
All of my favorite MCU heroes are here.
Everything I already own is compatible with the new disc, which includes enhanced game play.
Marvel themed play sets and toy box items will exist. The Between Kids have loved wandering through New York in LEGO Marvel Superheroes, but now they can create that world.
Rocket Racoon and Groot! Seriously they have the potential to be huge for Marvel!
Lola flies!
All that is left is for them to add Agent Coulson and I would be set for a good long time! Are you happy with this marvelous addition?
My thoughts probably match a lot of others. And it is because I think this is very good. First, it has been a long time since we saw a new Play Set added. Phineas & Ferb and Frozenwere added as Toy Box only features. It is great you can play these characters, but the Play Sets have all pretty much been played through in my house and we need more. Second, this opens the door to Disney's non-animation properties. Third, as a giant Marvel fan I look forward to adding heroes and villains to the Toy Box mode and entering the Marvel Universe in another way. Finally, these also seems to announce Disney Infinity 2.0 so maybe the software is getting an upgrade.
The Lone Ranger must be horrible! Seriously, it was a box office bomb so it must be really really bad. Estimates say that for Disney it was a loss of anywhere between $160-190 Million (capital M). But box office success does not mean good. And I can thing of plenty of movies that were not good that were huge successes financially. And others that the box office was a disappointment but a personal hit for me. As many of you can guess, John Carterfor me is a movie that I loved despite receipts.
So I was not out to get The Lone Ranger. And I was willing and wanted to go see this western starring Armie Hammer as the masked lawman and Disney golden boy Johnny Depp as the Native American warrior Tonto. But the summer schedule kept me out of the theater and by the time the summer was over we decided financially it made more sense to buy the movie instead of rushing into the theater while the film was on its way out (very quickly).
Mrs Banks: Someone at Central Casting must really like English actress Ruth Wilson. I first saw her in a theatrical release in Saving Mr. Banks as Margaret Goff. And though I thought her character was very understated, I did feel sympathy for her as we experienced the Goff family troubles through her oldest daughters eyes. What I did not realize is that Wilson had made her Disney debut earlier in the year as Rebecca Reid, wife of Texas Ranger Dan Reid, in The Lone Ranger and served as the primary romantic interest in the movie. As both characters, Wilson in effect plays pioneer women who work on the edges of modern society. And Wilson brings to both roles brings the air of someone who longs for a more civilized life.
The Disneyland Railroad: One of the reasons I did not see The Lone Ranger in the theater was because I was traveling to Disneyland for my summer vacation while Depp's newest film was released. When we arrived at Disneyland we entered the park for the first time on the Sunday after and sitting in front of the park right after the bus loading area was The Constitution the train from the film. Two cast members dutifully guarded the train. And it was really impressive to see the size difference between this train and the ones in the park. Now I really had not listened to box office reports, because I was too busy with my family. And I took some pictures in front of the train with my kids. But I have no family free pictures to share with you. Because on Wednesday the train was gone. The way I remember it was we went into the park and the train was there. And then we came out after lunch for a nap and the entire train was gone. Seriously, it was a huge engine. But it was gone. It was like it never existed! Then I knew it had not gone well for Mr. Depp and I figured The Lone Ranger was getting the John Cartertreatment!
Family Friendly: I do not want to sound like I am a grumpy guy, but I really do wonder if Walt Disney would have released The Long Ranger under the Walt Disney name. I did enjoy the action adventure that the movie provided. And I thought the moral compass was true to a Disney family film with the Lone Ranger being a champion for justice. But, it has a huge body count! It has to have more deaths that any of the Pirates films, maybe more than the four combined. And this is not the A-Team where shooting happens but bullets only hit non-living things. No, this is a movie that I would question before showing a youngster. A day before I watched The Lone Ranger I received a text asking if it was kid approved. I said it was Disney so how bad could it be! I may have been wrong. And Disney may have done their core audience a favor be releasing this film under Touchstone instead.
The Old Mill: The William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini has been used in a number of media pieces. These include the Disney classic short The Old Mill which uses the "Ranz des Vaches" or "Call to the Cows" segment to open the morning. But probably the most famous use is in the classic television show The Lone Ranger, which used the "Finale" as its theme song. As a kid who grew up with four television stations, I saw a ton of the Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels program despite the fact it entered production nearly 30 years before I was born! The Hammer and Depp collaboration pays homage to the classic show by using the Overture throughout the final big action segment (maybe it should be BIG ACTION). And because of the use of this musical tribute it makes the ending sequence even more enjoyable. Honestly, it really does show how a piece of music can set a mood. For someone like me, I knew something exciting was happening. For the Between Kids who have no idea who Clayton Moore is, they knew something fast paced was breaking out in front of them.
Infinity: Okay, it is not part of the movie, but the Disney Infinity Lone Ranger Play Set is really really fun. The Between Kid and I crushed it over our holiday break. And even for me as a fairly mature adult I enjoyed playing cowboys and robbers, occasionally going out on our own two man posse on missions. You may have overlooked this Play Set if you play Disney Infinity. If you have I recommend grabbing it since it may be my favorite Play Set to date.
John Carter: Everyone is going to compare The Lone Ranger to John Carter. I will admit they did get the same post-release treatment. Disney quickly washed their hands of both. And I do not expect Disney to try a Western again soon. But let us remember they did not get the same treatment before their releases. John Carterwas marginalized. The Lone Ranger was included with the release of Disney Infinity! John Carter did not have a big name actor. The Lone Ranger had the Disney golden boy Johnny Depp. Yes, Disney wanted this film to succeed, so its failure is even more disappointing than the film Disney wanted to forget!
Like John Carter I enjoyed the escapist adventure in The Lone Ranger. I still prefer Andrew Stanton's sci-fi film on a critical level. Which did not lose quite as much for Disney as Depp did in this adventure. But like Stanton, Depp has a good Disney track record so he is allowed a Disney stumble, though the relationship with producer Jerry Bruckheimer is effectually at an end for new intellectual property. I would say if you have not seen The Lone Ranger, grab some pop and popcorn and give it a chance some Friday night. It might just be fun.
As I sit here at the computer, it is snowing. And I mean it is cats and dogs snowing. So it makes it a perfect time to reflect on the story of Elsa and Anna in Frozen, because it really looks like the landscape outside could have been crafted by Elsa herself.
Wide Eyes: What struck me most about the character models in Frozen? Why it was traditional large eyes of course! Disney has a tradition of models with eyes out of proportion to real people and this film follows that tradition. And it works, those eyes are super emotional and help convey the feeling of the story. Ariel would be proud!
Fantasyland: Oh Arendelle, can I visit you? Wait maybe I have and your alias is Fantasyland! Arendelle (okay the whole movie) is gorgeous. And I really feel that the castle and the village made me feel like I was in a Fantasyland like setting. Yes, Fantasy Like. It is not a clone of the in park experience but I did feel like if they ever wanted to build a Frozen attraction themed to the movie it could easily fit in. Additionally, the Between Wife and I agreed, a lot of the big landscapes are majestic and would look really good in World of Color.
Throw Out the Rulebook: Everyone knows the rules of the princess movie; good behavior and true love. Well, I will say that the behavior of Elsa and Anna are far from proper in every way. As children they actually were, well kids. In fact if anything is really causing Elsa internal struggle it is the need to be perfect in her behavior to avoid showing who she is (in today’s Marvel Universe she would be sent to the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning to learn about her power and controlling it not hiding it). And as adults Anna is silly, and honestly childish. But they still hold true to essentially having a heart for others, even a broken heart, and taking risks for those they care about. My favorite rule changer is True Love. Frozen openly mocks the idea of love at first site. And the eventual act of love needed to be seen on the screen is far from what Snow White, Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella experienced.
King Candy: So is Alan Tudyk on studio contract now? Tudyk voices the Duke of Weselton, it is not pronounced the way you think! The Duke is creepy and definitely setup for comedy relief in the story, in the same sort of way that King Candy is in Wreck-It-Ralph. I hope like Ed Wynn, who Tudyk channeled in Wreck-It-Ralph, we continue to see Tudyk in Disney productions.
Nick Fury: Marvel Cinematic Universe fans rejoice! Frozen has an end credit scene. Sure, it does not feature Nick Fury moving a franchise big agenda. But it is worth sitting through the credits to see it. And watch the credits carefully in the last minute or so of them running. There is a disclaimer that corrects a controversial generalization that the movie makes! Honestly as Disney has made clear this movie is full of Easter Eggs, from the cast of Tangled to the head cheese himself (maybe).
I really liked Frozen and I look forward to seeing it again. I honestly still liked Tangled a little better, but this film was still a hit with me. The fact that I liked it so much surprised me since I was not thrilled with the trailers at all, mostly because they first trailer really did not show me what the movie was really about. And it is a hit with the Between Kids. The oldest is pleased that we now have the FrozenDisney Infinity set, with Anna as the go to character. And the youngest has been running around telling us about the joy of warm hugs.
Yep, it is cold out here in Betweenland. The best way to deal with the chill is to get in the spirit and take in a showing of Frozen.
I was lucky on my last vacation to the Disneyland Resort to find out more about another way to bring the Disney magic home, Disney Infinity.
I just happened to be in Anaheim for the first day of the “Summer of Endless Fun” tour which allowed Disney Interactive to show off their latest game at Downtown Disney, Disney Infinity. I attended the July 7th session in Downtown Disney. The tour spot included a tent, under which they showcased the game on a number of different platforms. Those waiting to try out Disney Infinity were entertained with music by Radio Disney. We were also given the chance to pre-order the game while standing in line!
It was a popular event. I got to the tent within the first hour of it opening and had to wait at least 45 minutes for my chance to play. While waiting I was given a Disney Infinity bag, button and place mat shaped handout with game specs. The crowd seemed to be a mix of folks looking for free stuff with little knowledge of the game and people who wanted to know more about the game but who had heard of it. I knew of the game, but honestly I did not fully have a grasp of what the game would entail. I had already pre-ordered, and the sales representative making the pitch to me told me my bonuses were better than they were offering that day.
Once in the tent, I got about 4 minutes of game play. I got to play as Mater driving around Radiator Springs. The console I was using was not one that I have at home, we were not given choices. So it took me longer than I wanted to learn the controls. Basically my big achievement during this time was snagging cars with Mater’s hook and giving them a toss across the landscape. The representative assigned to me asked me questions about what I liked and wanted the game to do to help keep the conversation going. And we discussed what I had pre-ordered and what I would need to make what I have alright purchased work in more than the Toy Box mode. I also found out about the Power Disc sets, $4.99 for a random pack, which could be a big collectible along with giving your game cool features. When I was finished, I was given t-shirts for the Between Kids. For it being such a short time I did walk away with a decent amount of stuff and increased knowledge about the game.
The “Summer of Endless Fun” tour honestly made me more excited about Disney Infinity. I told myself if I did not enjoy it I was going to cancel my pre-order. Instead I walked away thinking about what else I wanted to order! Disney Infinity will clearly help bring the magic home in the between months ahead!
Before Christmas the Between Kids asked a few times for a Skylanders play set. They had seen this video games/action figure set at a friend’s house and enjoyed it. But I just did not know about the game. And with several Disney themed gifts already planned, Santa simply did not have room in his sack to include Skylanders.
Thank you Santa! I thank you! The Between Kids thank you! Because now we all plan to wait for Disney Infinity being released in June 2013 to enter into this gaming sphere.
Here is the trailer for this upcoming game:
What did you think? The Between Kids have gone through all of their favorite characters asking if they will be part of the game; Stitch, Vanellope von Schweetz, the Mad Hatter, and of course Mickey Mouse! Of course, I cannot answer all of these questions yet! Additionally, I have been asked if allowance can be replaced with new characters, for a game we do not even have yet!
What do you think of Disney Infinity? Are you excited? The Between Family is!
.JPG "Dreaming Disney - Disney Infinity's \"Summer of Endless Fun\"")
