528-2
Disney Toy Box- Pixar: Mike Wazowski & Radall
I’m continuing my quest to watch and review the entire Disney Animation collection to date. See reviews 429-2, 434-2, 456-2 461-2, 484-2, 513-2 & 518-2 for previous entries.
Victory Through Air Power- 1943
Victory Through Airpower is a big departure from the whimsical Disney releases of the time and a MASSIVE difference to the currently squeaky clean, family friends company that it has grown in to, but still represents a very important time for the world, helped solidify the company to what it would eventually become and legitimize animation as a legitimate media type. It’s not available on Disney Plus or anything, but you can watch the entire thing on youtube here:
https://youtu.be/tUeKeN9bXSE
More of a documentary with animated segments, VTP is a wartime propaganda file based on the non-fiction book of the same name written by war strategist Maj. Alexander P. Seversky, that basically makes a case for long range bombing missions in order to win the war. On the surface, the premise is a bit bizarre given that this was the same company that made Bambi a few years before, but also because it kind of seems like a no-brainer that long range bombing would be a really effective way to actually win a war. I suppose in this modern day and age it's hard to imagine a time when planes were considered new technology and benefits to their usage was still being sussed out, but clearly there were some sceptics. And that is where Disney came in. Apparently he read the book and felt very compelled to make the film in order to get Seversky’s message out to powers that be to help with the war effort; which according to some, actually made a difference to how WW 2 was fought and ultimately won.
The film itself has some fun animated segments that are reminacant to many of the Disney shorts of the time that go into the history of flight, plane usage in the first World War and an actual strategic use of planes for the current ongoing war in Europe. At times it feels that you are watching a Goofy :how to Movie” but quickly dawns on you that this is a real military plan to bomb the Nazi’s with the goal to kill a lot of people.
After the release of this movie it seemed as though Disney wanted to keep up the animated documentaries and started producing a series of animated shorts for all sorts of day to day things. A few of note that are also on Youtube:
Cleanliness Brings Health:
https://youtu.be/QOA-YYlePds
Insects as Carriers of Disease:
https://youtu.be/8SaY8Jhr_ts
I’m No Fool with Fire featuring Jiminy Cricket:
https://youtu.be/U0-SohacgTE
And perhaps the piece de resistance: The Story of Menstruation:
https://youtu.be/eLhld_PI2zg
There are a bunch more if you want to check out this playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...2-6ub87I1lILiB
Pros: Mike Wazowski: A super nice sculpt that captures his unique monster look really well and has a decent amount of articulation considering that he’s just a ball with arms and legs.
Randell: As with Mike, has a really nice sculpt with a surprising amount of articulation throughout his body and all his legs. I also love how they incorporated his ability to turn invisible.
Cons: Mike: Only issue is that both arms and legs movement is hindered by how they are attached to his body. I would have also liked it if his eyeball could move around.
Randell: Nothing. Randell is a fantastic figure that really exemplifies how fun this Toy Box line can be.
