Walt Before Mickey (2015)

Genre


Director


Country

USA

Cast

Thomas Ian Nicholas, Jon Heder, David Henrie, Taylor Gray, Jodie Sweetin, Sheena Colette, Hunter Gomez, Ayla Kell, Armando Gutierrez, Arthur L. Bernstein, Kate Katzman, Timothy Neil Williams, Conor Dubin, Flora Bonfanti, Briana Colman, Beatrice Taveras, Maralee Thompson, Natasha Sherritt, Frank Licari, Randy Molnar, Donn Lamkin, Nancy J. Barber, Owen Teague, Demitri Vardoulias, Noah Forgione

Storyline

Walt before Mickey takes viewers on a journey through the passion, ambition, and dreams of a man who would go on to capture millions of hearts across the world, and inspire dreams for generations to come.

Opinion

Walt Disney is the icon that has given birth to many icons, and that has entertained entire generations. But what's the story - and struggles - behind this great man? This film, based on Timothy Susanin's book, answered that question. In unflattering way.

Uninspired and unable to hold the attention of the viewer, Walt Before Mickey is the proof that dreams don't always come true.

The story is pretty solid, but the screenplay is a real mess. I did not read the book by Timothy Susanin - also approved by Diane Disney Miller, Walt's daughter, very misleading considering the quality of the film - so I cannot comment how closely the film sticks to the book, but I can say that it seems more like an adaptation of a student's paper rather than anything else.

Some parts don't make much sense either. For instance Walt Disney hiring Friz Freleng because he has been told Friz is great at voices - later demonstrated - years before the advent of sound. I have been wondering why hiring him when you can't even afford to pay the animators salaries, and what was he even doing in the studio. Also Freleng has not a single voice credit on IMDb.

The way Walt Disney's character is conceived is no better. Besides the accurate portrayal of a chain smoker, it's hard to believe that he is an actual person. 

The acting isn't better than some I've seen in junior high plays. Thomas Ian Nicholas - American Pie's Kevin - really makes you cringe in those moments when he seems to be rehearsing instead of acting, and does not bring neither personality nor soul into the role. Jon Heder looks completely lost as Roy Disney, but at least he looks a bit like his character. The supporting cast goes from decent - Armando Gutierrez as Ub Iwerks and Timothy Neil Williams as Fred Harman - to uninspired and overacting.

If there's something I know for sure is that Walt Disney never would have approved anything like this.

8 comments :

  1. I'll know to avoid this one then! Plus saving Mr Banks was fantastic, and Tom Hanks was the perfect actor for the role! http://onceupona-blog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've bought Saving Mr Banks months ago because of Colin Farrell, but I still haven't seen it. I'll probably watch it next year.

      Delete
  2. Too bad about this one. Haven't seen it, but I know there is a great story to be told about the man. Hopefully, we'll get that one of these days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll watch Saving Mr. Banks next week. Hopefully that one's better.

      Delete
  3. I Think You cant compare both Films. "Walt" is a decent low budget film with no big stars or a blockbuster director or a Major Film comprany or distribuitor behind. Ie. I dont like Tom Hanks movie because he is allways The same guy acting. I saw Walt on Netflix. As An Disney admirer and reader of Walt Disney life and as a filmmaker myself, I can said "Walt" keeps the Disney soul. But I am actually sad of howcome the Disney corporation has not supported the film and forget his creator "except the trademark". If You check out there is not a single great biopic film about him. There is also a big stories surrounding him. One is that Walt Disney born in Spain and the real play of Ub Iwerks, the real Genius behind The man.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you sure we are talking about the same film? Because this film is pretty much soulless. Also, you complain about the fact that there is none a single great biopic about him. Maybe it's because he was not the nicest person in the world, and somebody may not like a truthful movie. As happened with the Steve Jobs movie.

      Delete
  4. Your just a stupid who know nothing abt movie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If having an opinion means being stupid, then yes, I'm stupid. And by the way, it's *you're and *about. I may be stupid, but at least I can write correctly. Or at least I try.

      Delete