AustinOswald Reviews

Wish (II) (2023)

Nostalgic, Yet New!

[9/10 · 22 November 2023]

Not sure why the reviews are so low. This is another instant classic for Disney.

The story structure was fresh yet nostalgic and highlights the importance of working hard to achieve your wishes. It was executed in an innovative and inventive new structure by utilizing a group of characters in its storytelling rather than just one or two main characters.

The 2D/3D hybrid stylization of the sets and characters was unique and something I'd love to see more of from Disney, who very rarely makes changes to their animation and design style.

The music has been stuck in my head for the last week since I saw it. Bringing in an outside singer/songwriter is something that Disney hasn't done in a while. Julia Michaels absolutely brought her best to this soundtrack.

Honestly, I've found myself struggling to make it through Disney's last few animated features. However, I can't go an hour without thinking about when I'll get the chance to see Wish again. This film is right up there with Frozen, Beauty & The Beast, and the Lion King for me.

Lightyear (2022)

A Rebirth For Pixar

[7/10 · 16 June 2022]

Lightyear felt very nostalgic, yet very fresh at the same time. Pixar finally found a way to pay homage to its inspiration while also avoiding the the sequel/prequel trope. This film marked a much needed change of pace for Pixar. While not providing quite the thought provoking story we've come to expect from the company, Lightyear still managed to deliver a fun action sci-fi flick with loads of humor.

The stylization of this film is obviously a notable change from Pixar's previous projects. Pixar provided a more detailed, dark, and grungy style to this film which lended itself well to the film's recurring themes of loneliness and isolation. I must commend Pixar as these themes were handled very subtly and delicately, showing respect for audience members that might be having comparable thoughts or feelings.

Let me just say, this was the perfect film for Pixar to break back into theaters with. This film demands to be seen in theaters or IMAX if possible. Feeling the rumble of spaceships taking off and landing from the theater seat was something that just needs to be experienced. I feel as if this film was directed to be less of a thought provoking piece and more of a good and fun summer blockbuster. It is absolutely filled to the brim with funny moments and quirky characters. Of course, it wouldn't be a Pixar movie without a few tear jerking moments as well. Get ready for a jovial intergalactic adventure with Buzz and friends in this vindicated rebirth of the typical Pixar movie.

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

A Milestone For Time Based Media

[9/10 · 14 January 2022]

One could write a novel or teach a class on why this film is the most bewitching visual experience to ever grace the silver screen, though no words could ever do this imagery justice. Bruno Delbonnel, the film's cinematographer, does so well to form shadow and light into refined geometry. Just as well, the mood is faultlessly reflected through each scene's lighting. Sullen and gloomy scenes feel muddy and unrefined, while impactful and momentous scenes feel sharp and crisp. Light casts into each shot, an extreme comprehension and understanding of the subject-an understanding that can only be derived from years of experience in the field. Shots feel static and structured when emphasizing themes of power. Contrast to these themes derive from Delbonnel's use of Dutch angles and Stefan Dechant, the production designer's, use of slanted architecture.

This film has much to offer story wise and performance wise as well. Both Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand carry performances that most would say are Oscar worthy. Denzel, most notably, breathes new life into Macbeth through his forceful, yet vulnerable portrayal of the titular character. Washington is such a polished actor that he is able to transition through such dissimilar and contrasting moods with ease. While in one scene, he plays a power hungry and self-assured king, in the next, he plays a defenseless and uneasy criminal. Joel Coen's direction on this entire production is phenomenal and his way of streamlining the script feels natural and refreshing. Well done to the entire cast and crew.

Frozen II (2019)

A Change From The First

[7/10 · 14 November 2019]

It's not hard to imagine how big this movie will be. I, as well as many others, am a huge fan of the first film and the short films that followed it. Frozen II has a different feel to it. While the first film was brimming with quirky moments, the follow up feels a little more mature in its plot and themes. This story heavily centers around the importance of change, even if that means letting go. Throughout the film, I found myself dazzled with the quality and beauty of the visuals that the animation team laid out. The story, for me, felt a little flat, however. I think the writing team missed the mark when trying to achieve the same quirkiness from the original. With the more dramatic path the writers chose to take, also came more epic musical numbers and effects. Sure there were still plenty of humorous moments, but I personally felt myself longing for more. I also find irony in the fact that this film centers around change and the overall feel of the film felt like a major shift from the first. I do think this film will still appeal to many others and I, myself, am still very excited to watch it a second time. Overall, I'd say this film found success in what it was trying to achieve and the message it was trying to send to its viewers, but couldn't quite live up to the whimsicality of the original. While not as good as the first, it's still a film you will want to take your family to and is a great addition to the Frozen franchise. 7/10

Toy Story 4 (2019)

Expect Something New

[9/10 · 19 June 2019]

Toy Story 4 was so much fun! I hate to compare it to its predecessors because I feel as if each Toy Story film is very unique from the last. The fourth film in this franchise is no different. Don't go in expecting a continuation of Toy Story 3. Go in expecting Toy Story 4. It's something unique and brand new. While the storyline still had its heart wrenching moments, I feel as if Pixar had more fun creating this summer blockbuster. There wasn't as much pressure on Pixar to get it right as there may have been ahead of the third film, but they still managed to get it right nonetheless. The character development for these new characters was flawless. Each new character was given a solid backstory and the questions that we might have had about certain returning characters were all answered in entertaining and innovative new ways. In addition, this film was absolutely hilarious and by far the funniest in the series. Pixar did a great job of knocking down the fourth wall and addressing things that us audience members have probably asked at some point during the franchise's long history. If you are a Pixar fan, good news. This film is riddled with Easter eggs, but don't worry, I'm not going to spoil them for you. Lastly, I just want to say that I was very touched that Pixar not only dedicated the film to the late Don Rickles (aka Mr. Potato Head), but also to the late great Pixar animator, Adam Burke, who passed away in October 2018 from cancer. All in all, this film was a great tribute to Pixar through its exciting new ways of storytelling, historic Easter eggs, heart wrenching and comedic moments, beautiful score, and of course the characters we all know and love. I am truly going to miss this franchise. Thank you Pixar, for all the memories.

Booksmart (2019)

This Generation's Superbad

[9/10 · 17 May 2019]

I don't care who you are. Drop what you're doing and go see Booksmart! It was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein are an absolute force. Olivia Wilde hit it out of the park with this one. The cast was all super genuine and clicked incredibly well on screen. The character development for both the major and minor characters was clever and cunning. The soundtrack gave this film color and kept it moving, but the characters gave it life. This quirky and upbeat comedy will undoubtedly become an instant classic. It was this generation's Superbad. There were hardly any laugh breaks in this endless chain of crude comedy. Absolutely incredible. GO. SEE. IT.

The Voices (2014)

Can I give negative stars?

[1/10 · 25 July 2018]

I usually don't write bad reviews, only positive ones, but...DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!! It is deeply disturbing and I feel like whoever wrote it needs some serious help. It was an unfunny, gruesome, dark, twisted, poorly written, disturbing steaming pile of garbage. There was an extreme lack of character development. The acting was awful. The writing was attempting to be funny, but was instead just deeply disturbing. The plot was all over the place. The sets made no sense. It was a random hodgepodge of disturbing and borderline demonic scenes that were in no way relatable and included no deep underlying messages. I am honestly ashamed that I watched the entire length of this film. It's sick, it's demonic, it's bad. Don't watch it. -1/10 Stars. Never again.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

Another Brilliant Pixar Sequel

[9/10 · 12 June 2018]

Incredibles 2 was smart, action packed, visually stunning, and HILARIOUS! It's everything you expect from a Pixar movie minus the tears. Actually, scratch that. The nostalgia and the genuinely funny moments will make you cry of pure joy. I personally loved seeing these lovable characters fight their way through super villain mayhem on once again. Incredibles 2 takes place right where the original left off, so expect to jump right into the action. Some of these action scenes were so flawless and exciting that I could've sworn they were taken straight from a Marvel or DC movie. However, Pixar still managed to create original action sequences by using the Parr family's abilities in many creative and innovative new ways. The animation, lighting, and surface texturing was also something to marvel at. From the individual strands of Dash's hair to the wrinkles on Mr. Incredible's clothes, this movie was a detailed filled masterpiece. When using the word "masterpiece," I must also mention Michael Giacchino's brilliant score. The Incredibles theme was brought back for this film and used in so many exciting new ways. You can tell Giacchino loved experimenting with this powerful score that he wrote over a decade ago. Be prepared for many laugh out loud moments in this movie as well. Jack Jack will melt you heart in one moment and make whatever you're drinking come out of your nose in the next moment. He really does steal the show. From a nostalgic stand point, this film did not disappoint. It hit all of the marks of a successful movie sequel and as a Pixar Fan, I couldn't be happier. All in all, this movie is a blast and will probably be amongst the top 5 movies of the summer. It DEFINITELY lives up to the original and some might even say it's better.

Coco (I) (2017)

An Homage To Mexico

[9/10 · 5 November 2017]

Pixar's unique and colorful take on the Dia De Los Muertos was truly remarkable. The story was a match made in Pixar heaven due to its heart wrenching and heartwarming moments. Though this story seemed a bit morbid at times, you can really tell Pixar catered this movie to adults as well as kids. The visual effects were probably my favorite in any Pixar film thus far. The amount of detail on screen at any given time was beyond belief. Also, the character development was extraordinary. Having an extensive look at each character's background not only helped you fall in love with the characters, but it was also used as a unique storytelling device. The music in this movie was great too as it paid homage to the traditional mariachi style still practiced in Mexico today. The movie even featured some songs with lyrics entirely in Spanish. Overall, I would say this movie captured the Mexican heritage to a T. The characters were memorable, the story and dialogue were exceptionally written, the visuals were gorgeous and bursting with color, and the music was festive and fun.

Beauty and the Beast (I) (2017)

A Beauty of a Film

[9/10 · 14 March 2017]

"Beauty and the Beast" is a wondrous film that can never be touched...well...unless Disney is the one doing the refurbishments. This classic "tale as old as time" was brilliantly reimagined with all of the same pomp and circumstance as the original. The production design and costuming perfectly captured the dark ominous moods while simultaneously highlighting the sheer elegance of the picture. A piece of this elegance was brought about by the film's effervescent and at times, gripping score provided by the composer of the original film's score, Alan Menken. The familiarity of the film in its score and story was astonishing and probably the only thing I could see anybody having a grievance about. However, the picture did provide some much needed backstory that was glossed over in the 1991 version of the film. With that, Disney did a commendable job at adapting several aspects of the story while still maintaining the nostalgia for the film we all know and love. Finally, I must mention that the casting for this film was phenomenal. With Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ian McKellen and Ewan McGregor as Cogsworth and Lumière, Dan Stevens as Beast, and Emma Watson as Belle, the talent was truly immeasurable. I know that some fans of the beloved animated film were a bit skeptical of Emma Watson in the role of Belle as she had no musical theatre experience prior to playing this cherished Disney Princess. Nevertheless, I can assure those fans that she did an outstanding job as Belle. While Watson's vocals did seem a bit fine-tuned, she still managed to bring a higher level of emotion and meaning to Belle's voice. She boldly characterized the true meaning of feminism all while subtly hinting at Belle's down-to-earth nature. With that, I must say that this film was, without a doubt, transcendent of our modern era. The picture gave life to a new generation of family entertainment, yet it still managed to charm us with its nostalgic vibes. For me, this film lived up to the glory of its predecessor and may have even surpassed it. From now on, when I think of the story of "Beauty and the Beast," I will think of this enchanting masterpiece.

Nerve (I) (2016)

Great Concept, Inadequate Execution

[6/10 · 31 July 2016]

While the movie was moderately entertaining, most of the film was highly unfeasible and not likely to happen. From a technological standpoint, there were many inaccuracies and blemishes. The film's story had very little character development, which, in turn, made the story hard to follow. Story aside, thrilling and suspenseful scenes kept the crowd engaged and entertained throughout the film's entirety. This however, brings a false sense of realism to the movie. If audiences fear for the character, audiences feel as if they must fear for themselves. The film connects to the audience's biggest fears including heights, public embarrassment, and lack of control. The greatest parts of this movie were, by far, the concept and the overall anxious mood throughout.

The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Great for kids!

[7/10 · 19 June 2016]

"The Secret Life of Pets" was indeed 'pawesome', although very over-hyped. That is the case for most of Illumination's projects, so I must start by commending their advertising team. Although this movie was funny, the trailer seemed to showcase most of the jokes and gags seen in the movie. The new jokes that the audience hadn't seen before were more aimed toward the kids, but didn't strike the adults as much as their competing studios (Pixar, Disney, Dreamworks, etc.) usually do. With a pretty straight forward plot and a substantial amount of potty humor, I felt this film was more for the kids than for the family. The character development was very robust for the amount of characters featured in the film. There were some under developed characters, but most of the main characters were top of the line. The sewer sequences were very well lit and the animations flowed together and were very finely detailed. The movie was good and the voice actors were top notch. I would recommend if you're looking for a fun movie to watch that's not too thought provoking.

Finding Dory (2016)

Unforgettable

[9/10 · 14 June 2016]

Finding Dory was truly unforgettable. The movie was absolutely incredible and one of Pixar's best. I honestly think that this was just as good or better than the original. The character development was absolutely incredible and Pixar reminded us of that periodically throughout the movie. The story was inspiring, funny, and very thoughtful. Following almost every single sentimental moment was a moment of pure joy and positivity. The scenes were filled with absolute breathtaking and blissful renderings. The characters seemed to move almost flawlessly and gracefully through the water. The animation was exceptional. Thomas Newman's score was obviously stunning. He reprised the score so well. Andrew Stanton definitely directed a beautiful movie and I'm sure fans of the Finding Nemo franchise will be immensely proud and grateful for it. This was definitely Pixar's best sequel and by far, one of the best Pixar movies ever created.

The Jungle Book (2016)

A Movie Walt Would Be Proud Of

[9/10 · 14 April 2016]

The Jungle Book was a classic. Usually when a review starts off this way, it means that the the remake did not live up to the original. This movie did. Rudyard Kipling's classic story, once retold by one of the world's most inspiring men, has now been retold once again in this epic CGI sculpted world. From the music, composed by John Debney, to the story, retold by Justin Marks, this film was a born-again classic. Who says you can't mess with the original? While the acting fell a bit flat, the story and the visual effects did not. This movie had, undoubtedly, the BEST visual effects I think I have ever seen in a film thus far. Never have I seen a film with such an impeccable and lively plot either. I truly loved that Kaa, played by Scarlett Johansson, was able to deliver Mowgli's back story. I also loved that the writer incorporated the music that we so dearly loved from the original Disney classic into this new-age classic. I must also mention the outstanding attention to detail when alluding to the original film. At some points, I may or may not have teared up thinking about the man that put this story on screen for the first time. I guess that's what great storyteller's do. They inspire and pay tribute to those that have inspired them as well. Thank you so much to everyone behind this film. You have truly made me a happy man and a proud fan of Walt Disney Studios.

The Road Within (2014)

Dysfunctional...In A Good Way

[7/10 · 14 February 2016]

Despite some of the cheesiness and predictability of this film, there were some moments of pure beauty. I don't think the critics quite understood what this film may mean for people with disabilities. It implies that no matter what may hold you back in life, as long as you have friendship, bravery, and commitment, you can strive to achieve pretty much anything.

As Marie (played by Zoë Kravitz), Alex (played by Dev Patel), and Vincent (played by Robert Sheehan) made their way closer to the ocean, they also grew closer together and stronger in their fight against their disabilities. The film was mediocrely structured as it seemed to keep drawing focus away from the overall message. Nevertheless, the message was received by myself and by many others as well.

Gren Wells wrote the characters so accurately, yet so innocently, and was able to make audiences laugh about the disabilities rather than feel uncomfortable about them. Overall I give this film 7/10 stars.

Deadpool (2016)

Super Slump

[5/10 · 11 February 2016]

Unfortunately, Fox and Marvel are going to need a little more than strippers and Ryan Reynolds to get out of their slump. I understand this movie is an acquired taste, but I feel as if it was missing a good story. I will admit the comedy did make me grin at some points, but did seem a bit inane for most of the movie. If you're going to do a comedy film, make the jokes witty and clever rather than just having the lead actor cuss every 2 seconds. I honestly thought T.J. Miller's minor role as Weasel was funnier than all of Dead Pool's one-liners combined. I also felt the story jumped around too much. Yes, I understand the beginning of the movie mostly consisted of flashbacks, but when they returned to the main storyline I almost forgot what all had previously happened. The writers wasted a lot of time and ended up focusing more on making the movie "funny" than making the movie worthy of a sequel. I do really hope that Fox and Marvel will improve in their upcoming ventures, but for right now they need to focus on writing a good story. Making the main protagonist indestructible without any weakness kind of eliminates the drama a little bit. *Cough cough*—Man of Steel. Once again, I really do hope that Fox and Marvel can get back to telling the great stories that they were meant to tell instead of just making every comic book they've ever written into a movie.

Inside Out (I) (2015)

Loved This Movie Inside And Out

[10/10 · 4 June 2015]

Inside Out was an animated triumph that will be forever timeless. Pixar has done it again and created yet another animated classic. In this movie we all experience a little fear, a little sadness, a little anger, a little disgust, and of course a little joy. Joy (Amy Poehler) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) take the helm as the leads in one of Pixar's best. This review is such a hard review to write because everything about this movie was so intricate; so detailed that if I reveal much about the plot, it could give away the entire movie. I will say however that this is one of Pixar's most well thought out movies and that it will influence audiences to come back again and again; this time catching something they didn't the first time. All in all, the movie was definitely what it was advertised to be, an emotional roller coaster that the entire family will enjoy. It was the definition of a Pixar movie!

Cinderella (I) (2015)

Courage and Kindness

[8/10 · 26 February 2015]

Magical to say the least! Cinderella was truly magnificent. Like the beloved fairytale, Cinderella (Lily James) is a servant girl to her two ugly step sisters (Sophie McShera and Holiday Granger) and her cruel and unspeakably vile step mother (Cate Blanchett). However, when the king (Derek Jacobi) hosts a royal ball in order to find a suitable wife for his son (Richard Madden), who should appear but that servant girl dressed in a dazzling gown and glass slippers that were given to her by her very own fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter)? From the romance to the slightly altered plot, this movie was spectacular! The screenplay, although based off an old fairytale, still managed to be original and entertaining. The characters were wonderfully developed and the actors were able to play off of each other so well. As for Cinderella and Prince Charming, the romance could not be more believable. You could practically see sparks flying around the whole theater as they meet for the first time. The costumes were gorgeous and the music, beautiful. Everyone who worked on this film did an amazing job. This movie provides all the feelings of young love through a heart wrenching, romantic, and inspiring story of a dirty servant girl and one true Prince Charming. I give this movie 8/10 glass slippers!

Project Almanac (2015)

I would go back in time to see this... maybe I already did.

[6/10 · 28 January 2015]

I would go back in time to watch this...maybe I already did. This film was exactly what I thought it would be, but better. I just want to start with the screenplay. May I just say, the writing was brilliant for a teen film. Keen and witty, Andrew Deutschman and Jason Pagan are absolutely perfect together. I hope to see more screenplays from them in the future. Now, the acting was decent, but I'm not going to criticize it too much because these actors are all pretty new to the silver screen. Although these actors were inexperienced, they had great chemistry and so everything seemed to click. Since this was more of a teen film, it's really easy for you to get lost in its brilliance. It wasn't confusing or anything. I mean the story was easy to follow, but it's just hard to review. Honestly, from a teen's perspective, I loved it, but this isn't just a film for teens necessarily. All of the adults in the audience seemed to like it too. In fact, there were a lot of references and allusions included in the movie which targeted the adult viewers. The only thing wrong was that there were also a lot of references and allusions to current music, movies, and popular culture, so the adult viewers couldn't really connect with the characters as much. Overall, the movie had ingenious writing, stunning special effects, adequate acting, and an amazing structure. As a teen, I give this film 9/10 stars.

The Double (2013)

A look at the man you want to be...

[6/10 · 19 January 2015]

Although very dark, this movie translates the good and the bad of being somebody your not. Jesse Eisenburg's performance was one of sheer importance and substance. This movie follows the story of the awkward Simon James and an outgoing and not-so- awkward identical man named James Simon who tries to take away everything important in Simon's life. This movie definitely had some great character development and experimented with the human emotion. The cinematography, while grim, created suspense which added several dimensions to the film. The set design and costume design also helped to create an ominous feel to this film. While the comedy and drama were good, I think this movie's main focus needed to be pointed more toward being a thriller and not a drama/romance. Overall, I give this film 6/10 stars.

Frank (II) (2014)

A Perfectly Weird Life Lesson

[7/10 · 17 January 2015]

"Frank" is the story of apiring musician Jon Burroughs, played by Domhnall Gleeson, and his life after he joins a band of beatniks. The lead singer of the band is Frank, an enigmatic man who hides behind a mask. Like Erik in "Phantom of the Opera", Frank wears the mask to hide his problems and imperfections. This story was weird, yes, but it got the point across that no matter what imperfections one may have, there will always be somebody who shares and accepts them. Frank, played by Michael Fassbender, seems to be outgoing, but at the same time struggles with himself and his imperfections. While many look up to him, he looks down on himself. Lenny Abrahamson did a great job directing this film and although it's quirky, it's a true and meaningful life lesson. I give this movie 7/10 stars.

American Sniper (2014)

One of the Greats

[9/10 · 16 January 2015]

Before I start this review I would first like to thank every man and woman who is currently serving or who has served in the U.S. Military. You are the reason why we even have the freedom to make, watch, and review these films. Thank you for your service!

This film was quite possibly one of the greatest military movies in U.S. history. This movie is the story of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, played by Bradley Cooper, and his life off and on the battlefield. It's amazing to see just how strong this man was as he left his family for a life on the battlefield. The screenplay, written by Jason Hall, was one of pure brilliance. From the witty remarks to the expressions of pure suspense, Bradley Cooper brought complete life to the role of Chris, a father, husband, and American hero. The visual effects were stunning and believable and the sounds were loud and crisp. At some moments, it feels like you are actually on the battlefield. The suspense that they built was captivating and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

This movie is definitely one of the best war epics I've seen in a long while. When the credits started rolling, all you could hear was the boisterous applause from the audience and then the complete and utter silence of acknowledgement and gratitude. I give it 9/10 stars and wish it tremendous luck in this year's awards season.

Selma (2014)

Glory

[8/10 · 10 January 2015]

Truthful, Strong, and Powerful. Those are the three words I would use to describe this movie. Selma is the true story of Martin Luther King Jr., fellow African Americans, and even some White Americans as they fought to secure equal voting rights for all Americans. The performance given by David Oyelowo as MLK is reason enough to watch this movie. He was powerful and inspiring, just as MLK was and delivered his lines with strength and emotion. The screenplay by Paul Webb was amazingly written and ingeniously structured. He wrote without limits to reveal the actual pain and violence of the time. At some points, it was hard to watch, but that is the truth. That's what happened and there is no denying the truth behind this fascinating and inspiring story. Selma is truly a piece of history. I give it 8/10 stars and wish it good luck in the upcoming awards season.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Logical and Remarkable

[9/10 · 3 January 2015]

A true story of remarkable logic, triumph, friendship, and mystery. "The Imitation Game" is the tale of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a mathematician who thinks he just may be able to crack the enigma code created by the Germans during WWII. However, this isn't just your normal WWII epic. It exposes the struggle of discrimination and human indecency through friendships, life experiences, and love. The screenplay was incredibly crafted and included wit, sarcasm, and ingenious, yet comfortable, dialog. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley at the helm, this film could do no wrong. Every line and every gesture was executed with excellence. To top it all off, the film was scored beautifully by the one and only Alexandre Desplat. A truly magnificent film with a truly magnificent cast and crew. I give this film 9/10 stars and wish it luck in the upcoming awards season.

Into the Woods (2014)

Charming....Prince Charming?

[8/10 · 26 December 2014]

"Into the Woods" was an amazing movie with an all-star cast. Beginning the story was Anna Kendrick as the gorgeous Cinderella. Although they never say her name, she is one of the most crucial characters in this movie and whoever casted her was a genius. She was the epitome of talent. Her voice, acting ability, and pure charm brought such life to the movie and made it very enjoyable. That being said, the entire cast was brilliant including the creepy, yet likable, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Daniel Huttlestone, and even Johnny Depp, who has a very minor part. The sets were gorgeous and the CGI was stunning and very believable, even for a fantasy world. However, the main pull of this movie was the music. Beautiful and upbeat, Stephen Sondheim and the cast did an unbelievably great job with the score. The story, to me, was a little flat, but still very well written. I didn't feel the audience received the intended emotions because the story jumped around a lot. It told the stories of many different characters simultaneously which made it a little hard to follow. Other than that, the story was just the right amount of action, romance, and suspense. This is by far the hardest review I've ever had to write because I can't put the music, beauty, story, and talent into words. Absolutely stunning! I wish this film good luck in the upcoming awards season and give it 8/10 stars.