Earth to Echo (2014)- short movie review

Plot Summary:

In Relativity's PG summer family adventure movie, Tuck, Munch and Alex are a trio of inseparable friends whose lives are about to change. Their neighborhood is being destroyed by a highway construction project that is forcing their families to move away. But just two days before they must part ways, the boys begin receiving a strange series of signals on their phones. Convinced something bigger is going on, they team up with another school friend, Emma, and set out to look for the source of their phone signals. What they discover is something beyond their wildest imaginations: a small alien who has become stranded on Earth. In need of their help, the four friends come together to protect the alien and help him find his way home. This journey, full of wonder and adventure, is their story, and their secret. (c) Relativity

Movie Specs:

Rating- PG

Sex and Nudity- 0/10 (none)

Language- 0/10 (nothing notable)

Violence- 1/10 (Kidnapping, flying debris)

Drugs-0/10 (no drugs)

Length- 1hr 29 mins

Review:

Earth to Echo is E.T.’s pubescent sibling. It manages to be awkward yet endearing thanks to the brilliant casting of the leads. Halm, Astro, and Hartwig play best friends who find themselves in an adventure the night before they all go their separate ways. The easy flow of their dialogue and expressive faces made everything so believable. I only mourn their lack of character development in the movie. I’ll watch out for these up and coming actors.

The plot is as flat as they come- boys save alien from bad scientists and help him go home. The CGIs were minimal but good.  Echo is adorable. The alien spaceship assembly was amazing. I have conflicting feelings about the movie’s filming style ala Blair Witch project. On one hand, it is not comfortable to watch (motion sickness prone people, be warned). On the other, it had a hand on creating an organic feel to the story.

All in all, it is a good movie for kids and adolescents. Not so much for adults

Fave Character:

Munch (he delivered most of the laugh out loud moments)

Least Liked Character:

Emma (not sure why she was there)

Fave Quote: (NV)

Munch: My mom said I am a bit of an acquired taste. I think the kids at my new school won't acquire it.

Fave Scene:

First 20 minutes of the film

Monsters University (2013)- Short Movie Review

Plot Summary:

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn't always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. "Monsters University" unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends. -- (C) Walt Disney

Movie Specs:

Rating- G

Sex and Nudity- 0/10 (Well, most of the monsters do not have any clothes on)

Language- 0/10 (a Disney animated film. Enough said)

Violence- 1/10 (a bit of Bullying and competitiveness)

Drugs-0/10

Length- 1hr 35 mins

Review:

In a Disneyfied Hunger Games like competition, Mike, Sully, and their brothers from Oozma Kappa (OK? Hahaha) find out that there is strength in their differences. The story compares Sully’s inherent talent to scare and Mike’s bookish approach to scaring, which raises an underlying question of “nature vs. nurture”. The impressive production allows the audience to get absorbed in the film through these lovable characters. In effect, you laugh, cry and celebrate with them as they go through the highs and lows of college. It is fun seeing how distinct aspects of unversity life are translated into the monster universe (Major in Scaring, Can Design, Door Design etc).

While Pixar has had more impressive animation efforts, the great dynamic among the cast penetrates their animated forms as it manifests in their quick, witty and easy dialogue (great screen writer I guess). While it is a good stand-alone film, as a prequel to Monsters Inc. it provides new dimensions to Mike and Sully’s relationship and their individual characters. New characters are introduced which have potential for further development in future installments.  All in all, Pixar-Disney was able to mix everything nice in this delicious family film that leaves you with a smile in your face.

Be sure to catch the “Blue Umbrella” short film that preceeds the movie in theaters!

Fave Character:

Peter Sohn as Squishy (perfect comedic timing! Love the scaring technique of this mama’s boy)

Least Liked Character:

I love all of them. But if I had to choose, It would be the ROR frat (stereotypical jocks)

Fave Quote: (NV)

So many!!!

1) Squishy: aaww. Moooom! We are trying to have an initiation right here!

2) Oozma Kappa chanting (after barely surviving a game): We’re O.K.! We’re O.K!

Fave Scene:

Game one of the scare games- Toxic urchin race!