Volume 3, No. 19. October 10,2003
New Arrivals
It’s
a 4-D film!
The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, announces
the arrival of Mickey’s PhilharMagic, October 8, 2003. Measurements:
Wrap around screen measuring 150 feet long (45 meters) and 28 feet high (8 meters).
Imagine a 4-D film in which each segment begins with a gasp and ends with applause.
Imagine a cartoon that has kids giggling and most parents guffawing throughout.
Imagine all this featuring only classic Disney cartoon characters.
Walt Disney World officials lumped the opening of its newest 4-D effort at Magic
Kingdom in with the media extravaganza surrounding the opening of Mission:
SPACE over at Epcot (see story above) and ran the risk
of having Donald Duck steal Mars’ thunder. The 3-D is good, the special
effects of wind, spotlights, popping champagne corks, scents of dinner and dessert
and, of course, water are executed well. But it is the story itself and the
characters’ performances that make this multi-D presentation special the
first time and even better with each return visit.
It starts off merely cute as Donald Duck mischievously puts on Mickey Mouse’s
wizard hat to conduct the orchestra. The spell gone awry sends Donald and instruments
into a whirlwind, allowing for the standard cheap 3-D effects that have audiences
grabbing at flutes and symbols. Then it’s lights out until Beauty and
the Beast's Lumiére lights himself and launches the PhilharMagic
on a delightful journey as Donald chases Mickey’s hat through classic Disney
musical scenes (“Be Our Guest,” the marching brooms, Little Mermaid,
Lion King, Peter Pan and Aladdin). All the while the humor grows
richer as the screen itself expands into a surround sensation, particularly
noticeable in Ariel’s grotto and Simba’s pining to be king. Even when
the movie is done, the comedy continues with the back end of an animatronic
Donald performing the denouement at the back of the theater.
The entire movie was created on computer, so some of the classic characters
have Toy Story looks to them. However, original animators returned to
do the 3-D Lumiére and Ariel, and most of Donald Duck is voiced by Clarence
“Ducky” Nash, the duck’s original voice, as the producers used
Donald’s lines from classic Disney films in PhilharMagic; only Donald's
humming to “Be Our Guest” is newly recorded.
After
debuting the show for visiting journalists Wednesday evening, the queuing public
on Thursday created a traffic jam in the square behind Cinderella’s Castle,
and even the Fast Pass queue looked imposing. That popularity is likely to continue
because this is the kind of film that requires second and third viewings to
fully appreciate.
Whether it was Ariel dancing with Donald, the duck’s magic carpet chase
through Arabian alleyways or a giraffe wearing a Fantasia wizard’s hat,
Mickey’s PhilharMagic proves that while 4-D effects may provide
the awe, storyline and good acting are the things that make it a wonder.
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
©2003, Minton Enterprises
LLC
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