"The Secret of the Magic Gourd" is a popular children's story that has been adapted into movies and TV shows. It follows the adventure of a young boy named Wang Bao who discovers a magical gourd that grants wishes. The gourd, which can talk and has a mischievous personality, promises to fulfill all of Wang Bao's desires. However, as the story progresses, Wang Bao quickly realizes that having everything he wants is not as fulfilling as he had imagined. The gourd grants his every wish, but with unintended consequences. For example, when he wishes for endless ice cream, he ends up being unable to stop eating and becomes sick.
In all, it’s very smart business sense and as an added bonus, if these films can play well enough to all audiences then we benefit too, in at least being able to take a peek at what’s playing well around the world. And, in fact, Disney’s unmistakable mark is all over The Magic Gourd, especially in the attention lavished on the character animation of the Gourd himself. In this English-language dubbed version, his voice is provided – as the marketing is all too eager to tell us – by High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu, one of the current crop of Disney Channel moppets, but it turns out to be an interesting choice since he sounds much more mature than one would expect and the Gourd is actually intended to be some kind of man-child character in any event. It’s a nice pairing, and Bleu suits it well.
Surely this is the result of the film being worded carefully so as to allow an ease in creating a later international version there are no false pauses to accommodate the changes in language syntax, nor any moments where several lines of plot exposition have been attempted to be squeezed into just a couple of words worth of dialogue. Disney has historically always been a studio willing to break out from its Burbank confines Europhile Walt of course based many of his fairytales in European-influenced storybook lands, undertook a tour of South America in the 1940s resulting in a number of films designed for that then-developing market and, when he found profits from his classic early features could only be spent in cash-strapped, war-torn England, became one of the first of the few US studios to establish British businesses, developing a series of films that could be made and released there locally.
For example, when he wishes for endless ice cream, he ends up being unable to stop eating and becomes sick. When he wishes to be the best student in his class, everyone else's knowledge disappears, leaving him lonely. Through these experiences, Wang Bao learns important life lessons about responsibility, the value of hard work, and the importance of friendship.
Secret of the Magic Gourd, The (film)
Secret of the Magic Gourd, The (film) A young boy named Wang Bao finds a gourd with magical powers, but discovers that the gourd’s power to fulfill his wishes comes as a great price—everything the gourd helps him obtain is taken away from its rightful owner. He eventually learns that working hard is the only way to earn the things that truly matter. A joint venture between Buena Vista International, Centro Digital Pictures Ltd. of Hong Kong, and the China Film Group Corporation. The film had its premiere in Beijing on June 29, 2007. Directed by John Chu and Frankie Chung. The first Disney co-production in China, in the Mandarin language. Adapted from a 1958 novel by Zhang Tian Yi. The film was released on DVD in the U.S. in 2009, with an English-language soundtrack featuring the voice talents of Drake Johnston, Takayo Fischer, Megan Hilty, Aaron Drozin, Grace Fulton, Josh Reames, Jeremy Shada, and Corbin Bleu (the Magic Gourd).
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Walt Disney Pictures/Centro Pictures/China Film Group (June 29 2007), Walt Disney Home Entertainment (January 27 2009), single disc, 84 mins plus supplements, 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Mandarin and Cantonese Surround, Rated G, Retail: $29.99
He begins to understand that the things he desires should be earned, and that happiness comes from relationships and personal growth, rather than material possessions. "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" teaches children about the dangers of instant gratification and the importance of appreciating what they already have. It encourages them to be mindful of their actions and consider the potential consequences. The story also emphasizes the significance of ethical behavior, as Wang Bao learns that he should not take advantage of the gourd's powers for personal gain. Overall, "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" is a delightful tale that entertains and educates young readers. It reminds them that true happiness comes from within and cannot be achieved through external possessions or magical shortcuts. It encourages them to embrace the journey of life, rather than seeking quick fixes or easy solutions..
Reviews for "The Magic Gourd and the Balance of Power: A Mythical Perspective"
1. Emma - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Secret of the Magic Gourd". The storyline felt predictable and cliché, and I was hoping for something more original. The characters were also poorly developed, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Overall, the movie lacked depth and failed to engage me as a viewer.
2. Mark - 3/5 - While "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" had its moments, I wasn't particularly impressed with it. The animation was decent, but the plotline felt disjointed and unrealistic at times. I also found the dialogue to be cringe-worthy and lacking in substance. It's definitely not a movie I would recommend to others, as there are far better options out there.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I watched "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" with my children, and we all found it to be quite underwhelming. The pacing was slow, and it felt like the story dragged on unnecessarily. Additionally, the moral lessons in the movie were quite heavy-handed and felt forced. Overall, it didn't captivate our attention or leave a lasting impression. I would choose a different family-friendly film over this one any day.
4. Michael - 1/5 - I'm sorry, but "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" was a complete waste of my time. The animation was poorly executed, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The storyline was predictable, and there were no surprises or moments that stood out to me. I found myself bored and disengaged throughout the entire film. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
Exploring the Global Enigma of the Magic Gourd