Reviews by Kyle Ellis

Okay to start things off, after rewatching this again after 4 years, for DuckTales:The Movie-Treasure of the Lost Lamp isn't as good as the show it derives from. The show "DuckTales" is one of my favourites, it is funny, wonderfully animated and has such an irresistibly catchy theme tune, so this movie had a lot to live up to. Really, this is a treasure, that is a lot of fun and I think it lives up to the show very well. My only complaint though is that the movie is too short, if it had been 5-10 minutes longer, I would've liked to seen more of the villain and one or two more of the secondary characters. That said, the animation is very well done, colourful and pretty fluid. And I loved hearing the irresistible and upbeat theme tune playing over the end credits and the orchestral score is nice too. The script is often hilarious, Launchpad I have always found funny but there were times when Scrooge said something that was hysterical. The characters are still their fun and engaging selves, Huey, Dewey and Louie are fun and Webby is adorable. Scrooge and Launchpad both have their inspired moments, and the genie is a nice character. I liked the villain Merlock as well, while gruff and undeniably powerful he is also pretty humorous. The plot was well constructed, reminded me of the early "DuckTales" episodes, and the voice acting is excellent, not only from Russi Taylor, Alan Young and Terence McGovern, but Christopher Lloyd stands out as well as Merlock. Overall, a hugely enjoyable film, not as good as the show, but a worthy spin off movie. 9/10 Bethany Cox

This is a very well done film. It isn't quite as memorable as Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but it so deserves to be up there. The protagonist was very well portrayed by Sean Marshall,(despite the lack of singing ability) but my favourite was the animated dragon Elliot. The scene in the schoolroom was priceless. I absolutely loved Helen Reddy as Nora, the way she sang "Candle in the Water"(about her lover) was beautiful. Jim Dale was great and very funny as the quack Dr Terminus, but he has been better in the Carry on franchise. The most entertaining were Red Buttons and Mickey Rooney, and I mustn't forget the Gogans Shelley Winters must have had a ball making this film. The film has two minor drawbacks. It is a little too long, but also the songs while very pleasant to hear aren't as memorable as later Disney efforts, though Candle On the Water and There's Room for Everyone are classics. But I agree it is underrated. This film is an 8/10. Bethany Cox

This movie is an absolute delight from start to finish. My only complaint was that sometimes the animation was a little crude, making a few scenes upsetting to watch, like the kidnapping scene and when Felicia the cat eats the mouse. But a vast majority of the animation was wonderful. The three songs were absolutely wonderful, especially Criminal Mind, and I loved it that Vincent Price sang in the film. How unusual! The characters were also a delight, especially Ratigan,(truly Machiavellian) with a perfect performance from the master of horror, Vincent Price, no wonder it is considered as his favourite role because he seemed to be having a wonderful time with it. The highlight of the film was the scene in Big Ben, brilliant animation in that scene. Basil and Dawson had wonderful chemistry, and I did laugh a lot in the scene in the Toyshop. Olivia is so cute, and Fidget is an inspired henchman. What impressed me most was the mix of Sherlock Holmes characters, because Toby is in the best Holmes mystery, the Sign of Four, and Fidget was probably inspired by Jonathan Small (the man with the wooden leg), from the same mystery. I think Ratigan was like Moriaty, which was great to see. In conclusion a delightful film, with minor flaws, but still lots of fun. 9/10. Bethany Cox

Mary Poppins is definitely much better, but this is a lovely film nonetheless. Angela Lansbury is splendidly dotty as Engletine Price, and David Tomlinson has great fun as Mr. Brown. Their chemistry was just brilliant as well. The children, however just lacked the same sparkle, though Paul is very funny and cute. The songs were actually not as bad as some people say, "Beautiful Briny Sea" is the best, in fact all the songs are outstanding. The special effects were wonderful, that had plenty of magic, and the story is original enough. The highlights, though, like Mary Poppins, were the animated sequences. The underwater sequence was beautiful, but my favourite was the football match, which was absolutely hilarious. The only other criticism was that I didn't quite get the ending when I first saw it. All in all, a lovely film, that is hardly ever on. 8/10 Bethany Cox

The first problem was that there was too much introduction between the pieces. Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones were the best, but the one with Steve Martin was unnecessary, as well as Penn and Teller. The film itself was a little short, but I enjoyed it anyway. It is beautifully animated, with good choices of music, but if anything, I wish there was more of it. I love the original, but I thoroughly recommend this as well. The animation was spot on, especially in the Pines of Rome segment. This was my personal favourite, as i thought that baby whale was so sweet. Donald Duck's version of Noah's Ark set to the music of Elgar was hilarious, as was the Carnival of the animals. The most beautifully animated was the Firebird sequence,reminding me of FernGully, telling the story of "Life, death and renewal." I am not a huge fan of Stravinsky, but the Firebird I have always considered his best work. There was also the abstract images in the Beethoven. They were ambiguous but very well done, but I didn't like the chopping of the piece itself. The section they missed out is essential to the movement's development in my opinion. The Pines of Rome sequence was outstanding I thought, I showed it to my year 4 peers 8 years ago, and they all clapped at the end of that segment but were unenthuasiastic about the rest of the film. Then Gershwin treated us with Rhapsody in Blue, telling the story of a typical day in New York. The Shostakovich was very good, but marred by the interesting but overlong introduction. Great animation and music though. The Saint Saens was funny, but the Magic Trick was pointless. Unfortunately Sorceror's Apprentice was one of the highlights in the original, but was for me the weakest segment here. The Elgar was absolutely hilarious, and the Firebird very heartfelt also I had early memories of thinking the Sprite was absolutely gorgeous. The music was very well performed by James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. All in all, 8/10 Bethany Cox.

I enjoyed this film, and I do slightly prefer it to the Jodie Foster version. True, the first 15 minutes were a bit slow, and some of the script was a bit weak, not to mention the rather predictable storyline. But you know what, the performances of Lindsey Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis more than compensated, their performances were really entertaining, and I felt the chemistry between them. I loved the soundtrack, and I thought it was very sensible updating the story, so that it would appeal more to someone like my 13 year old sister, who really enjoyed it. The script, while contrived in some places, was on the whole, very funny, and anyone who's seen the 1976 film, will get a more of the same film, except updated. What I did like, is that Lohan's character is a representation of all of us, someone who doesn't do mornings, doesn't always get on with her mum, and has friends and enemies. In the 1976 version, Jodie Foster's interpretation was more sensible than Lohan's, who put a bit of her other films in, which is quite appealing for this sort of film. Overall, an enjoyable film, with a 7/10. Bethany Cox

Sure it isn't perfect, but then again, few movies are. The visuals are a delight to look at, with a wide range of colours, and the art direction is much better than it is in most direct to video sequels. The music is lovely too, not the best score in the world, but I liked it. However, the story is very overly-familiar and some of the characters aren't quite as convincing as others. Be thankful that the voice talents are so good, like Tony Jay lending his distinguished voice as the narrator. Emma Thompson is lovely as Amelia and makes the most of some witty dialogue, and David Hyde Pierce impresses as well. Martin Short is good as BEN but his character isn't quite as appealing as the others, Morph was one of my favourites. I liked the idea of making Silver a cyborg, and Brian Murray does a respectable job, and Jim, while slightly bland to start with was appealing. All in all, a well done animated film, that is only let down by slightly unoriginal plotting. 8/10 Bethany Cox.

Now I really wanted to like this film. I adore Disney, but along with Home on the Range and The Wild for various reasons it is my least favourite Disney film. Home on the Range was forgettable save some good moments and The Wild while colourful had some derivative elements, but Chicken Little I feel suffered because it tried too hard. Granted, it is visually and technically accomplished, more in the backgrounds and colours than in the character designs. The animation is bright and colourful, though some of the character designs are rather forced at times. The film moves briskly, and it also does have a good idea and some above-decent voice work. However, because it tries so hard, elements get lost in the process. The film does have an uneven tone, and the storyline while trying to fit a lot in such as some references to pop culture and is unfocused unfortunately. Speaking of the pop culture references, sorry I think they are going to date, and the script was often very weak and the ending clichéd. Then there are the characters, I liked Mayor Turkey Lurkey and the title character was spirited enough, but others such as Abby Mallard verged on annoying or flimsy. I wasn't taken with the soundtrack overall either, it did have its nice spots but there are others where you are wondering what on earth? Some of it was very loud to the point it was almost intolerable. So all in all, it is spirited and tries hard, but on the whole sorry it didn't work for me. 4/10 Bethany Cox

Of course, it isn't as good as the stunning original, but it's definitely better than the Little Mermaid, Jungle Book and Cinderella sequels which ranged from disappointing to lame. It's also in my opinion in the top 3 of the better DTV sequels, which are The King of Thieves(Aladdin)and Enchanted Christmas(Beauty and the Beast).

What makes it good is the welcome return of Timon and Pumbaa, who brought great comic relief, although they weren't as funny. The songs, while not as outstanding as the original, were actually not that bad at all. He lives in You is wonderfully uplifting. Zira was also very convincing, much better than Morgana. I don't think though that she was as convincing a villain as Scar, who to me is on of the best Disney villains along with Jafar, Ursula, Frollo, Maleficent, The Wicked Queen and Ratigan oddly enough. The animation actually wasn't that bad either, though sometimes fell flat in the darker scenes, but it was colourful, crisp and lively on the whole.

The negatives are very few actually. In the Little Mermaid sequel, I put more cons than pros, but not here. Kiara and Kuvu are a little unconvincing, likewise with Simba, they just lacked depth. And the story isn't quite as gripping and is sometimes a little on the predictable side. But of course, the sequel is hardly ever better than the original, with the exception of perhaps Toy Story.

In conclusion, a flawed but enjoyable sequel to a cinematic masterpiece, though the original isn't as good as Beauty and the Beast. 7/10 Bethany Cox