Strange World (2022)

[Greg]

Jaeger and Searcher, father and son, are trying to make it past the impenetrable mountains that surround their town, until the son decides he doesn't want to explore anymore. Jaeger goes off without him. Searcher returns to the village to raise his family. Fast forward twenty-five years. Searcher now has to go off to save the world.

It's Disney. There are messages. But Searcher goes into this surreal world below his at the behest of the president of the town. They have adventures. They meet new allies Searcher brings along his son Ethan.

It was all quite fun. I can see how the right hated it. The messages are about caring for the environment. There is a character that has they/them pronouns. And one of the characters is gay and everyone around treats him as if he was totally normal. They also have a physically challenged character they also treat as totally normal. So much inclusivity. I think this film was a bold gamble on Disney's part. If you have everyone represented in the film, everyone can see themselves in the film. Crazy talk. I think the interracial couple was the least controversial aspect.

It was enjoyable. It's not a great film. The twist is kind of good.

[Drunk Monk]

Almost watched this last night but decided it wasn’t xmasy, then I fell asleep…

[Drunk Monk]

I did like the twist but I wanted the world to be stranger. It came off as a weak cgi version of Porky in Wackyland, and except for that twist, it just didn’t hold my attention. I did like it’s inclusivity but Disney has been doing this for years with its YA sitcoms - granted it was a leap for a major motion picture (this ran in the theaters for a minute, right?) And the environmental message can’t be overstated nowadays but it’s probably too late. I just didn’t find the characters or the settings that interesting - mostly the settings. If you’re going to call it Strange, that’s a high bar nowadays and the strangeness just felt phoned in.

I did like the tri-pawed dog. That was my favorite character. 

Not D00M recommended. Better to watch Porky in Wackyland again.