Growing up in school, I not only had to read F. Scott Fitzgerald's amazing novel, but I also had to see the 1974 version of the movie. The novel itself was stirring and stunning as the whirlwind story is told from Nick Carraway's perspective, but when I watched the 1974 movie, I really didn't feel it connected with the movie as a whole. It seemed really drug-out at times and rushed at others. So when I heard that this was coming out, I looked forward to it with surprising anticipation. And when I finally saw it with my mom for a Mother's Day get-together, after the film's completion, all I could say was "Wow. I'm glad I chose this because it seriously holds true to the novel."
I'm not kidding - as the film went on, I was immediately taken back to my youth at several different points, saying, "Yep, that was just how the book pictured it." "Yep, I remember that character." And while the movie does oddly try to tie in more modern music with a time period that does not suit it (the only negative, to me, about the film), the old-school feel, the actual story, the characters and the connections between them are what you should be focusing on throughout the film. And for the film to nab two outstanding actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, as the major roles - absolutely brilliant. I hate to keep comparing movies to this, but unlike Cars 2 where I was fixed on a screen and felt absolutely no emotion and connection, here, I was staring at the screen because I was TRANSFIXED on everything that happened - every word, every moment, everything - and it honestly felt like I was in high school all over again. This IS the novel on a movie screen, period. If you loved the novel as much as I did, you won't be disappointed by this. You'll have flashbacks, but you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen just to take it all in. A true winner!

When it comes to movies that are more aimed toward children but still have an adult message behind it, I have some lofty expectations: smooth animation, a strong soundtrack, and a great plot. What this movie lacks from other ones I've seen lately is a strong voice cast - and I read some reviews that linked this movie with Fern Gully, which was OVERLY cheesy and ridiculous - but when I watched this with an open mind and heart, I put all that aside and was actually quite impressed. Aside from one sort-of over the top scene where birds sing in some sort of revival, you have to look at the overlying themes to truly appreciate this film: the innocence but loving and togetherness of childhood, the effects of our actions on the environment, and the efforts ones will undertake to save their fellow kind, no matter what the cost. If you look past the head-scratchers and eventually put the pieces together, you'll develop a stronger understanding of this movie, just like I did. Happy endings eventually abound and the major lesson is this: Hope springs eternal, if you just believe. "Once Upon A Forest" should leave you with warmth in your heart, lessons in your mind, and a sense that you can do anything you put your mind to with a little faith.

First of all, let me point out that this is mainly an ENVIRONMENTAL film. That's clearly the message this movie is trying to send...that every decision we, as humans, make effect the environment and the creatures living in it in some way. When several animals never even been around Africa lose their homes due to human action, they converge together and end up in Africa, where they meet up with Billy the Meerkat (who has to be a relative of Timon, he's just like him) and Socrates the Lion (who has turned from a carnivore to a vegetarian all because of one experience that killed his brother...when they went to an ELEPHANT GRAVEYARD - again with the Lion King reference!). The animals in Africa haven't received their yearly water cascade, so they go on a lengthy mission to find it. Lo and behold, humans have dammed up the water so that they can have it for their own luxury resort. With a united effort (as the movie's title implies), the group overcomes all odds (and one maniacal Hunter) to break the dam and return nature's peace to normal (as Socrates' sole goal in life mentions). This is a film you might be confused by at first with all the characters being thrown at you at once, but as the story goes along, it all comes together to teach its message. "Animals United" may not be realistic in the fact that all the animals wouldn't start a revolution, but the message comes across the same that we need to have a heart (just like the big business man's daughter, Mya), because we're not the only ones sharing the Earth.

Why does it always seem to be that the third movie in a series is the best? I don't know, maybe it's just me, but this just seemed to incorporate more twists, turns and downright craziness than the first. Yeah, there was some predictability (c'mon, who didn't know that Ian was the pelican? I knew right away!), but overall this one actually sticks with me a little bit. There's more storylines to follow, more angles to dissect, and more emotion that comes out than the other two films, probably combined. You'll probably want to watch the first two before you "dive in" to this one, but trust me, if you can stomach them there's no reason why you won't love "Chipwrecked". It's a must-ride!

The sequel to the first was made a bit more intriguing by the fact that the Chipettes are added (and found by the same Ian Hawk), but again, other than that it was the only story line that really added to the film. Nothing jumps out here.