It’s the season finale of Animusings, and we are wrapping things up (for now) with a sojourn to Colombia and the home of the Madrigal family. Both Seid and Benjamin are back to help us talk about this 2021 feature, with discussions including family dynamics and drama as a focal story point, the significance of Mirabel’s glasses, how Dolores deserved her own musical number and why we can’t stop talking about Bruno (and his ability to speed-repair drywall).
59 - Raya and the Last Dragon (with Justin Quizon)
The land of Kumandra awaits in this fantasy adventure from 2021, and Kaela and David reunite with special guest Justin Quizon to take a trip down the dragon-shaped river. As they go, their discussion includes production challenges in the face of a pandemic, Southeast Asian representation, storytelling without a recognized “Disney villain,” girl crushes and the REAL Boss Baby.
58 - Frozen II (with Angi and Shawn)
2019 sees us return to Arendelle and exploring the unknown beyond in this sequel. Kaela, David, Angi and Shawn are back and have an understandably big undertaking ahead of them, with topics such as episodic vs. serial sequels, expanded character studies, power ballads done right and some disagreements about Olaf’s internal struggles.
57 - Ralph Breaks the Internet (with Sandy Stoltz)
The first proper (not direct-to-video) sequel since The Rescuers Down Under sees us returning to the arcade before venturing into the unfathomable internet. Kaela, David and Sandy have a multiplayer discussion of this 2018 feature and discuss topics such as John Lasseter’s departure, product placement without copyright fears, why clowns are annoying, and how Ralph’s character is undermined this time around.
Animusings+ - Mary Poppins Returns
Kaela and David go back to a duo act as they present this last Animusings+ of the Disney run (for the time being, at least): a discussion of the 2018 sequel to the beloved MARY POPPINS. Topics of discussion includes nostalgia in the formula, weird and unintended chemistry, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and why a surprising cameo by Angela Lansbury makes sense in a most delightful way.
56 - Moana (with Seid and Raevell)
The ocean calls to us as Kaela, David, Seid and Raevell dive in to this 2016 voyage of adventure and discovery set in the mythic South Pacific. Discussion points in this episode include the studio’s attempt at proper cultural representation, animating water and hair, sneaking in a Flight of the Concords-style song, scenes that give us chills (in a good way) and Alan Tudyk’s most prolific role yet.
55 - Zootopia (with Land Before Time Land)
We’ve taken the train to the big city in this 2016 feature about an ideal society of animals… or is it? Madeline and Chris, visiting us from the Land Before Time Land podcast, join in for a very spicy discussion about the perceived message of the film, and how attitudes and views of its themes might have changed for them in the wake of 2020’s tumultuous events.
54 - Big Hero 6 (with Matt Holley)
There are robots, super heroes and Pacific Rim vibes in this 2014 feature set in the alternate universe city of San Fransokyo. Our old friend Matt joins us again as we finally touch on the impact of Disney’s acquisition of Marvel. Other topics include weird exposition dialogue, how grief affects characters, the elephant in the room that is John Lasseter and the potential for Evil Baymax in a hypothetical sequel.
53 - Frozen (with Angi and Shawn)
Neither sleet nor snow will stop us from trudging headlong into this box office phenomenon from 2013. We reunite with our longtime friends and returning guests Angi Viper and Shawn to really open doors with this discussion. Topics include the deep and personal impact the film had on our hosts, detailed subtexts, a case for the trolls and why “Let It Go” might not be the empowerment ballad most think it is.
52 - Wreck-It Ralph (with Sandy Stoltz)
We return from an unforeseen hiatus and hit the arcade with our old friend Sandy Stoltz. 2012’s feature takes us into the world of video games as we discuss tight world-building, Disney’s good luck VA, sub-themes about the homeless and why Mario is missing.
51 - Winnie the Pooh (with Lavecki)
Not to be confused with The Many Adventures Of we previously covered, this 2011 return to the Hundred-Acre Wood attempts to capture the same spirit of Pooh’s first feature while telling a new story. Lavecki bounces back to help as we discuss the pacing of Pooh, Christopher Robin’s weird eyes, keeping humor timeless and a surprising post-credit cameo that some PBS viewers could appreciate.
50 - Tangled (with Randy Guerra)
Disney reaches the big 50 in 2010 and brings Rapunzel into the canon of princess stories. David and Kaela are happy to have returning guest Randy Guerra swing by to join them for a discussion, with such talking points as the mechanics of hair magic, the insidious manipulations of Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s secret swolness and the welcome return of silent-yet-expressive animal companions.
49 - The Princess and the Frog (with Seid)
Dreams do come true in New Orleans, or at least they do for Kaela, David and Seid in this beloved 2009 return to traditional 2D animation. Topics include Clements and Musker’s trip to the Crescent City, small moments that acknowledge systemic racism, a rare character arc for a prince and villain showboating at its finest.
48 - Bolt (with Andrew Linde)
Another dog-centric feature, this time from 2008, arrives on scene to present an adventurous road trip with animal high jinks. With our special returning guest Andrew Linde, we break down the film and discuss the film that could have been, the logic of a Truman Show for dogs, exhausting misunderstanding cliches and the saving grace of Rhino the hamster.
47 - Meet the Robinsons (with Seid)
We keep moving forward to 2007, and are once again joined by Seid to break down this tale of very eccentric family from the future - a film that, up to this review, Kaela and David had never seen before! Major talking points include hand-waving time travel conundrums, making jokes land effectively, positive messages about failure and great big beautiful tomorrows.
Animusings+ - Enchanted (with Papreeka)
Fairy tales and reality collide in this meta-driven feature from 2007, with its combination of animation and live action. Kaela, David and Papreeka go from Andalasia to the Big Apple and have quite a bit to say about this picture, with discussions including the balance of loving tribute to gently poking fun, the tricky path from princess to realized woman, spectacular musical numbers and the possible beginning of the Disney deconstruction commentary within the company’s own movies.
46 - Chicken Little (with Beth and Cleric)
It’s 2005 and Disney has left traditional animation behind with its first fully CGI film. Kaela and David call on past guests Beth Morton and ClericofMadness to help them try and make sense of this unusual feature. Topics include the nonsense of corporate meddling, unearned redemption arcs, dated humor and the tremendous injustice done to Foxy Loxy.
45 - Home on the Range (with Allen and Ben)
Disney’s “last” 2d-animated feature (until Princess and the Frog) is anything but a little patch of heaven for David, Kaela and returning guests Allen Chaney and Benjamin Spiegel. This weird Western gets put to some not-so-serious scrutiny as the gang discuss the flawgic of making something “funny for kids,” when jokes aren’t given room to breathe, pacing mishaps and when the villain is the most likeable character.
44 - Brother Bear (with Kylie and Eli)
We near the end of an era, but a bright spot remains with this aurora-lit film from 2003. Kylie and Eli of Animal Fact Files and Cinema Nippon return as our animal experts and all-around cool guests as we travel back in time to a post-Ice Age Alaska. Discussions include aspect ratio changes for artistic effect, misunderstandings done right, when films don’t need a villain and how not to do a montage.
43 - Treasure Planet (with Jackson Lanzing)
A cosmic voyage of adventure and discovery awaits in this imaginative 2002 swashbuckler that takes Treasure Island well out of this world. Special guest Jackson Lanzing (writer, Star Trek: Year Five; Brandon Sanderson’s DARK ONE) climbs aboard with David and Kaela to talk about exquisite aesthetics, teenage angst, whether spinning into space counts as a Plummet and the sequel we never got.