Moment Musicaux

Yes, it’s the Bee Movie. And for the love of all things starting with ‘B’ *koff*, I had to watch it.

Anyway, I didn’t have an astronomical expectation of the movie (I have a tendency to be un-expectant about animated movies), and I definitely was not disappointed here. In fact, I think I like this show a microfraction more than Ratatouille. Loads of slapstick in this one (Jerry Seinfield, duh). Perhaps I thought too much into the script — I was the only one laughing out LOUD at parts where no one else was. The boy can attest to that. Which, fine, means that the movie IS a ‘B’ movie. Ha ha.

I didn’t know that such a big-name cast was behind the voices of the characters! Jerry Seinfield, Rene Zellweger, Chris Rock, Oprah, STING (no shizzle yes bees) etc.

Albeit a larger-than-life storyline ("It’s a cartoon", Adam, 20), I see some slight scoffing at the U.S. notoriety of being able to sue anyone and anything. The show also question certain stereotypes, human behaviour and even developed nations’ tendencies to become overworked. I thought that the ending’s ‘moral of the story’ quite nicely tied in.

So beefore (oops, couldn’t help that one) I start giving away too much of the 90-minute movie, I depart with one last wonder: Aren’t butterflies also involved in cross-pollination? Then why the factual emphasis on how bees (anatomically) aren’t supposed to be able to fly…?

Yeah, yeah. It’s a CARTOON.

4 out of 5 stars! 

Paprika was a blast. I loved the colours and the soundtrack. Like typical Japanese anime, the movie rounds up itself by using flashbacks to explain the earlier enigmas. But there was so much going on (subtitles included) that the movie’s message only dawned upon me after I sat down and thought about it. Just a bit of gripe: Everything about the main characters are intertwined with each other. Of course, they are the main characters, but ’coincidence’ feels forced when things become too fitting.

This is not so much of a review but more of the take-home message:
Paprika represents the acting conscience (choice) that stands between dreams (sub-conscious) and reality (consciousness). Between what one dreams (verb) of and what remains reality. And finding that balance among duality appears to be the theme of this movie.

Greed, immaturity, deceit, lust, anger, inferior complexes, guilt, suppression etc. are just some aspects of human nature that causes one to spiral out of control in order to chase a dream (both noun + v.). This manipulation and destruction of man’s physical and emotional being results in a disastrous domino effect (noisy scenes, destroying lives, cities etc.) follows.

So, for everything that’s bad, something good exists. Here, compassionate, brotherly and ’pure’ love (that looks beyond all of one’s negative traits) balances out evil. And to drive the point across, the abovementioned love ultimately wins.

Paprika’s role is to help people who have unanswered dreams (v.) trapped within their dreams (n.) and enable them to make a choice that’s preferably for the greater good. To add another dimension to the story, Paprika herself is one half of duality — a person’s struggle to come to terms with her emotional side — and she (Paprika) only becomes alive in her dreams (n. + v.).

Every main character in the movie is delibrately given two sides to their character. Even the villian — but we see that even in his ‘both sides’, the ‘good’ side is actually bad because he uses it to manipulate others and achieve his selfish means (not accepting reality).

‘Paprika’ is basically about morals and about being self-aware and realistic. There is a Paprika in every one of us, so to speak, and listening to it (conscience) will indefinitely spice up our lives. Otherwise, when such un-sorted out dreams (v.) merge into one’s reality, terrible things can happen.

4 out of 5 stars.

(Ignore the un-transformer-like pose, please. I was just propping the helmet up because it was too heavy and uh… Being random.)

One of the guys in the other company (we share the office premises with another company, under the same director) is a Transformers nut. He has all the figures that appeared in the movie, and more. The Optimus Prime helmet that I’m wearing CAN EMIT OPTIMUS’ VOICE how cool is that! I loved the movie. I felt so emotional whenever they transformed. 2 eprops to Computer graphics!

I need to stop snacking on Tao Kae Noi Seaweed and mint chocolate biscuits. Not when I haven’t been exercising regularly! I FEEL FLAB COMING.

Some reviews compared Shrek 3’s plot to "kicking a dead steed", and I pretty much agree. I thought the REALLY cheesy and painful to an extent, but of course – how much can you expect in a land ‘far far away’.

The show does have its saving grace. There are plenty of laughs and quirks which does manage to divert some attention away from the weak plot. (Ironically, it’s likely that the overt focus on humour compromised the storyline.) The animation is fantastic; it’s amazing how technology has improved leaps and bounds. Of course, it’s always for the better when it’s for our pleasure. Ha.

I’ll give it 3 1/2 stars (out of 5). This show’s great for after-work and post-exam stress relief. And don’t bring your brains along, lest you be disappointed.