A Peek Into Pandora...

My favorite park in Florida's Walt Disney World is Animal Kingdom...

Not so much for what it is, but for what it could be.  There is a great deal for everyone in the Resort.  But the Magic Kingdom is not my favorite Disneyland clone.  Even with its expansion it still echoes that it's a copy.  Paris has one of the best designs and my favorite castle.  But not enough rides and not enough upkeep.  Tokyo's is a cleaner copy of Florida's, with a bazaar (both literally and figuratively) front entrance, but it feels even more of a clone than the one near Orlando.  Hong Kong?  A shadow of the original (but it's getting better.).  Shanghai?  Time will tell.

Epcot is a place of so much potential and undelivered promise.  Enjoy it for what it is, and for what I wish it were. But there have been compromises made over the past two decades that have misdirected what could've been a much better park than is. It is in no way the Epcot that Walt Disney envisioned, but it was built as a promising place for ideas he might've liked.   Over the years the bean counters and suits have made glaring errors that have watered down what Imagineers had originally intended/envisioned.  There are great things in the park, but there are also flawed things as well. Too many things unfortunately.

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a mixed bag. Starting out as a clone on the Mouse's competition: Universal Studios, it has morphed back-and-forth trying to find its purposes for guest.  While there are a lot of things that are right, there are many things that simply don't belong. Again, mainly the product of bean counters and not Imagineers. WDI has had clear plans from the beginning which were altered for business/economic purposes that have caused the part to stray from a more pure example of Hollywood movie love.   There have been proposals over the last decade or so that if implemented will make the former Disney-MGM Studio a much more attractive gate bringing it back on track as a "movie" park.

Which brings us to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Now, I'm certainly not saying that this park is perfect, but it does offer promise. And it does offer a much more unique Disney experience than any other park, and certainly any other Disney park.  It is different than a normal themepark, and different from a zoo like San Diego's famous destination.  It is a mix of message, environment, and entertainment all moving into one. For the most part is successful, but not entirely.  Michael Eisner and his bean counters are major players in the fault of the park's original purpose.

Those of you that follow Disney or happen to be regular readers of Blue Sky will know the background of this park and it's storied history.  Being as it is an "animal" park it was supposed to encompass all animal experiences.  By that I mean: living animals (the zoo part, with a Disney spin), extinct animals (Dinosaurs), and mythic animals (Dragons, unicorns, and fairies, oh my.).

Only two of these were actually built.  And for the most part it is a great experience in an amazingly lush and beautiful environment.  The one area that is the sore spot is Dinoland U.S.A.  An atrociously guady kids land that is a blight on the serene scenery everywhere else in the park.  Do they really have to make it ugly just for the young ones?  A revamp of this area so that it shares the same detail, and removes the "carnie" image that clashes with the rest of this hypnotic park would be welcome.

Beastly Kingdomme was the land of mythical creatures that got cut.  It was to be a place where all mythical creatures came to life.  There was an immensely detailed roller coaster revolving around the ancient, ruined castle inhabited by a dragon that would've thrilled guest. There was an enchanting ride called "Quest for the Unicorn" that would've merge guest in the whole haunting world of these magical creatures. A giant garden maze for guests to walk in and even an area along the river where a dragon which you have flames upon unsuspecting guest.

Delightfully themed, intricately detailed shops and joyfully whimsical restaurants were planned to accentuate and accommodate the experience were all included as well.  This mythic part never came to be other than the Dragon on the logo for Disney's Animal Kingdom.   The area it was to go is ironically the same place in which the new land based on James Cameron's film will go.   The area with camp Minnie-Mickey.

For months Disney fans have talked about this new addition.  Many had spread rumors that the project of been canceled, (which we told you months ago it was not) really just hoping that it would since they didn't believe it belonged in Disney park.  And to be fair, it doesn't seem at first glance to be a proper fit. If you think it is from the standpoint of the main characters both human and Na'vi, it seems you're placing it in an entirely different park (Disney's Hollywood Studio is where most think it should  go, if they think it should go in a Disney park at all).

But, if you look at the world created in the highest grossing film of all time in the world, it's the environment that they are selling.  The creatures and locations that are in the science-fiction epic or what Walt Disney Imagineers are trying to convey.  The park, just like the movie has an environmental message (although I will admit that avatars message was a little heavy-handed).  The science-fiction creatures on this far-off world are what you experience which is why the area will be called "Pandora", or the "World of Pandora", and not "Avatar Land" as everyone is referring to it.  

Even though we haven't yet gotten those mythical dragons and other creatures, Joe Ronde's goal is to provide that mythic experience which was missing from the opening.  They will simply be science fiction imaginary creations instead of ancient lore creations.  It will finally helped develop the park into three divisions: living, extinct and imaginary animals.  And before you complain too much, this doesn't mean that we won't get something like Beastly Kingdomme.  It just means that it (and the proposed Austrailia area) will come later.

From what I've heard the Bothans tell me, this new land will be an incredibly immersive experience.  As we've said before, the land will be approximately the same size as Cars Land is in Disney California Adventure. There are at least three attractions, many restaurants and shops, and immersive surroundings which will startle guests throughout the park.  It'll also finally turn the park from a part-day to a full-day park. In fact, from what has been shown, and from what has been told to me, when this area opens in 2017 DAK will be the "must go to" park in the entire Walt Disney World Resort.  

I don't say this as hyperbole, I say this simply as someone conveying what people have told me. Imagineers are extremely happy, and proud of what they have done and are working on to create an experience unlike any other for guests to enjoy.  When I said nighttime experience, I meant "nighttime" experience. There simply will be no more beautiful place to be in than Animal Kingdom,, particularly Pandora at nighttime in Disney World.  It will be a hypnotic trance inducing trip for the young and the old alike.  

And even Hogwarts will be jealous...

UPDATE:  It looks like that Walt Disney Imagineering let D23 release the video presentation for everyone to see.  I guess you didn't have to travel to Japan to travel to Pandora after all.

Obi-yashi Maru...

Ok, so J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" sequel has been released over the weekend...

And just like J.J., I've always been a Star Wars fan.  I enjoyed Star Trek, but never to the point where it compared to the passionate love I had for Star Wars.  Luke Skywalker and Han Solo were always more interesting that Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock to me.  Lightsabers and blasters were more fun than phasers and communicators when playing with my friends.  Of the films, I was very fond of  "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" than any other Trek film.  But overall, I was never as in to the worlds of the Federation than the worlds of the Galactic Empire.

J.J. Abrams felt this way too.  To be fair, he said "he didn't get Star Trek", which I don't agree with.  I got it. I just didn't get into it as much as normal Trek fans.  And when Abrams finally took on the job of rebooting the franchise, I think to get it, he had to be able to relate to it more like his love of Star Wars.  At its most basic core, Star Trek is science fiction and Star Wars is science fantasy.  Trek is owes a lot more to "2001" and Star Wars owes a lot more to "John Carter of Mars" and "Flash Gordon".  Gene Roddenberry's show was pitched as a western in space, but it's more of a field trip, while George Lucas' film feels like an adventure.

And when Abrams made the first Star Trek film he seemed to be injecting some of that.  No matter how he has tried to explain the differences in all his interviews during his publicity for the film, it feels that this is what he's subconsciously done.  Which bodes well for "Episode VII", but that's another story.  And there are many Trek fans that simply don't like what he's done.  He's departed from the core of what they enjoy about the series/films.  The closest Star Wars film to Trek is "The Phantom Menace" because it's a film that has more analytically droning on in political exposition than action.  It only becomes a Star Wars film in the end during the battle with Darth Maul.

But the new films are filled with adventure and pure spectacle.  There are a lot of people that will go into the theater that will leave upset.  Some for reasons of continuity with the original films/series, but several may come out shaking their heads at the number of unanswered questions as to how events in the films could/should have happened.  I found "Star Trek: Into Darkness" to be an absolutely entertaining film, but a much different Star Trek film than hardcore fans will be used to.  And one that some fans will hate because it departs so much from the mythology they've grown up with.  It takes to warp speed and jettisons the original canon in favor of a clean slate.  No stories are sacred here.  And Trekkers and Trekkies have a Star Wars fan at the helm.

J.J. seems to have thrown out the curiosity of the original in favor of the thrills of the reboot.  And for most people in those theaters it'll be enough.  Most may not have been born early enough to see the originals or next generation.  Many of them may have not even seen the original cast.  They may only know them from the vague pictures they've seen in magazines or the shuffle of films in their Netflix cue.

This Star Trek, unlike the ones before, has finally gone far, far away...

Math Problem: Getting 52 Into 13...

One plus one is two, except when it isn't... 

The times are hard for everyone...

But when someone like Brad Bird hasn't gotten the green light yet for his new project, you know that people are saving their nickles.  Suits I'm talking about.  And I can't say I blame them with all the problems in the economy, and politicians that don't know a thing about how it (business) works trying to tell them how to run their business.  But it goes to show you how difficult it is to make a film these days unless it involves a safe property; a known brand, superhero, or best selling novel.  Suits want sure things with all the money they put up.  Only, we know there is no such thing as a sure thing.

Damon Lindelof is one of the biggest writers in the film/television business.  Brad Bird is one of the most successful film directors currently working.  We found out months ago that they were working on a secret project at Disney known as "1952," which the Suits were very excited about.  It was based on an idea from Lindelof, and, we thought, his script.  Now, we find out that he and Bird are co-writing the script.  Together they're trying to tie down a budget and get a worthy star (George Clooney) that will ensure the heads of the studio that this project will get the green light.

I have no doubt that when this all comes together we'll see the script move into a position where pre-production starts.  But the long process that film makers like this go through to get the Mouse to say "yes" is statement of the times we live in.  Should everything go swimmingly, this film should get going around the middle of next year.  That means we could see this new Brad Bird film during the holidays of 2014, or if production takes longer, spring 2015.  If that happens, that year is going to be a monster; there are already so many films being released that year.  Boggles the mind a bit.  If you'd like to know more, the guys over at Collider have a great interview with Lindelof that I'm sure will be of interest to you even in this grim economy.

But on the bright side, a new Brad Bird film starting is a great thing...

New World Template...

Going viral...






One part of the future of online entertainment has gone live...

The Internet series on YouTube that I mentioned a while back has gone online today:

H+

If you'd like to see the series (and it's fascinating viral videos, fictional/real website or Brian Singer's introduction), the first two episodes have been put up for you to watch. You can subscribe to the channel to see the rest. Each episode varies in length since this isn't on normal television, the rules and restrictions don't apply.

H+ Episode One: "Driving Under."

H+ Episode Two: "On Their Level."

A new episode will be released every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. PST. This will continue until the finale in January of next year.

It's compelling sci-fi that deserves a look. Even if the series doesn't succeed, the format likely will. You can expect more shows like this to follow as the Web gets bigger and our world gets smaller. And the opportunities for more/alternative/creative shows and entertainment will broaden as the technology gets democratized. Warner Bros. Digital Distribution seems to get this and is moving forward proactively. The Question you have to wonder, is the Mouse doing so as well?

I'm just saying...

Building Worlds Apart...

Just don't be preachy, just entertain please...






It marks an interesting turning point for Disney's Animal Kingdom this week...

Because it's the start of researching the feasibility of the massive mini-park that they plan on constructing there. My Bothans told me that the design phase of the project has settled to the point where they have a general idea of what will come of this blue sky period.

So what may we find on the fifth moon of the gas giant Polyphemus?

Well the land will be Big, very BIG. It'll be approximately 10-12 acres (Example: Cars Land = 12 acres) and will be filled with distinctive horticultural differences from the surrounding areas of the park to realize that you've left the earth for something special.

There will be at least three attractions (rides) in the land with plenty of places to eat exotic, foreign foods and shop for strange, alien merchandise. Of those attractions, at least one will involve a flight simulator technology that will be heavily modified from the ones used for "Soarin' Over California."

Cameron has been very helpful in detailing what makes up the planet and how it ecologically can be explained to guests. He's let them pour over the extensive notes and even given them a peek at what is to come in the sequels. The Imagineers are unsure yet if anything from the sequels will make it into the first phase of this land. That's right, I said first phase. If it's successful then they have talked about the ability to expand the area within three to five years for additional attractions, shows and entertainment.

The name of the area will not be "Avatar" as some have mistakenly thought it would be. The three prime names that are being bandied about are: Pandora, The World of Pandora, and Pandora: The World of Avatar. The last one is what most think will be the final name, but nothing is certain yet.

Those of you that are disappointed that the Beastly Kingdom concept wasn't used will know that there are those at DAK that would like to revive it. Many believe that if this is successful it may pave the way for bringing back a variation of it sometime in the next decade. While it wouldn't be exactly the same, it would still fill the fantasy requirement that was originally set up by WDI when they pitched the park: A park celebrating animal life - real animals (the zoo part), extinct animals (dinosaurs) and mythical animals (fantasy animals). While some don't like the Avatar concept, it does fall under the branch of mythical animals, although it's more of a sci-fi branch than a fantasy one. Nevertheless, Imagineers still feel that someday they'll be able to bring the fantasy part of this park to life and have the mythical land be split into a fantasy and a sci-fi element.

But either way, this park will look worlds different (and better) right after the middle of this decade...

Alienated...

From Space Child to Space Jockey...







One of my most anticipated films of this summer was "Prometheus" from Ridley Scott...

And if you've read this blog, then you might have seen Decadent Dave's review of the film. Well, let's just say that he and I are of differing opinions on the film. There's a lot of discussion going on around the web and elsewhere over this Alien prequel. Some of it is very deep and much of the conversation is very intellectual... profound even at times. Whether you like it or not, the film brings up many questions. The main problem I've seen from the majority of those that dislike it is that it doesn't answer all of those questions. I actually like that. It makes me have to think about things. It's very cerebral. I believe that it will become this generation's "2001: A Space Odyssey." It resonated with me that much, and in that way.

But if you like that type of conversation and want to see some interesting analysis and interpretation then check out this article by Cavalorn, entitled: "Prometheus Unbound," which focuses on the religious parallels in the film. A great read. And then there is this post by m15m, entitled "Prometheus in Fifteen Minutes," who offers another revealing look at the subtext of the film. Remember, this is for people that have seen the film. There are huge SPOILERS and if you don't want the film ruined for you, please don't read these conversations.

But for those that have seen it and wish to marinate in the tale of what happened to the spaceship Prometheus?

Enjoy...

Hat Tip to Ain't It Cool News for the Cavalorn article.

In Memoriam: Ray Bradbury...

And he kept on writing for decades...





A giant of science fiction has passed from legend, into legend...

Ray Bradury, who gave the world a great collection of tales of what could be, what would never come or hadn't yet, and who played an important part in the world of Disney set down his pen forever.

A man of voluminous works, including "The Martian Chronicles," "Fahrenheit 451," "Something Wicked This Way Comes," and "The Halloween Tree". I happen of really love the film adaptation of Something Wicked This Way Comes from the Mouse. I think it's the best vision of his work until someday a studio suit gets the sense to make his script of Fahrenheit 451. As well as his many novels and short stories, Bradbury contributed to the creation of EPCOT Center. His optimism, hope and spark were marks of what made Walt Disney the man he was. Ray Bradbury told beautiful stories for over seventy years.

He is gone, but his works will live on for eternity...

The Beginning Of The Steam Dream...

Happy, Steampunk Birthday to you...






DCA isn't the only one celebrating a birthday today...

One hundred and eighty-three years ago, the creator of worlds, dreamer and visionary, French writer Jules Verne, the original "Steampunk" author and inspiration for many Disney films was born in Nantes, France.

His own birth will help create the birth of modern science fiction...

Threequels...

A long, long, long time ahead in the future...


Here we go again...

So the rumors of another Star Wars trilogy are flying again. The guys over at IESB are quoting anonymous sources inside the walls of Fortress Lucas that say it'll happen. It's a long way off, but it'll happen. They say that once George gets done with the 3D versions of the current Prequels/Originals, he'll set his sights on creating a whole new saga. One that takes place in the far future of the Star Wars Universe, perhaps a hundred or a thousand years out.

But then again, Lucas has said things about the prequels before he filmed them that contradicted a bunch of what came later. Plus the fact that they're denying this story. But really, even if it were true, would he talk much about it now? The last of the 3D conversions will be in theaters in 2017. So presuming he announce them a few years earlier, he'd have that first new film out in 2018. That's almost a decade out. And I personally don't think it'll be announced till the last film or darn near the release of it. This means it'll have to be filmed first and being as Lucas takes three years between films, this wouldn't likely see the light of day till 2019/20 at the earliest. That is a decade out. So we've got some ways to go before any of this will be concrete, if it's real at all.

Then there is my hope or dream that you know of. That within this decade, Bob Iger gets the nerve to have a meeting with Lucas and see about bringing all these projects into the Disney family. That way a new series of films would have the Disney logo right before you see the Lucasfilm logo. That would be nice and welcome. If there is any franchises that belong in the Mouse's catalog, it's Star Wars and Indiana Jones. They're identified with and inextricably linked with the parks, they might as well be Disney.

And if this third trilogy is actually made, they belong there...

Disney's Oblivion...

Will he, won't he...






Walt Disney Studios, you noticed I said "Studios" is in the lead (likely for Touchstone Pictures) for making Joseph Kosinski's "Oblivion" graphic novel a film...

That's the word from Deadline Hollywood, with the Mouse having an exclusive option that expires tonight. If it passes, the director of "Tron Legacy" has Paramount, Fox's Chernin Entertainment, and Universal Studios waiting to pick it up. Not bad for the first time director. Hopefully he has time to film this in between the sequel to "Tron Legacy," the remake of "The Black Hole" and "Archangels." Again, he's a busy man.

Nice to see someone in this economy with a job(s)...

UPDATE: Ain't It Cool News has published a preview of several pages of the graphic novel that gives you an idea as to what the director wants to adapt.

UPDATE 2: Walt Disney Studios has now secured the purchase of this project for a mid-figure sum (read: $400-$600,000).

Monkey Business...

You know there are many things that have little or nothing to do with the Mouse that I really enjoy...

If you've followed the blog, then you know that I have several interest that are tangentially related to the Mouse or are just musings about the entertainment industry in general. I love genre movies for example. If you've read much of my commentary/ranting then you'd know I love science fiction, pulp, detective-noir and pretty much any good action film. With that in mind, I love to seeing blending of these type of films, like horror-comedy or sci-fi-horror and so on. So I follow the entertainment biz pretty close and I've seen some projects that have sparked my interest.

Here is one that's been on my radar that I've found out about from overseas Bothans in Cannes...

It's called "War Monkeys." Now that's a catchy name, huh? When I was a kid, I loved anything to do with "Planet of the Apes." I had cards, mask and remember watching the movies and even the television series. So all things simian are kinda interesting to me. Now this looks like something fun, monkeys with machine guns. Not talking monkeys, but really mean, real life ones that apparently have learned to do naughty things.

It's the story of two losers trapped in an underground military lab where a horde of combat-trained, genetically altered monkeys are set free. The writer of it describes it as a remake of "Gremlins" if Quentin Tarantino had directed it. David Ellis is directing it from a script by Cleve Nettles, from a story by Chris Patton. Nettles and Patton will produce through Death Ray Films and Intandem Films for a 2011 release. Apparently they're casting as we speak/write.

Death Ray Films are the ones that are doing that "I, Frankenstein" project that sounds like it's a really twisted take on the classic monster mythos combined with film noir. Monkey's sound like it also could be this crazy kind of fun.

Reminds me a lot like those 80's movies I used to love so much as a kid...

Going Back Before It All Began...

Whoa...

Ridley Scott, the amazing director of such films as "Alien," "Blade Runner," "Black Hawk Down," and "Gladiator" has committed to direct a prequel to the original Alien with a script by Jon Spaihts ("Passengers,") from his own original pitch. This is big, big news. Alien is one of those films that set a standard and created a cultural phenomenon that other sci-fi films would have to follow. The story will supposedly tell the story of the ship that first landed on the planet and had the original encounter with... the eggs.

Cooly developing...

Hat Tip to /Film.