Day 873: Tomorrowland

Well, I finally got to see a Disney Movie NOT three months after it came out! Impressive, right? What's even more impressive is I saw it OPENING DAY, and I definitely have a few thoughts on Tomorrowland that I'm ready to share! To be honest, I was really skeptical of this movie, and I sat in the theater confused for the majority of the two hours I was there. But that doesn't mean I didn't love it, and while I'll be sure not to reveal any spoilers, here's a short recap of what I loved and what I didn't:

What I Loved: Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow! 

I absolutely adored that the film started out with "There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" from the Carousel of Progress. It was this little bit of nostalgia to kick things off, and from there it just got better. From the fact that it begins at the 1964-65 World's Fair to the inclusion of a very familiar attraction, I had to control my flailing around.

What I Loved A Bit Less: The Confusion

As I mentioned a minute ago, I was very confused the majority of the film, although by the end I finally got the meaning. Then, all of a sudden, the point becomes clear, sort of like when they finally solve the case on Psych or something. I suppose that's how most movies are, but at the same time I felt more confused during this film than I have in a theater in quite some time. I think the same runs true for the trailer, which I got more questions about than I had answers. Going into the theater, I really had no clue what the film was about, aside from the fact that I knew that, as a Disney fan, this was one I needed to see.

What I Loved: Originality 

We definitely live in a world of sequels these days. Just look at the films coming out in the next few years, even just from Disney. There's very little original material, and Sequels bring in the most money. It's hard to go against that grain, so to see a film like Tomorrowland was sort of refreshing.

What I Loved A Bit Less: The Constant Movement

This kind of goes along with the confusion point, but there were just so many elements that you had to keep track of to understand the story. There's the pin, obviously, this hat, the robots, this other city, a bunch of different characters, multiple locations, and several plotlines that seemed, to me, only half there. Of course, this is in addition to the never ending action scenes that are so popular with audiences today, although I felt that many of them were appropriate considering the topic.

What I Loved: The Point

Regardless of how long it took to get there, the meaning of the film shines through like the beginning of a new day and boy, is it ever powerful. No Spoilers, but as a college student with two majors that often lead to difficult career paths, I found a lot of comfort in the end of the film, and the speech that's made about our society near the end? Brilliant and spot on.

Overall, I think I like Tomorrowland a little more with each passing day. When I first left the theater I felt a bit disappointed, but as I believe the film intended to do, as I examine the society around me, I understand where the film is coming from a bit more. With everything else aside, though, it does provide a great motivational tool for those of us who dream to do great things for more than money or popularity, because sometimes we just want to have a little bit of fun.

If you've seen Tomorrowland, let me know what you thought!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 24 due to computer issues).

Day 465: Small World 50

What's more fun than a 50th Anniversary Celebration! Not much, especially when it comes to Disney.

I was thinking about it this morning, because really, the Small World 50 Celebration is all over the internet, and a fellow student said that they can't stand the song and won't go on the attraction because of it. But as I was playing it's a small world on piano this morning, adding my own voice to the thousands out there singing it today, it occurred to me.

Can you be a real, true Disney fan and not at least somewhat like it's a small world?

I always feel a little bit like us Disney fans all love each other because we understand, but there's still this certain amount of competition between us. Who's the bigger fan? Who's been to the Disney parks the most? Who knows the most? Who's seen the films the most time? Who knows all the songs? And the competition goes on. So there's this little bit of me here at college that always seems to be trying to prove that I am the biggest Disney fan.

And on a small part, I think I do rank among the top of that list here, especially when it comes to the Disney Parks. Granted, I do write a daily blog about Disney too, so there is that when it comes to the ranking of who is more obsessed.

But can you be a Disney fan that doesn't like it's a small world?

My honest instinct is no. I don't think you can be a 100% real Disney fan if you just can't stand and absolutely hate it's a small world. While I am a bit upset that only it's a small world is getting the attention when there WERE various other attractions at the New York World's Fair that year (Carousel of Progress or Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln anyone?), of the attractions featured, it's a small world has to be the most important.

The attraction holds several of its own world records, such as the most performed song in the world (as much as it may get on our nerves from time to time). The Sherman Brothers created a hit with the simple tune, and it speaks of some of the most important ideas we can embrace in our world: love and hope and the idea that no matter how big the world may seem, we are all friends and should be kind to one another. We're all different, but that shouldn't matter, right?

That's what I love about it's a small world. I try to get on it at least once each trip, just because it's such a classic attraction, and it's one that Walt Disney himself loved. That's why I'm so happy to be alive to celebrate the 50th anniversary of such an important piece of Disney history. Is it my favorite attraction, not by a long shot, but is it one of the most important? Yes. Yes it is.

Happy 50th Birthday to it's a small world, and have a magical day!