Musings Over D23. (Gaming And Animation)

Boy, that sure was weird. I wonder what reason Kefka would try to take over my little blog for? 

Ahem. Anyway...

Hey! It's going to be a pretty crazy week coming up, so I'd like to get started with something going on as we speak. 

Disney's big convention, D23, has returned, and there's a been a shit ton of announcements. I'd like to go over them. I'll handle talking about their games and animation first. 

Disney Games Showcase:

This sure was something...

I'll be brutally honest here. I expected very little, and I was still let down. Mostly mid tier announcements, mobile games and small updates on things we already knew, with a few exceptions:

Gargoyles Remastered:

HELL YEAH! I've been waiting for this! Gargoyles is one of the greatest shows of all time, and this old, obscure SEGA Genesis game is one of the finest platformers of the 16 bit era. This is an absolute must play. Please please please get a physical release.

Disney Illusion Island:

Oh well, would you look at that? The leak was real! I was really put off by this game at first, but  I have to say, the more and more I look at this one, the more it's growing on me. It's got a really interesting art style, and it being fully voiced by the modern Mickey cast was a welcome surprise. It also just looks plain fun. Disney are super peculiar about who they allow Mickey games to be made by, so I've got some faith in this one. Consider me interested.

Skydance's Marvel Game:

This was the announcement people were waiting for and I've got to say...uhh. Well, they didn't really show anything. We know the World War 2 setting, and the fact that Capt and T'Challa's grandfather are the leads, but that's it. There's not really that much to say. The only reason I have faith in this is because of Amy Henning. Her writing is second to none and she's finally gotten her own studio. I'm cautiously optimistic on this one.

Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Panel:

This ended the night, and it was pretty...eh showing. There were a few things I'd like to talk about though. 

Elemental:

Pixar is doing their first romantic comedy, with an interesting twist. And, as someone who isn't into romcoms, this is pretty interesting. I love the characters designs of the duo, and I'm intrigued by what they've said about it so far. I'm very, very interesting. I've got a good feeling about this one. And I haven't been able to say that about a Pixar film in quite a while.

Win Or Lose: 

Once again, I'm pretty impressed here. Pixar doing a full length show about a little league team, with each teammate getting a show centered around them is quite interesting, and having a funny guy like Will Forte in tow just sweetens the deal. Very interested to see more.

Elio:

Hmm. This one I'm unsure of. When I hear the synopsis explained as "Awkward kid that doesn't fit in" I immediately roll my eyes. This has been done to death. Especially by Disney. Come up with a different setup. This is getting old, real fast. The concept of the kid being a diplomat to Aliens, however, does have me fascinated. I need to see this one in action before I can for anything more solid. Consider this a "wait and see".

Inside Out 2:

The big finale of the Pixar section of the show was leaked the day before and I just...why? Who needed this? Who asked for this? This was the Pixar film that needed a sequel the least. The first film was excellent, had a great narrative and it was genuinely funny. This did not need to be a franchise. This one just sounds like Disney CEOs forcing them to go ahead with one, whether they wanted to or not. At this point in time, this one's a hard pass for me. 

Disney Animation:

Zootopia +:

Zootopia was an unexpected surprise for me a few years back, I loved the characters and the world crafted around them. I'm more than happy to see a follow-up of sorts. This is an easy win. I'm excited.

Mufasa: The Lion King:

Oh God. Why. 

That remake was the worst movie of 2019. No doubt in my fucking mind. I hated it with every fiber of my being. This is going to be a dogshit prequel to a dogshit remake that no one fucking liked. Won't get a single cent from me. Fuck that noise. 

Wish:

Disney's big centennial film ended the night, and this one is another big "meh" from me, honestly. A movie about the star that appears in the Disney logo sounds like the most lazy, contrived nonsense you could ever imagine. This looks and sounds like another generic, lazy, cookie cutter princess movie. Yawn. 

When I imagine an institution like Disney celebrating a hundred years of filmmaking, this isn't what I had in mind.

A much better idea, in my opinion, would have been to return to 2D (something they've already announced) with the theatrical return of...

You know, the mascot that built your fucking company? What is it with their hesitancy to let him lead his own film? I don't get it. Anyway, I'm sure the film will be fine, it's just not for me. 

That's enough of my bitching. 

Saved my favorite for last...

Strange World: 

This. Looks. Fan. Freaking. Tastic.

I've been wanting Disney to do pulpy, surreal film starring a family of adventurers for ages, and this is exactly what I asked for. I don't have a single complaint here. I'll watch Dennis Quaid in just about fucking anything. I need to see it. Now. Movie looks and sounds like a banger.

Next up is the Marvel/Star Wars panel.

See you in a tick!