Displaying items by tag: Thandiwe Newton

MUFASA: THE LION KING

US, 2024, 120 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Blue Ivy Carter, John Kani, Mads Mikkelsen, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Thandiwe Newton, Lenny James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Donald Glover, Beyonce.

Directed by Barry Jenkins.

In the 1990s, the Disney studios produced a succession of striking animation films, 1989 in The Little Mermaid, then Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin. 1994 introduced The Lion King who has stayed popular and in our consciousness ever since, leading to a Broadway musical, some sequels, of live action re-making 2019. And, now, the prequel in the early life of more far so and his becoming the Lion King.

Technically, Mufasa is significant in its re-creation of the range of animals, the pride of Lions, the hostile White Lions, Rafiki the storyteller and the meerkat, Timon, and the warthog, Pumbaa and a whole range of African plains animals from elephants to giraffes. There is plenty to delight audiences who enjoy seeing these animals.

But, the significant aspect is that they speak, the manipulation of their mouths to make this sound authentic, and a range of voice cast led by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr as Mufasae and his friend Taki who, we know, will become his brother then his enemy, Scar. There are also other well-known voices, especially Mads Mikkelson as the hostile King of the White Lions, contrasting with John Kani as the the storyteller (reprising his role from the 2019 film) and, unexpectedly, lots of chatter and cheeky references, even to the musical, with Seth Rogen voicing Pumbaa and Billy Eichner, Timon.

In the present, so to speak, Simba’s daughter, Kiara (voiced Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter), is anxious as her father leaves for a meeting. The wise Rafiki is prevailed upon to tell the story of Mufasa, his childhood, his relationship with Scar, his becoming the Lion King. And Rafiki has the chorus commentators. At key moments during the film, the narrative returns to the present and some episodes with Kiara and the storytellers.

At the beginning of Rafiki’s tale, Mufasa and his parents are isolated, drought, dangers, and the pursuing dangerous White Lions, hoping for a peaceful further valley and their making their way towards it. But, tragedies, Mufasa is lost, encountering other lions but considered an outsider, a stray. However, he makes a good impression – but, at the expense of his father’s love for his son, Taki, who has rescued Mufasa from crocodiles.

On the one hand, there are many playful sequences and family affectionate moments to delight. On the other hand, there are many fearsome moments with the pursuit of the White Lions, Taki and his betrayal of Mufasa, his sinister behaviour and an ultimate confrontation.

We are anticipating the happy ending when Mufasa will be recognised by all the animals as the leader, he being modest and self-deprecating, but responding to the acclaim and ascending to the sloping cliff to take his iconic stance.

1. The long popularity of The Lion King, animation film, Broadway musical, sequels, the 2019 live action, this prequel?
2. The range of voices, African-American voices?
3. The musical score, the range of songs, Lin Manuel Miranda, lyrics?
4. The style of the film, special effects work, the range of animals, action, voices and the credibility of their mouth movement and speaking? Layout and backgrounds?
5. The setting, Simba, audience knowledge of the future, Rafiki and his telling the story, the gathering of the animals, the Circle of Life, Timon and Pumbaa, the original film, comedy, the wisecracks, the references to the film and musical, the comic chorus? Kiara, apprehensive, wanting to hear the story of Mufasa? The flashbacks and the continued returning to the storytelling and the comments?
6. The situation, Mufasa and his parents, difficulties, the terrain, the dry, the outside alliance and her persecutions, the vision of the future beyond the sunrise, the tragedy, Mufasa and his being lost, in the river, the crocodiles, his being pulled out to safety by Taki?
7. Mufasa as lost, not astray, Taki’s father rejecting him, the mother compassionate, the bonding of the two young lions, their adventures together, hopes and joy? (And the audience knowing that Taki would become Scar?)
8. The pursuing lions, the fights between the young lions, the death of the white lion, the anger, his father, the blame on Mufasa, Taki and is avoiding responsibility? The consequences, the pursuit, Mufasa fighting the white lion, Taki, his fears, betrayal, leaving the marks for the white lions to pursue?
9. Taki and his father, the race, Mufasa winning, the challenge to Taki, his father’s disapproval, sending him away?
10. The themes of friendship, fear, betrayal, self-protection, the friend becoming a victim?
11. The range of adventures, the falling over the cliff, surviving, underwater, the rescue? The continued travels, the rain, the floods?
12. The other animals, the giraffes, the comments, the fears of the pursuing lions, the well being of Mufasa and Taki, their mother?
13. The arrival of the white lions, the confrontation, the revelation of the truth, Taki and his scar, the fights, Mufasa winning?
14. The acceptance of all the animals, his modesty, the qualities of a king, the acceptance, scar and his exile? And Mufasa are going to the cliff, the visual emblem always of The Lion King?

JEFFERSON IN PARIS

US/France, 1995, 139 minutes, Colour.

Nick Nolte, Greta Scacchi, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Simon Callow, Seth Gilliam, James Earl Jones, Michel Lonsdale, Nancy Marchand, Thandiwe Newton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lambert Wilson.

Directed by James Ivory.

Merchant-Ivory have moved from E.M. Foster country and period, A Room with a View, Howard’s End as well is their great success previous to this film, Remains of the Day to Paris in the late 1780s with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson during his period as American ambassador - which included the French Revolution. 

Sets, decor, costumes and photography are meticulous and will exhilarate many audiences.  Many reviewers express the wish that plot, drama and conflict and acting matched the texture of the film.  Nick Nolte does his best as Jefferson, but his character does not engage interest and sympathy.

There is a strong supporting cast led by Greta Scacchi.  However, they are often given rather arch dialogue, aping an 18th century English style which makes it sound a touch `precious' and pretentious.  (Some would mean that one commentator referred to “prigs in wigs”). However, for those interested in the period, it offers perspectives on the Revolution and how it affected the man who was to become president.  Strong period setting - less strong drama.

1. The reputation of the Merchant/Ivory films, literary adaptations, period, meticulous attention to detail, costumes and decor?
2. Audience knowledge of Jefferson, in the revolution, founding father, relationship with Washington, sent as US Minister to France? Audience knowledge of this pre-Revolution French history?
3. The focus of Jefferson, Nick Nolte’s presence and performance? In the War of Independence, his home and household, wife, daughters, widower though not to remarry? Sent to France, his response to 18^th century pre--Revolution France, culture?
4. The setting pre-Revolution, Versailles, costumes and décor, the court, corruption?
5. The range of locations: The Hotel de Laungeac, Lafayettes, Versailles, the Panthemont Abbey, Dr Mesmer's, The Opera, The Palais Royale, Pike County, Ohio?
6. The episode with Dr Mesmer?
7. Jefferson himself, his age, widower, diplomatic skills, his interest in the arts, sciences, dismay at the poverty of France?
8. The portrayal of Jefferson as a person, his marriage and devotion to his wife, not to remarry, his relationship with his daughters, with Polley, with Patsy? The encounter with Maria Cosway, her marriage, her husband, artist, musician, the relationship, her devotion to him, strengthening the relationship? The hostility of his daughters? And his vow not to remarry?
9. The character of Sally Hemmings, a relationship, his wife’s heart sister, the family background, the slavery, mixed-race families? James Hemmings, Sally’s brother, studying to be a chef in Paris, the intention for his return to Monticello? The break with Maria Cosway?
10. Washington, the invitation for Secretary of State, his decision to return? Sally and her pregnancy? Not wanting to return, James not wanting to return? Jefferson, his oath and commitment to their freedom?
11. The film as a different perspective on the founding fathers, on the US at the period, the Constitution, Bill of Rights, issues of slavery and freedom, the status of the United States abroad?

CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET

UK, 2023, 101 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, David Bradley, Jane Horrocks, Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, Peter Serafinowicz, Nick Mohammed, Miranda Richardson.

Directed by Sam Fell.

Who hasn’t enjoyed the films from Aardman Studios? Happy memories of Wallace and Gromit from the past, Shaun the Sheep, and Chicken Run.

It is something of a surprise to find that it is 20 years since the first Chicken Run. This sequel has had something of mixed reviews, some joy at another Chicken Run film, some complaints of how slight it is. And it went to Netflix streaming.

Fans of the original will remember Ginger and Rocky and their adventures. Here they are again, this time voiced by Thandiwe Newton for Ginger and, instead of Mel Gibson, American Zachary Levi for Rocky (somewhat incongruous with the rest of the accents being so British, some so very very British)

Once more, we are at the Chicken Run with the tyrannical Mrs Tweedy, voiced by Miranda Richardson again. This time Ginger shows her defiance and the overthrow of Mrs Tweedy. But, this time, the family is different, with the hatching of a little chicken, Molly (Bella Ramsey) and her growing up rather quickly, wanting some independence, her mother wanting what is best for her but being strict, Rocky sometimes a bit ditzy.

The initial action is the rebellion against the Chicken Run and everybody migrating to a paradise island where they are all very happy. The second action is a new, reinforced concrete building for mass production of eggs and chickens, especially for the making of nuggets for takeaway restaurants. And, who should be in charge along with the odd Dr Fry but Mrs Tweedy herself. They have so many chickens but control them with a neck brace which takes away their minds and fills them with false contentment, ready to go up the chopping block and come out nuggets!

While everybody gets a chance for some kind of heroism to confront this evil regime, the main action goes to Molly, very enterprising, using her wits, tracking down the villains, catching up with her mother as well as Rocky and other members of Ginger’s friends. And, there are the two comic rats who get into all kinds of strife.

So, the action eventually is more or less as expected, happy family, happy chickens, happy rescues..

1. The popularity of Aardman studio films? Of the original Chicken Run?
2. A sequel, 20 years later, continuation of the story, the characters, new adventures?
3. The style of. Stop-Motion animation, characters, situations? The voices? British, except for Zachary Levi, American as Rocky?
4. Audience knowing the situation, at the chicken run? Knowing the characters and their past?
5. The situation, Mrs Tweedy, harsh and bossing, her appearance, her voice, her severity? The response of the chickens, the response of Ginger, defiance, toppling her, the uprising?
6. Ginger, familiar, a leader, her group of friends, her relationship with Rocky, their pride with Molly? Molly, egg, little chicken, her rapid growing up?
7. The expedition, all the chickens, finding refuge, the peaceful island? Life?
8. Molly, growing up, venturesome, wanting freedom, her friendship with Frrizzle? Her parents, protective?
9. Ginger, sympathetic, leadership, supportive of Rocky? Rocky, the touch of dotting us? The concern about Molly?
10. The new chicken run, elaborate, large, set down, the chickens in the captivity, collars, control of their minds? Willingly to give themselves up to be nuggets?
11. Molly, with Frizzle, out for the adventure, their discoveries, Molly and her sense of mission, the other chickens, following Dr Fry and the restaurant entrepreneur? Plan of action? Frizzle, her being captured, the collar and the loss of her mind?
12. The mission, to rescue Molly, to free the chickens? Ginger, her group, the various adventures, lost, trapped, freed, Molly and linking up with her father, then her mother? Wanting to free Frizzle?
13. The comedy with the rats, their deliveries, bargains, part of the adventure, with Rocky, silly and sensible, the knockabout comedy and pratfalls, verbal comedy, participation in the adventure?
14. Dr Fry, sinister, evil chicken, his mask, his legs, his voice? Working with Mrs Tweedy? The visit of the entrepreneur, the demonstration, his return, the large order?
15. The adventures in the mechanised chicken run, the photograph of the guard and holding it up for security, the guards trying to stop the chickens? The various ruses, deceptions, the dangers?
16. The confrontation with Mrs Tweedy, her ruthlessness, enmity with Ginger, the final confrontation? Defeat?
17. Rescue, achievement, happy ending?