Strange Magic is for the kids! #StrangeMagic

Strange Magic is for the kids! #StrangeMagic

unnamedMy six and half year old son loved the movie… sure at some point he leaned over to me and said “HEY you sing that cheesy song in the car!”. I don’t get who watches a kids movie and reviews it as if it needs to entertain a 40 year old.  I certainly don’t… this movie was 100% for the kids!

Blending a catalog of over 400 songs that were recorded – this is a rock opera for kids.  My son was grooving in his seat.  Whats not to enjoy – there are princesses and sword fights and singing…  YES its a musical.

As the credits rolled my son had really enjoyed the movie – so for kids its a must see… this was 15 years in the making this movie designed for 6-12 year olds I think that some of the concepts wont really be understood by the under 5 crowd but they’ll still enjoy it.

There are really great concepts in the plot like never judging a book by its cover,  looks are only skin deep, and sometimes you need to be you instead of what everyone else expects you to be.

I really want to highlight the fact that my son loved this movie even though its totally about fairies and princesses… there is enough there that boys will enjoy the movie too.

Visually stunning this movie delivers exactly what you would expect from George Lucas.

The voice cast includes: Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, Maya Rudolph, Sam Palladio, Meredith Anne Bull, Alfred Molina, Elijah Kelley, Bob Einstein, Peter Stormare.  Be sure to check out my Strange Magic Press Junket interviews here.

STAY IN YOUR SEATS AS THERE IS AN AFTER CREDIT SCENE! (well more during the middle of the credits but still theres a scene none the less)

 

Strange Magic Press Junket with George Lucas & Cast! #StrangeMagic

Strange Magic Press Junket with George Lucas & Cast! #StrangeMagic

I had attended a Q & A with the cast and crew of Strange Magic. That included creator George Lucas, director Gary Rydstrom, music director Marius DeVries, and stars Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Elijah Kelley, Meredith Anne Bull, and Sam Palladio.

George LocusFirst, it was pretty awesome to have George Lucas walk into the room… He influenced the better part of my childhood and I’d say like 90% of my friends childhood and even our children.

Lucas in particular, who spent 15+ years bringing his vision of Strange Magic to life, had a lot to say about the inspiration behind the film. “What I wanted try to do,” Lucas revealed, “was tell a story using the lyrics of existing songs.” He added that “originally I wanted it to be all music, like an opera”.  This is pretty darn close to a ROCK OPERA for kids as one can be.

“Making this movie was more like a Rubik’s Cube than a jigsaw puzzle.” Once you see the movie and hear which music was picked and see how the story flows with the music telling the tale, you will understand.  The music is the backbone of the film, and mashing together a movie that depends so heavily on its songs was certainly no simple task for music director Marius DeVries. According to DeVries, over 400 songs were recorded during the creative process of Strange Magic.

Locus had made a movie for tween boys (Star Wars) but since he had daughters, he wanted this movie to about Princess fairies. The fact that one doesn’t take the conventional route and that love & beauty isn’t skin deep.

Strange Magic CastInto our second round of interviews included:

Gary Rydstrom (Director)
Meredith Anne Bull (voice of “Dawn”)
Sam Palladio (voice of “Roland”)
Evan Rachel Wood (voice of “Marianne”)
Alan Cumming (voice of “Bog King”)
Elijah Kelly (voice of “Sunny”)
Marius De Vries (Musical Director)

The movie professes acceptance and love not only for others, but for yourself as well– an aspect that the film’s stars weighed in on as one of Strange Magic’s more powerful lessons. “The things that make you different are the things that make you beautiful,” said Evan Rachel Wood (who plays Marianne), while Elijah Kelley (Sunny) added that he felt the movie showcases that “no matter how weird and strange you feel like  you are, there’s somebody out there who’s weird and strange like you.”

 

STRANGE MAGIC opens in theatres everywhere on January 23rd!

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