7 Live-Action Disney Movie Sequels I Need More Than 'Pirates of the Caribbean 5'

Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales came out recently and, while I haven't actually seen it yet because I refuse to support it in theaters, I have heard nothing good about it. In fact, I've heard very bad things about it. While the first movie is unashamedly my favorite movie of all time, the series should have stopped after the third. But since Disney is all about capitalizing on successes (I mean, who wouldn't be?), we have five Pirates of the Caribbean movies, each with progressively lowering quality.

But even going off the concept of capitalizing on success, there are so many better options for sequels just floating out there, waiting for someone to make them happen. If I knew anything about making movies, I totally would, but alas, I do not, and thus I have to wait for others to make the live-action sequels that I need in my life. So, people who write, direct, and produce Disney movies, can we make these happen? Please?

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Princess Diaries 3

I need this movie. I have been waiting for this movie for thirteen years. Can you imagine it? Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine married with an adorable child running around as they try to train him or her to become the next ruler of Genovia with the subplot of Joe and the Queen being all classy and regal and married and totally spoiling their grandkid as John Rhys-Davies begrudgingly spoils the kid, too, because despite his grumpy exterior, who can not love the child of Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine? And maybe Charlotte can find love, too, while we're at it, and Abigail Breslin has grown up and gone on to do great things and she comes to visit because Anne Hathaway inspired her. I just. I need it.

There were actually talks about this movie being made, with the main cast returning, but it was all a tease. Any plans that might have been in effect were nixed when the director of the originals, Garry Marshall, passed away. Which is seriously a bummer. But Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway are both on board to make another. Can someone else please take up the mantle and give us this glorious magic of a film?

Enchanted 2

Okay, so supposedly this is actually going to be made, but I refuse to get excited after the tease that was The Princess Diaries 3. It's going to be directed by Adam Shankman, whose claims to fame include Hairspray, A Walk to Remember, and The Pacifier, which doesn't sound very promising. Amy Adams is the only confirmed cast member, and the plot from IMDb is very vague:

Ten years after her happily ever after, Giselle questions her happiness, inadvertently turning the lives of those in the real world and Andalasia upside down in the process.

What I loved most about Enchanted was the witty dialogue and the self-aware characters. It was a kids' movie, but it was a legitimately funny kids' movie with quality acting and catchy songs.

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Now that all the characters have come to terms with the fact that animated Disney and NYC can mesh, what humor is left? I really don't want this to become some kind of dramatic, find-your-place kind of movie with the jokes from the original done over and over again despite the fact that they're not funny anymore. I want more originality—because that's what made the first one so great. It was different. I want more fun and witty dialogue.

But do you know what I want most from this film? I want Idina Menzel to sing. (I'm still bitter that she was in the first one, a musical, and didn't sing. Such a waste of talent.)

Sky High 2

This one, too, is supposedly happening. The director of the first is slated to return to make the second, but reportedly, it's between this and Shrek 5, and honestly, I'd rather have Shrek 5 happen first, though the Internet seems split on that front. It's unclear whether this would be a soft reboot or a legitimate sequel; judging by Hollywood's track record, it would probably be a disappointing reboot. I'd personally like it to be somewhere between the two.

I'd like all of the old characters to be there doing things, not just making cameos, even if the main focus is a new group of kids. Sadly, I've looked up the cast to see what they're up to now, and Steven Strait has gotten significantly less attractive than he was as the sexy teenage bad boy Warren Peace, which, let's be real, is the main reason I used to want this sequel. I now appreciate the humor and Kurt Russell, but Warren Peace will always hold a spot in my heart for being my first fictional crush.

High School Musical: The College Years

Four words: Zac Efron in college. I'll admit that I haven't actually seen High School Musical 2 or 3. I heard they were awful, and, well, they looked it. But I have a soft spot for the original High School Musical, mostly because watching Zac Efron in the cheesiest of cheesy teenage romances, while singing nonetheless, is hilarious and amazing.

High School Musical: The College Years would have to be completely different than the others of course, more of a Pitch Perfect tone than a typical Disney Channel Original à la Descendants. Ryan, I think, would be in his element, and Kelsey would thrive among the weird art subcultures in college. And I can just picture Zac Efron trying to do both sports and drama and having a mental breakdown, turning into a total stoner and switching his major to creative writing to get out his feelings. Something kind of like this:

Now, if you follow Disney news, you'll know that High School Musical 4 actually is happening, but as of right now, they're calling it East Meets West and the original cast will probably not be returning. This is lame. I do not want this. I want another, better cult classic that will live on for generations because they actually have legitimate actors and decided to cater to their audience.

George of the Jungle 2

I know this movie exists. But a sequel in which they replace most of the main actors is a sequel I pretend doesn't exist. To be honest, I don't even care what the plot of this is. The original cast and writing was just so fantastic, I need more. Maybe George and Ursula have a teenage son who falls in love with a city girl and wants to live in the city. Maybe an ape named Ape ends up framed for something in Vegas and George needs to find a lawyer. Maybe Betsy comes to live with them for a month and makes everything more difficult in the way that extended houseguests do.

I don't care. I just need it. With the original cast, please.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair

I thought, when Disney made The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we were in it for the long haul. All seven movies. But Disney quit after the first two, and the third was kind of a train wreck as far as adaptations go. It's been seven years since that came out, and while supposedly The Silver Chair is happening, I have very mixed feelings.

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TriStar Pictures and The Mark Gordon Company are making it, with Joe Johnston of Captain America: The First Avenger fame directing. None of the original cast will be returning, not even Liam Neeson as Aslan, which is a major mistake. There are also rumors floating around the Internet—none totally credible—that the studio has plans to strip out the faith aspect of the story, which, you know, makes Narnia what it is.

I am very wary of this movie as it exists. I want Disney to make it, and I want them to make it right. They did such a good job with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Freaky Friday 2

I'll be honest, I don't have the purest of intentions here. The main reason I want this movie is because I want to see Lindsey Lohan as a middle-aged mother with a teenage daughter who acted just like her, and Jaime Lee Curtis as a really smug grandmother. With the little boy all grown up and being the only successful one in the family.

I know that's mean. But can you imagine Lindsey Lohan married to Chad Michael Murray while they both star in a really cheesy Disney story about family? I'd die.

Which sequels do you need in your life?

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Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Myers-Briggs Personality Types

All images belong to Disney. Not me.

With the release of the live-action Beauty and the Beast this week, I thought I'd type the characters in the animated movie--because who doesn't love finding out the Myers-Briggs type of their favorite characters? I find it fascinating. I wonder if the new characters will have the same types!

So, without further ado, here are the personality types of the Beauty and the Beast characters.

Belle: INFJ

Belle is a discontent dreamer. I've seen her typed a lot as an INFP, which, an argument could be made for that as well. But it's the discontent part that makes me think she's an INFJ. She's too practical to be an INFP. She knows what she wants and she takes steps to get there. She wants to be somewhere else, so she reads. All the time. She wants to wander the castle, so she does. She has very strong feelings, but she always channels them into action, a product of the Introverted Intuition/ Extraverted Feeling dynamic that INFJs have going on. Her responses are very deliberate and lack the energetic illogicality of an INFP.

The Beast (Prince Adam): INFP

The Beast is just a big, fuzzy ball of feels. I'm sure being turned into a beast as a child probably had some sort of bearing on his mental functions, but as he exists now, he's definitely an INFP. Extraverted Thinking is lowest on an INFP's function stack, hence the reason that everything he does is guided by his feelings rather than rational thought. He's lost hope that a girl will like him, partially because he's a beast, but mostly because his mind is hardwired to not believe that anyone will live up to his standards. He takes everything personally, a very common trait in INFPs. But he also understands Belle's needs, hence the library and letting her see her father. Also, Belle and the Beast seem to have an INFP/INFJ relationship, another reason I believe she's not an INFP.

Maurice: INTP

Maurice is the inventor. He's too dreamy and unsure to be an INTJ. Definitely Introverted Thinking: he's always lost inside his head, explaining half-ideas so often that everyone thinks he's crazy. But his inventions actually do work, hence the Thinking. He's very absent-minded, but also very enthusiastic about it. Definitely INTP.

Gaston: ESFP

Gaston is 100% Extraverted Sensing, an ESFP's primary function. He's all about the aesthetic. He loves his reflection and cares too much about his appearance to be anything else. Plus, he even admires Belle's beauty. He always has to be the center of attention, and every time he's the center of attention, it has to be a big to-do, which is all ESFP. Thinking and Intuition are low the ESFP stack, hence his contempt for reading and people who do. When he goes to attack the Beast, he doesn't think it through at all, he just uses his charisma to inspire the townsfolk to follow him. No doubt about this one.

LeFou: ESFJ

LeFou is very sincere and loyal and energetic--all qualities of an ESFJ--he's just not very bright. Thinking and Intuition are also lowest on the ESFJ stack, making Gaston an easy person for LeFou to latch onto. He's sociable, drawing everyone in the tavern into kissing up to Gaston like he does, and he's always eager to help, both manifestations of Extraverted Feeling, an ESFJ's primary function. He just wants everyone to be happy. Especially Gaston.

Lumiere: ENFJ

Lumiere takes it upon himself to be the leader in the castle. He has lots of grand ideas and does whatever it takes to make sure people are making those ideas come about. His Extraverted Feeling--an ENFJ's primary function--allows him to understand people, which he uses to get them to do whatever he wants. Thinking is lowest on his stack of functions, hence the reason his schemes just happen, much to the irritation of Cogsworth.

Cogsworth: ISTJ

Cogsworth is the rule-following one who keeps reminding everyone of their duty to the master. He needs everything to be in order according to what he believes is right, and Lumiere and the rest of the castle staff cause him no end of grief by not following his rules and order. Very ISTJ.

Mrs. Potts: ISFJ

Mrs. Potts is the reliable, supportive, motherly type. She takes care of everyone and makes sure everything is in order according to her specific ideals, which is very indicative of Introverted Sensing, an ISFJ's primary function. She also makes sure everyone is happy, indicating an ISFJ's secondary function: Extraverted Feeling.

Chip: ENFP*

Chip is too young to properly type, but he seems to be growing into an ENFP. He's excitable and idealistic, always wanting to be with people and have things going on. An ENFP's primary function is Extraverted Intuition, which shows itself in the fact that he's always trying to take in and understand everything going on around him and expressing how he feels about it (which is an indication of Introverted Feeling, an ENFP's secondary function).

Do you share a type with any of the characters? Do you think any of them should be typed differently? Tell us in the comments!

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Morgyn's Review of Moana

Last night, my family and I went to see Moana. We've been wanting to see it since we saw the first teaser trailer last year. Obviously, as a resident Disney addict, I go to see every Disney movie when it comes to the theater.

   

The Plot:

In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.

There wasn't a dull moment in the whole movie. There were times I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Moana was a fearless teenager who didn't let anything stand in the way of saving the people of her island. She was resilient and even bossed around Maui (the demigod!). I appreciated the relationships in this movie, as well. Moana, although she respected her parents, wanted to be able to get out on her own and live her life (outside of her small island), despite her parents wanting her to stay where she was, safe on their island.

This was a typical good versus evil movie, one that I found satisfying from the very first minute to the closing credits.

The Music: 

My favorite thing by far about Disney movies is the great music that always goes with them. The score for Moana was incredible. Featuring songs from newcomer Auli'i Cravalho and even Dwayne Johnson (who knew he could sing?), the Polynesian-style music was interesting and well-done. If nothing else, I say see the movie just for the music. (My sister also says that I should mention that Lin-Manuel Miranda produced the music.)

 

The Voice Cast: 

Like I said above, Auli'i Cravalho is a newcomer to film. She was so good at the part of Moana that I was thoroughly impressed that she'd never done any voice-over acting before.

Dwayne Johnson voiced Maui, the demigod. His character reminded me a lot of him, and he never failed to make me laugh.

Overall Rating: 

I would give Moana a 10/10 rating! The plot, the voice cast, and the music made this animated film a special treat for the whole family.  

Have you seen Moana? If so, what was your favorite part?
If not, when are you planning to see it?  

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The 5 W's of Disney's Pete's Dragon

WHAT is this film about? 

Mr. Meacham, a woodcarver, delights local children with stories of a mysterious dragon that lives deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. His daughter Grace believes these are just tall tales, until she meets Pete, a 10-year-old orphan who says he lives in the woods with a giant, friendly dragon. With help from a young girl named Natalie, Grace sets out to investigate if this fantastic claim can be true. - Google

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WHO is cast in this film?

Oakes Fegley, an actor since 2011, will be playing Pete. He looks pretty similar to the original Pete from the original film. Oona Laurence, who has also been acting since 2011, will be playing Natalie. Laurence has been in Celebrity Ghost Stories, Orange is the New Black, and Bad Moms. Robert Redford will be playing Mr. Meacham. Redford has played Ike the horse in the 2007 Charlotte's Web remake and Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He's also an experienced actor and has appeared in many classic shows, including The Twilight Zone and Perry Mason. Bryce Dallas Howard will be playing Grace. Howard has been in many popular movies, such as Spider Man 3 (as Gwen Stacy), The Help (as Hilly Holbrook), and Jurassic World (as Claire).

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 WHY should you see this film?

Unlike the original film, this dragon has been designed to feel like a real dragon. The first film had a small cartoon dragon with the live action characters, so this film will probably be taken in a different direction than the first. It will be interesting to see a different angle of the story! Also, to my knowledge, there is only one other live action Disney film with a CGI dragon: Maleficent. We need more dragons, in my opinion. I LOVE dragons. I even love bad dragons. I don't discriminate because dragons in general are my favorites. Pete's dragon is a green and fluffy dragon that just wants snuggles. If you don't want to see a movie about a green and fluffy teddy bear dragon, you have no soul. (How many times did I say "dragon" in this post? Whoever answers correctly will get dragon snuggles.)

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WHEN is this film released?

TODAY, August 12, 2016.

WHERE is it playing?

A theater near you!

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Will you be watching Pete's Dragon?

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Short-Term Remembery Loss (Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory, 2016)

In this sequel to Pixar's 2003 smash hit Finding Nemo, lovable, amnesiac blue tang Dory decides to go off in search of her long-lost parents. With the help of young clownfish Nemo and his dad Marlin, Dory heads for California and the Monterey Marine Life Institute, evading predators along the way as she hopes to find a place she can call home. - Fandango

Story

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This movie is an interesting contrast to the last one. In Finding Nemo, Marlin tells Nemo that he can't do some things because of his disability (his "lucky fin"). In Finding Dory, Dory's parents teach Dory how to live with her disability (short term memory loss). I thought it was interesting that the two films highlighted two different ways to raise children with disabilities. The story was creative, and while at the beginning I thought it was going to be a repeat of the first film, it turned into something beautiful and original.

Visuals

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I looooooovvvveeedd the animation! It was so pretty, and the water felt like real water. It was really, really well done, even better than Finding Nemo! It amazes me how Pixar improves their animation with every film.

Acting

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Returning from the last film are Ellen DeGeneres as Dory and Albert Brooks as Marlin. Nemo, who was played by Alexander Gould in the last film, was replaced by Hayden Rolence. (Don't worry, he sounds exactly the same as Gould and Gould still has a cameo in this film.) I really loved the character of Hank, played by Ed O'Neill. He was lots of fun to listen to!

Final Rating

This movie has a similar feel to Toy Story 3. We revisited old characters and plot lines, while also introducing new, original characters that still feel just right for the movie. I loved this movie a lot, and I think you'll really enjoy it!

Bonus gif:

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Have you seen Finding Dory? Who is your favorite character?

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Turn Back the Hands of Time (Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2016)

Alice returns to the magical world of Underland, only to find the Hatter in a horrible state. With the help of her friends, Alice must travel through time to save the Mad Hatter and Underland's fate from the evil clutches of the Red Queen and a clock like creature, known as Time. - IMDb

Story

   The only similarity between this film and the book of the same title is going through the looking glass. It really isn't similar in any way, shape, or form. It's important to remember that the original animated film and the first Burton film were actually a combination of the books Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. You couldn't exactly make the sequel film like the sequel book in this case. This film was made to give backstory to the first one. Why is the Mad Hatter the only Hatter left? Why is the Red Queen's head swollen? Where did the sibling rilvarly between Iracebeth and Mirana come from? It did this very well, and I was very happy with the result.

Visuals

     The film was as visually stunning as the last, maybe even more. It seemed a bit brighter and happier than the last one. This could be because it was mostly set in the past or in the White Queen's palace. I really loved Time's palace as well, which had a darker Steampunk theme.

Acting

     As I said last week in my review of Alice in Wonderland, I really didn't enjoy Mia Wasikowska's performance in the first movie. However, I thought her acting really improved this time. It was not nearly as dry as last time, and when she was supposed to be excited you could actually see she was excited. My favorite FAVORITE character was Time, who was played by Sacha Baron Cohen. He really brought the character to life. The Mad Hatter's father, Zanik Hightopp, was played by Rhys Ifans (Nanny McPhee Returns and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). I enjoyed his performance, but he kind of looked like Mr. Noodle from Elmo's World. (Sorry.)

Final Rating

     This sequel was one of the best sequels I have ever seen. I loved it even more than the original! If you're not a fan of Disney remakes or Burton films, this movie could change your mind. (Also, the movie is dedicated to Alan Rickman. Yes, I did cry.)

Bonus gif:

What is your favorite thing about Alice Through the Looking Glass? 

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Something There: What makes Disney Princesses So Loveable

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I’m a Disney fanatic and, as such, I adore Disney Princesses.

That’s why I’ve decided to make my own personal list of why I love the official Disney Princesses and what makes them special to me.

Please Note: I will NOT mention Elsa or Anna since Disney officially excluded them from the Disney Princess lineup. I mean, come on, they have their own franchise. What else do you want?

Snow White

Sure, Disney Princesses are pure and kind, so it should come as no surprise when I tell you that Snow White is extremely sweet.  But, truthfully, she goes above and beyond Disney Princess pleasant. Maybe it's because of her age (she’s 14 years old!), but her naivety and simple way of looking at life are something that's always been charming.

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Cinderella

Now, I understand that the “classic” Disney Princesses weren’t all that interested in helping themselves. They were content with waiting for others to save them. Cinderella is no different, since she was aided by the fairy godmother and her mousy mates; however, she can be quite resilient, especially if you’ve watched the live-action Cinderella. Her patience and perseverance is what makes this princess stand out. 

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Aurora

You’ve probably already heard that Aurora is the princess with the least amount of dialogue. Not to mention, she sleeps during all the good parts (and misses the freakin’ dragon), but the reason why I appreciate this sleeping beauty is that she’s a dreamer. I’m not talking about dreams you have when you’re asleep: I'm talking about her daydreams, her imagination. Just listen to “Once Upon a Dream". She dreamt up Phillip's appearance before she even met him. I mean, who does that? Plus, she has to have some degree of imagination to occupy herself in the middle of nowhere. 

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Ariel

I adore The Little Mermaid! I think Ariel is so flippin’ adorable. Though 16 years old, she still keeps her sense of childhood wonder. We first see this when she's scavenging for sunken artifacts and gathering information about the human world. She's absolutely amazed when she finds a fork. 

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It's always interesting to see her get excited about the most mundane things, like said fork! I can't help but admire her when she marvels at the smallest of things. After all, not many people appreciate the little things in life.

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Belle

Belle has always been my favorite princess. Ever since Beauty and the Beast came out (I was a baby, but still), I’ve been fascinated. And I think it’s because I see myself in her. I’ve always loved books and thirsted for adventure. In fact, sometimes I’ll randomly wander off the beaten path from time to time, just so I can see that crumbling, old church or hidden beach cave. I know Belle has that same ache for adventure and pull towards the strange and the unknown. 

 

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Not to mention, she’s fearless. She travels through a spooky forest to find her father and then agrees to stay in his place as the Beast’s prisoner. Thankfully, the Beast makes it up to her with this glorious library! 

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Jasmine

Sometimes, it's difficult to stand up for what you believe in, especially when it's the opposite of what your own family holds true. When Jasmine is told she must marry a foreign prince while all she wants to do is live her own life, she escapes into the city. It's no wonder I was so intrigued by her. She’s feisty and resourceful, not to mention brave. Her rebellious nature definitely makes her one of my favorites.

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Pocahontas

In Pocahontas, we see the struggles between two completely different people: the Native Americans and the Europeans. But Pocahontas doesn’t see them as different. Rather than seeing skin color, she looks within and focuses instead on others' hearts. Her mature outlook on human nature and fair-mindedness make her a true Disney princess.

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Mulan

Disney movies tend to give me chills (in a good way, of course). And a good example of that is in Mulan, when the emperor gives the sword of Shan Yu to Mulan as a gesture of respect and honor.

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And she deserves it. She saved China by impersonating a man so that she could take her aging father's place. Her sense of honor and love for her family cannot be overlooked.

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Tiana

Out of all these lovely ladies, Tiana is, hands down, the most hardworking princess (sorry, Cinderella). I mean, she works day and night just so she has a chance to save up for a her dream (to open her own restaurant). Cinderella, you clean houses, and more power to you, but waitressing... Tiana takes this one. 

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She doesn't give up the dream, no matter the hurdle and by the end, she’s “on her way” to making it as a restaurant owner. 

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Rapunzel 

First off, have you SEEN Rapunzel’s room?! It’s like an explosion of artistic talent. It made me wish I owned my home and could actually paint the walls. 

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Also I can definitely relate to her wanderlust. She dreams of seeing the world, and I’m right there with her. I want to see Asia, Africa, and everywhere else too! Rapunzel is no different.  No matter how dangerous, she’s willing to set sail and venture forth.

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Merida

Well, of course I have to say Merida is beyond brave. She races against time to save her mother by completing a dangerous quest.  Her family is always on her mind. She MUST save them. She’d do anything for them.

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But what I truly appreciated from the film, and from the Scottish princess, was Merida’s fierce independence. She didn’t need to fall in love in order to be whole. So many girls and woman feel like they have to find a man. Time is running out, right? But, you know, you don’t have to do that.  In fact, you could just follow your dreams, figure out who you are and become brilliant, magical, and mighty just like Merida.

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Which Disney Princess is your favorite?  

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