tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post5610328148305939679..comments2024-02-08T07:33:49.907-08:00Comments on Re-Imagineering: OH GOD NO! CANADA!Mr Bankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-45760071088872806412007-11-29T16:53:00.000-08:002007-11-29T16:53:00.000-08:00I recently saw the new version of "Oh Canada" and ...I recently saw the new version of "Oh Canada" and I was actually very happy with it. As a Canadian I was truly embarrassed by the old film. Which I didn't see until 2000 for the first time. It was horribly out of date even then and frankly more than boring. The theme song was great, but the rest of the film was a snooze fest. I actually felt patriotic while watching this film instead of apologetic. <BR/><BR/>I do recognize that the film is not for Canadians so much as its a film about Canada for a US audience. Yes, some of the jokes are a little cheesy but I hope they will wear better than some of the old film's footage will. The Celine Dion joke will definitely feel old in a few years (in fact is already does), but much of the rest should be OK. <BR/><BR/>I do agree with the comments about the lack of 360 footage and the curling bit was definitely lame. And while Bob and Doug McKenzie where about as Canadian as you could get, Rutt and Tuke aren't necessarily from Canada. The movie seems to take place in Alaska although DCA seems to want to place it in California(!). <BR/><BR/>I don't think you could do an American Adventure style film for Canada. First off, we don't have a single leader after John A. MacDonald that the country could agree was actually great. King was seance holding nut job, Trudeau was an egomaniac who alienated half the country and most Canadians don't even know who Laurier was other than "that guy on the $10 bill". <BR/>We didn't have a revolution, we formed a confederation of British Colonies who were worried about getting invaded by the US (Hmmm... wouldn't that go over great in the film). We never had a civil war although we almost broke up the country in 1980 and 1995. I don't think anyone can remember a particularly stirring speech from any of our politicians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-35020124823256969332007-11-26T08:07:00.000-08:002007-11-26T08:07:00.000-08:00O Canada! was my favorite Pavilion film before the...O Canada! was my favorite Pavilion film before the "update" (which is all it really needed was some filming update, not a total "undo" of its glory and some random "Canada Idol"-ing of a song that was sung well before it was re-recorded by someone no one may care about a few years later. (sorry) or the cheesy jokes and the insulting of other attractions that may or may not be there in another 10 years (who knows?) <BR/><BR/>Yes I still like the Canadian Pavilion but I won't be seeing the re-vamped O Canada! film again. <BR/><BR/>When I read this article I want to agree wholeheartedly with it. It seems Disney's idea of 'update' is really just slapping a couple minutes of new footage with something they think people will like and losing all the magic of the original. I'd like my old "O Canada!" back now thanks.MeekoRousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04551589891224879887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-58045241325995554992007-11-04T22:13:00.000-08:002007-11-04T22:13:00.000-08:00I saw the film. They are not using Circlevision to...I saw the film. They are not using Circlevision to it's true medium. Most of this film every screen is different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-75098448658475284582007-10-24T07:04:00.000-07:002007-10-24T07:04:00.000-07:00"Give me the comedic genius of Dave Thomas and Ric...<I>"Give me the comedic genius of Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis over Martin Short any day of the week."</I><BR/>Amen to that! The two moose from Brother Bear would have been a great, fun twist on the presentation.<BR/><BR/>And I do have to disagree with one comment from the blog ... this isn't "Canadian Cheese", this is WDW Cheese. Let's give credit where it is due! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-8329509911685195672007-10-23T22:42:00.000-07:002007-10-23T22:42:00.000-07:00"So here’s an idea. Maybe to make this blog entry ..."So here’s an idea. Maybe to make this blog entry less boring, we could hire a hip Hollywood celebrity to read it to you. Like Ellen DeGeneres or Eric Idle or Colin Mochrie or Martin Short. Is Celine Dion here?"<BR/><BR/><BR/>But, ..... wait, you just described Fantasia 2000 !TotalDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10850147439669337932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-15806903138924330232007-10-20T07:46:00.000-07:002007-10-20T07:46:00.000-07:00I think Michael Moore would have been a better hos...I think Michael Moore would have been a better host. He would have gotten all the Canadian guests to go to Burbank with a bullhorn and petition the Team Disney Building as to why their country was turned into a 360 degree farce.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-3567189156741181292007-10-17T12:51:00.000-07:002007-10-17T12:51:00.000-07:00Just read that Disney's pouring 1.1 B into re-doin...Just read that Disney's pouring 1.1 B into re-doing California Adventure... what're the thoughts on that?..Kristen Longfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16778417438476869634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-56890216801930997792007-10-06T08:25:00.000-07:002007-10-06T08:25:00.000-07:00Okay, so they re-did the Canada film. How come the...<I>Okay, so they re-did the Canada film. How come they haven't re-done the "Golden Dream" portion of American Adventure. I think that was last done in 1993. It's still very powerful, but Magic Johnson and the basketball Olympic team...please. They need to put something up that relates to 9/11. Maybe they should bring back whoever produced that film for TPP. But they probably laid that person off.</I><BR/><BR/>I guess you haven't heard, Golden Dream was updated a few short months agoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-965583957019347352007-10-05T19:42:00.000-07:002007-10-05T19:42:00.000-07:00Okay, so they re-did the Canada film. How come the...Okay, so they re-did the Canada film. How come they haven't re-done the "Golden Dream" portion of American Adventure. I think that was last done in 1993. It's still very powerful, but Magic Johnson and the basketball Olympic team...please. They need to put something up that relates to 9/11. Maybe they should bring back whoever produced that film for TPP. But they probably laid that person off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-6172000637253945262007-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:002007-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:00Lord knows I'm no fan of Tony and his huge ego, bu...Lord knows I'm no fan of Tony and his huge ego, but nor am I a fan of Tom "mr. political" Fitzgerald. That said let's lay some blame for some of the misfires in the nineties at the parks squarely where they belong...on Marty Sklar's shoulders. After all, he was the one who allowed Tony to run costs up and up on projects in search of...well I don't know. Indiana Jones could have been a much better ride if Tony hadn't spent so much money on the queue line. And remember who headed up the team that came up with the California Adventure concept? It was Marty Sklar. (Look it up, folks.) And lastly it was Marty who put Tom in charge of WDI. Not at the expense of Tony, but at the expense of many people who got fed up and left.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-8745014934990947752007-10-05T17:13:00.000-07:002007-10-05T17:13:00.000-07:00First time visitor here. Awesome blog! for disneyl...First time visitor here. Awesome blog! <BR/><BR/>for disneyland secrets visit<BR/><A HREF="http://www.disneylandsecrets.com" REL="nofollow">http://www.disneylandsecrets.com<BR/>Disneyland Secrets<BR/></A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-33181209069228485162007-10-05T08:42:00.000-07:002007-10-05T08:42:00.000-07:00For the first time ever, I have to disagree. And I...<I>For the first time ever, I have to disagree. And I must say, Marty Sklar mentioned yesterday that he really liked it. I kind of think Marty knows what he's talking about.</I><BR/><BR/>Horse hockey. I kind of think Marty is heavily biased towards Fitzgerald and anything TPP produces, which includes this crappy film.<BR/><BR/>Marty went out of his way to praise Fitzgerald in his talk at Circle of Life Theatre on Monday, dispensing one accolade after another as if Tom's contributions to EPCOT Center and Imagineering in general were somehow going unnoticed by the fanboy public.<BR/><BR/>And where was the recognition of the Imagination pavilion during Marty's talk? That was completely glossed over, as if it didn't even exist. Maybe because Tony Baxter was in charge of that project? I didn't see one photograph of Baxter in the entire 25th exhibit, so I guess it's possible. <BR/><BR/>In any event, Marty was obviously talking up his boy during his presentation on Monday as if Fitzgerald were running for office. It was the most egregious abuse of the soapbox I've seen in a long time.<BR/><BR/>As for the new Canada film... it's a gigantic step backwards in quality from the original. If I were Canadian, I'd feel insulted. As an American, I definitely feel embarrassed.judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15415067631504911897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-49740677235733938052007-10-01T22:06:00.000-07:002007-10-01T22:06:00.000-07:00Well, Mr. Short, I suppose if Marty liked it then ...Well, Mr. Short, I suppose if Marty liked it then that's the final word on the subject.Mr Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-85093029205600737032007-10-01T21:50:00.000-07:002007-10-01T21:50:00.000-07:00For the first time ever, I have to disagree. And ...For the first time ever, I have to disagree. And I must say, Marty Sklar mentioned yesterday that he really liked it. I kind of think Marty knows what he's talking about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-78723129395844934052007-10-01T20:36:00.000-07:002007-10-01T20:36:00.000-07:00Well did you hear the studio is making a film call...Well did you hear the studio is making a film called "It's A Small World" with Robin, Whoppi and Billy.<BR/>It's a world of laughter, it's a world of fear...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-14471835662034633092007-10-01T10:48:00.000-07:002007-10-01T10:48:00.000-07:00That's the problem, then. Yeah, it's OK. But we ar...That's the problem, then. Yeah, it's OK. But we are not looking for OK anymore. You can see better footage if you walk into a Best Buy and watch the demos they have on their TVs. You can flip the channel to Discovery or History Explorer and get a better show. It's not that it is terrible, it's that it is such a letdown compared to everything else you wonder if it is worth it.StrangeVoiceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06461535206083562899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-65791755047445629322007-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:002007-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:00I don't know what your problem is - those films ma...I don't know what your problem is - those films make for a welcome 15 minute snooze in the AC!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-34750022554600256902007-10-01T00:40:00.000-07:002007-10-01T00:40:00.000-07:00c33 provides a sensitive review of the film. I ha...c33 provides a sensitive review of the film. I have not seen it, but have now a sense of the flavor. <BR/><BR/>"Charm and elegance" YES! That's what is needed. Maybe a bit of "Eloquence" as well, without makng the kids too restless.<BR/><BR/>I will look for it on YouTube.theatremanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04803823338652745012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-58439023907746886102007-09-30T21:28:00.000-07:002007-09-30T21:28:00.000-07:00I'm very mixed on the new O Canada.On the one hand...I'm very mixed on the new O Canada.<BR/><BR/>On the one hand, I'm just glad they updated it period. With most of the CircleVision theaters now gone (almost all of them replaced by the same Buzz Lightyear attraction) it's good to see this art form continue at Disney theme parks. And it's good to see something be updated simply because it needed it, not because there was a new marketing campaign or plug it could be worked into. The fact that a new film was put in wasn't even announced.<BR/><BR/>I was at Walt Disney World right after the old film closed and the new one opened (and why, prey tell, does it take three weeks to change one film over to another when nothing physical even down to the sinage was changed?). I did however get to see the new film on YouTube.<BR/><BR/>I found it funny. The bit with Corey Burton and joking about the French pavillion, how it's not always cold and snowey in Canada. The fact that it was hosted by Martin Short didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.<BR/><BR/>But it lacked the charm and elegance of the old one. In the same way that digital photos can't replicate the look of real film, this attempt to "contemporize", so to speak, just didn't work. I can't imagine needing or wanting to see this film more than once in a trip, unlike the old one. And the jokes and references will soon become outdated; people will stop caring about Martin Short if they even do now. And what about showing all of those photos of celebrities in the middle? BAD idea.<BR/><BR/>If Disney plans on updating this film again in 5-10 years (or sooner) than all the power to them. But somehow I doubt that.C33https://www.blogger.com/profile/12890348480661125696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-15699171892160395542007-09-29T10:05:00.000-07:002007-09-29T10:05:00.000-07:00I'll take a fair approach to my discussion of this...I'll take a fair approach to my discussion of this new film and also throw in a quick reference to Mexico's new ride. Both of them were subpar attractions before they were renovated, and after having gone through their renovations they are better attractions than they were before. <BR/><BR/>Only a few very strange people will tell you that El Rio Del Tiempo was actually a good attraction or that the Canada film as it was was still great and culturally relevant today. Both attractions needed an update, and what they got was an update that is actually fun. I thoroughly enjoy my ride past the birds in Gran Fiesta Tour and I find Martin Short funny.<BR/><BR/>So what's the problem? The problem is that while these attractions are now fun (and I think Gran Fiesta tour will even age well), they are not what they could be. Are they good enough for EPCOT? Sure, but since when has good enough been good enough for Disney parks.<BR/><BR/>Both of these attractions could have been reimagined into spectacular attractions. Instead what we got was good enough. I do enjoy both attractions and I think many a visitor to EPCOT will enjoy them for years to come, but none will walk away remembering how great either one is like they could have.<BR/><BR/>While good enough is far better than most parks do, it's still not great like Disney attractions were once known for. While I'd much rather have good enough than horrible like SGE was, I do dream for the day when greatness again becomes the goal in WDI.Kevin Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13482520379371342662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-30169985166647294482007-09-28T07:50:00.000-07:002007-09-28T07:50:00.000-07:00If Imagineering is still determined to infuse film...If Imagineering is still determined to infuse film-based attractions with modern comedy, then why doesn't WDC exploit their own intellectual property in these situations? I would have far preferred the <I>MacKenzie Moose</I> from Brother Bear, Rutt and Tuke, as our Canadian tour guides. One viewing of their MST3K-esque commentary on the BB DVD is proof enough.<BR/><BR/>Give me the comedic genius of Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis over Martin Short any day of the week.judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15415067631504911897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-10813515476114212732007-09-27T22:03:00.000-07:002007-09-27T22:03:00.000-07:00A complaint about "O!Canada" that has not been rea...A complaint about "O!Canada" that has not been really addressed is the fact of how the film was made. With the exception of the opening and closing shots of Nigara Falls, none of the new material seems to have been shot in CircleVision 360 at all. Would it really have been that difficult to shoot a curling rink in the 360 form, to not use that exact same image on all nine screens, like the way the Calgary Stampede was shot in the original film?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-28852364664877834072007-09-27T19:01:00.000-07:002007-09-27T19:01:00.000-07:00How "cheesy"!How "cheesy"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-72256692202738015062007-09-27T08:46:00.000-07:002007-09-27T08:46:00.000-07:00Just a footnote on Imagineer and Disney Legend Ran...Just a footnote on Imagineer and Disney Legend Randy Bright. He was killed while riding his bicycle in 1990. He never had an opportunity to be pushed out of WDI.<BR/><BR/>I am including a link to the Disney Legends page for Randy Bright.<BR/><BR/>http://legends.disney.go.com/legends/detail?key=Randy+BrightUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193538646811720856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-57568524502981614402007-09-27T05:47:00.000-07:002007-09-27T05:47:00.000-07:00This phrase with regard to high-profile personalit...This phrase with regard to high-profile personalities in theme park films caught my attention:<BR/><BR/>[Celebrities] thrust us back “into reality instead of transporting us into yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”<BR/><BR/>Threads are a little crazy, because after 20 posts, topics inevitable drift. My comment here concerns the new Canada Pavilion film but also relates back to the great compilation of Walt Disney’s words of wisdom in a previous thread.<BR/><BR/>Disney was a thinker, a tinkerer, a brilliant imagineer (before the term was created - by him). He was a motivator, a visionary, etc. He was not a great writer. He didn't repair to a quiet mountaintop to organize his philosophy. he was a doer.<BR/><BR/>Has anyone in the Disney Company or elsewhere over the years assembled and developed from Walt’s ideas a codification of principles for Disney theme parks? Is their an <I>Imagineers Guidebook</I>? If not, I think Mr. Banks would be the ideal author for the first draft. He could then accept or reject suggested additions or revisions.<BR/><BR/>Of course it would take volumes to encompass the entirety of what it takes to create a successful park and keep it alive and running. But what are the essentials? What is the philosophy which could guide the myriad decisions?<BR/><BR/>I would suggest as one principle: “Make the immersive park experience as complete as possible. Insulate the guests for a time from the ordinary everyday hyper-commercialized “outside world.” Use berms and other visual shields. Make the logos and trademarks of sponsoring entities as discrete and attractive as possible. Avoid the use of celebrities like, say, Michael Jackson. Don’t ape the contemporary outside world: make a unique world.theatremanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04803823338652745012noreply@blogger.com