Skull Island in the Deep Sea Mirror - Renegade Animation #112
In this episode, Captain Kaye and the Animation Guru take a trip to Skull Island, find a Lonely Castle in the Mirror, and dive head first into the Deep Sea!
What’s going on, everyone? This is your Captain speaking, and I’m excited to share this brand new episode! As much as June has been a packed month for major theatrically released animated features, it also was significant for animated features outside of the U.S., and a Netflix series set in Legendary’s MonsterVerse. Tune into the podcast to hear our full discussion on the first 8 episodes of Skull Island, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, directed by Keiichi Hara and Deep Sea, directed by Tian Xiaopeng.
Skull Island
This show is awesome, at least on paper. You would think that animation would allow for more fantastical adventures set in the MonsterVerse, as the medium doesn’t need to adhere to the laws of nature, gravity, or physics. However, while I did overall enjoy the series, it’s not without its faults. Said faults aren’t even unique to the MonsterVerse at large, but because this is also a Netflix series, you know you’re not getting the full story because of how often they will split a larger production order. The human characters are fine, with great performances across the board from its stacked voice cast. I just didn’t find them quite interesting enough to justify the near absence of King Kong, save for an incredible flashback episode towards the end of the batch. If you’re a fan of the MonsterVerse, you should still give this show a watch.
“While it has some good story beats and some decently fun monster action, it doesn't make up for the tone that is mismatched alongside its dialogue that is at times too quippy.“ -The Animation Guru
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
Talking about this movie on the podcast has helped me appreciate it even more than in my initial viewing. It’s a fantasy film that a lot of people will find relatable. There’s an air of mystery surrounding the titular castle, and why this group of students were invited to participate in the hunt for a key that can grant any wish. I personally found the second half more engaging than the first, but the ending packs a major emotional gut punch, once certain details are revealed. GKids is releasing the film on home media in September, please seek it out if you can!
“Keiichi Hara directs a story that revolves around the trials and tribulations brought upon by bullying and isolation that teens are dealing with. It might be heavy-handed, but it still works due to a great cast and compelling mystery.“ -The Animation Guru
Deep Sea
This is another movie that I have a deeper appreciation for after discussing it on the podcast than I did in my initial written review. One thing I will stand by wholeheartedly is how impressed I continue to be with China’s ever growing animation scene, which happens to have been kicked off by Tian Xiaopeng’s previous directorial effort, 2015’s Monkey King: Hero is Back. This movie looks incredible, every single second on screen is captivating, from the gorgeous backgrounds to the tiniest details in the forefront. Narratively, it can be a lot to take in, but go into this expecting dream logic as opposed to practical logic. I’d like to think of this as a nautical take on The Wizard of Oz, and if that sounds like your jam, then you need a find a way to see this movie as soon as it becomes more accessible!
“A downright gorgeous and emotionally beautiful feature that has some of China's most stunning animation to tell a story of pushing through the darkness to reach those bright moments in life.“ -The Animation Guru
That’ll do it for this episode! Thank you all for joining us! Please visit https://entertainmentcommunityfund.org/ and donate under the designation of Film and Television if you wish to support those that are effected by the 2023 WGA Writers’ Strike!
