Tuesday 26 April 2011
Best and Worst Remakes in Hollywood History
Thirty years after Dudley Moore brought us Arthur, Russell Brand has attempted to breathe new life into the drunken playboy...without much critical success.
The original took nearly $100 million at the US box office and won two Oscars for Best Supporting Role for John Gielgud and Best Song for the Burt Bacharach theme tune Best That You Can Do, while the remake (out last Friday) has received reviews such as:
"A thin, insipid and oddly flavourless brew. Drink it responsibly. Better yet, don't drink it at all." - The Guardian
"Russell Brand is a narcissistic know-all in a remake so bad it could end his Hollywood career" - Daily Mail
"Back in 1981 Dudley Moore won an Oscar nod for Arthur. It's safe to say, Russell Brand will not." - Total Film
I can't comment on whether these reviews are correct as I am yet to see it, but as a big fan of Russell Brand I am hoping they are incorrect.
This certainly wouldn’t be the first bad remake (on the contrary there rarely seems to be a good one), and with Hollywood’s obsession with remaking every film ever released (regardless of how recently they originally came out) I doubt it will be the last. I have therefore put together a list of the best and the worst remakes in Hollywood.
BEST REMAKES
Dawn of the Dead [2004]
This will probably be an unpopular choice but while I am a big fan of the 1978 original, a bigger budget film with more realistic looking and much scarier zombies was something that I really enjoyed watching. There's no reason to have to decide between the two, they are both good for different reasons. Stop being such a film snob!
Funny Games [2007]
Many viewers criticised Michael Haneke for remaking his own film so precisely, saying it's hard to shock audiences who saw the same film only a decade before. But the remake was made to reach new audiences and the fantastic performances from the cast, Naomi Watts in particular, made this a very successful and terrifying remake that did as it intended.
Little Shop of Horrors [1986]
A twisted musical comedy starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, with brilliant cameos from Bill Murray and John Candy. It brings a lot of fun to the freaky story with catchy songs that will have you singing for...actually I'm still singing them. Like Oliver Twist, it’s a story that’s only worth watching when they’re singing.
Ocean's Eleven [2001]
While making two more afterwards might have been a mistake, Ocean's Eleven is one of the most successful remakes I can think of. With a witty script, an engrossing plot, and all-star cast and George Clooney and Brad Pitt oozing star quality, this film was great fun to watch.
Hairspray [2007]
How can you not like a movie in which John Travolta and Christopher Walken sing a love song to each other? An amazing cast that sings and dances across the screen with such flair and passion it’s completely infectious. It actually made me like Zac Effron (another surprising Zac Effron gem is 17 Again).
The Fly [1986]
The 1950s original was made during the golden age of science fiction films - many of which have been unsuccessfully remade. However the 1986 Jeff Goldblum version is shining example of a successful remake with improved (and much more disgusting) special effects - without losing what made the original a great film.
The Parent Trap [1998]
I know what you're thinking...a film with two Lindsay Lohans? Are you sure this is in the right list? But this is a great film and I'm sure most women in their early twenties will agree with me. This is a pre-crazy Lindsay Lohan - back when she was sweet and endearing - and it is a great update to the 1961 version. Really enjoyable for teenage girls....better than Hannah Montana anyway!
Karate Kid [2010]
I wasn't expecting much from this remake but was very pleasantly surprised. With Jackie Chan on board as the modern Mr Miyagi (Mr Han) the fights were always going to look spectacular, but the talented Jaden Smith, with his impressive high kick and ability to do the splits, took it to levels I didn't expect. The modernised references worked in a way that trying to copy the cheesiness of the 80s film would not have.
Three Men and a Baby [1987]
If you're surprised that this is a remake, so was I. Turns out it is based on the 1985 French film Trois Hommes Et Un Couffin (Three Men And A Cradle)...who knew? People often give me a judgmental look when I say this is one of my favourite films but it boasts superb casting in the form of the extremely likeable trio Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg (no Guttenberg jokes around me) and a charming script - it was actually the biggest box office hit of that year, surpassing Fatal Attraction. The sequel Three Men and a Little Lady was equally brilliant, and I can't wait for the possible next addition Three Men and a Bride!
I'm not going to pretend Tim Burton's darker remake is better than the 1971 classic, but it was definitely enjoyable. By taking the taking the Roald Dahl story on a different path, it added something to my film viewing experience rather than feeling like a rehash of the same film - like many of the films on my worst remakes list. Gene Wilder was reportedly incensed by Burton and his Willie Wonka remaking the movie for "pointless" financial gain, but later went on to say Johnny Depp was a "magical" choice - and I agree.
WORST REMAKES
King Kong [2005]
The original is remembered for its pioneering special effects using stop motion models and animatronics, and an evocative love story heartbreakingly played by Fay Wray... Peter Jackson's CGI-heavy remake is remembered for being one of the most boring films in the history of cinema.
Italian Job [2003]
I'm not sure if this is a cinematic issue or a British issue but this Hollywood remake of the British car caper classic just didn't feel right. They relocated the action to LA, swapped the Mini Coopers for BMW versions and exchanged Michael Caine for Mark Wahlberg...No thank you.
Pink Panther [2006]
Steve Martin was keen to avoid "just doing a rehash of a genius" and he at least succeeded in not doing that. While Peter Sellers' Closseau was essentially loveable, Martin's was just annoying. It seemed like they hadn't really got the humour in the original and the only joke appeared to be Martin speaking in a ridiculous French accent.
Brighton Rock [2011]
After watching Blue Valentine (one of the best films of 2011 so far) we needed a bit of cheering up so thought we'd go and see another film while we were at the cinema...Brighton Rock will probably be quite good right? WRONG. A bland and forgettable film, made even more disappointing in comparison to the brilliant cinema I had just seen.
House of Wax [2005]
Two words for you. Paris. Hilton. The characters are tired, the plot is boring and the kills are unmemorable. It doesn’t even qualify for 'so bad it’s good' kudos.
Psycho [1998]
Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense and one of the greatest directors of all time. So why anybody feels any of his films should be improved on I do not know. In this case they took probably his most famous and successful film and did a shot-by-shot remake but in colour and starring Anne Heche and Vince Vaughn in place of Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. Pointless.
The Ladykillers [2005]
I feel bad for putting a Tom Hanks film on a worst of list but this rare misstep from the Coen Brothers deserves it. While the original gave us genius performances from Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers, the remake proved that Hollywood's decisions to choose fame over quality does not always pay off with White Chick's Marlon Wayan being the completely wrong decision for the remake of a film known for its sinister undertone.
The Invasion [2007]
This is actually the second remake of Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers - the first remake in 1978 being an improved version of the original with Donald Sutherland in the main role. The third time around, with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, was not so successful with the excitement never really rising above mediocre.
Time Machine [2002]
One of the strangest casting decisions I can think of with z-list pop star performing opposite the usually talented Guy Pearce. Attention was drawn to the bad acting and the over-the-top action sequences which were annoyingly added to the original sci-fi style.
Bedazzled [2000]
Another remake of a Dudley Moore film, this time I can definitely let you know that it is awful. Instead of trying to find somebody to compete with the hilarious Peter Cook, they just cast Liz Hurley and gave her a wardrobe of tight red costumes. Sorry Liz, you may be sexy but I'll take Peter Cook over you any day.
What are your favourite and least favourite remakes?
Monday 25 April 2011
Saturday 23 April 2011
RIP John Sullivan
John Sullivan, the screenwriter famous for creating Only Fools and Horses, died today aged 64.
It was announced by the BBC that he died at a hospital in Surrey, following a battle with viral pneumonia that kept him in intensive care for six weeks. He had two sons and a daughter, with his wife Sharon, and two grandchildren.
He is most famous for creating Only Fools And Horses, which followed the ups and downs of Derek “Del Boy” Trotter and his family as they tried to make a quick fortune. It ran for 10 years between 1981 and 1991, with several Christmas specials in the years that followed.
It has regularly been voted the best British comedy of all time. The episode Time On Our Hands, in which the Trotter brothers become wealthy following the discovery and sale of a valuable watch, attracted 24.3 million viewers and gained the record for the highest UK audience for a sitcom episode.
Sir David Jason, who played Del Boy, said he was "devastated" at the loss of his friend and added, "We have lost our country's greatest comedy writer but he leaves us a great legacy, the gift of laughter. My thoughts are with his family."
Nicholas Lyndhurst, who played Rodney, said he was deeply saddened and described his friend as "without doubt" Britain's finest TV writer, adding, "He was a shy and self-effacing man, but had a huge passion for his work and was looking forward to writing more Rock & Chips. I hope the last episode makes him proud."
He was described as "the Dickens of his generation” after writing a number of popular sitcoms, including Citizen Kane, Roger Roger, Dear John and Just Good Friends. He was awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to drama.
He landed his first job at BBC Television Centre as a scene hand aged 16. During his spare time he wrote sketches and his break came when he submitted one of his scripts to Dennis Main Wilson, the renowned BBC comedy producer, who commissioned him to work on the series that became Citizen Smith.
The third and final episode of his latest work Rock & Chips, a comedy prequel to Only Fools and Horses, will be shown on BBC1 on Thursday.
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Everything You Need To Know About The Dark Knight Rises Cast
There seems to be news of stars joining the cast of The Dark Knight Rises every day at the moment. So in case you, like me, have found it hard to keep up I have compiled a list of the stars of the film and who they will be playing when they start production in May.
Many cast members from the previous films will, of course, be returning. Sorry to state the obvious but Christian Bale will be returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine will be returning as Alfred, Morgan Freeman will be returning as Lucius Fox and Gary Oldman will be returning as Jim Gordon. Now onto the good stuff...
Tom Hardy - Bane
Bane is an escaped convict and super-villain who has abnormal strength as a result of having experiments performed on him - although his strength relies on continuous use of the drug Venom. His most notable comic book feat was to break the spinal cord of Bruce Wayne (forcing him to give up the Batman persona for a while) and became known as 'the man who broke the bat'.
Bane's powers: Bane's abilities:
Superhuman strength Genius level intellect
Enhanced speed / reflexes Escapologist
Superhuman endurance / stamina / durability Hand-to-hand combatant
Superhuman healing Expert strategist
Peak physical conditioning
Hardy will make a fantastic Bane. We have already seen that he can build up the body for it in Bronson and he certainly has the charisma to pull off a Batman villain. As long as he is given the opportunity to portray Bane as the clever and cunning adversary to Batman that he is supposed to be, rather than the drug-fed, muscle-bound gorilla that we saw in Batman and Robin, he will be a great addition to the franchise. And it looks promising. When asked on Alan Carr: Chatty Man whether he will have to wear the gimp mask he responded: "Well, only if I feel like it. No. Again Chris Nolan will revisit that territory entirely." I'm really looking forward to seeing Tom Hardy and Christian Bale, two of my favourite actors, in battle.
Anne Hathaway - Selina Kyle / Catwoman
She is currently portrayed in the comics as an orphan who learnt to survive on Gotham City's streets by turning to thievery. She has trained extensively in martial arts to perfect her skills at cat burglary. She maintains a complicated relationship with Batman as her criminal activities are often tempered by a reluctant altruism, making her an inconstant villain and occasional ally. Their relationship frequently turns flirtatious.
Catwoman's Powers: Catwoman's Abilities:
She has no superpowers but has been Trained gymnast and athlete
portrayed with them in previous films Expert hand-to-hand combatant
Anne Hathaway has big boots to fill in this role after a fantastic performance by Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns, and she hasn't been a popular choice by anybody I have spoken to. I'm not holding my breath for anything great from Anne Hathaway, and Christopher Nolan's previous delivery of female roles is not filling me with confidence – in Inception we were given the fantasy and the question-asker and don’t get me started on Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character.
After lots of rumours and a long wait, the roles of these two stars were finally revealed today...and it wasn't really worth the wait.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt will be playing John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon. The description of the role seems slightly inconsequential but, being as he isn't an inconsequential actor, there is a good chance the role has heightened significance. Let's hope he isn't under-used like Cillian Murphy was anyway.
Marion Cotillard will play Miranda Tate, a Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father's philanthropic endeavours for Gotham. I do wonder why Marion Cotillard wasn't picked for Catwoman over Anne Hathaway, but at least this means there is a possibility that Cotillard will play Bruce Wayne's love interest rather than Hathaway.
With such an all-star cast I am surprised there is time for storylines with such un-iconic characters but as a big fan of the previous Christopher Nolan Batman films and of these two actors I am willing to keep the faith for now.
Juno Temple - Holly Robinson
Holly Robinson was introduced as a juvenile prostitute who lived with Selina in Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. She is a frequent ally and sidekick of Catwoman, and temporarily became the new Catwoman following the birth of Selina's daughter.
Holly's Powers: Holly's Abilities:
Holly has no powers - although she temporarily possessed Trained by Selina: stealth, athletics, hot-
the cunning and skill of Diana, Goddess of the Hunt and wiring, lock-picking, thieving, acrobatics
gained the skills of an excellent marksman and the ability and martial arts. Trained further in kick-
to track people by their scent, but later lost these powers. boxing and boxing.
Perhaps not as big a star as the rest on the list, but an interesting addition none-the-less. This promising young actress has given great performances in Atonement, The Other Boleyn Girl, Year One, St Trinian's and Wild Child. Despite some of those films being less than great, she was a redeeming feature of them all and you can tell she has a lot more to give. It seems she will be a minor character, but at least she might add some interest Anne Hathaway’s scenes.
Josh Pence - Young Ra's Al Ghul
Played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins, Ra's Al Ghul is Bruce Wayne's mentor-turned-enemy. He was described by writer David Goyer as Batman's most complex villain, comparing him to Osama Bin Laden: "He's not crazy in the way that all the other Batman villains are. He's not bent on revenge; he's actually trying to heal the world. He's just doing it by very draconian means." Ra's Al Ghul's plans to destroy Gotham, which he believed to be corrupt and beyond saving, were stopped by Batman in the first film, with Ra's dying in the process. Sources say Pence will appear in scenes that take place 30 years prior to the present story.
Josh Pence played Tyler Winklevoss in The Social Network, although you might not realise this as Armie Hammer's face was superimposed on his. Other than that, I don't know much about this actor. But Ra's Al Ghul is a very interesting character that I'm glad they will be exploring in further detail – and the reason for these flashbacks leave questions for many interesting twists and turns that might present themselves in the storyline.
The Dark Knight Rises is planned for release on 20 July 2012.
Sunday 17 April 2011
Four Superhero Films, But Which Is Best?
We are fast approaching the release of Thor, the first of four superhero films to be released in 2011 – the others being Captain America: The First Avenger, Green Lantern and X-Men: First Class. So who will win the battle for the best superhero?
All four of these films boast an impressive collection of actors and actresses. With a cast of Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard and Kat Dennings Thor already looks promising, but it is Home and Away’s Chris Hemsworth that really needs to sell the film – and his performance in the trailers looks promising.
Then there is the story... all four of the films are essentially origin stories so it basically comes down to which superhero is most interesting. Unlike most superheroes, Thor is an already powerful warrior who is forced to learn the value of those weaker than himself. For anyone with an interest in mythology, there is plenty of substance for the film to explore – Thor’s Oedipal issues, Loki’s jealousy and Odin’s aging state. But, while the plot threads involving these mythological characters seem the most interesting and different to what the other films have to offer, it seems that the film is more interested in the regular humans.
Then there is X-Men: First Class. The previews so far have focused on the relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, meaning the success of the film rests on the chemistry between James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender – but with a supporting cast of Nicholas Hoult and Jennifer Lawrence I am interested in seeing more from this film.
While DC comics have always been of more interest to me, X-Men has always been the exception. The politics of The Civil Rights Movement involved in the story adds a deeper level of interest and the exploration of the relationships between the characters keeps the viewers/readers glued. But I do wonder if there is much extra to be explored that hasn’t been done in the relatively recent trilogy. But X-Men: First Class still looks promising, with the coming-of-age drama concerning the younger mutants who are struggling to find their place in the world, which was sort of looked at in the previous films with Rogue and Iceman but soon replaced with the overpowering Wolverine storylines. As long as it doesn’t become too angst-ridden and Twilight-like this film should be interesting.
While some of the internet buzz on this film has been quite negative, I am looking forward to Ryan Reynolds performance as Hal Jordan and hope he will bring some humour to the year’s superhero invasion. His goofy but charming charisma will work well for this character (although I was hoping he’d play Flash). There is also a strong performing cast of Peter Sarsgaard, Geoffrey Rush, Mark Strong and Temuera Morrison – and Blake Lively, though her performance in Gossip Girl often makes me want to cause some pain (tbf that is probably more to do with the character Serena than Blake Lively herself).
Green Lantern is an interesting superhero because he is more relatable than others. Like many others, he is a weaker individual who gains powers and must learn how to use them responsibly, but unlike others his journey is more psychological than physical. Instead of being in a nuclear accident that changes his physical abilities, he is given a power ring (I'm still waiting for mine) that gives him great control over the physical world as long as he has sufficient willpower and strength to wield it. He must therefore overcome his insecurities and emotional shortcomings as both a superhero and a man.
And last but not least there is Captain America – with the talented Chris Evans taking his second stab at a superhero role as Steve Rogers. His performance looks promising but I hope this doesn’t lead to him permanently ditching his comedy roles (although any chance to see his new body is a plus). This film also boasts a promising cast of Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Stanley Tucci and Dominic Cooper.
Captain America transforms from a wannabe fighter for justice into a super-powered hero who strives to use his powers solely for good. This is a very patriotic story that was created during World War II when America needed a hero to fight on the side of good (we had our own Captain Britain). But whether that character will be quite so popular to modern audiences I am not sure. Regardless, it will be impossible not to cheer on Chris Evans magnificent body as it fights Red Skull and his Hydra soldiers.
My guess is that Green Lantern will be the best of the four films, but Captain America will have the biggest box office success. The original trailer of Green Lantern might have received some negative buzz but they turned it all around with the WonderCon trailer, providing us with a glimpse to the amazing special effects and action and the always charming performance of Ryan Reynolds.
Thor is released in the UK on April 27.
X-Men: First Class is released on June 2.
Green Lantern is released June 17.
Captain America: The First Avenger is released July 29.
Who do you think will come out on top?
Super Sequels - Remaking Hollywood
With the release of Scream 4 and Fast Five, April seems to be the month for endless sequels. Considering the multitude of sequels released each year by major studios, it is rare that they are ever any good. However, sometimes a sequel comes along that is actually an improvement on the original film, or at least as good. In honour of these releases I have put together a list of my favourite ever sequels including both films that top their predecessors in terms of quality and ones that are genius in their own right:
10. The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers [2002]
The second chapter of this three part tale is without a doubt the most action-packed film of the group. So much happens in the second novel that the first and last few chapters were used in the other two films, and yet it still remains the most exciting. As part of the trilogy it is of course amazing, but what really gets this film a place on this list is that is remains epic as a standalone feature.
9. Spider-Man 2 [2004]
This film follows Randy's rules of a sequel by giving the hero an even more powerful villain to face. It improved on Spider-Man as a film because it was a direct continuation of the first film, with many of the original cast returning to reprise their roles and develop their story arcs rather than creating new ones. This allowed Sam Raimi to perfect the art of balancing story lines against each other so nothing felt underdeveloped or overused. It's just a shame the franchise was ruined by the third instalment - as is often the case.
8. Scream 2 [1997]
Despite the let-down of a villain, Scream 2 has been chosen because of the tongue-in-cheek fun it has with being a sequel. Just like the first film used Randy's rules of a horror film to create a fun spoof that you don't automatically realise is a spoof. Scream 2 used Randy's rules of a sequel to have fun but also create tension.
"Here are some super trilogy rules. One, you have a killer who's gonna be superhuman. Stabbing him won't work. Shooting him won't work. Basically, in the third one, you've got to cryogenically freeze his head, decapitate him, or blow him up. Number two, anyone, even the main character can die. This means you Sid, sorry. It's the final chapter; it could be fuckin' Reservoir Dogs by the time this thing is through. Number three, the past will come back to bite you in the ass. Whatever you think you know about the past, forget it. The past is not at rest. Any sins you think were committed in the past are about to break out and destroy you."
7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban [2004]
This was the first film in the franchise that was actually enjoyable to watch regardless of how much of a Harry Potter fan you are. When Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón took over the role from Chris Columbus, he injected some much needed darkness to the film. This gorgeously gloomy new look came just in time for the books to truly turn evil with the introduction of the ghastly Dementors and the hate-inducing Peter Pettigrew. This film was also the introduction of my favourite character Sirius Black, who was portrayed magnificently by the amazing Gary Oldman - who was sorely underused in the next two films. In addition, David Thewlis gave a great performance as Professor Lupin and Michael Gambon proved a worthy replacement for the late Richard Harris in the role of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
6. Terminator 2: Judgement Day [1991]
It must have seemed hard for audiences to believe that The T-800 could be improved, but The T-1000 is one of the most amazing villains ever. He is cold, calculating and relentless and instils fear in the viewers because it seems like he simply can't be killed. It also sees the return of Sarah Connor, the scared-but-tough woman who provides much of the firepower of the film - James Cameron sure likes tough women. But it isn't all action; there is also an amazing amount of heart. The relationship between the Terminator and John Connor is both touching and humorous as the young boy attempts to humanise his saviour, a subconscious attempt at replacing his lack of a father figure. It is far superior to its predecessor - I sometimes forget it even is a sequel.
5. Dark Knight [2008]
Easily the greatest superhero sequel ever made. Christopher Nolan set the bar pretty high with his Batman revamp Batman Begins, so there was pressure on Christopher Nolan to continue his success - and he definitely delivered. The cast from the original film returned - with even a small cameo from Cillian Murphy - apart from Katie Holmes who was replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal (which you barely notice). There was also the brilliant addition of two great characters/actors of Heath Ledger as The Joker and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. Heath Ledger's performance was fantastic and his tragic death prior to the movie's release only enhanced its timelessness. Fortunately, the film not only lived up to expectations, it surpassed them.
4. Aliens [1986]
Faster, meaner and scarier than its predecessor Alien, Ellen Ripley returns to the planet where humanity first encountered the acidic killing machines – where she encounters the bigger and badder alien queen. Fresh from directing The Terminator, James Cameron came on board to steer the franchise in a new direction and a new genre. He took Ridley Scott's film and added a hell of a lot more testosterone - with a group of Marines in which even the women look like Arnold Schwarzenegger and an epic battle between a pissed off alien queen and a mechanically suited Ripley. But, much like the original, Cameron uses a slow-burning method of terror, using the unseen to heighten tension before exploding with action. It is one of the greatest science fiction films ever made.
Star Wars is generally considered one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, and The Empire Strikes Back the best of the series. Director Irvin Kirschner reportedly encouraged group discussions and improvisations from the actors and would do many takes of each scene, leading to some of the most solid performances of any films in the series. It follows Randy's Law of Sequels with scarier villains, greater danger, more complex storylines and better special effects. It also features one of the most recognizable quotes in film history - "I am your father" – which is basically the basis of the entire Star Wars franchise.
2. The Godfather: Part II [1974]
It took me far too long to get round to watching this film but I found it hard to believe that it was really as good as people said it was. Now I am angry at myself for leaving it so long to see this epic masterpiece. It captures Al Pacino's intensity in a way that the first films couldn't, although you don't realise it is missing until you see part 2. This film is a pretty obvious choice and is a staple for any top sequel lists - an opinion that is backed by its 12 Academy Award nominations. Al Pacino is brilliant as Michael Corleone, who takes over as head of the family after his father dies, and the flashbacks to Robert De Niro as a young Vito Corleone makes it a companion piece to its predecessor rather than merely a sequel. Coppola's ability to seamlessly tell two disconnected stories at once is one of the film's many strengths and both stories are equally compelling. I hear there’s a third one but I wouldn’t know anything about that.
1. Toy Story 3 [2010]
Toy Story was a phenomenal success that set the bar for a new age of animated films, and Toy Story 2 proved to be an even bigger hit. The latest addition proved that it is a series that just keeps getting better, an opinion that is backed by its nomination for best film at the last Academy Awards (a rarity for an animated film). Most of our favourite characters from the previous films return - sadly minus Bo Peep and Squeaky - plus a few new ones. I will always hold this film dear to my heart because I grew up with Andy. While its predecessors came out during my childhood, Toy Story 3 was released just after I finished University, helping me to really relate to the story. As Andy is leaving for college, he must decide what to do with his old toys, leading to scenes that left me bawling my eyes out. It successfully combines comedy, drama and adventure with gorgeous art and digital design. I think I'm going to get my toys out now.
What would be on your list?
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