Strange Magic Land In a distant land called Strange Magic Land, there exists a peculiar form of magic known as Dadn. Dadn is a unique and enigmatic power that only a few individuals possess. It is said to have originated from the ancient wizards of the land, who discovered a way to tap into the extraordinary energy that permeates the world. Dadn magic is unlike any other form of magic known in the realm. It is a combination of elemental manipulation, shape-shifting, and telepathy. Those who possess the Dadn ability can harness the power of the elements - fire, water, earth, and air - and mold them to their will.
Dawn is excited for Marianne's upcoming wedding to Roland. However, Marianne calls off the wedding after discovering that Roland was cheating on her with another fairy.
The Bog King has trapped the Sugar Plum Fairy because of a thing that happened which resulted in his hatred of love, even though his mother wants him to get married and be happy. After millions more songs, Roland, still trying to get into Marianne s royal throne, convinces Sunny to go into the dark forest to get the trapped Sugar Plum Fairy Kristin Chenoweth to create a love potion for him to use on Dawn, and for Roland to use on Marianne.
Those who possess the Dadn ability can harness the power of the elements - fire, water, earth, and air - and mold them to their will. They can conjure storms, create flame-walls, move rocks with their mind, and even transform into various creatures at will. The Dadn magic users, also known as Dadnians, are regarded with a mix of awe and fear by the other inhabitants of Strange Magic Land.
Review: STRANGE MAGIC, Or: What Is This Movie?!
When January rolls around, we can always expect movies to get released in the hopes people will go see them in between catching up on Oscar nominees and trying to replenish the cash supply after the present-buying season. Most of the time when you see the trailer for one of these movies, you have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to get. But, just seeing the poster for the new animated film Strange Magic, made by Lucasfilm and with a story-by credit to George Lucas himself, I had no idea what was going on. What is this movie? Well, do you guys want to know what it is? It’s a fantasy jukebox musical. It’s got fairies and elves and goblins and stuff all incessantly singing pop hits from the last four decades. The next question then becomes, “WHY is this movie?”
It’s pretty rare for me to know as quickly that I hated a movie as I did with Strange Magic. It was within the first five minutes when the characters were on their third different reinterpreting of a radio hit that I said “Oh… oh no. There’s 93 more minutes of this.” And there was 93 more minutes of it. No matter how hard I tried, the time was never less than the printed running time. It wasn’t a mistake; it was actually that long. I suspect that if we removed the songs (and, yes George Lucas is loaded, but the music rights budget for this movie must have been astronomical), there’d be a half-hour short film in there. The script couldn’t have been more than 35 pages.
Time for critical due diligence. In a magical world of whatever, there’s a kingdom of fairies and elves and happy stuff right next to a kingdom in shadow ruled by The Bog King (Alan Cumming) that also has goblins and monsters. The creatures are all little, so trees are huge comparatively. You get it. On the border between the two lands grows a particular flower, which the Bog King constantly has cut down because the petals can be turned into a love potion, and he hates love. The fairy princess Marianne (Evan Rachel Wood) is about to get married to the handsome and dashing Roland (Sam Palladio) who only wants to marry the naive princess for her kingdom when the king (Alfred Molina) eventually isn’t king anymore. Marianne catches Roland making out with some other fairy on their wedding day and hence calls off the wedding and becomes jaded and sword-wielding.
Meanwhile, the elf Sunny (Elijah Kelley) is in love with Marianne’s flirty younger sister Dawn (Meredith Anne Bull) who dreams about boy fairies all day. After millions more songs, Roland, still trying to get into Marianne’s…royal throne, convinces Sunny to go into the dark forest to get the trapped Sugar Plum Fairy (Kristin Chenoweth) to create a love potion for him to use on Dawn, and for Roland to use on Marianne. The Bog King has trapped the Sugar Plum Fairy because of a thing that happened which resulted in his hatred of love, even though his mother wants him to get married and be happy.
It was about this time in the movie when I realized I was actually still alive. I hadn’t died at all and was sitting in a room watching a movie with a bunch of other people. My inner monologue sounded a lot like this: “AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. ” but I kept it pretty quiet and only expressed myself at each subsequent out-of-nowhere song that maybe pertains to love or whatever by throwing my head against the back of my seat. I may have dented both it and my head.
By time we get to the song Marianne and the Bog King sing, a Broadway version of ELO’s “Strange Magic,” a show of the newly-burgeoning romance between two characters who are jaded and dismissive of love, I began to have a Stockholm Syndrome moment. I actually thought I was sort of enjoying these two characters’ weird interactions. Every single other character could still have flown into the sun but I was enjoying these two. Then I realized I had been brainwashed by the bright colors and the omnipresence of pop music and began biting the inside of my mouth to remind me that any pain is better than what I was watching.
I recognize when a movie isn’t made for me, but I have to wonder who Strange Magic was actually made for. Little-little kids? Maybe; everything moves so fast and is bright and loud and music-y, but all the music is old, or not stuff kids would know. Also, there’s a weird thing in the movie where the characters know they’re singing and they’ve heard the songs before. It’s not like part of the musical suspension of disbelief; they just sing songs to each other. You know what, this movie can’t be for kids because it’s kind of racist. The elves are depicted as short and dark skinned, and all the voices of the elves are done by African American actors, which offsets all the tall, angular, very white fairies. At the end of the movie, there’s a very strong indication that the king of the fairies doesn’t want his daughter marrying an elf. Like, he faints at the thought of it like it’s the 1950s.
Anyway, this movie is loathsome, that’s what it is. I don’t know why it exists. Don’t see it.
1 out of 5 Burritos (solely for the animation, which is well done)
“What’s Love Got to Do With It?” you might ask (not on the soundtrack). A single primrose petal is the key ingredient needed for a love potion that, tossed like glitter in Dawn’s face, will make her fall in love with the first thing she sees. So is the message it’s what’s inside that counts? Or, contrary to the film’s previous reminders, is love something that can be forced on the unsuspecting with a little magic?
Their abilities defy the laws of nature and have the potential to bring both destruction and salvation. Dadnians are often feared as potential threats, as their powers can be unpredictable and volatile. However, they also possess the potential to be great protectors and healers, using their powers to keep the balance in the magical world. To harness the Dadn power, Dadnians undergo extensive training in specialized academies. These academies teach them to control and channel their magic effectively, ensuring that they do not endanger themselves or others. Dadnians learn the ancient rituals, spells, and techniques passed down from generation to generation, honing their abilities as they progress. While the Dadn magic is a tremendous gift, it also comes with great responsibility. Dadnians are expected to use their powers for the greater good and maintain the harmony of Strange Magic Land. They must resist the temptation to abuse their powers or to meddle in the affairs of others. Instead, their duty is to protect the weak, heal the wounded, and safeguard the balance between order and chaos. In Strange Magic Land, the Dadnians are both revered and isolated. They live in hidden communities, away from the prying eyes of those who fear their powers. However, they are always ready to spring into action when their unique abilities are needed. They guard the land from dark magic, restore peace amidst chaos, and work tirelessly to maintain the delicate equilibrium of the magical world they call home. In conclusion, Strange Magic Land is a realm where the enigmatic Dadn magic exists. Dadnians possess incredible powers that allow them to manipulate the elements, shape-shift, and communicate telepathically. They are regarded with both fear and awe by others and undergo extensive training to control and channel their abilities. Dadnians have a great responsibility to use their powers for the greater good, protect the weak, and maintain the harmony of the magical world. Their secluded existence doesn't prevent them from being the guardians and healers of Strange Magic Land, always ready to defend and restore peace when their unique abilities are needed..
Reviews for "Strange Magic and its Connection to the Astral Plane"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Strange Magic Land". The plot was incredibly confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The pacing was all over the place, making it difficult to stay engaged. The visual effects were okay, but they couldn't save the lackluster story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie if you're looking for a compelling and well-crafted fantasy film.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Strange Magic Land" was a complete waste of time. The acting was wooden, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The concept of the movie had potential, but it ended up being a convoluted mess. The plot twists were predictable and cliché, leaving me feeling unfulfilled and bored. The soundtrack, touted as one of the highlights of the film, didn't add anything special to the overall experience. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "Strange Magic Land" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on multiple levels. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the movie dragged on for far too long. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about what happened to them. The special effects were decent, but they couldn't compensate for the lack of a compelling story. Overall, I found myself checking the time throughout the film, waiting for it to be over.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Strange Magic Land", but it fell short of my expectations. While the visual effects were impressive, the story felt disjointed and poorly executed. The movie's attempt at creating a unique fantasy world came across as confusing and muddled. The performances were average at best, and the dialogue felt awkward and unnatural. Despite these shortcomings, there were a few redeeming qualities that prevented me from giving the film a lower rating. However, if you're looking for a captivating and immersive fantasy experience, I would recommend looking elsewhere.