nickjeromana Reviews

Secret Magic Control Agency (2021)

Wizart's Best Film Yet!

[10/10 · 30 March 2021]

I have been following Wizart (Russia) since their first film in 2012 (The Snow Queen), which I actually LIKED BETTER than I did Frozen ((just a tiny bit more)).

Each film Wizart has made has progressively improved with each entry. The "Snow Queen 3: Fire and Ice" demonstrated that they could inspire a Disney legend enough to drive him to travel all the way to Russia to give them a helping hand. He helped write and direct sequels to both their Snow Queen and Sheep and Wolves franchises. (I am a fan of "Snow Queen: Mirrorlands"!)

Wizart is demonstrating that it is all grown up with its latest entry "Secret Magic Control Agency" (or SMCA going forward).

Just like with Gerda and Kai (Snow Queen), SMCA makes it clear from the start that FAMILY is a very important element of Wizart's stories.

This story follows two siblings that are separated by their differences in lifestyle values and have decided the best thing to do is leave each other alone.

However, the King has been abducted and the Secret Agency forces "Agent Gretel" (a very strict, by the rules, always serious character) to team up with her brother Hansel (a goofy, anything goes, carefree character) in order to find him. One Transmutation Potion later (now thinking of Sheep and Wolves) they become the very kids from the classic fairytale.... just add in an adorable "sprinkle-faced cookie dog" and we're all set!

The adventure is quite engaging and colorful, and can be a bit fast-paced. I just loved how they paid homage to the source fairy tale in how the (now kids) venturing to the house where the witch would try to eat the children... amidst other easter eggs that are "sprinkled" throughout the movie. That and the many different ways to use pastry batter to create strange cookie monsters.... oh!

The downside to this film if there is one would be that there wasn't many noteworthy "quotable" lines nor any musical scores that would leave you humming the theme after the movie was over. This is an unfortunate thing for an animated film since even Snow Queen: Mirrorlands had moments that were easily quotable upon the first watch through.

All in all, feel like I could watch it multiple times (with Family) and still find it entertaining. Definitely Wizart's best film yet!

I hope that this film isn't jailed to Netflix forever and gets to see a Blu-ray/DVD and Digital Download release. I also anxiously await for Wizart's next big feature as they have yet to disappoint me with their films. And finally, I really wish Wizart had some kind of merchandising department that sold their film's characters (t-shirts, toys, memorabilia... maybe soundtracks......)

Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (2019)

A Return to Classic Disney Storytelling

[9/10 · 19 September 2020]

First, let me just state that I support Locus/Sidus Animation and greatly anticipate their growth as they continue to produce great films like this one. I also hope that they become a well-recognized name in years to come. If Red Shoes is the film that launches them forward, then this was a great way to start. This film offers a great message delivered through a familiar fairytale while offering their own little twist keeping the film fresh and fun. There are so many great ideas present in this film that leaves the doors open for possible spinoff stories that could develop off of this one. The animation takes full advantage of visual and technical elements that computer animation has to offer while keeping the atmosphere bright and colorful. Accompanied with a stunning soundtrack including 3 songs that are quite catching.

My favorite aspect of this film is that the story is SIMPLE. Not trying to overcomplicate a fairytale. Just simple and timeless.

My only real criticism is a missing sequence at the start of the climax that does momentarily break the continuity of the story. However, despite the absence of this scene, I don't see it as being an element that would completely ruin the film overall.

At least for me, This is the start of something so right.

The Stolen Princess (2018)

Potential is There But......

[6/10 · 23 September 2019]

............. The first thoughts I had with this movie. Let's talk about it's good points: the ideas, and many present themselves well. What caught me was this scene with food attacking the princess. I won't lie simple scenes throughout the movie were actually impressive, but they only survived as solo ideas, and not so much as a complete film. Problems.... animation felt stiff at times, some shots were odd compositions, and the characters felt like plastic more than like soft skin. Pacing sometimes was awkward.

In the first 15 minutes of the film they did a bit of copy and paste from Disney's Aladdin. (I almost never accuse anyone of that unless it is THAT obvious, sorry it kinda was)

At the 20 minute mark things did get better, but by then you're audience is probably turned away, or very uncomfortable.

Sorry, but I'm hoping that Wizart will have better luck with this fairytale in 2020.

The Snow Queen 4: Mirrorlands (2018)

Cold War of Animation May Be Coming... I welcome it.

[10/10 · 19 August 2019]

First let me tell you that the only version of this movie that I have seen so far is the Russian Language version no subtitles...

With that said, I would like to point out that if you haven't been with Wizart for the last 7 years, this company deserves recognition for the amount of progress that it has made in such a short span of time (all while keeping to a very, very small budget). Much of the visuals, character models, animation, etc have as much polish for a 7 mil dollar film as a few animated films that cost 70-90% it's budget and a much larger staff. This is nothing to take lightly. Just rewind back to 2012 with their first Snow Queen film and this film will appear like it was created by a completely different group of people.

The strong suit of this franchise is the characters, but with each installment these likable characters grow into even more-likable characters as the studio clearly shows their ability to learn and grow with each film. My greatest compliments go to the Snow Queen herself, as I felt that every moment she was on screen, I found myself liking her fearsome, yet motherly presence as she helps Gerda along with her journey. Gerda on the other hand has seen a lot of development throughout the series, and this film is no less a demonstration of that.

The soundtrack is pretty average, enjoyable but nothing too special aside from the occasional themes mixed in from the older films. This is a nice touch as it helps tie this film in with the rest of the franchise.

The story is simple. Bad guy, not really bad guy, wants to get rid of magicians, finds the Snow Queen's magic portal, finds that only magic users can pass through it and devises a way to trap them in. After our heroine learns about this she sets off on a journey to set them free. Really simple.. to some maybe too simple. Whatever this film may lack in story it seems to make up for it by delivering action, comedy, adventure, and even some romance.

Given this is the 4th film in the series I can't say I was disappointed, especially since the film kept throwing unexpected surprises my way. Of the four films, I would gladly state that this is my favorite, followed shortly by the third film.

I would like to point out to Wizart that I have become a big fan of this series. On the other hand I'm not sure how much you can rely on Snow Queen, and I'm glad to hear that you have OTHER projects in the works. I also would recommend that at some point you go back into the first movie and give it the Snow Queen 3-4 treatment (update the models, better rendering, better animation, etc) as I think just doing that will fix a lot of the issues wrong with the first film. Maybe for a 10th anniversary?

Look forward to seeing this film come to my country in a year where I will be able to watch it in English in a theater.

Magic Tree House (2011)

A Missed Classic

[9/10 · 1 February 2019]

Out of all the television shows, movies, games, etc that are created in Japan and are shared world-wide, this was a film that I was a bit heartbroken to learn that would never see an international release. Due to it's poor reception in Japan, I guess it never found interest with licensors to at least attempt to release it to the West.

With that said, I found this film to be quite adorable. Annie and Jack are some of my favorite kid duos that I have seen in anime. This adaptation of the children book series of the same name seemed to give a lot of respect to it's source material while still retaining an independent identity of its own.

For those who have seen The Pagemaster, this film has a very similar flow as the kids adventure through the worlds found in books... however, unlike The Pagemaster, the books were relevant to their adventure, the kids learned about their surroundings, and even managed to grow with each mini adventure.

It is clear that this film did not have a massive budget, CG cutscenes, or an elaborate soundtrack. However, what it lacked, it made up for in creating a compelling enough story that is innocent enough that I could sit a child in front of it without worrying about content. (There is one controversial scene, but even that isn't as bad as it seems knowing the outcome of that scene.)

I really, really wish that an English Language Dub would become available for this film, but seeing how many years have gone by... it is very doubtful that this film will ever see the light of a Western release.

Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017)

A Perfect Flick for Kids

[10/10 · 2 November 2018]

I saw this film after coming across it on Wizart's YouTube channel... which I later learned that this film was NOT created by them in any way. Instead by a studio called Melnitsa. (Wizart has no credits in the film)

Following the comments on theTrailer post I came into this film with already low expectations. I also prepared myself for a film that was flawed, but I liked anyways (which was my history with Wizart's films). Despite that, what I saw was a quality much higher than that of anything that Wizart had ever come out with, which raised my suspicion that they had any involvement.

I watched the film once with hesitation, not sure what to think of the film. I knew my feeling of the film wasn't a bad experience, I just wasn't sure how to critically assess what I had just seen, so I watched it again looking for specifics.

What I concluded after the second time is that this film had a better relationship with older classic Walt Disney films than it did with anything modern.

A classic fairy tale story: A true Hero, A true Villain... simple linear story. (may disappoint people looking for a film with a "surprise twist") However, with such a simple story kids (especially younger children) will find following along in this adventure to be easy to pick up.

Characters were simple yet well developed including many of the side characters. Many of these characters including the classic characters are easily memorable and lovable (even the villain Urfin and his sidekicks) I don't consider this a spoiler, but my favorite personality was the ogre character. And nothing quite as entertaining as watching the silliness of the wooden soldiers.

Animation was done in mostly 3DCG and clearly had a good team behind the design and motion of the characters and the choices that were made like how the trees in OZ all looked like pompoms whereas the trees in the real world were modeled a little less cartoon-like (yet still stylized for the animation). Various little touches made in this film were actually quite impressive.

Music was well-paced and adventurous. Nothing specifically special, but it did make the film more enjoyable.

Voice acting, English Dub, the VAs did a great job translating this film from it's original Russian language. Dubbed by many voice actors heard in a good number of Japanese anime, it seemed that the casting for this film actually fit the characters very well. Although the lipsync wasn't perfect, it is clear that the actors did the best they could to make the character match (most of the time it isn't really noticeable.) This is commendable since many anime-dubs end up proving to be quite unbearable to listen to.

Other than a few continuity flaws that occur throughout the film, most are subtle, but one or two more noticeable, the film really does come off as an overall fun, friendly, and adventurous film that leaves you feeling wanting to watch it again. Also, with some clever writing, some of the lines in the film come off as easily quotable, which is something that I haven't had in a film for some time.

I don't know that everyone is going to find this film as enjoyable as I did, and again, I DID go into it expecting a bad film... however, seeing this film (at the time of writing this review) being listed as a 4.8/10 I really had to wonder why would this film, as crazy, simple, and so well crafted as it is earn such a low score.

Maybe it is I who am crazy.....

Sheep & Wolves (2016)

Just like those fairy tales you grew up with

[10/10 · 23 March 2017]

This is the third film from Wizart Animation Studio.

I have been following Wizart since their first film (The Snow Queen, 2012) and have noticed that their films have exponentially been getting better. This film is no exception to that trend (although it is only their #3).

Story: This is a timeless fairytale told from anamorphic Sheep and Wolves. The general concept is "despite their differences all life is precious and should be treated as such" which could be a valuable lesson this day and age. The characters are comically entertaining, while the voice actors (english cast) certainly knew how to make them lovable.

Animation: clearly a major improvement to The Snow Queen and Snow Queen 2, some blurry and odd animation sequences, but mostly minor scenes and were enjoyable scenes despite that.

Music: Seemed like the composer had a better handle on this film than The Snow Queen. Still nothing hummable, but final song was fun.

-I only wish that Wizart would hurry up with a DVD/BD release here in the United States already. I really would like to share this with other people.

The Snow Queen 2 (2014)

Keep an open mind

[9/10 · 23 March 2017]

First, let's start by reminding people that Wizart is a NEW animation studio that started up in 2011. As far as animations studios go, this is a very young studio. With that said, however, that also means that trying to compare them to weathered studios like Disney/Pixar and Dreamworks isn't exactly a fair assessment.

So, let's focus on what really matters:

Story: The Snow Queen 2 opens by skimming sequences of the first movie, but then quickly points out that this film is just as much attached to the events of the first, but also striving to be it's own thing... which it does quite well.

Your Main Character, Orm is a complex character filled with emotion that he buries deep inside of him. Add in a sarcastic-humor and you get a pretty entertaining character. Mixed in with a number of other colorful personalities (many are stereotypes) you enter a world that is not meant to be thought to hard on, rather enjoyed for what it is.

If I must state that the highlight of this film isn't Orm so much as it is his grandma, who happens to have quite a character for an old lady... I enjoyed every moment that she was on screen.

The downside of the film was in the return of several of the main characters from the first film, almost as a crutch to the film. Their cameo (as it were) almost felt out of place and the action that revolved around them did distract from the characters that you DID want to pay attention to... but to be fair even their animation was a major improvement over the first Snow Queen film.

As far as the message of the film, I really have to say I loved it. It's a pretty clear message that any child could understand: Lying. Lying not only can hurt people, but it can tie you up into a sophisticated web that you find difficult to release yourself from. Add in the bonus message of forgiveness, and this film in many ways was better than your average Pixar/Disney film for that reason alone.

The music.... pretty average... not bad, however, not something I could hum out of a theater.

Animation quality: Still not talking about a perfect A+ animation, however, that didn't seem to be the negative of this film. For some reason, the film's loose animation style helps drive itself away from being mistaken from a Disney/Pixar film... for a person like myself, that's actually a good thing.

Wizart has so much to offer, and I'm sure that they're only going to keep getting better as time allows. I am genuinely impressed with their progress.

If you haven't seen this film, check it out. I highly recommend it.