Disney’s The Lone Ranger had a horrible holiday box office managing to lasso only a paltry $49 million over the five days. Even when you add in the international box office of $23 million, it doesn’t match the $82 million made by Despicable Me 2 at the domestic theaters. So where did Disney go wrong with this film?
Let’s look at the growing list of complaints:
First of all the film was too violent and word got out that you should not bring your young’ens. This made the choice of which movie over the holiday to see very easy for families. I really have to question the creative choice to make such a violent film. Keeping the blood to a minimum doesn’t count when you’re cutting out the heart of a character just off screen, shooting down a whole tribe of Native Americans, killing a bunch of soldiers, and shooting up a town. Disney Studio executives would do well to remember that the Disney name used to stand for something at the box office – quality family entertainment. Be definition you can’t provide that when the rating is PG-13 for violence. Read More »The Lone Ranger Falls Flat at Box Office
You’ve probably seen the kiosks for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) sales in the parks and at Downtown Disney. While Disney doesn’t like the word “timeshare,” that’s essentially what these properties are. Most are attached to deluxe resorts although there are also stand-alone properties like Saratoga Springs and Old Key West. These resorts have the same superior theming and amenities as other deluxe resorts, but in addition to studios, which closely resemble standard hotel rooms, they also come with one, two, and three-bedroom units with full kitchens, multiple bathrooms and washer and driers.
Staying in a DVC villa is a great way to have all the comforts of home while on your Disney vacation, but it also comes with a hefty price tag. You can rent these villas from Disney, but there’s a less expensive option available: Renting points from a DVC owner. This comes with some risks, but if you’re willing to take the chance, you can save a lot of money. Here’s how.Read More »The Highs and Lows of Renting Disney Vacation Club Points.
Disney’s The Lone Ranger rides into cinemas everywhere this weekend bringing a updated take on the classic TV show masked avenger to modern audiences. The film is a success and a failure to varying degrees. How much you feel of one or the other probably depends on your ability to just let go and have a good time. Although dark at times, the film isn’t meant to be taken too seriously and certainly pokes fun at some of the conventions we expect in a Lone Ranger story. Once you figure out who the villain is, and he reveals himself fairly early on, the pieces fall into place and the rest of the film is a can be enjoyed for what it is – well produced Hollywood fun.
Like Johnny Depp, I grew up watching reruns of the classic TV show edition of The Lone Ranger. The villains were inevitably corrupt businessmen and politicians or the standard mustache twirling dreamer up of evil plots. Tonto did his best to keep the outlaw lawman John Reid out of trouble and often swooped in for a well timed attack to save the masked avenger’s life. It was inspiring stuff to an 8 year old.
Sadly, I can’t recommend today’s 8-year olds watch this new edition of The Lone Ranger. The PG-13 rating is to be taken seriously for both violent scenes and fairly heavy subject matter.
Frankly, I don’t get why Disney is marketing The Lone Ranger to young kids with Halloween costumes, action figures, and the like. Was the part about cutting out and eating the still beating heart of one of the heroes not in the script when merchandise got their hands on it?
On the other hand, I recent sat through World War Z, a fairly graphic and bloody zombie attack movie, with a young kid right in front of me. He suffered no ill effect and was even suggesting dinner options on the way out of the theater (he must have had an iron stomach to go with his tolerance for horror and gore). But I digress.
Ostensibly about the journey John Reid takes to become The Lone Ranger, the movie actually dedicates more pages of the script to Tonto’s backstory. It makes sense since a large portion of the plot is driven by elements in Tonto’s life. The two start off as adversaries, but by the end of the film are ready to work together as a team to right the wrongs and bring the bad guys to justice.Read More »The Lone Ranger Rides Into Cinemas With Fun on its Mind
We just posted our construction update for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that featured the completed track, a few themed elements, and a lot of exposed steel. Now Disney’s Imagineers have taken possession of the first car destined to roll across those tracks. It’s still… Read More »First Car from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Arrives at Disney World
Truth be told, it’s been too long since I made it back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Different than other Disney theme parks in that the theme of nature inspired the Imagineers to create one of the most beautiful theme parks anywhere. There are always myriad little changes making it difficult to remember when some of the more major changes were made.
I do my best in this latest photo update but first your moment of theme park zen, a mother and son White Rhinoceros play on Kilimanjaro Safari
LEGOLAND Florida is getting ready to reveal its first major expansion later this week. The World of Chima is a tie-in to the new Cartoon Network animated series LEGO Legends of Chima. This video shows some of the final stages of construction focusing on a dramatic “floating” centerpiece, called Mount Cavora. The installation, which will tower 55 feet above the attraction, marks the final major construction milestone ahead of the area’s July 3 opening.
Mount Cavora, based on The LEGO Legends of Chima storyline, is a mystical floating mountain that provides animals with the energy source CHI via its waterfalls. The attraction structure will cascade water into the interactive splash-battle family ride, The Quest for CHI, soaking everyone below. The Quest for CHI will be one of three new attractions at LEGOLAND Florida when The World of Chima opens July 3.Read More »LEGOLAND Florida Readies World of Chima, First New Land
The Disney Channel debuted two new Mickey Mouse animated shorts this weekend. Yodelburg and No Service feature a new style of animation and a new direction for Mickey Mouse that the Walt Disney Company hopes returns some relevance of the character to today’s youth. If you weren’t able to catch them on the Disney Channel, you can watch them via YouTube now:
