Charyzma Scarlett
From a new SNOOPY film to the much awaited sequel to INSIDE OUT, 2024 has already served up a treasure trove of films for the family. Here’s a look at 5 you need to see before the year is out!
Kung Fu Panda 4
Ten years after the last instalment, Jack Black returns as Po in a new sequel to “Kung Fu Panda”. There’s lots of action in this one, some really funny moments, and a great new character called Zhen (Awkwafina), who teams up with Po. One of my favourite moments in the film includes a scene where the baddie The Chameleon (Viola Davis) changes herself into each of Poe’s many villains. There’s also Tenacious D’s great version of Britney Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’ which plays over the end credits. This fun, adventure-packed sequel also stars Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ke Huy Quan, and Ronny Chieng.
Inside Out 2
Not as good as the original, though still both silly and sad in equal parts, Disney’s “Inside Out” once again explores the many emotions we go through. This time anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke from “Stranger Things”) is the new emotion, joining Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. The other emotions aren’t quite sure how to deal with anxiety at first, which is not unlike real life – it is difficult to deal with! Kelsey Mann directs the very colourful and lively film which also features the vocals of Amy Poehler as Joy, Kensington Tallman as Riley, Tony Hale as Fear, and Lewis Black as Anger. As I said, it mightn’t be quite as good as the original but it’s still well worth watching.
Man & Witch : The Dance of a Thousand Steps
My father being friends with the filmmaker we were able to watch this wonderful fantasy film early, and I’m so excited that you’ll all get to see it in a couple of weeks. Like a tribute to “The Never-Ending Story” – with the actress from that film, Tami Stronach, making her long awaited return to the big screen here – the film is packed with magic, cute (talking) characters, magic potions, curses, and wonderful locations (googling now to see where they shot this!). It stars director Greg Steinbruner as a goatherd who is cursed never to have a wife but makes a deal with a witch to break the spell. There’s some hilarious moments in the film, some wonderful costumes, and some really cute characters – Dog being a favourite.
Welcome Home, Franklin
The new Snoopy film “Welcome Home, Franklin” – on AppleTV+ – introduces us to Franklin, a military kid who moves to town and is encouraged by his grandpa to make as many new friendships as possible. The grandpa suggests he makes friends by telling jokes and giving compliments but that doesn’t go over too well with people in the neighbourhood, like a kid who adores a giant pumpkin. All your favourite Snoopy characters appear in the movie including Charlie Brown, who is as equally lonely and anxious and is the one Franklin ultimately makes friends with. Caleb Bellavance and Etienne Kellici provide the voices for this relatively short film.
