Animusings

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.